Three Men and a Lady

I'll stay and watch a little while..

2012-02-01T08:16:00.000-06:00

"Noel bug....it's nap time." Sleep like my baby.
My heart is content.

Where boys can be boys

2012-01-24T08:59:00.000-06:00

The winter days have been warm this year. Ben has asked about snow several times, but it doesn't seem that snow is likely this winter season. This will be the first year in many that we haven't seen snow. But the wonderful part about warm winter days is you can play outside much longer...and much less restricted. With this in mind, I asked to borrow Jackson for the afternoon, and headed out to some nearby walking trails to let the boys get some of their adventures out. Boys at this age require a certain amount of running around, exploring, and climbing. This is non-negotiable. I didn't make the rules, but I am learning them. And loving them. So Ben,

Jackson,

and Noel

(and me too!) all went for a walk in the woods.

“Not all that wander are lost.” -- Unknown

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” -- John Muir"

Each fresh peak ascended teaches something."-- Sir Martin Convay

"Climbing is not a spectator sport." -- Mark Wellman

"Doubly happy, however, is the man to whom lofty mountain tops are within reach."-- John Muir

"One does not climb to attain enlightenment, rather one climbs because he is enlightened." -- Zen Master Futomaki

Noel discovered playing in the leafs for the first time!

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the Autum tree." --Emily Bronte

A leaf battle of epic proportions occurred!

"One of the best things in the world to be is a boy; it requires no experience, but needs some practice to be a good one." --Charles Dudley Warner

It was a perfect outing.

I was already feeling grateful for the time when Ben and Jackson hopped over and took a seat on this bench. I noticed the sign as I was snapping this picture. (The little plaque in the bottom corner) It says, "Dedicated to all the parents who have lost children."

I took a moment to think of those parents. I took another moment to be silent and observe these two beautiful children playing so happily and one sweet baby with big eyes.

I am so blessed.

Ben has been asking to go back to the "friend trails" every since. So have I.

We found Nemo

2012-01-23T09:42:00.000-06:00

Have you seen these things?

It's crazy cool! Uncle Josh and Aunt Juli hooked Ben up with a flying robot fish for Christmas. It's basically a big helium balloon with robotic attachments that let you control it remotely around a space. You can make it go up or down, turn, and swim around. He swims around our house, making us all feel like we are in a giant fish bowl! Very cool. It takes some coordination to get his tail to swim him around the right way, but our little superman is up to the challenge.

He's surprisingly good at it!

Not going to lie....Jim and play with this thing after the kids are in bed. (if only we had superman pajama's!) It would be kind of amazing to paint a space blue, make it look like a fish tank, and have these being controlled around the room. (they make a scary looking shark as well) Ben just knows he's made a friend.

A friend that looks a bit like Nemo. And due to that resemblance, it seemed only fitting that Ben and "Nemo" should watch the movie inspired by the fish himself together on a very cold winter day.

Very cool.

rub-a-dub

2012-01-21T12:41:00.000-06:00

Rub-a-dub-dub two boys in a tub! Happy and clean!

Friday Phone Dump

2012-01-20T13:18:00.000-06:00

This one's way overdue...a 2 month dump!

Maaa!

Gerber baby.

Truth.

Live performance

"Look mommy, I made a train!"

Fire Marshal

Regal

Perfection.

Happy Friday!

a bowl of cotton

2012-01-19T09:43:00.000-06:00

This year, for our anniversary (6 years on December 18!) and for Christmas, Jim and I decided to go see the Razorbacks at the Cotton Bowl! It was a good decision. We met up with Hunter and Julie who had a similar plan, and did a little pre-game tail gate just outside the stadium.

Happy Anniversary to us!

Walking into the stadium was really cool, and we both felt a kind of childish excitement!

Our seats were amazing!

And our team won! Wooo Pigs Sooie!!!

Good game folks. Good game.

boys at a park

2012-01-18T08:47:00.000-06:00

We made a quick trip to Texas just after the New Year because Jim and I had tickets to the Cotton Bowl! As it happens, Grnadbob and Grandlau live not too far from Texas Stadium and were willing to watch the boys for us. ;) Thank you God for Grandparents. Amen.

Their house is just a short walk from a nice park, and after a long drive there is nothing better than some time to run around! First things first, a boy must summit a rock wall.

(He did really well climbing the wall and totally made it to the top...several times!) Noel tried out a park swing for the first time!

It took stuffing a few jackets behind him, but he seemed to enjoy the ride!

Ben has always loved the swings!

And I have always loved my crazy Ben boy.

Darling Noel had so much fun at the park, that when we got back to the house, we tried him on the porch swing. My little trooper knew just what to do.

Makes my heart smile.

Hold you

2012-01-17T09:02:00.002-06:00

Ben is very interested in growing lately. He wants to know how much he is growing. How tall he is getting. He wants to know when he will be tall like Daddy, and be able to ride the rides at the "park". (that question stems from going to Florida theme parks lasts summer)

Ben will take a drink of milk or eat broccoli, only to announce, "I am growing every day!"

And he is.

He is growing so tall and lean. He is growing so smart and kind.

This momma is watching the time move quickly. I'm starting to really notice how short a day can be. How many moments might be missed because "We're in a hurry buddy." or "Not right now, I'm washing the dishes."

It's a fact of life. There will never be enough minutes to sit on the floor and play dragons and knights with my boy. If I sat there for a thousand years, it would not be long enough. I can count to 20 while Ben hides a million times, and yet in my soul I know that when he no longer wants me to count, I will have wished I counted it out just one more time.

The other night as I put him to bed, he asked me to sing him a "Ben song." This is simply my shortened version of the Dixie Chicks song "Godspeed", but to him, it is his, and I will not correct him. So I sang it. I gently brushed my hand on his back, and felt his breathing deepen as I softly sang the Ben song. And even after he was sleeping steadily, I sat there and added another chorus. Then another. Because I realized that one night when I go to put him in bed, he will not ask me to sing him a Ben song. He will not ask me to pull the sheets tight around him, or leave the door open, or give him just one more kiss. Someday, he won't sleep in my house at all.

I try everyday to make an effort to not miss the little things. To not get so caught up in the chores that I forget to play. It's incredibly hard to balance. There is always so much to do, and so many needs to fill. Some days I do pretty well. Other's....I fail miserably.

Those are the days that I'm thankful for tomorrow. For another chance to enjoy my young children. Even though tomorrow means another day gone and more time passed.

As I drove Ben to school one day last week, he was talking about growing taller again.

"Mommy, I am growing every day."

"Yes, you are."

"Yeah. And I'm going to be really really tall, like Daddy."

"Do you think so? Do you think you are going to be taller than me?"

"Yes Mommy. I'll grow very tall. Then I can hold you."

There are no words.

I'll love you forever Ben Burrow.

November photo shoot

2012-01-16T08:55:00.000-06:00

When Ben was born, I got into the habit of having Kim Lowery take pictures every 6 months. Once in the spring (around his birthday) and then again 6 months later. The 2nd session served the purpose of having 6 month photos of my quickly growing boy, and being taken just in time to get a Christmas card picture. Convenient? Yes.

As luck would have it, Noel entered the world just a few weeks after Ben's birthday, so my every 6 month schedule remains well intact.

As my boys get older, I suspect we will go to 1 professional photo shoot a year, but right now they are both just growing so fast that every 6 months it's like seeing a different child!

and Kim takes such incredible pictures that I look forward to the next shoot always.

So here are the pictures from: aheem...Ben's 3.5 year, Noel's 6 months, and our family Christmas card picture.

Enjoy!!!

First up, the family shots:

Then our gorgeous boys!

Ben at 3.5

Noel at 6 months

Oh Ben!

Precious.

Love these three so much.

and just because Huggies went there...

I'm 100% in love.

Thanks again to Kim!

Noel Robert is 7 months old!

2012-01-13T08:46:00.002-06:00

Okay. Really? How can it have been 7 months? And yet....Noel is 7 months old today!

Time flies when you're having fun! My precious baby boy is really growing fast! He weighs 20.2 pounds and is 27 inches long.

He hasn't had any more teeth come through, and because I'm still nursing him, this is both good and merciful! He is eating a few different kinds of food now including sweet potatoes, spinach, prunes, pears, banana's, and cereals. However, the last two items on the list I'm barley feeding to him at all as it caused him some tummy trouble that could only be remedied by massive amounts of prunes and apple juice....if you catch my drift. Yeah. I just talked about my baby's bowels on the internet. I. Am. So. Cool.

He is sitting independently now, but doesn't like to stay in one place for very long, and uses scooting on his belly and a little rolling to get around. When he sees what he wants, he goes for it!

Ben didn't crawl until after he walked, so it is going to be totally new territory for me if this little guy decides to take off!

He is babbling some, which is precious. He laughs and smiles a ton! He really is just the most happy little baby! He flirts with everyone, and it always cracks me up when we are out and someone talks to him and he smiles really big! Such a show off!

People are always feeling like they really accomplished something when they can get a baby to smile at them....I don't have the heart to tell them that Noel will smile at anything that moves, so I let them relish in their accomplishment. Besides, his smile is incredible so that is something!

Noel really enjoys playing with toys. He likes to hit objects together to see what sound they make, and he likes to taste everything :). He also enjoys stuffed animals, which is another difference between him and Ben.

Ben never really took an interest in stuffed animals, but Noel seems intrigued!

TAKE NOTE! We have plenty of stuffed animals around....I'm looking at you grandparents. The Arch is full.

And happy.

We love our little bug like crazy. Can't believe you are 7 months old already Noel! You are so perfect to me!

definitions:

2012-01-12T09:34:00.000-06:00

Work Truck

Smooth operator

Neighborhood watch

I'll have a sliced onion and a grape soda please....

2012-01-11T08:30:00.000-06:00

My little chef likes to make his momma a snack.

He's even very good at remembering to wash the vegetables.

Somehow he got the sliced apple, while I got the onion.....but mine did come with grape soda.

Noel dressed up to come to Ben's restaurant.

He did rather less well with his meal....perhaps I'll try the sliced onion next time.

Blessed.

el fin and el comienzo

2012-01-09T14:36:00.007-06:00

Here it is!!!

The final post from the Christmas Holidays!

insert Hallelujah chorus.

What can I say? We had such a wonderful Christmas season and were able to spend time with all our family, so 1 busy busy month and 4 Christmases later, the final post has arrived!

We celebrated Christmas with my mother and brother early in December. Then we had Christmas with just our little family of four on Christmas day. We woke up super early the next day to spend a few days with Jim's family. Just before the New Year we pulled into our driveway, followed by Grandbob and Grandlau! And they came bearing gifts.

I cannot lie, I love all this family spoiling of my boys. It's good stuff.

Noel worked the system and was able to get cuddled and open presents at the same time!

Very smart Noel bug!

The Grand's got the boys a mini roller coaster which will be lots of fun for years to come. As the weather was unseasonably warm, it seemed only right to test out the new ride. Ben was joyous!

and victorious apparently.

Noel...well, he got some cuddles :)

After we tucked the little bug into bed for the evening, we began the New Year's celebrations.

We didn't expect Ben to stay up until mid-night, so we blew horns and popped poppers just after dinner (which included ham and black-eyed-pea's of course.)

Ben loved the noise!

It was the perfect close to a great month spent with family and friends. It was also a great way to begin a new year. Happy New year to you all! I hope this will be a blessed year for you and yours.

Christmas at the Burrow

2012-01-09T13:45:00.006-06:00

We are half-way into the New Year, and I'm still playing Christmas catch up! Still, it is100% necessary to post some pictures from all the wonderful time spent with family over the holiday. The morning after Christmas day, we headed down to the Burrow family Christmas. It was awesome to have both Jim's brother (and fam) from NYC, and his sister and her husband from Boston in for Christmas! Our boys jumped right in for some Aunt and Uncle attention!

Especially Ben! Noel and Samuel got to know each other a little better.These two are going to have so much fun together! Grandad and Gran gave Ben a big boy bicycle for Christmas, and with a little help from Uncle Josh, Ben was off! (don't worry, we have a helmet for him and he wears it every time he rides his bicycle!)We even got to spend a little time with Aunt Mel and "the boys" who seem to be looking more and more like young men! We all loved seeing Austin and Taylor, and Ben just reveled in the cousin attention. Josh and Jim cooked up an authentic Mexican feast that was incredible!We went on a couple outings that included going to the track for Ben to explore and ride his bike,

and to see the Swans at a nearby lake.

They were majestic and so much fun to watch! Noel was a great little trooper and loved borrowing cousin Sam's baby bjorn.

We so enjoyed spending a few days with the family.

Put smiles on all our faces!

