When Wip met Thelma

Granddaddy and Mimi took Wip to the stables this morning in Sea Island. It was there that he met Thelma, and I am pretty sure it was love at first sight.

Santa Stopped By

It started with a trip to Lexington. We headed to Grams and Poppy's house to open presents, hang out with cousins, and have one cute-ta' of a photographer take some family pictures.

On Sunday we celebrated William's baptism. He (of course) was perfect and slept like a baby (te he he) through his luncheon. I was not able to get a picture of the man of the hour, but did capture what was hands down one of my favorite moments...the godfathers and Duncan having a serious talk about Lonnie's hot dogs.

Ned, Hunter, and Duncan talking life

Christmas Eve was here and after a "happy birthday" skype session with Poppy and a Christmas pageant service at St. Matthews we went to Mimi and Grandaddy's house for dinner and more gifts.

These boys loved the Halmark houses

Granddaddy and his boys

Trying to be adorable...and it is working

My hopes of a pajammy cousin picture did not turn out as I had hoped...but they are still pretty cute

Jackson Hole here I come!

Good times and good night

After much hype and anticipation Christmas morning arrived. The boys gave us the gift of sleeping until 7:30am. When I heard Wip's door open I jolted up to greet him (probably more excited than he was). He was clutching a Jessie doll, Bullseye horse, kangaroo figurine  triceratops stuffed animal just to name a few. Clearly, he did not need more toys. He looked up at me with the most adorable little boy look and said "Mommy, did Santa stop by?" Yes, Santa stopped by.

The moment has arrived

Santa stopped by!

There is no sweeter sound than your Toy Story obsessed son wearing cowboy boots and a Woody hat  flying his Buzz Lightyear doll around saying "to infinity and beyond!"

We stayed in our PJ's all day

The boys play, play, played

This Christmas season was nothing short of amazing. I received WAAAAAY more than I could ever deserve and my boys brought so much joy and happiness to my heart. Merry Christmas everyone!

Gingerbread House Party

We had our playgroup over for a little holiday fun on Friday. 

Here are the 10 steps to a successful gingerbread house decorating party:

Step 1: Create place settings for each guest

Step 2: Glue gingerbread houses with super glue ahead of time

Step 3: Put out fun props

Step 4: Have enough icing and candy for more than the houses:)

Step 5: Invite adorable wee ones

Step 6: Act silly

Step 7: Keep acting silly

Step 8: Put out yummy snacks and chocolate milk

Step 9: Open presents

Step 10: Get the gang together for a group shot

If I had a girl

If I had a girl her name would have been Edith Kate Mulloy and we would have call her Edie. Kate would be in honor of Patrick's grandmother (that he simply called Kate) and Edith would have been in honor of my grandmother, Edith (that I called granny). I wanted to name my little girl Edith because she was funny (actually, hilarious) and kind (one of the most generous people I have ever met). When she passed away, the only thing that I wanted was the picture above. She was on an airplane (heading to Vegas) with one of her girlfriends. She is holding playing cards and just looks like she is ready for an adventure.

I have been thinking a lot about my granny this holiday season. An old roommate stopped over the other day to drop of a ceramic Santa plate that she had mistakenly packed when we moved out years ago. My granny made the plate and said that she had been meaning to give it back, I am so glad that she did. Seeing that ceramic plate brought back so many memories.

Memories like when my Poppy was in the hospital and gravely ill, Granny did not leave his side. One night, we both stayed up all night while she held his hand and told me stories about when she used to work as a waitress. Maybe I was slap happy, but I remember laughing so hard I was crying at some of her tales, especially the one where the man was so drunk that he kept leaving out one door and walking back in another door asking for another drink. Clearly she had to tell the story, but it was classic.

Granny LOVED Christmas. She cherished holiday cards and I remember the arched doorway that she always displayed her collection...she had a TON of friends so the arch was always full. I think she would have lost her mind at the way holiday cards have evolved with pictures of family. Knowing her she would have kept them up all year. I can see her now sitting in the kitchen with the country radio station playing the songs of the year countdown in the background. She would always whisper "Mandy, come over here, I need to tell you something" and then quietly slip me some cash thinking that nobody saw what she was doing. She loved playing this game with all of her grandchildren...and of course we did not mind.

