Sweet Thanksgiving moment

The night before Thanksgiving, Pete intended to camp with Parker in my folks' backyard (since he is always missing out when he takes the Boy Scouts). But the sprinkles has left the ground a little too wet, so we set it up in the living room. It was fun at first, but Parker decided his bed sounded more desirable. 

 We love spending time with the great-grandparents. Grandaddy is the designated reader.

 The boys love coloring, especially Austin who has impeccable pencil grip for his age. Really, truly amazing. Parker is more all over the place.

Mimic

Austin mimics absolutely EVERYTHING Parker does. It is all good and well when Parker is making good choices, but it's double trouble when Parker is in a mood. If Parker tells me he loves me, Austin says, "Love YOU mama!" If Parker gets a kiss, Austin needs one. If Parker says hi to a stranger, Austin follows. If Parker plays airplanes, Austin zooms behind him. 

If Parker is grumpy and mad... Austin follows suit. 

Picture perfect decorating

Having Thanksgiving day free was super nice, and gave us time to decorate. I envisioned a good smelling candle wafting, carols playing, child-like laughter... don't we all? It was more like ripping through packages, ornaments flying, kids fighting... Joy to the World! Oh well. At least we got decorated and everyone survived. I just love having Christmas decor out. 

 Decorating "his tree" with all of the heaviest, most-breakable ornaments. Wonderful.

 Ryan's gf Chloe is AMAZING. She created an stocking advent countdown for the boys. We hung it up out of reach (almost out of my reach too), and everyday they get something from within the stocking. It was so thoughtful and has been a great incentive for good behavior everyday. Some of the hits so far have been magic dino capsules that grow in water, finger puppets, and disposable cameras. She really is the best! Thanks Chloe!

Women's night

Every year the preschool does a fundraiser for their inclusion program, for children with Special Needs. It really is remarkable how they seek to accommodate the needs of all children. My mom and I went with some of her staff friends. Each table is in charge of their own centerpiece. My mom decked it out with a reindeer theme. Nailed it.

 They had a slide-show going of all the children at the school. There's my boy. They had lovely music, and my favorite was featuring a teenage boy with autism. It was so touching. They also had a speaker who talked about filling up our buckets and the things that we do to fill up others or deplete others. Very good metaphor, especially around the holidays where it's easy to feel over-extended.

 My mom and I. Such a fun night with her.

Tour de France prep

These boys can do this forever while at Grammy and Papa's house. This is the real reason we need an island in our kitchen someday. 

Best buddies

It's no joke... my boys love each other. As in the first thing either of them says when they wake up is "Where's Parker?" or "Where's Austin?" 

Austin usually wakes up from his nap first and then tries to get in Parker's room. Parker loves him, but does NOT like being woken up. 

Randoms

Got a Sheriff's badge in their advent stocking. Parker left his at a restaurant one night and I called to see if they had found it:

"Excuse me, my son left his Sheriff's badge at our table?"

"A Sheriff's badge? That's sweet!"

Dont' worry, they found it. 

 Austin... the happy passenger... except he is getting difficult to buckle in. Lame-o.

 Dinner, the night of the missing badge. They love their papa!

 Sometimes I take pictures of things to make myself laugh, instead of cry!

 Hiding spot, in hopes of not having to clean up.

 Sometimes I think my life is pretty perfect. First thing in the morning is usually that time.

 Austin loves dipping things. This snack was crackers to dip in peanut butter. But very quickly he decided dipping his finger was a lot tastier.