Surprise!

Mae and I had planned their return visit back in January.  At first, we were both keeping it hush-hush from our kids.  Then I found out that she'd let the cat out of the bag but her kids really, really wanted to surprise mine; so the hush-hush I remained.  It wasn't easy as the time approached; many times Chris and I almost slipped but we managed to keep the secret.
 
Chris picked them up from the airport on the way home from work.  He texted me they were around the corner and told me to take kids to the bonus room.  The Parays ducked down in the car so they wouldn't be spied as Chris parked in the garage.  I waited and took this video:

I think that says it all!
   
Mae and I spent the next afternoon touring the area, eating lunch and catching up.  Then Chris took them to dinner at Corbett's.  

The following morning I took the crew for a walk in Hemlock Bluff Reserve.  The weather was beautiful!

Then we re-celebrated Lance's birthday.

For the remainder of time, we adults talked and the kids played; which was exactly what we wanted to do; so we did for four glorious days. 

It rained the day they left; here and in Florida.  I thought it very appropriate, it matched the heavy hearts all around.  In a few days, our hearts lightened at the thought of meeting again soon knowing that a little time and distance doesn't effect the friendship of family.

Life and Science Field Trip

This field trip pushed my comfort zones once again.  The Life Science Museum is in Durham, which means I was going to have to drive 45 min from home by myself into a city I had never been to before - with all four kids.  I'm glad I didn't cave to my fear; it was an awesome trip.

We met a rather large group of kids for the main purpose of the trip was for the older kids to attend a Lego Robotics workshop.  

While Lance and Jared enjoyed the shop, I explored the museum with Titus and Amber.  As it turned out they were having a hands-on lab right outside the workshop which was open to all kids, even Amber!

They donned their safety gear and got to work. The analyzed water samples and learned about a pond's ecosystem.

I was amazed at how child friendly the people working the lab were.  They were very excited to teach both Amber and Titus, not put out a bit.  Conveniently, both labs ended about the same time and we were then free to explore the rest of the museum; inside and out.

The kids needed to run around so we went out to the playground for a bit and then off to petting zoo. 

About 1pm, we had to leave to be back home in time to watch our neighbor's son.
It's a fascinating museum worthy of much more of our time another day, especially when the train is running in the spring.

Lancelot Turns Eleven

Words always seem to be slow in coming when it comes to writing my birthday post for Lance. I think it's because to write the post is to accept that my oldest son is yet a year older and closer to being a man.  I do miss the child but I do not lament his growing older for I understand there is a time for everything.

In one year he will officially be a young man and I can already see he is going to be wonderful one at that.

He is a knight in shinning armor; in-training.  Rough and Tumble; yet gentle at heart.  Champion to our family damsel (his little sister).  Loyal brother, quick to point out any injustice and growing in strength each day.

He is lover of all God has created, enjoying the quiet pleasures of  sitting, watching and observing the world around; its animals and plants.

He is creative.  He writes plays and he builds extensive Lego models.  He prefers pencil drawing to color. He likes to help cook and he is quite the pianist.

He is very, very, very very active; willing to play any game or sport.  He also enjoys taking off on his own for bike rides for both exercise and to clear his mind; a good life skill.

I pray that we are preparing him well to fight the good fight gallantly along side his brothers, should such a day come.  To use his great skills as a leader to champion whatever cause God lays at his feet.  We love you Lance more than you could ever imagine.

Book Lists of a Book Addict

I am a self assessed book addict with no interest in curing my addiction.  I have friends with the same addiction and our husbands roll their eyes when we get together knowing at some point the conversation will get back to books.

That said, I do try to temper my addiction from being too expensive by getting books from the library as much as possible.  The only down side to this approach is that the books are not on my shelves.  Therefore, when it comes time to find books for my younger children I can't just grab them and must use by faulty memory to remember what my older children enjoyed at their age.

To alleviate this problem and to share with friends the books we have enjoyed, I have created the "Book Lists" page above.  If you're a book addict like me, visit it frequently as I will be updating it frequently and probably tweaking the organization from time to time, and adding some book reviews. Enjoy!

Igloo Fame

With Chris' help the boys had gathered up a decent pile of snow.

The next couple days they worked to carve out the inside.

 They made enough room to all of them to cram inside.

The igloo lasted for over a week.

All this I knew...

What I didn't know till later was that our neighbors were watching their progress and were so impressed they and their visitors had taken pics of the boys creation to show friends!

Boys are working hard on plans for a bigger creation next year.

Avalanche!

This morning we woke to the snow being covered in a quarter inch of ice. We put out new feed on top of the frozen feed for my little friends and enjoyed the general splendor of it all.

As the day warmed and the ice stared to melt, it began to snow again.  This combination created a unique effect of periodic avalanches all around our yard; as the trees free of their ice bondage dropped their loads of ice and snow all at once!  It was like seeing and hearing quick avalanches all around our us.  However, this did not hinder the boys at all.

After a while they chose to change their igloo location from the forest to beside the driveway.  With dad's help they managed to create quite a pile of snow for their igloo.  They hope to burrow it out in the morning. 

For myself, the dog and I got over our issues (like no proper clothes or shoes) and went for a short walk down the block to take in all the wonders around us.

Another beautiful and exciting day the Lord has made and we were glad in it!

Last Hurrah of Winter

We had a great time the week before Titus' birthday playing in the snow.  We also thought that would be the last time we saw snow this winter.  The days had warmed, it was in the 60s on Sunday.  Then out of nowhere we found ourselves in the worst winter storm of the season.  

Chris pushed his luck and left work an hour too late today.  When the snow started, it came down fast and heavy.  By the time he got within a mile of home the roads were so congested he wasn't sure he'd make it home.  I even told him to abandon the car and walk, there was an extra coat and blanket in the car.  He chose to try going the back roads, to get away from the other drivers.  That thought and his experience driving in snow and ice eventually got him home, safe but frazzled.

Until I brought them together to start praying for their father's safe delivery home, the boys were in hog heaven.  All the winter snow gear I had cleaned and put away was dragged back out.  Once Daddy got home they gave quick hugs and ran out the door.

The poor girl came in quickly with cold hands but the boys stayed out doing their best to build an igloo.  They went down by the creek, swept an area clean and tried to create cubes by dipping a bucket in the creek and stuffing it with snow.  It was an unique approach but they did manage to create a decent size wall.

Unfortunately, for my snow loving boys, it looks like the ice rain will melt most of it by morning.  The rest will quickly melt as we reach 50 by Friday and 70 early next week.  

Chris' was fearful that we would not see snow this year and the boys would be disappointed.  His fears were clearly unfounded as we finish the year with the biggest snow fall yet; at least five inches in just a few hours.

Sir Titus - The Mighty Turns Five

I love his wonderful smile.  

He is a great cheerleader and capable member of the gang

A strong competitor in his own right; on the race course...

And a truly talented golfer; the darling of the golf course, out playing kids three times his age.

He loves his brothers...

and his sister.  They are two peas in a pod.

Though he will always be my baby he is growing up.  He is excelling at his studies and joins the boys more and more in theirs.

He is finding his own way as an artist...

And he's already lost two teeth.

Yet he remains ever ready and willing to help, sometimes he even comes up with his own special ways to help.

He is our little Tarzan, fearless of animals and swinging his way through life.

If Knights were still around today he would be a willing and capable squire already. 

Dear Titus, 
We love you with all our heart, treasure you more each day and look forward to how you will "change the world"(as you told me the other day you wants to).  May God bless you and keep you and may you follow in his steps all the days of your life.
All our Love!
Mom, Dad, Lance, Jared, and Amber