Christmas was awesome

2012-01-04T13:55:00.005-06:00

I'm a couple weeks behind...again...

but Christmas was awesome and that required my undivided attention. Hence the title of the post. I was feeling very witty and original with that one.

None the less, Christmas morn we awoke with much excitement and anticipation to see our boys' shining faces. Here's the scene.

Santa left a very special present for Ben....

who had been asking for a Kitchen (that's Ch-ii-chen in Ben speak) since late August. The boy likes to cook, just like his daddy. We had to wait to see their shinning excited faces however, as both boys chose Christmas morning to sleep in. Um, what is that about! They BOTH slept in. Never happened before or since. So Jim and I were up early awaiting their greeting. Noel was the first to join us. And as it was Noel's first Noel (bwa-ha-ha...I've been waiting for-ev-er to say that.) it was definitely deserving of a little photo shoot.

The little bug delivered.

I mean for real.

Gorgeous child! Not too long after that, Jim went upstairs and woke up, seriously, our eldest. He got into the spirit quickly!

Such a fun age for Christmas morning!

Noel also received a smaller version of the kitchen from Santa.

Good times.

I love the crazy wrapping paper/toy/packaging covered floor on Christmas morning. It reminds me of how very blessed we are on such a blessed day. Yes, I used blessed twice in the same sentence. On purpose. Happy Birthday Jesus!

these boys y'all...

2011-12-30T08:49:00.000-06:00

Melt my heart.

I love them, I do.

Twas' the day before Christmas

2011-12-24T08:52:00.005-06:00

Tomorrow is Christmas, it's practically here!Perhaps Christmas doesn't come from a store. Perhaps Christmas, means a little bit more.

And it came to pass in those days,
that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee,
out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea,
unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem;(because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there,
the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son,and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;
because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,
and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.And this shall be a sign unto you;
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:1-14

Merry Christmas to you.

Must be Santa!

2011-12-23T09:41:00.000-06:00

Whose got a beard that's long and white?

Who comes around on a special night?

Must be Santa! Must be Santa, Santa Clause!

Tiny Dancer

2011-12-22T08:51:00.000-06:00

Gong sound.....

Everybody was Kung Fu fighting!

Those cats were fast as lighting.

In fact it was a little bit frightening.

But they fought with expert timing!

Kung fu fighting, has to be fast as lighting!

Break!

Don't pretend you're not impressed.

Thumpity, thump, thump

2011-12-21T08:55:00.000-06:00

Look at Noel bug go!

This is the train to the North Pole!

2011-12-20T13:26:00.005-06:00

The Polar Express made it's way through our part of the country last Friday night. Ben put on his Christmas jammies, and we met up with our friends to board the Polar Express!

There were only 7 kids and 13 adults in our group.

That is all. :)

We all got some excited hugs and cuddles in for this very grand adventure indeed.

Ben, Jackson, and Cole found a seat next to each other and did what they do best.....

then Ben asked for my iphone and the three boys morphed into three 13 year old boys who love technology.

What can I say...it is their generation. Suddenly there was explosive joy on my boys face!

Brought on by none other than....Rudolph himself!

(I was previously unaware that flying reindeer rode on trains, what with the flying and all, but apparently it is the best method of traveling to the North Pole. I now know that reindeer can only fly on Christmas eve, and thus must return to Santa's workshop after their vacations via Polar Express.)

(It's the details y'all.)

Rudolph was followed by none other than the right jolly old elf himself. Ben loves Santa. LOVES.

He also loves the candy canes.

(Does it have sugar in it? Then yes!)

At this point the excitement level and the sugar high reached a fever level, and an all out train party commenced.

God Bless them, everyone.

Happy Moments with our big boy aboard the train going to the North Pole.

Merry and Bright.

A Christmas tale....

2011-12-19T13:40:00.000-06:00

Oh Ben.

My super sweet yet mischievous boy. I adore him. He is at such a fun age, and I am so blessed by this child. He makes me laugh every single day....he makes me mad every single day as well, but that isn't really important. He is precious. Check out his school pic! I mean seriously. Hand-some.

So the other morning we were on our way to school and it was the last day before Christmas break. I decided I was going to park the car and walk him in so that I could help him carry in his teachers Christmas presents. Jim was kind enough to go to work a little later than normal so he could watch Noel while I helped Ben into school with all his stuff.

In the car on the way to school Ben asked me to sing "Away in a Manger." Not going to lie...not only did I enjoy the request, I was thrilled to get to sing the song with him as it is a very important Christmas song indeed. So we sang loudly all three versus...(at least, I know 3 versus...if there are more, do share.) We ended on a loud sustained note, and I was feeling the warm fuzzies all over. Which is why when Ben said, "Mommy, we're not at school yet...sing it again!" I was completely ready to jump right back in. Precious moments.

Now to be fair, Ben's pre-school is about 5 minutes from my house. So that really only allows for about 3 renditions of all 3 versus of "Away in a Manger." Though I'm pretty sure I would have gladly belted it all the way to Alaska had I been asked to do so by my boy.

Regardless, as we exited our vehicle, and gathered the trappings for the day, we were both feeling happy. A simple word; happy, but a very important one.

Ben put on his coat and backpack, I grabbed his nap mat and the gifts for his 2 teachers, and we walked into the school.

Ben was very excited to give the gifts to his teachers, so I handed him the first present and said, "Take this one to Mrs.Brenda and make sure to tell her Merry Christmas."

Ben took the present, and began walking down the long hallway of the First Baptist Church Preschool singing loudly at the top of his lungs....."Hanukkah oh Hanukkah, the festival of lights!"

Yep.

Thank you very much Special Agent Oso. (it's a very PC bear on tv that helps kids do things around the house....thought I was teaching him to brush his teeth on his own, but apparently I was teaching him the song for lighting the Menorah.)

Ben could not be deterred from his method of bringing CHRISTMAS cheer to his teachers.

"You can light the Menorah, or dance the Hora...another candle every night!"

Merry Christmas First Baptist Church Preschool. We come with tidings of great joy.

Ahh well, at least he wasn't singing "Like a G6" or "Moves like Jagger"

both equal possibilities.

What a cutie.

Wonderfully and fearfully made.

Ugly never looked so good.

2011-12-16T09:01:00.002-06:00

Oh friends.

The ugly occured again this year.

And it was epic.

We hosted our 2nd ugly sweater party, and our friends came correct. I'll give you a moment to just enjoy.

I especialy liked Crystal's addition

....anyone remember the you tube viral craze over Antoine Fischer? "Hide yo wife, Hide yo kids, cuz they raping everybody up in here!" no? If unfamiliar I suggest you go you tube immediatly. Crystals sweater featured the man himself with this little saying on the back.

Oh my...she cracked us up! Friends, we had a party.

It was so much fun. I did have to make a quick adjustment to our plans for childcare during the party as Noel was unable to sleep with all the hub-bub, so he relocated to our neighbors house with Big brother Ben (and extremely qualified husband wife babysitter duo) until post party. He was a little shell shocked at what was happening in the downstairs on his way out the door:).

Party on Party people.

The winners of best lady, best fella (there was a tie) and best hat.

It was steep competition as you can see.

And then as the evening progressed everyone bid aduie and the party came to a sofisticated close....I promise that's what happend.

What? You don't believe me? That is how respectable adults with children end a party right?

I promise I would never stay up until 1am dancing with my friends to the classics...

you know "Bye, Bye, Bye" and Outkast.

Never.

It was grand.

Merry Christmas Party's to you.

Visions of sugar plums

2011-12-15T09:45:00.000-06:00

Awww the children and the Christmas sweets. A tradition that lives on...

My sweet friend Jenny hosted her 2nd annual Christmas cookie decorating party last week for the kiddos. Brave soul. I mean kiddos, icing, cookies, and sprinkles. Brave.

Of course, all the kids had a wonderful time!

Even the big kids.

Ben's cookie decorating skills have improved since last year....I especially like the half eaten one.

Children at Christmastime....nothing better.

Deck the Halls

2011-12-14T08:14:00.001-06:00

The weekend after Thanksgiving, my Mother and brother made the trek up the hill to come participate in the "Decking of the Halls." (I spy Jim accidentally? posing for this picture. Ha!)

Oh yes. The halls were properly decked. And this year, the star was placed on top of the tree not by fishing pole....(like last years attempt) but by totem pole!

Well done men.

Naturally, once the tree was in place, there was only one thing left to do.....celebrate family Christmas! My mom and Bro spoiled the boys rotten with their sweet gifts. Ben had just a little bit of fun unwrapping presents.

Uncle Jess got him this grow with me basket ball goal, and Ben took to it like a fish to water!

What can I say, the kids got game.

Noel tested out his new wheels.

How sweet is this walker!

The boys love all their new loot, but they loved the cuddles best of all.

Aren't they just precious?

Awww...that's exactly what Uncle's are for.

Jingle Bells are ringing and the season is in full swing!! Here's wishing you all wonderful celebrations with all your friends and family all season long.

Noel .5

2011-12-13T09:30:00.000-06:00

We interrupt this broadcast to give you Noel's 6 month update.

Well.. that was my clever attempt to say I'm still back blogging, but I wanted to get Noel's update in here on his 6 month day!

Oh our sweet bug! Just look at this precious kiddo.

He is getting big so fast now, weighing in at 18.6 pounds and is 26 inches long.

I cannot believe it has been 6 months!

Noel is eating rice cereal, oatmeal, and sweet potatoes now.

He is not a very good eater honestly, and I'm so not used to that. He will actually purse his lips anytime I bring the spoon to his mouth.

Any tips mommy friends?

Regardless, he is doing so many cool things these days! He is almost sitting up on his own. And he has two teeth! His bottom front teeth are both in.

The first poped through just after Thanksgiving, and the 2nd a couple days after that.

He is babbling away and his favorite sounds are "Da, da, da, da" and "Awwww gee, Awww gee." He will have full out conversations of babbles, and it is PRECIOUS. Seriously. He is such a giggle bug, and will just laugh and laugh at Ben, or being tickled.

He is also loving some good old fashioned Peek-A-Boo these days.

Noel has taken interest in anything that is within reach.

In other words, if you are holding it, he wants it.

If you put it down, he wants it.

If it is in sight, he wants it.

What does he want to do with it? Chew it of course!!!

And then bang it on the table, and maybe chunk it on the floor. He is obviously a genius.

Noel is sleeping much better now. He makes it from about 10pm to 5am probably 3 out of 4 nights without waking. Some nights those hours are extended, and I definitely see great things in his future. Sleep is golden. Truly.

Noel has also just started doing the precious baby thing where he will see Jim or I in the room, and immediately reach for us. He'll babble away to make sure we see him, and lift his arms to be picked up. Um...let me tell you, it's hard to deny the offer. He's got us well trained. But with a smile like this, can you blame us?

Seriously.

Oh how we adore our bug! I've sort of been enjoying my own little joke this Christmas season with my Noel.

Catch the theme?

Ha! It's tacky but I can't help it. I love this sweet baby so much and just cannot get enough of him.

So blessed to have Noel in our lives.

The Turkey was delicious

2011-12-12T08:23:00.000-06:00

I hear it's December 12th already.....and yet, here is my post from the Thanksgiving break!

Let's just say we've been having so much fun with all the December festivities that time has been speeding away from me. None the less, I feel it would be a horrible injustice to continue blogging without paying proper respect for the turkey, so here it is.

The turkey was delicious y'all. As were all the other traditional Thanksgiving dishes served on the table. But better yet....the company.

Noel and Ben spent approximately 2 minutes at Gran and Grandad's house before it appeared that a toy tornado had hit.

Bless her heart, Gran never seems to mind that her house is blowing up in match box cars.

As it was Noel's first thanksgiving, I had to have a little talk with him about the order of events. "Happy Thanksgiving Noel!"

"Would you like to eat some turkey?"

"Well, perhaps next year."

"Don't worry, you will get lots of cuddles this year!"

Ben donned his pumpkin shirt,

and this was as close as I got to a photo with my two turkeys.

As promised, Noel soaked up some grandparent and family attention.

After the feasting Noel was in need of a little rinse off, so the traditional sink bath occurred.

My cute little Bug.

Ben was very excited and determined to set up the Christmas tree and decorate it this year. Funny side story. Ben was sleeping in the room that had the tree stored in it while we were at Gran and Grandads house. They store their tree upright, wrapped in a big black bag. The first night, I put Ben to bed, and went to check on him a little bit later. He had a flashlight, and was sitting upright with eyes as big as saucers. I asked him if he was ok. He didn't say a word, just lifted his little pointer finger and pointed at the tree in the corner. Then he mouthed..."It's a monster..."

