Winter Wonderland

When we had some snow flurries on January 21st, the kids were excited but disappointed at the same time because it didn't stick.

Last night when it started to stick the kids were ecstatic! It looked like sand piled up on the deck it was so powdery.

As it kept accumulating the boys went out in the moonlight sledding down the front driveway.  The neighbors came over just as excited to see so much snow and joined in the sledding.

In the morning we woke to a Winter Wonderland.  
Clearly this would be a snow day from indoor school work but before they started to play I did have one lesson for them.  I sent them on a quest to discover different animal snow prints.  They found quite a few and even discovered where two deer had clearly slept the night in our woods.

Then I released them to have fun!  Even the girl got into playing; making contemplative snow balls and eventually sledding down the side hill with Lance (after thinking he wanted her to push him, lol).  

The dog on the other hand wasn't so sure about all this white stuff (wimp).

The boys discovered three different and exciting hills for sledding around the yard.  

Our new yard was officially declared the coolest house ever by the boys and Chris.

Carnival of the Animals

Back on January 4th we made our first trip to downtown Raleigh.  We ventured there to attend the NC Symphony.  The ride was an easy 20 min. (just like everywhere else).  The facility was absolutely gorgeous, they have a separate hall just for smaller concerts and their children series.  They even had booster seats for the kids, Titus made sure to get a green one.

Before the concert they had an "Instrument Petting Zoo", the boys were tickled to try out everything; violin, flute, french horn, clarinet and trumpet.  Remarkably they all managed to make sound on them all.  They even had me try out the flute, it had been many years and I have totally forgot the fingering but it didn't sound too terrible.  In fact, after hearing all the respective instruments played by novices I must say the flute would be the most tolerable to live with during the learning phase.  Maybe after the boys improve their piano playing we'll get one, or maybe I'll just get one for me (I think they lean toward the louder instruments.)

The concert itself was extremely well done.  The conductor was jolly with a great dry humor.  After the initial pieces were played the main event was accompanied by a narrator and dancers to tell the tale of the animals.  We had chosen front row seats in the upper balcony (we thought it was more important that they have a clear view than a close one).  We were so high up and the wall rather low, that some were hesitant at first to get in their seats.  However, in the end the seats were perfect and Chris said we should always sit there.  The concert actually lasted an hour and fifteen minutes; about 15 minutes too long for Titus but he still did very well.  We look forward to attending more of the Children's series in the future.

On an aside....We have been listening to a lot of classical music this year.  There is a wonderful classical radio station in town that plays very upbeat classical music with minimal talking and no advertising.  We listen to it in the car and we even got a radio for the kitchen so we can listen to it throughout the day.  I really do believe music is powerful.  Whenever we remember to turn on the music first thing in the morning our days seem to go much better, the boys are better focused and more patient with eachother.  Amber appears much calmer as well.

Bird Crazy

Our new year started with the spotting and identifying two new birds at our bird feeder:

Bluebird (one of my favorites)

 

Blue-winged Warbler

I guess that really got everyone excited about birding.  Since then we have spotted and identified six more species of birds at our feeder, bringing the total up to 22!  On my birthday I took out the long lens and have being trying to get good pictures of them all.  The boys have joined with me in my quest and are having fun filming and identifying the new visitors to our backyard.  In an attempt to keep track of our discoveries I've added a new page to my blog called "Bird Watch".  Here we will list any new species we see and from this page you can follow the link the photo gallery of the visitors to our backyard.

We are working not only to identify the birds but also to learn about their behavior and songs.  We recently checked out the book "Backyard Birds of Winter" by Carol Lerner. I thought it was really neat how many of the connections and behaviors we had already observed and how many of the birds mentioned in her book we had already seen at our feeder.  

We went walking in Hemlock Bluff again last weekend (we need to do so more often its so close and peaceful) and the boys started another line of identification with Chris, trees, they've found in our "forest".  The boys have been working diligently to clear out the scrub each weekend with their father.  By spring I think we'll have quite the backyard.  Now I just need to find more books on Fauna LOL.

Christmas in NC

 

Merry Christmas from our Family to Yours!

We celebrated much of Christmas on Sunday since Chris would have to work most of Christmas Day.

