Passed!

For all you who have supported me (George) during the arduous process of college->premed->medschool->residency (and finally) -> real life, I am ecstatic to say I have passed my board certification for family medicine! It is the culmination of test upon test for what I am do with the rest of my life. What a weight off my shoulders.

At this moment, it is a chance to thank everyone who has helped me achieve my goals along this "long, strange trip". ¡Muchísimas gracias!

Take 1

Attempt at Christmas photo #1.
Grant has recently entered the "very cheesy smile on command" stage.
Henry would only pose in the "silly face" option.
Gonna be a tough year for that perfectly staged holiday photo.
Candid might be the route to go.

We're still trying to check off a few holidays "musts" as we enter the homestretch of advent!

Advent and Adventures

 We are approaching our advent season with a watchful waiting. One by one we are working through our advent calendar and excitedly opening doors to reveal the nativity scene taking shape. The boys are really coming to terms with taking turns opening the door each day.

We're learning some Christmas songs (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a favorite) and stories and, of course, every potential snowflake (which have been surprisingly sparse this year) means that Santa is coming. Which, by the way, is rather motivating for modeling good behavior. If Santa delivers toys for good girls and boys, you certainly don't want to be caught on the "naughty" list. At times, a quick "Santa's watching" is all it takes to remind the boys (especially Henry) that there is more at stake with the task at hand. Four weeks is probably our limit for long term delayed gratification, but we're rolling with it for as long as it will last!

Happy St. Nicholas Day!
This year's tree hunting excursion was quite different from past years. Firstly, there was no snow to tromp through. A little more of a challenge to capture the spirit, but much easier for the task. No shaking snow to get an idea of the shape of the tree, easier walking for boys (sort of), and we knew exactly how tall the tree was, as opposed to walking above a foot of snow. However, we had a soaking rain the day before, the mud boots got good use and we were slightly nervous the station wagon wouldn't make it along the muddy driveway.

 We were successful, however, (thanks, Papa George!!) and we got a beautiful tree. The boys had a LOT of fun decorating it (and decorating it, and decorating it). I think we'll actually decorate it a little each day until Christmas because those low hanging, train and truck shaped ornaments are just too tempting to leave them hanging on the tree for good.

And in another adventure, just when we thought everything was running smoothly around here, meet Newton. Our new pooch. We picked him up Saturday in the rain and while George and I were getting him settled in, the boys took the opportunity to play outdoors for a little while. In the mud, like with trucks and splashing and all sorts of good dirty boy fun. In the 40 degree weather. BRR! When I called this off, it was warm baths for everyone.

 We are excited to welcome Newton to our home. He is from Shelter from the Storm and is very sweet. He does have a few undesirable habits. We are hoping old dogs can learn new tricks and he'll ease up on the barking and learn how to take a nice walk on a leash. He is a schnauzer mix, and is very good with the kids. Grant can be a very assertive little petter, and Newton doesn't seem to mind being poked in the eye on occasion.

Boys

I don't even know what to say about this...

We stay busy...

Grant helps himself to the bookshelf and just sits and "reads"

A common phrase heard 'round the house "WRESTLE-FIGHT!!"

Monkey see, monkey do

Just the cutest little goblin you've ever seen, right?

An Observation

On our designated snack day for Henry's preschool, parents are encouraged to stay and help out in the classroom.  Don't get me wrong, I love to do this, but I have to be in the right frame of mind (I just have to stop thinking about all the items on my "to-do" list and really settle in to just some quality time with my eldest son and his buddies).

So I stayed.
And I played.

And I noticed, as a little girl and Henry were playing grocery store, complete with cash register, that the way they were exchanging money for goods was a little odd. The over sized gold coins are a nice touch. However, I watched as Henry took each coin when we paid for our bananas, box of nilla wafers, and plastic spaghetti with sauce and scanned the coin across the cash register as if it were, that's right, a credit card.

I had a good chuckle to myself and the teacher and we contemplated that, indeed, these children don't see actual currency at work much anymore. The teacher and I related that in our day, we couldn't figure out why our moms would say they didn't have enough money to pay for all those groceries. After all, the checkbook was full of checks!

Tricks and Treats

It is a trick to get everyone costumed.
It is a trick to get kids to eat anything slightly nutritious before going out.
It is a trick to (safely) get two handfuls of children from house to house.

But it is certainly a treat to knock on neighbors' doors, enjoy a little candy (Mmm chocolate), and laugh at the excitement on the faces of ghosts, dogs, hamburgers, penguins, and whatever else tagged along this evening.

For the record, George is a Ghostbuster

Fall Days

It's hard for me to believe some of the better parts of fall are behind us now.

We had days of wonderful warmth and sunshine. Breezy days where we spent our days watching leaf storms swirl down to cover our lawn with a carpet of golden leaves.

Henry's version of a "leaf angel" will quickly turn to the customary "snow angel", I'm afraid.

And I'm adjusting.

Soups, stews, and baked goods help to warm these increasingly chilly days.

Hibernation mode is setting in.

Busy boy

This is the first time Grant actually said "cheese" when i got the camera out!

When Henry is at preschool, Grant and I stay busy.

Generally, I am trying to rush through household activities (I still consider this "my time" even though I'm still responsible for an almost 18 month old). Occasionally, when I catch Grant wandering the house looking for Henry, the entertainer, I force myself to take advantage of the slower pace.

Every once in a while, it's refreshing to go to the park at our own pace, and pour rocks down the slide. Or to swing until Grant says its time to go.

And the laundry waits another day.

Just hang on a minute...

Whenever people start calling Grant "mini-George" I have to say, just hang on a minute...
let me show you something.

Charlotte, late Fall '78

Do you agree?