Lol. He was relieved to find out the 9 foot monster was in fact a Christmas tree, and was very excited to decorate it.

Especially since he got to use the ladder!

Noel enjoyed watching.

It was a relaxing Turkey day break! Now...straight on to Christmas!

MIA

2011-12-09T08:52:00.002-06:00

Yipes.

The hustling and bustling?

It has commenced.

So the blogging? It is behind.

Needless to say, I'm working on it. Until then....Keisha emailed me a couple pics from the last 2 weeks that might hold you over. Thanks Keisha!

Sweet Noel is awesome.

Ben is awesome as well, but not so into the posing for pictures. No worries...in soon to be posts there are some cute Ben moments. So hold on tight and I'll try to get this blog rolling!

We Give Thanks

2011-11-24T09:09:00.001-06:00

Happy Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Right about now I am most likely stuffed full and trying to sneak a nap on the couch, as all good people should do on Thanksgiving....and for this particular tradition I am forever grateful. I am forever grateful for so many traditions...overloading on yummy traditional foods being just the tip of the iceberg. I love me some Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. And I don't stop there...oh no, I keep the ol' tv rolling right on into the most prestigious dog show of the year! Oh yes, I'm a sucker for looking at all the different breeds, and trying to guess who will walk away best in show. I so love how the commentators make sure to include tid bits about each canine's personality...it's some good tv y'all. And then, as if Thursday were not already amazing enough, Friday rolls around and that means precisely two things: left overs and college football! This year that means that my Arkansas Razorbacks (yes I did say my. Any questions?) who happen to be ranked #3 in the BCS, are taking on LSU....who are they again? Just kidding. But seriously, I'm biting my nails already! So yep...this girl loves some Thanksgiving and all the trappings. BRING IT ON.

And since I scheduled this to post on Thursday, I should add, it's being brought-en. That's a word right?

I'm excellent with the grammar.

None the less, I am so excited about this post because it's an opportunity to display a few things that the Burrow family are particularly thankful for this year. So without further ado....

#1. We are so Thankful for our Noel bug this year.

I am so delighted he is here and healthy...all things I was dreaming of last year at this time. In fact, last year at this time, I was struggling to eat anything at all, so I plan to make up for that this year....I mean...I'm working really hard to lose the baby weight so I'm sure I'll be very responsible and eat sparingly this year. Right.

#2 Can you guess? We are so Thankful for our crazy little Ben boy who makes us laugh at every single turn.

In fact, our big boy had a little Thanksgiving performance at his preschool on Tuesday that was in a word, EPIC.

Why you might ask? Well, let's begin at the beginning shall we? Jim and I arrived a few minutes early for the 3 year old's class performance to discover a few items sitting on the table at Ben's seat. The first is very sweet.

And the 2nd? Well....I'll let it sink in for a moment.

Okay. Now that you've had a moment to look over Ben's list, let's dissect it shall we? Ben is thankful for:

1-"friends". I like this. I am also very thankful for my dear friends.

2-"Daddy". Aww...so sweet. I'm right on track with you buddy. Your daddy is quite wonderful.

3-"My Mommy-I love her". Lock him up and throw away the key! That boy just melts my heart!

4-"My stool at home". Now this one is a little surprising. Yes, he does have a stool, and yes he uses it for many purposes like washing his hands in the sink, and reaching things he should probably leave alone, and dragging it to places and leaving it without Jim or I being the wiser resulting in 1) many a stubbed toe and 2) a constant search for the stool, but hey, I guess said stool has quite left an impression on our Ben Boy and for that he is thankful. Or perhaps even at this very minute he is scheming his next trick in which stool is a partner in crime.....only time will tell. Back to the list.

5- "my baby". Now isn't that just precious. Ben is thankful for Noel. And Ben is such a good big brother....but sorry Noel, you currently rank below the stool. It's the facts of life. To improve your rank on the list, perhaps you should limit your drooling on brothers toys and attempt to cry less in the car....but what do I know? I'm ranked 3rd.

6-"Bally". What now? Did y'all catch that? Friends, I do not now, nor will I ever know what "Bally" is, or why it has made the top ten in my sons thankful list. But If my boy likes it that much, well then, I am thankful for Bally as well. Thank you God for Bally. Amen.

7-"Football Games". Now that's our little Razorback! Wooo Pigs! We must be doing something right if our 3 year old is listing football games on his Thankful list. We bring em' up right here in Razorback country! ;)

8-"Turkeys". You know what....I don't think in all my years of Thanksgiving I have ever properly thanked the lord for turkeys. I mean, we have practically named the day after the bird, and yet I never hear a lot of gratitude expressed when you ask people what they are thankful for. So, way to go Ben. Ben's bringing Turkey back.

9-"My Batman Coat". A very appropriate thanks indeed. The Bat, after all, keeps us all safe from harm, and when worn by one quite amazing 3 year old boy, scares of the rain drops and keeps my baby dry and warm. So yes, I too and thankful for the Batman coat. The end.

Seriously folks, it's a pretty stellar list this year.

Now that his list has been thoroughly discussed, let's get back to his Thanksgiving day program. It was precious. Ben's sweet teacher, God Bless HER! Mrs.Holly,

helped the kiddos to sing a few songs for the parents and to have a mini feast.

Ben's best buddy from his class, Brooks was in attendance.

Umm...take a minute my friends. Turn the songs off over at my blog roll, and watch this little clip of my boy singing his songs. We are sooo proud. Seriously, grinning ear to ear. (I especially love the part after the first song where Ben single handily takes a bow.) Oh but he is fearfully and wonderfully made, this child of mine.

Perfection.

And now, in the spirit of thankfulness and to close this extraordinarily long post, I give you this. I am thankful for laughter.

Happy Thanksgiving.

May you be truly blessed this year as you count your blessings.

Jesus and Thundercats

2011-11-23T08:30:00.000-06:00

True story....

A few nights ago, I was putting Ben to bed and the master of delay was pulling out all his normal tricks. "I need a drink of water." "Let's read another book." "Sing me another song." "Lay down with me for a minute." "Ummm....Ummmm....Ummm...how about we close the door." "Wait, maybe let's open it."

Oh yes, he's good.

I was going through the normal reasons for why bedtime was to be observed and how I would see him in the morning when he came up with a delay that was...well...jaw dropping.

"Mommy. The Thundercats are real. Are God and Jesus Pretend?"

Stop. Drop everything. Time to talk. Bedtime successfully delayed.

"Ben, the Thundercats are pretend. God and Jesus are real."

Now, before we proceed, let me give you a little Thundercat knowledge as it was completely foreign to me until recently. The Thundercats are mutant human cats that come from the planet Thundera, which originally enough they were forced to evacuate via space craft when the planet was destroyed. They landed on "the 3rd planet from the sun" and use their super powers to fend off evil and protect the weak. Their leader has been gifted a sword from an elder (the sword is called the eye of Thudera) which allows him to have "sight beyond sight", which he can call upon in times of trouble to save loved ones. That's it in a nutshell.

So Ben's response..."But mommy, the Thundercats came to earth on a spaceship. And they can hurt the bad guys in the woods. They are on TV."

I can see how this could be quite confusing to a 3 year old. Jesus does not make too many personal appearances on TV, and coming to the earth as a baby is very very cool, but not as memorable as say perhaps crash landing from a spaceship....at least not to a 3 year old boy.

"Well Ben, the Thundercats are on tv, but they are just pretend. Thundercats are not real. Jesus is real. And Jesus defeats the bad guys also."

his rebuttal

"But the Thudercats have sight beyond sight!"

"Yes, but that's also just pretend. Jesus has sight beyond sight that is real. He knows our hearts, and he has plans for us."

Ben, "no, no, no, no..... Moooommmyyy.....(whiny voice) Jesus doesn't have sight beyond sight because he doesn't have the sword!"

Cleaver response.

This is the part where I begin to launch into a very theological conversation with my son that is inevitably boring. After all, Jesus does not have a sword, mask, cape, or any other accoutrement that comes with being a super hero. And how in the world do you explain to a 3 year old that the original super hero, the only real super hero, is so amazing and loving, so powerful that he doesn't require a mask or a sword to be wonderful? That he is the great I am?

Answer. You don't.

Because even if you did, it wouldn't really make sense to him just yet.

And you know that your super hero, Jesus, is working right now, this very instant, in the heart of your little boy to show him how awesome he is. That through his 3 year old questions...maybe even through the Thundercats, Ben is learning about grace. And that is very cool indeed.

So I tell Ben the truth. Jesus is real. And Jesus loves you.

and I leave it at that, because that is enough for now.

Love my boy. Love his beautiful mind, and his challenging questions. Watch out world...Ben Burrow is going to take you by storm.

Mission accomplished

2011-11-21T10:39:00.004-06:00

Last Thursday was Jim's 33rd birthday. I set out on a mission a few weeks before to throw him a surprise party. For any of you who know my husband, this is a near impossible task. Jim asks lots of questions, likes to know details about things, and misses nothing. So I formed a plan that involved back up plans, and back up plans for my back up plans. It also involved a few maneuvers to throw him off the scent...like having a pre-birthday party for him at home with the boys. Thursday rolled around and Jim was none the wiser to my scheme yet, so I began to think I might actually succeed! I was so nervous all day making sure all the last few little details were ready to go. And then the time was upon us. I had the difficult task of keeping Jim occupied while our friends arrived at the restaurant, and making sure we didn't get there until everyone was in place. Somehow, I managed to keep Jim occupied by dragging him around to stores to get ideas for "Christmas presents", and then we made our way over to the restaurant to get our table. When we rounded the corner and saw so many of our sweet friends there, excitement rippled through me! Jim was completely surprised! He was sooo excited to see everyone, and really enjoyed the evening! Mission accomplished.

Happy 33rd Birthday to my loving Husband!

Friday Phone Dump

2011-11-18T09:25:00.000-06:00

The most wonderful time of the year

We give Thanks

Sleepy McSleeperson

So Serious

Sleeps like a baby

Simple Joys

I've come to steal your sleep

Super Fly

The Dentist is way cooler than when I was a kid

Handsome

Gorgeous

Orange Leaf

Happy Friday to all!

Falling in love

2011-11-17T13:35:00.011-06:00

The weather took what can only be described as a nose dive yesterday, dropping the temperature in the early afternoon into the low forties. So when I picked Ben up from school, my intention was to beeline it for the couch, make some hot cocoa, and turn on a good movie....you know, Star Wars or Thundercats...something in that genera. I had boys. This is my fate.

It seemed a well thought out plan, and as I collected my young son from the car pick up line, I felt a little excitement at the laziness to come. Ben had other plans. Surprising I know. Actually, to be very accurate, Ben's school had other plans.

Ben hops into the car with a brown lunch sack that has a not attached. I have learned to read all notes from Ben's school immediately as often they require long discussions on why it is not okay to wrestle during Chapel time, or how it is imperative that Ben not sing and dance during circle time. In other words, when I see a note in Ben's hand my mind immediately goes to , "Oh Ben, what have you done now?" The joys.

This note attached to bag however was to my great relief, more of a homework assignment. Fill the bag with fall leaves. Return tomorrow.

That sounded like a good idea, and I had spotted a place at the entry to our neighborhood where a tree was quite marvelous, so I thought we could just wipe it out on our way back home. You know, park car, jump out, retrieve fall leaves, proceed home.

As fate would have it, this plan was brilliant. But there was one small detail I wasn't counting on. The time of day, the cool weather requiring coats, the beauty of the red leaves....it was picture perfect.

And I had my camera in the car.

Y'all. I am in LOVE!!!!

We played and pictured,

played and pictured until our lips started to get numb from the cold.

We laughed.

We were silly.

We were beautiful.

I could never have planned this.

But it was perfect.

I spent the afternoon playing in the leaves with my boys.

Total joy.

Let the Feasting Begin!

2011-11-15T09:48:00.000-06:00

Guess who tried rice cereal for the first time?

One very excited little Bug got all geared up for the coming goodness of his first solid food.

He was a little unsure about this new method of nourishment, but was a good sport and tried very hard to accomplish his new skill.

Noel was very interested in the tools of the trade.

Like most males of the species, it is all about the tools.

Very interesting this spoon thing.

And this bowl is quite curious.

Noel ate about 2 tablespoons of his first meal, and very successfully played with the rest. I totally adore this sweet baby boy!

I think we'll stick to rice cereal for several weeks, then I slowly start introducing some homemade baby foods to his diet. So no, he won't be eating dressing at Thanksgiving, or Pie at Christmas, but at least he'll get to join us at the table!

And that is very good indeed.

Noel is 5 months old!