On Sunday, Chris brought down the Christmas tree.  The boys did a nice job of putting it together (by themselves!!) and (new for this year) setting up their Duplo train underneath.  They were excited to have the tree up.  I then helped them add the lights and the styrofoam popcorn garland we made last year.  Final decorations were their Dollywood candle ornaments and the cards from our friends and family.  (Next I really hope to reciprocate - truly).

Then the boys remembered the deer (much to Chris' chagrin), instead of helping the airplanes land in Florida, they now serve as Apex, NC location beacon for the International Space Station.

Next we had a formal dinner (next year we'll dress up too) which is a tradition we started this year.   The kids were charmed by getting to eat on the good Corelle (we are very fancy people you can see) and having fancy glasses to drink Ginger Ale and Kombucha.  I cooked a turkey breast and special Mac & Cheese.  It wasn't as good as my Thanksgiving turkey but enjoyable. It was the novelty of the dinner the boys enjoyed most.

We finished up the evening watching a random slide show of all our pictures on the TV, talking about the memories they brought back and listening to Christmas Carols in the background.

Today, since Dad was working, we did some school work and I made pumpkin pie with Titus and Amber.  Once he was done, he went right to work playing with the boys and (another new tradition) making my dad's famous french toast for a late lunch.  He did well; the boys ate heartily.

As the sun set, we brought them in and Jared read aloud from one of the books we had checked out from the library.  Then Dad read the Christmas story from the Bible while the boys acted out the scene with the best Nativity ever (the Fisher Price version is indestructible).

Finally we let them open their gifts.  The T-shirts above were among their booty.

I eluded to another tradition we started this year leading up to Christmas :  reading lots of books about the season.

I had received many lists of "favorite Christmas books" this year.  So to sort through them I requested every book on the lists I could find at our local library; some were twaddle, some twisted the true meaning, and some were too sad. I'm happy to say that along the way I found some real winners to read to the kids.  Chris was our chief reader this year and the boys looked forward to the readings each night so I'd call the experiment a true success and a tradition I hope to continue for years to come.

We read the two great chapter books; one chapter of each per night.  The boys groaned each time we stopped; begging for more.

The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson
The Lion in the Box by Marguerite de Angeli

Then these Illustrated Stories:
Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck  (teaches the joy of giving)
An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco (You might want to skip Epilogue)
The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey (a little on the sad side but happy ending)
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry (funny prose)

Finally a book we read last year that the boys look forward to the read again this year.  If you are creative, there is so much you could do with this stretching through the whole advent season.

The Jesse Tree by Geraldine McCaughrean

Pictures of Home

The last week in October we managed to get the NC tags for the car and my NC Drivers License; the last in our list of formalities.  We were now official residents of NC, however it still didn't feel like home.  I'm learned no amount of formalities checked off a list would make it home. We would need to add the personal touches.

I mentioned in my one month post that though we were getting settled, we had not put out anything personal.  That got me wondering if that was why it still didn't feel like home.  So starting two weekends before the Parays arrived we changed that situation. 

Originally, I wanted to wait till we had all the rooms repainted to hang any pictures, then I realized that may not be for a while.  Also, I worried the longer they stayed piled up in a corner the more likely they were going to get damaged, so up they must go!  While I ran errands and got groceries on Saturday, Chris unpacked all our pictures in preparation for the hanging.

Here is the art gallery that resulted.

While we planned out and hung the majority of our pictures inside.It was a great day outside and the boys explored the woods (returning four arrows they found to our neighbor), climbed trees, put together the wheel-barrow and raked leaves into a huge pile for burning tomorrow. It was a productive day all around.

With the kitchen now fully functional after our vacation, i can say that our home is now our own.  We will of course make changes over time but for now we are settled and with that in mind here are some pictures of the interior (first floor at least) as requested; in a very "lived in" state :-)


Entrance to the house complete with watch dog patrolling:

To the left after entering is the "School Room":  

Continuing to the right is the kitchen:

Through door in distance is garage; left is bathroom and right is second set of stairs.

The eat in-area of the kitchen includes "Central Command" (ie. my desk)

Continuing around to the Music/Reading Room leading out to back deck:

Finally the TV Room which brings us back to the front door:

Hope you enjoyed the Tour :-)

Captain Sunny!

Let me introduce the newest member of our family - bought last Sunday as an early Christmas gift.  (Thanks Grandma Elaine!).

