Happy Mother’s Day

I wanted to pick up a few groceries yesterday, but as soon as I got into the parking lot of the grocery store, I decided that was a no-go. The place was packed with people picking up Mother’s Day things. I assumed today in the early morning would be a better time to shop with fewer people, and it was to some degree, but I couldn’t get over the number of men running in at the last minute to get flowers and cards. 

I spent the majority of my day doing my favorite things: sitting in the sun, reading a book, going for a run, and working in the yard. My boys treated me to a new pair of Birkenstock’s. I’ve now lived long enough to experience fashion repeating itself. I feel it’s 1990 again with my hair in a scrunchie and Birks on my feet. 

I’m so grateful to be a mom to these two great boys! After yesterday’s fender bender, I’m even more thankful that they are healthy and well. We will wrap up the evening spread out on the couch watching “The Last Dance.”

St. Nicholas Day

St. Nicholas was delayed this year - something about a delay in finding xl soccer pants even though I placed my order as early as October 27. He arrived just as soon as UPS was able to make it to our house. The boys didn’t seem to mind. They would probably forget if I didn’t say anything about it. However, the boots just don’t hold adult size sweatshirts and the boys associate shoes with sweat, so we skipped the traditional boots.

Keagan’s Spurs sweatshirt was deemed “fire” and carried “heat.” I think this means he will keep it and not burn it. 

Evan dumped all of his candy in his backpack and said it was all gone by second period. I want to say sorry to his morning teachers.

Eighteen days until Santa arrives and twenty days until  I’m on a jet plane to the Caribbean!

St Nicholas Day

The German tradition continues in Georgia, and the boots are next to the door. In nine years, this is the first time we have not used combat boots. This year they are actually being used by our soldier.

Today Keagan asked, "Mom, why am I the only one in my class who knows anything about putting my boot next to the door?"
Evan answered for me. "Keagan, you have to be Germans like us to know anything about St. Nicholas and putting your boot by the door. All those other kids weren't born in Germany so they don't understand."

I LOVE how Evan is in third grade and still believes he is German. He told me the other day that if Wes gets the job in Germany next fall, he will refuse to learn German. I asked him what he planned to speak with his German soccer friends, and he said, "Well, they will just have to learn English."

He may believe he is German, but he thinks like an American.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

While cuddled in bed watching the parade with the boys, I whispered to Evan, "Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful this year to be with my three boys."

Evan exclaimed, "Three???"

"Yes. You, Keagan, and Daddy."

"Thank goodness. I thought you were trying to tell me you were pregnant!"

Happy Halloween!

I have a hard time handing out trick or treat candy to teens, but I have an even harder time doing it when they don't bother to wear a costume and they use a purse as their treat sack. So when the eighth grader wearing sweats and carrying the fake Gucci purse just rang my bell, I gave her a pixie stick that I found in the pantry from a birthday party we attended months ago. She saw my chocolate, she saw me bypass it, and I caught her questioning look.

The pixie stick seemed like a good decision at the time, the perfect "that'll get her", but I am now fearing retaliation.

As I lay awake tonight waiting for the sounds of eggs hitting my windows, I will take comfort in knowing I have these guys watching over me.

Evan as Captain America, Keagan as a Storm Trooper, and Ian as a Ninja

Saint Nickolas Day

The boys awoke this morning to find Wes's combat boots filled with goodies. After eight years, the tradition we brought with us from Germany continues. Long gone are the coveted Thomas the Train days. This year's special boot stuffer? Pokemon cards!

Santa Train

On the day that tickets went on sale for the local Santa train, I was convinced that I was the only person in NoVA who knew that they were available for the first time on-line. So I expected no problems purchasing the tickets. I timed my lesson plan on that Monday so my students would be in the middle of independent seat work while I made my secret purchase. I had no idea I was fighting thousands of other crazed moms for the twenty tickets available on-line. I was horrified when within five minutes of logging on the site, SOLD OUT flashed before my eyes in big bold Christmas colors.

Assuming that I would have to explain to my sweet boys that the holiday train ride planned with the Big Guy in Red was a no-go, I made one last ditch effort to find tickets. I was told I could get them if I drove to the Manassas train station. I did and I got them. Praise, Jesus! Because the look of relief on Evan's face when I finally held the precious things in my hands, told me that he wanted this more than I ever imagined.

Today was the big day and we were lucky enough to ride in a car with only one other family. It was a quiet ride and fairly relaxing. When Santa finally arrived, he was less than jolly and acted like it was a real nuisance to take a picture with two very well behaved and cooperating boys, but that didn't keep Evan and Keagan from whispering their wish lists to Mrs. Clause. Would you believe that they whispered the exact toys stowed away under my bed? 

We had much better luck later in the afternoon with the Santa at Party City. Just as last year, he gave the kids goodie bags and allowed the kids to sit on his lap for a full five minutes. Keagan couldn't have been happier.

St. Nicholas Day

St. Nicholas Day - We brought this holiday tradition with us from Germany, and although we haven't been in Germany for several years now, it is now a permanent fixture in our holiday routine. At school on Friday, Keagan's teacher presented a lesson on St. Nicholas, and he was the only kid in the class that could honestly say he celebrated "the boot holiday." This week Evan was responsible for producing a poster that outlined a family holiday tradition. He chose St. Nicholas Day. With all of this reinforcement, we definitely couldn't ignore the day.

On December 5, the boys place Wes's black Army boots by the door and St. Nicholas fills them with candy and sticks (reminders that you must be on your best behavior if you want Santa to visit on the 24th). This year was no exception. We were awakened at a very early hour to see what St. Nick left this year. Pop Rocks were a huge hit!

Pumpkin Patch

This time last year we were moving into the house we are in now. I remember the weather being just perfect for the boys to play outside and to spend an afternoon raking a few leaves. This year we skipped fall and headed straight to winter. It's 41 degrees and we have pulled out the winter clothes and coats. I refused to allow Evan to wear any gloves today because the only place anyone should be required to wear a full winter wardrobe in mid-October is the Arctic Circle. When I got home this afternoon I decided we better get a few fall pics taken before the snow starts to fall! 

We muddled through Friday afternoon traffic to Lakeridge Nursery to see the Pumpkin Patch and play area. I bet it is a great place to spend a warm fall afternoon, but when it is 41 degrees and raining, playing outside is not really my idea of fun. I also didn't realize that it cost $15 a person to play amidst the fall decor. Maybe it was because we were the only ones there, maybe it was because it was too wet to blow up any of the moon bounces, or maybe because the cashier was too cold to meet us outdoors, but we got a free visit of the place and the boys got to spend a full five minutes running around before Keagan said his feet were cold and Evan sprained his right arm when he slipped off the wet rope swing.

I still consider the trip a success. I got a few fall pictures after all, and I found the Vera Bradly city tote in the new fall collection. As it turns out, the local plant nursery sells more than just cabbage roses and mums! I made sure Evan remembered my purse of choice, but in case he forgets, Wes, it is the new city tote in the color wine.