2011-11-14T09:57:00.000-06:00

Another month has flown past, and Noel is now 5 months old! How time flies when you are crazy in love with your little baby!

Noel Bug is weighing 16 pounds and is 25 inches long. It seems like he is learning new things and meeting milestones every day now! Just a couple days after his 4 month post, he started rolling over both ways. He had been sleeping in a woombie at night, but now that he can roll over, he has to have his arms out, so he is currently sporting sleep sacks for bedtime. Noel loves toys!

He loves to see what things do and of course, he loves to chew on them. I know better than to compare....but Ben was never really interested in toys until he was big enough to sit up and move around, so this is a difference in my boys. Noel is really a content little bug and he will play independently on a floor mat as long as there are a couple toys within reach. He is good at both back and tummy time.

Another new thing for month 5....we started Noel on a once a day feeding of rice cereal last week! He was not too sure about the whole process at first, but he is a good little eater now and I am sure we'll be increasing to 2 feeds a day before long. (then add in other foods slowly.) But more about all of that in tomorrow's post...complete with eating pictures! Noel is so in love with Ben, and it has really helped to have Ben encourage Noel to eat. Ben will sing to him and cheer for him, and Noel just squeals with delight! No one can make Noel laugh like Ben either. Ben is a pretty funny kiddo, and Noel makes sure he knows it.

Ok, are you ready for this one.....Noel slept through the night without waking for the first time Saturday night! Wahoo!!!!! I put him down for bed around 6ish, (I know that sounds early, but this little boy lets me know when he is down for the day!) and then did a "dream feed" around 10:30pm, and Noel did not make a peep until 6:45am on Sunday! Oh joyous sleep! Time will tell if this is going to become a new habit, or if it was merely a fluke, but my hope for night sleep is refreshed people, and I am already starting to let my thoughts drift to days of being rested!

This is no small thing. I'll keep you posted. Until then, as a reward, gummy smiles for all.

Noel is truly just the happiest little guy, and I am so blessed by his darling smile and happy coo's! I cannot imagine life without our sweet Noel!

Here comes the cold

2011-11-11T09:46:00.000-06:00

The days are getting shorter now. It is dark when I wake up, and the sun sets before dinner. We have some sunny days and some cloudy gray days, and the temperature is slowly dropping lower. A few degrees south, then a few more.

Halloween is over, and Thanksgiving is just around the corner.

The stores have stocked the aisles with Christmas items which means you can feel that buzz of excitement starting to grow both with little children and adults.

Winter is coming. Fall is almost over. Time is moving on again.

It goes by faster with every passing year.

I never thought I would believe that, when I was 15 and longing to drive...longing to grow up and move on and every day was taking for.ev.er.

And here I am...28...wondering what happened to 21.

Staring at Noel.

Holy cow. I have two kids.

Two beautiful babies.

Oh wait....correction. I have one beautiful almost 5 month old baby, and one beautiful child.

I can't even justify calling Ben a toddler anymore. He is a boy.

He is racing to four at lightening speed.

Time is moving quickly.

And isn't it funny how even though everything and everyone around you changes, in your mind you are not changing so much...not so much as them at least....when in fact you are?

I'm growing older also. Just as quickly as my boys.

And that's kind of wonderful too.

Don't misunderstand now. I'm not looking forward to gray hair and wrinkles....but I don't so much mind entering this very adult phase of my life, and leaving the "young" part behind. I like not getting carded ;)

Besides, it's fun to grow older if it means getting to watch this one grow older too.

How adorable is a boy in a raincoat with an umbrella?

Precious.

Here comes winter. The cool gray days that always make me giddy with excitement for the Holidays, and reflective about another year coming to a close. It's good stuff. How the world is always changing, and us with it. There is something so comfortable about an expected change. So familiar.

A contradiction in terms; change and familiar, but true none the less.

For every season....

Here's looking forward to cold winter days with a fire place crackling and a roast in the oven.

I welcome the change in the air.

Game Days

2011-11-10T08:16:00.000-06:00

Aww football season.

The time of year when here in the SEC Saturday is known as "wear your team t-shirt day".

And decorate your car with annoying flags and honk loudly at others who have decorated their cars with annoying flags day.

And sing your fight song all day long with pride day. Even at wal-mart.

And run into a perfect stranger and stop to talk about football day.

In other words, we are a bit obsessive about the football around here y'all.

And when you are talking about SEC football, it is imparitive that you use the word y'all as many times as you can.

Y'all.

The culture of the thing is soo addictive, that it is much more fun to join em' and swear your allegiance to the most appropriate team (it's all about geographics y'all) because there is no way you are ever going to beat em'.

I'm pretty sure I had lived in Razorback Country for about 10 minutes before I aptly converted to calling the Hogs.

I do so enjoy the festivities of a good football season.

Therefore, as any proud momma in my shoes would do, I decorate my car, and my boys. Yes, yes, I do. I love all the great options out there for football wear these days. We are long past the days of the standard red t-shirt. And this year, my boys are looking especially handsome in these personalized embroidered football shirts that Keisha gave me as a baby shower gift back when we were still expecting the littlest hog. How sweet are these two?!

(Jim wants to know where his personalized embroidered shirt is.) Ben does not so much take time out to pose these days, so you just have to catch him in the act. Here he is in his adorable shirt practicing for his first start up job.

Yes. You. Can.

I'm pretty sure these are not 3 sweeter faces on earth.

So there you have it. A very small glimpse into Football culture in the SEC....with the sole purpose of providing a backdrop to post pictures of my favorite Razorbacks. Woo Pigs Sooie! and all that jazz.

Fall Festival Fun

2011-11-09T08:07:00.000-06:00

The day before Halloween, a local church hosted a Fall Carnival for the kiddos. The Searcy Family invited us to come along, and I'm so glad they did! As you all know, I am a fan of Fall. Big fan.

Not that I'm that big... but I really really like fall.

Well, I'm not exactly small either.

I digress.

So when fall fun is offered up, I cannot resist!

The festival was like a midway at a fair meets old school church carnival! There were rides, games, a petting zoo, and yummy snacks! Ben and Cole had so much fun checking out all the rides together.

Ben actually did a really good job with some of the games. I was quite impressed by his ability at the bean bag toss.

Yeah, that's right.

I just praised my kids prowess at throwing bean bags into buckets. I'm cool like that.

Jim and I took turns carrying Noel around, who did very well, but seemed a little dazed about why he was still awake at 8pm in the evening. No, there isn't a picture to illustrate this last comment, because whoever was holding Noel was also taking pictures. It's the mechanics of double parenting.

This last picture cracks me up! Jim was having a conversation with Rhonald about something and Ben intently joined in.

He so wants to be a big guy! As long as big guy's get to eat cotton candy and have their faces painted that is.

Love Fall. Love Friends. Love my Boys.

Momma's boy?

2011-11-08T09:02:00.000-06:00

While I was in Texas last week, I came across a few pictures from when I was a baby.....they looked a little familiar to me! Tell me what you think....

I think he has my smile. Smile.

Noel's first trip to Texas

2011-11-07T08:19:00.000-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, Jim and I were both feeling the urge to visit family/friends. In different states. Jim was anxious to go see our family and friends in New York city, and I was hoping to go to my cousins wedding in Texas. So we decided to go for it! Ben was more than excited to go with Daddy visit Audrie, and it is a requirement that Noel comes with me. Must follow the food source and all. So Noel and I boarded a plane to Texas, and Jim and Ben got on a flight to the Big Apple, and off we went on our adventures.

I'll let Jim tell you all about his trip.

Noel and my trip was full of firsts! Noel got to meet my Grandpa for the first time.

He got to ride in GrandLau's fire truck for the first time.

And he got to test out the swing for the first time!

I didn't do a great job of getting very many pictures, but we did spend a day with Nonna going to my cousins wedding. It was a beautiful wedding, and my little man did excellently. We spent the majority of the trip hanging out on GrandBob and GrandLau's deck in the beautiful fall weather.

Things were a little quieter without big brother Ben around. So quiet in fact, that a swing nap was in order.

LOVE.HIM.

It was a wonderful visit, and so nice to come home to Daddy and Ben and all their NYC stories!

Friday Phone Dump

2011-11-04T07:55:00.003-05:00

Two weeks ago, Jim and I went on some divide and conquer trips, which included Noel and I traveling to Texas to go to my cousins wedding, and Jim and Ben traveling to NYC to see friends and family. More on all that is to come, but for now here's the phone dump for the past 2 weeks.

I felt the need to explain why there are more pictures of Noel than Ben this time.

The mommy guilt.

Off we go!

Couch Breakfast

A little Fall weather for ya'

All tuckered out

All tuckered out times 2

Such a good chew

Beautiful boy

Dressed for Success

A lovely wedding

Picture of Ben

New winter kicks

Noel's first swing

Happy Friday to all!

Halloween 2011

2011-11-02T16:27:00.005-05:00

Trick or treating was greeted with much anticipation at the Burrow abode this year. It had been discussed a few times (if you consider the word few to mean 1 million plus that is) prior to the evening of by one little 3 year old who very much grasped the concept. Costume + ringing of doorbell = candy. Done and Done. All good things.

Ben had decided long ago to be Batman this year. And as fate would have it, his good buddy Cole made the same decision. Thus, there was only one thing to do....

Gotham City beware! The Bats are on the loose!

Noel made the cutest puppy for his first Halloween.

Steal my heart.

And as the sun began to set, the kiddos began to gather!

And the trick or treating commenced.

Oh friends, how it does this momma proud to see a motley crew running door to door in the safety of a friendly neighborhood. What a bunch!

And at each stop, there was a gathering of parents enjoying the spectacle.

Ben was on cloud nine.

He loves ringing some doorbells. The evening progressed, and the candy sacks became heavy, so a little lightening of the load was in order. The supers were up to the task.

Noel began to wonder why he was still awake.

Despite Lily Kate's attempts to explain to him the purpose of Halloween,

he finally gave up the battle.

So while one little tuckered out puppy went to bed, a victorious super hero explored his loot.

A successful Halloween for sure! And thus begins the holiday season....and I smell good times in the air.

Bouncing Bug

2011-11-01T09:05:00.000-05:00

In a little bug's forth month of life, it is decidedly time to explore new things. Time to spread your wings about, get up your courage, and test your sense of adventure! And if you just happen to be a little bug in the Burrow household, this translates into one very specific type of adventure. The bouncing! Ben was an avid bouncer from ages 4 months until a year, so it seemed only fair to let Noel have a go. And go he did!

He is starting out as more of a spinner sort, but I'm sure once he gets his sea legs, he'll be bouncing with the best of them!

And really, with a face like this, if spinning is his forte, than that's just fine with me!

I mean seriously?! What a flirt!

I love watching this boy accomplish new things! So proud of my Noel bug!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T10:31:00.003-05:00

Happy Halloween!

Here's a little sneak peak of the Burrow Boys in their costumes! I'll be sure to regale you with tales of their trick-or-treating adventures in the next couple of days. Until then, Happy Halloween to you and yours, and have fun today/tonight!

on letting go

2011-10-27T15:28:00.001-05:00

The morning started out as so many mornings around my house do. In a hurry.

I awoke 15 minutes late and hustled to wake Ben, feed him breakfast, pack his lunch, and get him dressed.

Simultaneously I woke, nursed, and dressed Noel. The goal is to get out the door by 8am to arrive at Ben's pre-school in time to get Noel in the sling, and Ben gathered and walked into his class. In this instance gathered refers to taking in his backpack, lunch box, and nap mat.

Try as I may, I have greeted many mornings with a sense of rush, and I'm afraid to admit my friends that I can get snappy when I feel perhaps the Burrow bunch is running ever so slightly behind the clock. Translation: Mommy is moody when time allotted to get out the door does not comply with the typical poky pace of a 3 year old in the morning hours.

This results in "Ben! hurry up and eat your eggs!" and some of the classic, "Ben! I said to get you shoes on!" and of course a little, "Ben! Stop playing around and put on your pants!"

Awww, the lovely sounds of the morning.

Whatever happened to birds chirping people?!

Does anyone wake up to that anymore?

Regardless, I take full blame for the rush, as I am solely responsible for the time I begin the get ready process. And I tend to barter for that extra 15 minutes whenever possible. My excuse? I haven't slept through the night since May. Just sayin.

So the sounds of a school morning occur on a most regular basis.

Judge if you must.

One morning last week started out just this way.

But somewhere between my drive way and the school parking lot, one little three year old was plotting a curve ball that I didn't see coming.

I turned the corner into the lot and made my way to our parking spot, as I always do. It's not really our spot, but we park there pretty much every school day. Creatures of habit et.al. I digress...

As I approach our spot, a little back seat driving from the 2nd row occurs.