We were on a innocent recon trip to a couple pet stores to convince the boys that gerbils and parakeets really weren't the best pet idea for them.  That those type of pets would not provide them what they wanted, which was something to hold (Jared) and something to train (Lance).  At the last store, I took the boys into the store and Chris waited in the car with a sleeping Amber. While in their, I innocently reached over to a Cockatiel expecting to be snapped at but instead he climbed on my finger and walked right up my arm.  When he seemed to like everyone, I sent Lance out to see if Amber was awake and to come on in. I expected Chris to be the voice of reason and all he said was let's get him. I later learned from Chris that as soon as he saw Lance coming out to the car, he knew we were getting a bird. So much for recon to avoid getting pets.

"Captain Sunny" is his name and I'm happy to say the boys all agreed on even it before we left the store.  He's a 6 month old Pearl Cockatiel.  We generally just call him "Captain" and it works well with "Sarge"; who by the way is still trying to figure out what this thing is that we brought into the house and wondering when its leaving.

It took the Captain a few days to get settled into his new home. We moved his cage from the Lego room upstairs into the school room on the first floor after the first day to provide him the socialization he desired.  He was supposed to stay in his cage for a a few days, but by the end of day two he started throwing such a fit we had to let him out of his cage; then there was no turning back - he had us trained.  We started out slow just letting him sit on the boys shoulders while they practiced piano (great motivator to practice and stop raising their shoulders while they play).

Since that time he has spent more and more time out of his cage; on people's shoulders or playing on the play sets the boys set up for him.  However, he has been banned from the dinner table during meals since he flew down and started walking through everyone's plates in a manic sort of way. LOL

Making Memories

Titus kept talking about making memories while Aunt Susie was here and how he didn't want to stop. So it was well timed that the day she left Grandpa Bob arrived to make some more memories. 

When he arrived, all four kids ran out so excited to see him. They all talked at once giving him a tour of the house and then off to the woods to tour our property as well. 

When the tours were subsiding, Grandpa told them he had stuff for them in the car. First Jared came running in saying " I didn't think he was bringing anything. I thought he was just visiting". Then shortly afterward, Lance ran in with a gift saying something similar. Their comments made me smile. 

In addition to the four gifts I had suggested to Dad, he got them each one more that were just as exciting to the kids. Amber was thrilled with her pony which the new doll fit on. Titus (with his brothers help) got his entire new Lego set put together before Chris and Dad got back from running an errand. 

All the boys enjoyed trying out the new pellet gun in the backyard. Amber and I stayed where it was warm and I took pics through an open window. Eventually Titus lost steam and joined us inside but the other boys stayed out quite a while. Jared out-shot his dad and grandpa hitting the only 9 of the night and Lance looked like a professional hunter with his consistent stance and hits. 

For dinner, I put my Dad to work making his famous French toast. It was a big hit with everyone, not many meals can make that claim in our house.  After dinner Jared, then Lance, challenged Grandpa to a game of chess. Their styles are very different, Jared plays a heavily offensive game and Lance a defensive game. Both had Grandpa thinking so long I was joking we needed to get a timer, to which Dad laughed. He said later that both boys played "exceptionally" well. During dinner, games and bedtime Grandpa shared some stories, it was hard to get us to bed knowing he'd be leaving early before we got up but knowing that he needed his sleep we all eventually made it to bed. 

It was SO GREAT to have him visit. Thanks Grandpa Bob!  Hopefully next time Grandma Sherry can come too!

Chritmas in the Smokies

Two days after the Parays left Auntie Susie arrived to travel with us to Dollywood in Tennessee.

We had planned this trip over a year ago, long before the idea of moving had materialized.  Being that we were barely settled into our house we thought about canceling but since Auntie Susie was coming and our GC needed some time to do stinky kitchen repairs without us under foot we decided to shorten the trip but still go and I'm sooooooo glad we did.

Ironically, the only trepidation the boys had when we made the plans originally was that it was a 12 hour drive from Florida.  Our move cut the trip to only six hours, a big bonus for my car sick prone boys.  We made the journey without incident and even had a very successful stop at Panera half way for a late lunch.

We had booked one of the Dollywood cabins because of the perk of admission to the park the whole time you stay for the only the cost of one day, and since Dollywood at Christmas was the main reason for the vacation, it only made sense.