Recounting these wonderful memories of my granny makes me realize that it does not matter that I will not have a girl to take her namesake. I am raising two boys that will hopefully carry on her humor and kindness and that will work just as well (maybe even better!).  I know that she is taking a break every now and then from a bingo game upstairs to just smile at her great grandsons.

Flea Off Market

We went to Flea Off Market today after church. The wind was whipping, but it was such a nice day to just be outside. After browsing the booths we had a lunch at Lil' Cheezer. Yum. The sweet potato chips were served with a spicy curry bbq sauce...lets just say that if Duncan had a straw, he would have sucked it down. He went through all three of the containers making sure that every last bit was gone.  Who knew?

While browsing Wip found a booth with ceramic animal candle holders (that is the randomness of a place called Flea off Market:). He played and played with the figurines and I told him that he could come back and pick one out if he wanted after lunch. We went back and he decided on the zebra (which he later named Roger). When I was paying the gentleman for the figurine I filled him in on how much Wip loves animals, he told me that he so enjoyed watching him play with the animals and could tell that it brought him so much joy. It was a sweet little moment.

After a book club party on Friday, a day/night of nothing on Saturday, and a good ol' family day on Sunday...it was a nice freakin' weekend!

Memorized by a dog

More sauce please!

Wip give the wolf a high five

Love these ladies (they let me stay in the club even though I never finish the book:)

Lessons and Tidbits

I have learned a lot this week.

1. We got the results back from the Gesell Developmental Screening for Wip (a requirement for applying to KCD). All of the "tests" that he did came back that his development is at the three and a half range. Except one. In the category for "naming animals" he has a developmental capacity of a five year old. Shocking:)

The boy loves his animals

2. 12-12-12 might have been a lucky day for some, but not for Duncan. It was day four of his stomach bug and it was discovered that he had double ear infection. He was pitiful. All he wanted was to be held. I learned that having a sick kid sucks, but holding a thirty pound sick kid really helps with arm definition.

Working on my fitness

Target perscriptions are perfect for children

3. Trader Joe's is completely out of the sea salt dark chocolate caramels. I repeat, Trader Joe's is completely out of my favorite thing to hit my lips so far this holiday season. Noooooooooo!  I am embarrassed to admit that I went to the store with just one item on my list. I even made the guy go in the back to "double check"...I am sure he thought I was a nut job. The lesson from this is to buy in bulk when I come across anything that has the words sea salt dark chocolate caramel printed on the box.

Savoring every last piece

4. I am slightly addicted to subscription websites that get you to sign up for a subscription and then send you goodies. Each month is like Christmas...opening a box and not knowing what you will find. I have tried Birchbox (cosmetics), Kiwi Crate (kids crafts), and Citrus Lane (kid stuff). Others that look appealing include Olivebox (stationary),and Umbabox (handmade gifts). But the real eye catcher was pvBody (workout clothes). The lesson of this is getting a subscription for workout clothes does not guarantee that it will get me to the gym to workout.

pvBody.com

5. In the wake of the senseless tragedy in Connecticut I can't help but hug these little elves a little tighter. My heart just breaks for the families.

Crushed

Duncan has been sick. Not the Ferris Bueller's Day Off sick as we had originally thought but just good ol' stomach bug sick. There is nothing worse than going in to check on your child and having them just get sick right there in front of you with nothing you can do about it. It is crushing.

While D was home with daddy, I picked up Wip from school. Today was the Hanukkah Party in Wip's class and I was supposed to be there for the party. With a sick kid at home and a boss that had to go to a funeral I simply could not leave work to help out and sent my regards hoping everyone would understand.

When Wip got in the car he was in the best mood.  He took out gifts and even a present for us. I asked him how the party was and he immediately got quiet. When I continued to ask him what they did and if he had fun, he just looked at me and said "other mommies were at the party, but Wip's mommy was not at the party".  Really kid?  Really? Talk about crushing.

Thankfully when we got home and Wip walked in the door D lit up. Patrick said it was the first time he had seen him smile all day. At least I had that moment...because a sick kid and a disappointed kid make for one tough Monday.

Trying to get some zzzz

Alright...lets try this waffle (it was a bust)

Wip's gift from Ms. Jackie and Ms. Jan

Wip's gift to us (a beautiful Star of David ornament that looks beautiful on our tree:)

I swear Duncan was really happy to see Wip

When Wip saw this totally awesome look with the no shirt and gray pants....

He said he wanted to look like D