"No mommy, go over there today."

Over there is the car drop off spot. The place where parents can pull through and drop off their kiddos without exiting their vehicles. Where they just buzz through and send their babies packing all the way to their classrooms without holding their hands. Without getting out to scream "I love you!!" one last time, or "Make Good Choices!" as their pre-schooler runs off into his/her class. In short, over there is not where I am headed.

"Ben, that's the car drop off. That's where kids go in all by themselves and their mommy's stay in the car."

Ah-ha! I had handled this with ease and perfection.

"I know mommy. I can go in by myself. I'll try really really hard! Let's go over there today."

huh?!

Surely he must be confused.

I go for the personal approach.

"Ben, if we go over there, I will not go in with you. I will just stay in the car and you will walk all by yourself to your class." (sure sure, there are teachers stationed to help guide youngsters to the right places, but that doesn't count.)

"I know mommy. I'll try really really hard. I can do it. Let's go over there."

devastation.

I go for the emotional appeal.

"Ben, don't you want mommy to walk you in and hold your hand? Don't you want me to give you hugs at the door? I can just park like we always do and go in with you."

please let that work, please!

"No mommy. I'll try really hard. I can do it. Let's go to the car drop off today. I'll try really, really hard."

deflation.

last attempt

"You sure baby?"

"Yes mommy. Let's go over there."

ouch.

We pulled through the drop off. My boy gleefully greets the principal who escorts all drop off students from their cars into the building. With an extra skip in his step, he grabs his gear and takes off. No looking back.

I want to scream, "I love you! Have a Good Day! Make Good Choices! Be awesome!" but he is already inside.

shaved 10 minutes off my morning time line.

I hurried for nothing.

My boy. Wow am I ever proud of him. He is awesome.

I'm not going to lie....I wish he would change his mind. I wish he would ask me to walk him in again. To let me hold his hand a little longer. To let me hug him at the door of his class.

And in the pit of my stomach, I have a feeling I will be wishing for these things when he's ten....when he's thirty....when he's 50.

It's just the first step. A tiny little leap of his independence, and he still needs me so much every day. But he took the first step.

I drove away from the school in shock. I called Jim and told him that Ben wouldn't let me walk him in. He cheered for Ben's accomplishment. I did too...with a little bit of a broken heart.

My baby's growing up. How in the world am I supposed to let him do that?! Letting go was never part of the plan.

That's absurd of course.

It has always been the only plan.

Step one. done.

I think I'll make a point to do less hurrying. He's hurrying enough without me.

to the park

2011-10-26T10:11:00.000-05:00

Beautiful weather is the calling card to pack up the boys and get to a park. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Just go to the park. Pretty simple really. So when the weather hit a perfect 72 degree's last week, there was nothing to do but go park exploring! I had been informed of a new spot that we just had to check out, and it did not disappoint. This particular park came correct with a super large twisty slide.

And a new variety of climber.

Ben really had a growth spurt over the summer months, and even he was impressed with his ability to conquer all sorts of cool obstacles on the playground.

Noel did some accomplishing of his own.

We met a friend and her darling twins.

Approximately 2.5 hours later, Ben summited his last mountain for the day.

It was some good parkin' my friends.

Happy days.

Aww...carpet nap

2011-10-25T09:54:00.000-05:00

The other morning I was going about business...you know the drill; laundry, dishes, showering, ect. when I heard a few little protests from Noel. Nothing major...just a few whimpers. That noise however was followed by silence. At my house silence is much more dangerous than whimpers. So of course, I went running into the living room to discover this.

Sweet Bug had knocked down his play mat (he is rolling both ways these days!) and then decided the best thing to do with a dysfunctional play gym was to sleep. So he went to sleep. Right there.

Amazing. Guess I'll keep him ;)

Halloween Decorations

2011-10-24T09:48:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd share a few pics of our Halloween decorations this year....I know you are so super excited about that prospect and are just quaking with anticipation. Picture #1. Our fireplace scene.

What's that? A decoration that has you puzzled? Aww yes of course. We hired to Noel to add to our display. We plan to change his clothes for each subsequent holiday to help him match the decor.

Or maybe he is just so stinking cute I absolutely had no option but to run screaming for my camera to capture his sweet face, only to realize later while working on this blog post how he looked like he was a part of the decor?

I'll let you decide.

All I really know is this. #1. I didn't take pictures of the household Halloween decorations at all. Just Noel. and #2. I think this kid is quite possible the cutest baby ever.

and #3. I am so blessed to have him decorating my house every day of the year.

Friday Phone dump

2011-10-21T09:44:00.000-05:00

Party on, Party people

Kiddo's

Neighborhood watch

Art? Yes indeed.

Little mower and shaker

monster toes

wheels

yum, blanket snack.

oh so handsome

Happy Friday Y'all!

Little Child

2011-10-20T09:52:00.001-05:00

Ben is a funny kid. He loves being a funny kid. He purposely says and does all sorts of things to get a laugh. And laugh we do.

That being said, his most funny/precious moments occur when he is least trying to be humorous. Like prayer time. You've had a taste of this already, but oh my friends, it just gets better and better. Here are a couple of jewels from the recent past.

"Dear God, thank you for the number 1. And thank you God for the number 2. And for the number 3. Thank you God for the number 4. Thank you for the number 5. And for the number 6....."

We made it to twenty.

At which point he said, "Thank you for dinner, and colors, and rainbows, and my tiger. Amen."

I can only assume he is referring to the plastic tiger he got from the treasure box at school, as we certainly do not own any variety of tiger.

Folks...this was a particularly lengthy prayer. The only issue I take with that, was that I had to hold in my laughter and maintain my stoic presentation all the way to the number twenty. I mean, I kind of wanted to shout out a hallelujah after the tiger part! And then I thought that the numbers 1-20 were rather important, and I'm reasonably sure I've never specifically thanked God in earnest for their presence, so perhaps I should take notes from my little 3 year old!

on to the next one.

"Dear God thank you for dinner, and for dinner, and for dinner. I like dinner. And I'm sorry my friends could not come to my house. I'm sorry we were too busy for my friends to come over. I'm sorry. Amen."

yep. For the sake of narration this prayer shall be dissected into two distinct but equally important parts; "the dinner section" and "the friends section."

Now, the first of the two sections was delivered with eyes closed and head bowed in a sing song sort of fashion. He was rather sincere.

The 2nd section of this prayer to our Lord, "the friends section", was delivered perhaps in a slightly less traditional fashion. Ben opened one eye, looked directly at me, and spoke his solemn words of confession to Jesus. Accusatory perhaps?

Oh yes my friends, my 3 year old was guilting me for not letting his friends come over through prayer! What?! He wasn't supposed to learn that trick for at least 15 more years....

Upon realization of what was occurring I offered up my own prayer....one I say rather often through out each day. It goes something like this, "Oh Dear Lord, give me strength! I'm in trouble with this one." And yes, I am very, very sincere.

Ben had another very sweet sincere moment, though not in prayer, the other day that seems worthy of documentation.

A little frog was resting on our outdoor table and Ben looked at me ever so sweetly and said, "Mommy can we keep him?"

Precious.

So for the first time in my life, but I"m sure not the last, I launch into the lecture about how the frog belongs outside in the world where he can jump and be free ect.

Ben listens intently, and when I'm finished talking he adds, "He would miss his mommy?"

Melt my heart.

My response? "Yes darling, very much. And his mommy would miss him."

Ben, "Oh. Ok. It's ok little frog. Go find your mommy. Hop Big."

Oh Ben, you are so dear to me.

It's no wonder that the bible is always talking about how Jesus loves the little children. I could listen to Ben's prayers and stories all day. Jesus hears all the children's prayers. That's got to be better than anything HBO could ever hope to dream up.

And to Ben, just in case you read this when you're all grown up my son. My prayer for you will always be to Hop Big. And maybe once in a while, come find your mommy.

I spy...

2011-10-19T09:52:00.000-05:00

I spy with my little eyes....

a happy baby

a star wars apron on a precious boy

a tea kettle brewing

an empty coffee mug waiting

an empty cookie sheet waiting

sunshine

2 pairs of bare feet

a perfectly dirtied kitchen

the promise of yummy cookies and happy moments.

Holy Playdate Batman!

2011-10-18T09:49:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago (what? yes, I'm that behind on blogging...) Keisha was brave enough to host play group at her house. I say brave because there were just a few people there....I lost count actually.

Somehow, amidst the chaos of tons of kiddos running around, Noel got in some good cuddles with Miss Jenny,

and Ben and Jackson practiced their concert piano chops.

It was good stuff. But I did make sure to cut out before anyone suggested I host the next meeting. :) Yeah....that'll come back to get me. Thanks Keisha for allowing us all into your home!

Farmer McGarrah's Pumpkin patch

2011-10-17T09:11:00.000-05:00

The air has a little crisp to it these last few days, with the promise of cold weather to come. Everywhere I look, the green things of the great outdoors are taking on brilliant hue's of gold and red. And of course orange.

Perhaps the best place to go to take in the sights of fall is out to Farmer McGarrah's pumpkin patch, where orange reigns supreme and one can find the token jewel of a childhood classic, "the most sincere pumpkin patch the eye can see." (so says Linus in "The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown")

Of course to me, a lover of fall, this place is magic. My feelings are replicated exactly by the bounce in my three years old's step. I'm a little less bouncy this year, as I am carrying a slightly different kind of magic around,

but Ben makes sure to show enough sincerity for both of us.
He likes to experience the farm to it's fullest, making sure that his Daddy joins in the fun as well.Oh, we like the pumpkins. Just a little.

Of course any truly sincere pumpkin patch comes with a selection of animals....odd how they all seem to have similar features.

This one stands out a bit.

There is of course the traditional hay ride as well.

With each year that passes, new memories are made, and this trip to the farm is no exception.

The great pumpkin indeed.

And my darling little Noel bug.

Melt my heart handsome boy.

Minutes later, with pumpkins loaded in the car (shot out to a good hubby for loading all our crazy pumpkins up while I took "just one more picture"...ahemm...twelve more.) two tired Burrow boys made the trip home peacefully.

Life can be crazy y'all, but when it's good....it's spectacular!

Mr.Jamie

2011-10-15T09:57:00.000-05:00

We sure do miss the Cornett's around here! We are so glad that they are doing well in NYC, and Jim and Ben actually have a trip planned to go see them before too long! A couple weeks ago, Jamie made a quick trip out to visit everyone, and two little boys I know were very happy to see him!

So here's thinking of you all Cornett's ! We love you guys and hope all is well in the Big Apple.

Happy Friday to you!

2011-10-14T09:58:00.000-05:00

Precious, precious they are to me!

Noel is 4 months old!

2011-10-13T09:25:00.001-05:00

My little Noel Bug is four months old today!

That's four months of baby hugs and cuddles, drooly kisses, and happy smiles and coos that have delighted all members of the Burrow household. Noel is growing super fast! He is 15 pounds and 8 ounces, and is 24.5 inches long! He is soooo close to rolling over, but just hasn't made that last little plunge yet. My theory...he's milking all the attention he gets from Big Brother Ben cheering him on. Smart Noel Bug.He is very interested in toys now, and especially loves this funny moose that Uncle Jesse sent.Shout out to Jess! You never know which toy will take their interest, so you win the "Noel's first favorite toy" award!

He loves to chew on everything, so any toys he grabs immediately goes to his mouth. Mr.Moose knows the truth of this very well.

Noel is very smiley and laughs now as well!He just loves being talked to. He especially loves when the resident 3 year old takes a moment from making transformers save the world to talk to his baby brother.

They are both pretty fond of each other, which ofcourse fills me up with warm fuzzies.

Let's hope they are still fond of each other in a few years when I continually dress them in matching outfits.....because you know I'm going to do that! I might have already started....

Oh yes, I am one proud Momma.

Noel is truly a delight to us. He is such a happy baby, and really just goes along with everything as long as he is well fed and rested. Everything except the car seat that is. Noel dislikes his car seat just a bit. By dislikes I of course mean loath, and by just a bit I mean uncontrollable screaming. Aww well, practically perfect in almost every way.

I'm still nursing him exclusively, but rice cereal is looming on the horizon and taunting me with the hope of a full nights sleep. He gets up once a night around 3am to eat, but honestly is soo good about going right back to sleep and often doesn't wake up until 7:30. Which in my book is awesome!

One other little Noel detail, I have been trying relentlessly for 4 months to get him to take a pacifier. I know everyone has lots of thought on this, but it worked great with Ben, and we had no problems getting rid of it, so I was hoping Noel would take the mute button...I mean paci, as well. However, he is totally uninterested, so I'm officially calling it. Noel is pacifier free, for better or for worse. Believe me...in the car, it's for worse. But everywhere else, I get to stare at his bright smile.