We checked in at the main office and got directions to our cabin (Dollywood manages a bunch of privately owned cabins, so they are in various location within a few miles of Dollywood).  I had chosen the cabin for its three rooms and gorgeous views of the Smokies.  What we didn't know was that we'd be taking our lives into our hands every time we came and went.  After our poor mini van made it up the rather narrow and steep road, we had to ascend a "driveway" that was at the maximum grade for any car to go up without falling over backward.  Thankfully there was a flat turn-about at the top.  

After taking deep breaths and prayers of thanks for making it up we entered the cabin.  The views were just as advertised, we were basically at the top of a small mountain looking at the Smoky Mountains in the distance.   The boys went exploring and quickly found the Air Hockey and Foosball tables downstairs.  We old people enjoyed the view from the upper deck.

Then we waited for the rest of party to arrive; our friend Brandy and her three boys.  Chris decided the safest thing to do was to meet them at the check in and lead them up the mountain.  When they arrived a few hours later we had a wonderfully full house.  The boys were excited to see each other again and we girls began talking up a storm.

The next day began the Dollywood marathon.  I know of no other theme park that does up Christmas better than Dollywood, especially from an unapologetic Christian perspective.  The lights, the songs, the shows, the craftspeople; its just magical.

The first night we saw my favorite show/musical  "Christmas in the Smokies", the singing is so beautiful it brought me to gentle tears and all the kids/adults sat spell bound, though little Levi did fall sweetly asleep on Lance's shoulder.

In addition to the shows are all the kid-friendly rides the boys had a blast riding.  The cars are always on the top of the list, and little miss pushed me away to ride the carousal by herself.  Lance and Jared rode their first Ferris Wheel.  Chris was kept busy being Titus and Levi's ride Buddy and lumber jack climbing champion.   But the favorite for everyone is always the real steam engine ride that takes you on a three mile loop, playing old time Christmas carols the whole way, needless to say many from Dolly Parton but also a good mix of Elvis and the like.

Our friends could only stay through Thursday evening.  It was suppose to rain all day Friday so we decided to take a break from Dollywood and go to The Aquarium of the Smokies.  This is, hands down, my favorite aquarium in the country.  I was so pleased that it showed no signs of age or ware since our last visit three years ago.  This was Susies' first visit and so I got to play a little teacher/tour guide discussing the occupants of the tanks. Marine biology is still one of my favorite subjects.

Then we went one more time to Dollywood to catch the shows we missed, ride our favorite rides eat more kettle corn and yummy Cinnamon yeast rolls.  The highlight on the return trip was Auntie Susie taking the boys to make Christmas candles.  You should of seen the look of total delight on Titus' face when he first finishing dipping his candle.  I was so busy enjoying the moment I forgot to take photos.  The boys all made beautiful candles for themselves and others.  We also enjoyed introducing the boys to Dickens "A Christmas Carol", in Dolly's incredible yet gentle rendition.

In addition to all the fun we had at the park it was great to hang out and talk at the cabin.  Auntie Susie even taught the boys Sudoku and reintroduced me to the game.  We always have such a great time vacationing with Susie.  Thanks for everything Auntie Susie!

Love ya Susie!

Thanksgiving

For the past four days everything has seemed right in the world.  Our lives seemed whole again as the one piece missing returned.  The looks and sounds of happiness.  The now ever so special sounds of the friends voices, the laughter of so many children fills the house.  The sounds so familiar for the last eight years and so painfully absent the last two months.  For the past four days everything has had the comfortable peace and joy that comes from being with friends so close they are family.

Our friends the Parays arrived on Tuesday and returned to Florida today.  The words are hard to find to express how thankful we are for the time spent together. 

Mae and I had so many wonderful hours talking, picking up right where we left off, as if we had only been together the day before.  There is something so different about talking in person than over the phone.  We were even able to slip away and go to lunch as I showed her around our new corner of the world, hoping, not very secretly, that it might someday be her corner of the world too. 

Chris was blessed to be able to work from home.  This is how Mae and I got to get away but it had the added benefit for him of being around all the happy sounds of the children.  He too has so greatly missed our friends.  He took them for long walks, played soccer and football. 

The cold never stopped the children.  They played outside, shot the BB-gun, explored the woods, found crayfish, got muddy in the stream, and fully utilized the space in the house in active games of tag and hide-n-seek. 

We celebrated Sophia's Birthday early on Wednesday and made a yummy traditional Thanksgiving spread on Thursday, followed by the requested act of pumpkin carving. 

Now its time to figure out when our next meeting will be and I'm sure once it is decided we will all begin the countdown till we are whole and together again.