James' 3rd Birthday

James had a successful birthday. He turned 3. However, it wasn't just opening presents that made his day, it was the train cake with candles AND the presents. In James' mind, there's a certain order to how a birthday cake should be run. After you light the candles and blow them out, you pull out the candles and cut the cake. THEN the presents can be opened. And James will be sure to correct you if you forget what to do.

Earlier in the day, he got to go to the USS Yorktown with dad and had a great time.

Long Time

Wow....I just realized it's been a long time since I've written. Hopefully I can remember all the crazy and exciting stuff that's happened. November is always a busy month because it's James' Birthday, my anniversary and Thanksgiving. Oh, and my sister-in-law's birthday also. So, I start off the month thinking of James' cake a

nd what birthday presents we should get. This year things were a bit different because we've been focusing on finishing the new house. Everything came to a standstill with our banks so Alex has been really stressed!!

Halloween in Charleston

This was the first year where there wasn't a screaming baby or a baby too young to enjoy the parts of Halloween. James isn't too interested in wearing costumes but Ryan doesn't know any better. So, Ryan got to be a dragon. The day started off at James' preschool. They had a little pumpkin carving party which was the first time either boy saw that. In the evening we got to go to the Coastal Carolina Fair which was pretty fun. James and Alex got to ride the real helicopter for the first time and the whole rest of the time, James had to point out the copter as it went by. We could have just stood outside and watched the helicopter take off and land and saved ourselves some money. James did venture onto some rides, but he always got that panic look once he got inside and realized it might be a little scary. But he enjoyed it by the end.

This is a picture of Ryan eating the pumpkin tops....

So, this was a successful year. We didn't have to answer the doorbell and give out candy and thus have tons of candy to eat during the whole next 12 months!

The beginning of the Season

It sort of stinks that the beginning of this festive season of giving thanks has to start with Halloween. I don't particularly enjoy Halloween and have a hard time getting into it. Maybe it's because we weren't allowed to celebrate it as kids, I'm not sure. But I do get little costumes for the boys and usually give them some candy. There's a big fair that comes to Charleston every year and we usually go there around Halloween. I think this year we will go on Halloween, since it's Friday. Anyways, my festive season begins by making pumpkin bread. Alex's Granny Holdgate used to make pumpkin bread. But the boys, Alex and Nick, love it so much that at my bridal shower, I was given the recipe. Now, there's nothing special about this recipe, but a loaf usually lasts about 30 minutes. I made some for my sister-in-law, Althea, for her birthday one year and it went over really well.

I did make the first batch today because I did have some canned pumpkin readily available. This season I hope to make sticky buns and lots of holiday cookies. So, we'll see if it really happens :)

Clumsy Feet

This is one of silly little stories that only a mom appreciates. But not much happens with my boys, so when any sort of story appears, I try to remember. This morning, the boys wanted to go outside with Alex when he took the trash can to the curb. James was out the door first. He's really good about putting on shoes and coats (It's been 39 degrees in the morning). Then Ryan had to get out too. Within 1 minute of Ryan being outside I heard crying. I thought James had pushed him. But no, he just tripped on his feet and scratched his lip. Little bit of blood. Within a minute he was better and ready to go back out. Within 30 seconds, more crying. "Did he fall again?" I asked? "Yes" said Alex "He's trying to run". So, Alex proceeded to try to explain to Ryan why he shouldn't try running yet, seeing as both times he did this morning he ended up scratching his face on the concrete. I think the lecture at the end was my favorite part...seeing as Ryan's only 16 months :)

Me

As for me, I have many interests but no time or energy to do them. I do enjoy cooking so fun kitchen tools are always a plus. My favorite candies are Haribo Gummy Bears, Red Swedish Fish and Milkini's. Not sure what size I'll be wearing by Christmas. I also love to read. So, that's it for now. Short and sweet :)

Alex

Alex......He likes presents but will probably deny it. Some of his new hobbies include skeet shooting, hunting and fishing. He does enjoy the occasional Playstation game. He also loves to get gifts that allow him to put something together, i.e. model airplane, etc. Almost anything from a hobby shop would be fun for him. Just so you know, he is hoping to get a boat sometime in the future. He has a sweet tooth and likes dark chocolate. He wear a size Large in shirts and 34X32 pant size. Oh, he would also like all of the tools that are in Dick Bear's workshop.