In fact, I adore him. Simply stated and meant to the fullest. He is precious to me. Darling Noel Bug, you are so very loved!

She'll be comin' round the mountain

2011-10-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

We packed up the car and the boys, and headed to Petit Jean Mountain for a little family get-a-way. The plan included meeting Grandad and Gran at a cabin in the woods for a restful weekend. The plan delivered...the cabin was lovely.

Ben and Noel got started doing their favorite things straight away.

Watching them is one of my favorite things :) We took a detour and visited the American Auto Museum, where Ben was entertained by the player piano,

JFK himself leaned in to kiss my baby,

and all the adults where rather in awe of the classics.

I especially appreciated this classic.

But I appreciate the newer American made models as well.

We hiked upon the mountain rocks, and one little climber took in the sights from what seemed to be very nearly the top of the world!

I liked the sights as well.

From just past our cabin front porch, a pond that looked promising called our names. So the fishing ensued.

And a major milestone in a little boys life occurred, his first catch!

Looks like a 10 pound bass to me Ben!

Way to go little man!

A very successful cabin weekend indeed!

Once upon a time...

2011-10-11T09:53:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time, in a cul-de-sac not too very far away, a little boy faced a dragon of the flying sort.

And though the boy was not very big just yet and the dragon was quite the expert flier, the boy trained the dragon with great bravery.

The people of the village were very happy indeed...including the village beast who, like the dragon, knew what it was like to be under the training of the boy.

Everyone lived happily ever after, both beast and man.

The end.

Fall is in the air

2011-10-10T09:13:00.001-05:00

How I love Fall. Every year around this time my thoughts turn to pumpkins and apple cider... golden leaves and stolen quite moments watching a good movie or reading a book. I always do a little reminiscing about my college years when the campus at Hendrix turned brilliantly red, and my world was just beginning. There's something so magical about the coolness in the air that makes me feel there are many exciting things to come. And more importantly, there are so many things happening....exactly at the present moment....sweet moments that I hope to forever commit to memory.

For example, a crisp evening spent at home with two darling little boys. One who is seeing the world for the first time. His very first fall.

And another who is experiencing the world with as much gusto as his three year old self can muster.

(that's a whole lot of gusto!)

I sit by and watch as one adventure turns to the next, and laugh inwardly at the lessons of this fall evening....kites don't fly too well without wind,

but it's still fun to try.

A picnic blanket is really fun for a few minutes,

until you discover that aside from a camera toting mommy, you are quite alone.

However, if you are very small, and work up a good enough call, it is very possible your big brother will come running, and that my friends, fixes everything.

Brother's a little bit like a super hero after all.

Good lessons all around.

I find time and time again the lesson that seems most important to me is to enjoy these moments. I look at my Ben and remember so very clearly when he was the size of Noel. Wasn't that just last month? So I hold Noel a little bit longer.

And I take another picture of Ben, noticing that the baby I'm used to seeing staring back at me is looking more and more like a boy.

A beautiful boy.

I breathe in the happiness of the simple evening and say a little prayer that these moments will not escape me. I cling to the joy of these sweet days with young children, trying as they may be in times, and pray to not miss a thing. God's beautiful sunset is making me feel warm inside and a little cool outside, and I know it is a sign that another day has gone and tomorrow my babies will be just a little bit bigger.

A little bit closer to grown. And that is wonderful. And I'm so blessed just to have had the honor to watch their worlds begin.

Friday Phone Dump

2011-10-07T14:12:00.014-05:00

Well Hello!

Halloween Cometh.

Christmas Cometh too apparently.

Very Nice.

2 days later.

Also very nice.

A little bit Naughty.

"Mom, Noel cries too loud."

But we love him so.

Captain Adorable.

Awww, peace and quite.

Happy Happy Friday!

Simplicity

2011-10-05T13:30:00.000-05:00

Ok now, let's see....

One adorable baby boy.....check.

One gigantic, melt your heart, make you laugh out loud smile....check.

One perfectly precocious 3 year old boy covered in chocolate....check.

One pan of brownies baking away in the oven, hence aforementioned boy...check.

One "my cup runneth over" mommy....check.

That about covers it.

I need a hero

2011-10-04T16:27:00.003-05:00

In the dark of night when the rain falls steadily throughout the land, there is one who emerges fearing no evil and ready to impart justice.

He is quick and smart, and there is no puddle he cannot overcome!

While others may choose to stand indoors, the bat will fly into the rain full of bravery and courage.

He is an extraordinary boy, and therefore, he wears an extraordinary rain coat.

Be at peace citizens. The bat is prepared.

....any guesses what Ben would like to be for Halloween?

excuses excuses

2011-10-03T16:48:00.002-05:00

Wow, life with two kids is busy.

Yep, that's the best I've got.

No, I haven't been globe trotting...just trying to keep up actually! And we have been doing some super fun stuff that totally deserves blog posting. Thus, I'm hoping to get some posts up asap.

as in tomorrow.

not today.

unless you count this rambling....

which I do.

So to tide you over for 24 more hours, I give you this little gem.

Ben's bedtime prayer from last week.

Verbatim

"Thank you God for dinner. Thank you God for Jamie. Thank you for Daddy, and for breast milk. Amen."

I ponder not only the origin, but also the placement of items within this prayer. And while I am sure Noel is quite thankful for the breast milk, I'm baffled as to why Ben feels it deserves mentioning. Perhaps he is merely looking out for his brother to keep the "milk and honey" flowing. I'm going to go with that.

Jamie, you almost beat out dinner.

Jim, you made it above breast milk.

pretty impressive.

he always makes me laugh.

happy day to you all!

more to come!

Business or pleasure?

2011-09-20T13:27:00.000-05:00

Jim attends a conference each year to get CME credits for his board certification. It's always in a really cool city, but usually not a super kid friendly city. In the past it's been in Boston and Denver. This year, the conference was held in Orlando. Um yep. Sign me up for that one. So months ago we planned to go and take Ben and Noel. I was about 7 months preggo when we booked our hotel for 4! How many babies have reservations prior to being born? The plan was to book a nice hotel with a kid friendly pool so that while Jim attended class during the day, the boys and I could lounge at the pool. Then, in the evenings, we would be able to do some fun stuff around Orlando. And so the adventure began. Y'all....the hotel pool was epic. Seriously, it came correct with water fountain, lazy river, full fledged water slide, hot tubs, and pool side service. Uh-May-zing. So while Ben splashed,

Noel rested.

Then we picnicked.

Then Ben sang the entire "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" theme song over and over while sitting in the cool of the walk in entry to the pool.

Life was sweet.

I made sure to text play by play pictures to Jim who was learning something incredibly boring about treatment of joint pain or fall prevention....while I learned each and ever word to Jake.

Thus we both received continuing education. Now...this was the plan for the week. Me and the boys at the pool, Jim in class, rinse wash repeat.

But something funny happened on the way to the forum. In fact, somewhere mid-flight above the lands between Charlotte, NC, and Orlando, FL, Jim and I looked down at our two little plane sleepers, then at each other and a mutual stirring in our souls begun. Magic of a deep cultural nature was occurring. Jim put words to our butterfly laden tummies...."It seems wrong to come to Orlando and not take them to Disney World." With childlike glee and laughter in our eyes, we agreed that Jim would skip a day of conference and we would pay homage to the Mouse. Main Street USA, we have arrived!

Watch out Dumbo, here we come!

Land of tomorrow took our little mover and shaker and we rode the people mover to scope out our adventures.

Ben took this picture, and yes, Noel is in it. I promise.

And hour after hour of sheer joy ensued. Magic Kingdom closed a little early (6pm), so we hopped the monorail over to Epcot to finish of the day.

Fireworks and all.

When we finally took our troopers back to the hotel, Ben decided to write about the best day ever had in his journal, but was unable to keep his eyes open to finish his depiction.

I got your back baby, you absolutely loved Disney World, and in all your three year old glory, you rode Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Toy Story (2 times), Jungle Cruise, Pirates of theCaribbean, It's a Small World, Spaceship earth, Figment, and oh soo many more!

The next day, we slept in. And then we took long naps. We had to.

Because the conference had special passes to Universal Islands of adventure from 7 to 11pm for members only, and we went!

Again, Noel packed in my ergo baby sling around the park, while Ben rode all the rides in Dr.Seuss land multiple times!

Then we went to Harry Potter world. It is unreal how cool it is!

It was too dark for any good pictures, but y'all...it was unbelievable. Makes me want to watch all the movies again just so I can look at Hogwarts or Hogsmede and say, "I've been there." cuz it looked just like it. So very cool. And again I must brag because our boys did amazing! Memories were made. Very good ones.

We did some resting and pool time the next day, which included about 200 trips down the water slide. :)

Then for our last night in town, we went to Downtown Disney to eat at the T-Rex cafe. Here's who we sat beside.

And we got some fun drinks.

There was a meteor shower every 15 minutes. Ben thought it was very cool and a little scary...here's what Noel thought.

But he knew he was safe with daddy.

The T-Rex cafe had surprisingly good food, and the environment was killer....did you catch that? The trip was wonderful.

Next day we headed home plenty tired.

Luckily, we booked tickets on the nap plane, so everyone got to sleep a little on the way home. Yeah, believe it or not, both on the way there and home we told Ben we booked tickets on the nap plane, and napping was required for the pilot to take off. It actually worked. I love me some nap plane.

After a long day of travel we arrived home only to discover that our car seat didn't make the final leg of it's journey home and would be spending the night in Charlotte, NC. So, borrowed car seat in hand, we walked out into the cool night air to discover this.

Look close, you can see a 2nd rainbow to the right of the first. God's forever promise. Pretty much the coolest way to arrive home ever.

Then the car seat arrived at 3am. On my doorstep.

So yeah, pretty much the best continuing education conference you could hope for. We learned a ton. Mostly about how much we love spending time with our boys. Pure Magic.

movie goers

2011-09-19T13:22:00.002-05:00

A new Thomas the Train movie came out on dvd week before last. The previous sentence evokes awe from a few boys I know. Due to the awe, Keisha had the idea to get said boys together for a little theater showing of the Thomas movie. Noel was ready.

So were the big boys!

These three crack me up!

Of course the youngest members of the gang were also in attendance, though they cared much less about Thomas and Friends and much more about mommy attention.

And because when you live in a digital camera age certain photos are simply a must, here is a picture of every child in the room at the exact same moment.

Ha! It can be done! Life's simple pleasures! Happy Monday to you. Hope it's a good one!

Jonah Days

2011-09-16T10:53:00.000-05:00

When I was young I read every L.M. Montgomery book every written. That includes the "Anne of Green Gables" series. Oh how I love me some Anne of Green Gables! In one of the books, Anne is having a particularly bad day, and Marilla tells her that "Jonah days come to us all." The reference is kind of brilliant in my opinion as it refers to the bible story of Jonah and the Whale. In other words, some days you just feel like you've been swallowed up!

Ben had a Jonah day at school last week.

Ben is thriving in pre-k over all. He adores his teachers, and is always excited to go. He has been getting excellent reports sent home with filled out sticker charts. Precious.

I'm always so excited to see what is in his backpack when I pick him up from school.

For example:

Last week on Thursday I picked Ben up from school early because the principal called me and said that Ben had slipped and bumped his head pretty hard. It all turned out well, but it was a pretty good bump and the school wanted to cross their t's and dot their i's (in other words cover their behinds!) and make sure he didn't have a concussion. So I picked him up a little early, confirmed with doctor daddy that we were in the clear, and took him home for some tlc. We were sitting at the bar in the kitchen having a snack and tracing letters when Ben said, "Mommy, I didn't get to look in the treasure chest today."

A little background info. Ben's school day is divided into two parts. 3 hours of curriculum based school, and then a lunch, playtime, nap time portion. He hit his head in the 2nd half of his day. The treasure chest is a privilege you earn at the end of each week by having received all your stars on your sticker chart during the school portion of the day.

So back to previous comment.

me. "Ben, why didn't you get to look in the treasure chest today?"

true confessions here folks.

"Well.....Mrs.Holly sent home a note."

Ohhh really.

In the head banging hubbub I had forgotten to check his backpack for adorable art items, therefore missing said not.

I immediately got up from letter tracing activity and searched Ben's back pack for "the note."

and here is what I found.

Oh Ben.

Needless to say, we talked about the events described above in ad nauseum for the better part of 30 minutes. Ben is adamant that he was provoked...in other words "but he pinched me!" and "she knocked down my block tower!" but the end result is the same. No stickers = no treasure chest. Serious stuff folks.

And after his Jonah morning, a head bump as the icing on the cake.

Tough days come to us all. Even precious three year old boys who make serious confessions to their mommies over graham cracker snacks.

But as my good friend Anne always says, "Tomorrow is fresh with no mistakes."

Preach it sister.

pajama friday

2011-09-15T10:55:00.000-05:00

My good little helper is also a good little photographer. He decided that our pajama Friday morning needed to be documented for the family journal. I couldn't agree more.

He does good work!

And to make it a well rounded documentation I bribed him with not one, but two red m&m's if he would join me in a little self take photo session. He was overzealous at first,

but he began to sense the reward was within his reach and pulled a perfect Ben smile.

Two red m&m's well earned.

My bloggy view

2011-09-14T10:41:00.000-05:00

So as I steal precious moments from life to, ironically enough, document life, my view can be a great many things. Sometimes I blog late at night when all three of my boys are asleep and I can stare out my office window to see a dark night sky. It's peaceful and I am reminded of how small I am. Sometimes I blog early in the morning and my view is a cup of coffee and my neighbors driving to work. It reminds me that every day is fresh and new, and I am comforted by the cycle of life. And sometimes, I get adventurous and blog while both my boys are wide awake. I can hear Ben making up pretend games with his cars or blocks, and I can look down in my lap as I type around one very precious bundle.

With two curious big eyes watching me work, and one little voice in the background I am reminded that this blog is just the side item of the real thing.

The real thing is messier, louder, not as cute, and about a million times more fun. I'm thankful for modern technology and the ability to capture this little window into these crazy sweet years of life with young children. I'm even more thankful that I have the opportunity to live it.

3 months old!

2011-09-13T09:25:00.001-05:00

Yep. Another month flown by. Little Noel is growing so fast, and I am so so in love with him. Imagine that. My boy is weighing in at 14.2 lbs these days, and rocking 24 inches tall. Pretty impressive to me! He is holding his head up now!

But it is not his favorite past time.

Darling Noel's favorite things include snuggling up in his woombie, being talked to, staring at big brother Ben, and kicking his legs around diaper free. That's my favorite things too. ;) He is usually very content as long as I'm not too far from view. He is really good about letting other people hold him and cuddle him...already a social little bug. He can roll from his belly or back onto his side, but has not quite accomplished a full roll yet. Oh, and the jury is in. Verdict: Noel's eyes are blue!

Very blue.

And his smile is catching. See?

I bet you're smiling right now. Love my 3 month old Noel bug.

Late summer cool down

2011-09-12T11:13:00.000-05:00

The weather has been lovely this week. Perfect 72 degree temps with a warm sun and a cool breeze. The kind of weather that has you throwing open every window in the house, and figuring out ways to spend as much time as possible outdoors! (even if it means increasing your allergy regiment;) Absolute heaven compared to the 100+ temps of the previous weeks. All this gorgeous weather has lifted the spirits of everyone around, the Burrow house included.

So after dinner, we took our party of four into the backyard to just hang out. Can I get an Amen for evenings spent with family and absolutely no plans? That's the good life. Jim and Ben decided to tend to the garden a little.

Look at my man growing up some garden fresh veggies!

Ben took a little drive....happy Ben.

Noel took in the scene.

He is such a studious little baby. Having tended to business, Ben decided it was time to get serious and do some table climbing. And because he is a very much a boy, some table jumping as well.

Goof. Our family mascot is also thoroughly enjoying the moderate weather and appropriately smiled a very doggy smile just in time for me to capture the moment.

Jim took a phone call from Jamie in NYC.....and Ben decided that was the exact moment for a little leg ride.

Dear friends, if you are every talking to us on the phone and we sound distracted, it's because we are. Article of evidence 1.

The grass is still soft and green, and for a boy about 3, it makes the perfect pallet to sit and recharge while contemplating his next big adventure.

And then a brilliant idea occurs! All that is left to do before bedtime in a lovely kind of evening is to play hop scotch!

Noel found this delightful.

So as the sun set on a sent from God evening, I grabbed one last photo of a memory I hope to keep for a life time; hop scotch late summer nights, with happily laughing young boys.

Make no mistake my friends, this is the important stuff.

Friday Phone Dump

2011-09-09T11:02:00.004-05:00

Couch nap

Smile bug

Little Hipster

Florida Feast

Ben said, "This one looks like you mommy."

Organic blooms

Couch potatoes

Rad Neighbors

Playtime

Favorite moments

Game on

Pants Dance

The End.

Happy Friday!

Over hill and dale

2011-09-07T13:19:00.000-05:00

Glorious glorious 3 day weekend! And this year it came complete with perfect 70 degree weather! Monday was seriously one of those blessed days where it felt better to be outdoors than in. While sipping our cups of coffee and lounging on our porch Monday morning, Jim and I decided the only thing to be done that day was to drive down to the closest state park and go hiking/picnicking. So we called our friends the Stephenson's to join us, and away we went! Mr. Independent decided that not only was hiking in the wood too fun, but he was perfectly capable of scaling the rocks on his own.

In fact...he was....but it scared his momma to death! He did a great job however, and proved what a great little hiker he can be! The youngest member of the pack found the ergo-baby carrier to be just the thing, and nuzzled in tight and warm.

Don't worry, I checked regularly to make sure his face was turned outward to allow for perfectly unobstructed breathing. Our troop was happy to be out and about.

So were our friends.

After about a mile Ben started asking about a picnic. That's my boy. So we took a quick break for a snack before finding our picnic table. Ben and Jonah are such sweet friends!

We found our table, and the gourmet picnic began.

Both Jim and Paul love to cook, so they are always trying out new cool things for everyone to share. No tuna sandwiches on our picnic table. Oh no. It was pork loin, hummus, homemade dips and pita chips. These guys are amazing! It wasn't long before Ben and Jonah felt the need to explore a little more. Precious boys.

Oh how I praise God for these perfectly simple, beautiful days with my friends and family.

and so it begins!

2011-09-06T10:43:00.002-05:00

I'm a true southern girl at heart, and this time of year that means only one thing. It's time for some SEC football y'all! Woooo PIGS SOOIE! Saturday was the kickoff day to Razorback football season which means that it was time to dress up my favorite hog fans in the required red attire! Um...makes this momma pretty proud seeing her 2 boys in red! Ben is quite schooled in the traditional beginning of football season dress in red and take picture process, but as it was Noel's first game, big brother Ben had to impart some very important wisdom to him. "Noel, if you just smile, she'll leave us alone and we can go eat chips and dip and watch the game."

I cannot lie. The boy speaks the truth. Except Noel dined on his usual fare of milk. Love watching Ben love his brother. Warms me to the core. So here are the two most handsome little men pleasing their momma on game day.

God is good. Football is ok too.

Family of four in Florida

2011-09-03T13:08:00.001-05:00

The final Florida post!

Don't be sad now. There will be more vacation photos in the future. wink wink.

So we attempted the family photos at the beach this year.

Raise your hand if taking family photos is the bane of your existence!

Um yeah....this is always hard. Almost impossible to catch everyone at the right moment. Especially since Ben is over the whole sit still, pose, smile, thing. So instead of forcing the issue, we just took a couple family shots, and called it good. I mean honestly....I just had a baby...2.5 months ago...none of these photos will be blown up around our house this year folks. Just keeping it real.

But we did manage to capture some very precious moments to add to ye ol' family journal. Otherwise known as, this blog. :)

I'm pretty much in love with this pic.

And these.

At this point Ben was way over it and opted to go play in the waves instead. But Noel cannot run away from me yet, so we got these.

Because I love him soooo much, we took a moment to get this pic.

It's how it all began after all. Adore him.

Blessed family, beautiful beach.

The end.

our boys

2011-09-02T13:28:00.002-05:00

Part 3: Our boys on the beach.

Well, you had to know it was coming. A million pictures of Ben and Noel hanging at the ocean. I mean, for real. How awesome are these two?

It was Noel's first trip to the ocean, so we had to capture some pretty life impacting moments. Like first time he put his toes in the sand.And the first time he took a dip in the Gulf.He decided to stick to the beach towels in the shade for this trip.He said he loved the beach very much and loved talking to his mommy. He told me so himself. See. proof of our conversations :).Ben quite enjoyed the sand and waves.Darling boy was super brave in the ocean this year. He loved to get out there and swim.And he loved building castles to knock over in the sand.Noel liked the sand as well.Noel did some reading on this trip.So did Ben. The phone book is a top seller these days.Noel did a little sleeping as well.So did Ben....maybe less than Noel though! Oh Ben!Whenever we actually ventured away from the house, I took Noel in his sling.I use this a lot at home and Noel just loves it! I love it because it frees up my hands, and everywhere I go people just ooo and ahh! Something about a baby in a sling tops the cuteness charts. Guess I can see why.

Another baby thing that I loved on this trip was nursing my boy on the beach. I'm a big proponent of nursing as long as both mommy and baby are doing well with it. So just as a nursing plug let me show you how discreet you can be in public while feeding your baby!

I mean...nursing while watching the waves....doesn't get much better than that. I spy Noel.These boys fill me up friends.

My cup runneth over.I'm so blessed to get to have these sweet years with them.Sun, sand, and pure grace.

Bunch o' Beach Bums

2011-09-01T13:09:00.001-05:00

Florida trip, part 2!

One of my favorite things about going to the beach, is we always try to take friends or family with us. It's so much fun to spend time away from reality with your friends. Every time we've done this, the group has been a little different. This year's crowd included the Stearle family, my bff for life, Bonnie, and the Paschall's. Yeah, I know....my friends are pretty. Oh, I almost forgot...Mr.Crab joined us as well.

With Destin as the most beautiful of backdrops, the fun ensued. Everyone took turns getting to love on little Noel. I'm thinking little Noel loved it too. The men had some very serious conversations about the state of affairs in western civilization.....or maybe the topic was something else? I'll let you decide. The ladies enjoyed a little beach lounging. In fact, we decided we deserved a little break from the chaos of our every day lives, so we buried ourselves in the sand. Daddies were on duty from this point on. Um, yeah. heaven. :) I spy Kesiha. Her burying attempt was more successful. She was convinced to come out of hiding for this one though. I so loved getting to hang with Bonnie for a few days. This girl is my soul mate. Seriously. We have been besties since grade school, and even though we live in different states, there's never any passage of time that slows us up. Love her. And she loves my babies. You mothers out there know how special that is. Life on the beach was pretty tough on the eyes. My view. Life at our house was just as bad. See my toes? I mean, we had to walk for days to get from our house to the shore. Yep. Real tough. Truly it was heaven on earth spending time with good friends at the gorgeous beach! I'll leave you with one last picture. Men and babies. Because seriously, what in life is better eye candy then men and babies? You're welcome. :)

They came by 3

2011-08-31T13:20:00.000-05:00

Ready, Steady, off we go! I literally sifted through about 1000 photos from our trip to Destin last week to decide what to share with the blog-o-sphere, and most importantly, which ones needed to be immortalized in the family journal! So I picked about 100 (10% not too shabby), yes 100, to share with you. :) Are you sick of Florida photos yet? I decided to break it up into 4 posts by category to attempt to not totally overload you on the first run. But hey, nothings more fun to look at than someone else's vacation photos right? (Don't answer that.)

So today's category is 3 little monkeys! Oh friends, our Florida entourage came correct with 7 adults, three 3 year old's, one 1 year old, and baby Noel rocking it at 2 months. Did you catch the part about three 3 year old's? Yes sir. All within 2 month of each other. They were precious!Such darling little angles that never got into any kind of trouble.Truly perfection in miniature.I mean, how could you not just love these three little faces?Precious Anna Kate.Sweet Jackson boy.And of course, Oh Ben! (I'm pretty sure he is going to start introducing himself as "Hi! I'm Oh Ben Burrow.") But seriously, these three rocked.They were all awesome beach bums.And when we just couldn't keep up with them anymore, there was an easy fix. Bury them.Ben and Jackson proved to be the best of buds. Nothing brings you together like a mission of destruction.They even shared a room on the trip and did pretty well. They really enjoyed being together, but there were a few nights at the end where they took turns keeping each other up.I seriously can't remember a single sleep over I was ever a part of where that didn't occur, so I figure it was part of the package. They truly were so glad to have each other on this trip.And their sweet friendship made for some amazing memories on the beach. These little men in their undies chasing waves in the evening just about stole my heart. I think I'll be 88 years old before I forget their joyful spirit running on the beach. Precious, beautiful, boys. So a little math problem for you, just because I like to throw one in every now and then....what does 3 little monkeys and a week long trip to Destin Florida equal? Pure Bliss.

r&r

2011-08-30T11:26:00.000-05:00

We spent the last week in Destin.....

so, so much more to come!

Heaven

2011-08-26T09:27:00.000-05:00

The temperature dropped just enough last week to make a lovely evening. Kind of perfect actually. So we took our party to the drive way to pass the pre-bedtime hours. It was lovely. Lovely to be out side on a nice evening, and even more lovely to look around me and have one of those warm fuzzy moments when you realize that somewhere between your glasses and braces teenage years, and your crazy chaotic motherhood life, something really quite wonderful has happened. Your dreams came true.

My dreams came true.

And for one brief moment, they are all gathered together staring at me.

Reminding me of how truly blessed I am.

These men in my life y'all....I could not ask for more.

And as if on cue, the youngest member decides to reflect all my thoughts exactly in his sweet happy face.

The one so fresh from God.

The one who is just mastering his smile.

And I am left with but one thought....job well done God.

Your work is good.

Phone Dump

2011-08-25T12:43:00.000-05:00

I smell a new bloggy tradition.

I got the idea from an amazing blog I read that you can find over on my blog roll. Check out Enjoying the simple things. It's life changing.

Anyhow, on her blog, Kelle takes some random pictures from her phone each week and does a "Phone Dump" post.

Not sure I'll make it a weekly thing, but occasionally sounds like a good idea.

Since this is my first phone dump, these pictures are from the last month, in no particular order.

Just a snap shot of what goes on in my daily life...via iphone pics.

Flirt.

Garden Fresh.

Rock Bugs.

Here's looking at you kid.

Pre-School Picasso's.

Yes you can.

Million $ smile.

I love you this much!

Too Hot.

Presto Pesto.

Two Hot.

Tuckered out.

Melt my heart.

Yo.

Inventive.

Don't worry honey, I found the pool.

When he was new.

The end.

That mom

2011-08-24T12:06:00.000-05:00

I realized it as I walked out the door of Walgreen's...when it was already too late to change it.

I had just done something I never thought I would do. Just become someone I had promised myself during my years before children that I would never become. (an easy enough promise to make back when I thought I knew everything....before I knew anything.)

I was, in the previous moments, "that mom".

Due to some rather unfortunate circumstances involving really bad batches of children's Zyrtec, I had to make a trip to Walgreen's, home of the act-a-like medication (and cleverly named I might add) Wal-Zyr. Ben requires this medication on a nightly basis, or he disappears behind a haze of sneezing and tissues. Thus, despite the fact that the carts are too small to hold Noel's car seat, and Ben must walk alongside while we navigate rather tight fitting aisles, a trip to Walgreen's periodically is inevitable.

Now, I could have simply sent Jim on the mission for Wal-zyr, but that would be admitting defeat and this momma has too much pride (Lord preserve me!) to do that.

So instead, I enter the store with Noel in car seat, which I place somewhat precariously into the small and narrow cart, and Ben in hand....whom I tell that should we survive this 5 minute trip in Walgreen's without incident, he will receive a treat. Yep. I attempted bribery. Never a good plan. This was my first mistake.

We walk down the aisle, and for a moment, Ben does relatively well. He holds the side of the cart, and keeps his hands to himself. An almost impossible task given the tight confines of the aisles and his curious 3 year old boy nature.

We stop on the baby aisle to grab the Children's Zyrtec. Ben makes a small misstep....he hears a catchy tune come on the intercom system...something with a good enough beat, so he releases his hold on the cart, darts to the end of the aisle and begins a little jig.

"Ahemm....Ben darling, you must hold onto the cart. Let's make good choices. Come on back."

He "chooses" to make his way back to the cart dance step for dance step which takes approximately 4 minutes to move 5 feet. Oh yes, the boy has style.

My next mistake...at this point I should have promptly turned my cart with baby, Wal-Zyr, and Ben in hand and proceeded directly to the check out. Do not pass go. Do not collect ANYTHING else...get out while you can!

But no.

Inevitably I tell myself that "well...maybe while you're here...."

Never do this.

Take the loot and go people.

None the less, I begin to browse as I make my way slowly to the register. In fact, perhaps this is my own little act of defiance, not all to dissimilar from Ben's aisle dancing, as I take the longest possible route to the register all the while occupying myself with other non-essential things. Perhaps we never outgrow this. *Note to self, it would have been more cost effective to simply follow in your son's footsteps and dance care free to a good jam in the aisle. Try this next time.

I digress.

As I make the mistake to look over the store, Ben proceeds to get into everything. He pulls greeting cards off the shelf to look at them...then puts them back....somewhere. I'm sorry to the person looking for a Birthday card for a Husband who comes across a transformers card for a 2 year old....wait, maybe I'm not sorry. That could be a cool card.

Be removes a foam sword from a display to show me.

"Put it back Ben." I chime in.

Ben picks up a notebook from an aisle that is covered in tinkerbell. Um no.

Perhaps by now, I should have taken the hint and gone directly to the register. It isn't too late to make up for past wrongs!

But no.

Then Ben spy's temptation. A ceiling high mound of brightly colored plastic bouncy balls.

Yep.

He walks quickly to the display and as I say..."Noooo Ben! Don't touch!" he plucks one small ball....from the middle of the mound.

I think you know what comes next.

Ben desperately tries to gather balls from the floor and put them back on the mound, but it is an impossible task. With every attempt, another ball falls from the mound to the floor. Naturally.

Between the two of us, we made a solid effort to return the bouncy ball mound to it's former glory. I'm afraid we didn't quite succeed. In some small way I feel the "maker" of this mound deserved such justice. Seriously. Bouncy Balls?

At this point, I look at Ben regretfully, and explain that because he touched so many things he shouldn't have, and didn't keep his hand on the cart, he will not be allowed to pick out a treat.

Meltdown ensues.

Tough love people, tough love.

I walk him to the register. I begin to check out. Noel, who up until this moment has been sleeping happily unaware of the circumstances, now decides to join in the crying.

My hair is everywhere as I search for my credit card to pay for Wal-Zyr...and some random items. Like Thank you notes and finger nail polish. Was that really necessary?

I tell Ben to stop crying. I say it nicely...and therefore it has no effect. He responds by jumping onto the automatic door pad so that the door will open. I tell him not to do that. He does it again.

Noel is screaming now.

I'm signing the credit card slip.

I'm thinking I should have bought 20 bottles of Wal-Zyr so as to never have need to return.

I'm regretting my browsing.

My face expresses my frustration.

I look at the cash register attendant and say, "Maybe I should just join in the crying too."

I mean it as a joke. It does not sound like one.

As I exit the store, I hear her say over the sound of my crying children, "Try to have a good day."

Stop.

"Try"

Geez. What's wrong with me.

A complete stranger who is young, and may or may not understand the difficulty/joy of raising young children just took pity on me. Sort of.

And I realize that I just became "that mom".

The one who looks a mess as she commands her child to do something that the child refuses. Who blazed through the store, resulting in havoc. Who has another baby in the cart!

Darn. I was never going to be her.

And the worst part is, that's not at all how I feel about things. I love my job. I am so blessed that I get to stay at home to raise my boys. I love my boys. I love every precious moment I spend with them. Even the crazy disastrous ones. Because that's just life and I'm living life! It's messy and imperfect....and brings me to my knees in both humbleness and joy! Thank God for my messy chaotic life with my family!

Lesson learned. My children's bad behavior, which is going to happen time to time, is nothing compared to my attitude about what's going on.

They are a joy to me. I will miss these days when they have past. People looking in....they will see how I react, not what my children do.

I think I deserve no treats for that one.

Maybe even a moment in the time out corner...

And next time....perhaps I'll choose to dance in the aisle when the song is too good to stand still to. And then proceed directly to the check out.

Where did all the socks go?

2011-08-23T11:09:00.002-05:00

I have a strict rule in my house. Do not mess up the clean laundry. This is non-negotiable. If you want to see my head go up in flames, knock over a pile of freshly folded clothes. Not a pretty sight.

To ever action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Enter the laundry monster.

Nothing is more fun than jumping into and throwing about fresh laundry.

This is a non-negotiable fact.

If you want to see the Laundry monster's face light up with sheer glee, let him knock over a pile of freshly folded clothes.

A very pretty sight.

Snug as a Bug in a Rug

2011-08-22T10:51:00.000-05:00

He loves his woombie. Little bug.

Happy Faces

2011-08-19T10:54:00.001-05:00

Ben made this. It's happy faces and a waterfall.

On the bottom in orange, he wrote his name. Well, thats what he said he wrote. And I believe him. I wish my name looked as expressive as his written out.

Happy Faces Friday to you!

you never know

2011-08-18T09:35:00.000-05:00

Ben has a certain talent for making people laugh. Usually through song or boy style noise making. (for those of you who are quite unsure what boy style noise making is, and why shouldn't you be?, let me be more clear....growling, funny mouth noises, dinosaur imitations, chicken imitations, really any kind of animal imitation, high pitched laughs and squeals, funny words like "pop, click, ooey, squish" ect.)

In other words, he's a funny kid and will do anything for a laugh!

He also loves to dance. Always has. He started walking right at 1, and since then he has danced. He has zero issues about breaking out some good dance moves in very public settings, and if there happens to be a decent song playing within his hearing range, spontaneous dancing will occur. No questions asked.

So Jim and I are new at this parenting thing, but one thing we've been advised to do is "nurture his natural gifts."

Okay then.

We signed Ben up for boys hip hop dance class at a local dance studio.

Yes we did.

My 3 year old takes hip hop.

I like the way that sounds. :)

Even better, I am dreaming of the day I get to video his first recital. You know it will be epic. Put Ben on a stage and turn on some music...well at the very least it will be interesting!

With the start of school came the start of dance class. Ben was so excited to put on his sweat pants....his teacher said they will be doing knee slides!!! and breaking!!! (that's brake dancing for those of you without the cool hip hop jargon that I must learn to speak :)and put on his new dancing shoes, which are simply regular sneakers, and go to class. He was just a little excited.

Just before class started, he decided to show his fellow hip hopper's some Ben moves....just in case they needed a few pointers.

And then what happened? I'll let you try to guess from the image below.

See the teacher? See the class? See Ben run.

Oh what? You didn't see Ben? Well, take a 2nd look...he's the white blur on the right, behind the class. He is literally running circles around the room. Literally. And when his teacher turned on the music, he stopped and did his best Kung Fu Panda dance steps, followed by a little booty shaking.

Yep.

The mother's were roaring with laughter as they peeked in on the class through the window in the door.

"Yes, that one's mine. We're so proud."

His dance coach told me after class that she "liked his moves".

I'm sure she spent the night trying to figure out how to incorporate Ben into the recital later on...."What am I going to do with the kung fu panda kid that runs circles in class?"

God bless her.

You know what though? I am proud. He's one of a kind. And he's mine.

And what was Noel doing while all the excitement was occurring? Talking to his friend Harper...well, dreaming with her.

How do they go from this to white blur? Oh wait...that's just mine that do that :)

ABC's and 123's

2011-08-17T10:42:00.001-05:00

Sharpen your pencils, it's back to school time.

Here at the Burrow house, we have been a bundle of nerves as our big boy Ben started pre-school this year.

Let me take a minute to collect myself.

wow.

Ben will be attending preschool three days a week this year, and this momma is struggling a bit with letting go. I know, it's only three days, but then it will be 4 next year, and then 5...and then college.

It goes exactly like that right?

Sure feels like it.

Ben has mostly been looking forward to school so that he can use his new backpack. How I love him.

And though I am nervous about all the little things..."Will he behave?" "Will he try hard?" "Will they love him?" "Will I be okay without him?", I know he needs this time to grow and learn without holding my hand.

But as I write this my hand feels a little too empty. So maybe I'll go squeeze on him for a bit.

I am excited to see how much he learns and grows this year. And the pre-school is a Christian pre-school so I am confident they will teach him in the ways that he should go. I am also looking forward to having some one-on-one time with Noel during this first precious year of his life. So overall, I know this is the right thing to do for Ben and for our family, but it is so impossible for me to wrap my mind around the fact that Ben is old enough to be in pre-school. My baby is officially a boy.

So the first "day" was really more of an orientation where I got to hang around and help Ben get acquainted with his classroom.

Unnecessary. He was ready to go.

And once we got to his classroom, I was about as necessary as wallpaper. For decoration only. He got right to work.

And to play.

He even got a sticker on his chart.

High five Ben!

His teacher Mrs.Holly is wonderful, and I know she is just the person to help us all make this transition.

My boy. My big boy, in his preschool at his new school. Doing great.

Glad the camera only looks one way. The picture of the person yielding it...well she's a mess. But a proud mess.