Nine

Today we celebrate Will!

Will... who seems to be always celebrating. 

This boy loves life. And all the people living it with him.

Every meal served to him is the best meal he's ever had. 

Baseball is his favorite sport. 

And soccer. And football.

And every other sport he has ever played. 

His idea of a perfect day: hiking and hamburgers.

So, he did just that with some of his favorite people to celebrate turning NINE.

Saturday along the Billy Goat Trail. Sunny and 65 degrees in December! 

Hiking along the Potomac with Dad and two of his best buds... what could be better?

 

After a long hike, the guys went out for burgers and milkshakes.
Best "Party" Ever according to Will.
Easiest "Party" Ever according to Mom.

This morning he opened his gifts... a new skateboard!

All three on the new board. Hannah and Peter gave him really sweet gifts!  

Ready to go try it out. Complete with new Vans (just like Uncle Mark!).

 Later this morning we met some friends at Adventure Theatre to see "A Little House Christmas" 

and then a bunch of us went out to lunch. Tonight the Flemings will come to celebrate. 

Will's request this year: Calzones and Oreo Ice Cream Pie. 

Love celebrating this kid! 

Introducing Henry

For years the kids have been asking, coming home with stacks of dog books from the library, and even writing persuasive papers about why our family should have a dog. We have watched every Dogs 101 video multiple times. They wore us down. Finally, we agreed, it was time to get a dog.

Meet Henry. OUR (gulp) King Charles Cavalier Spaniel puppy.

He's adorable... and rarely still... very hard to photograph....

 

Thanksgiving in Boca Grande

 

The water was cold, but there was no keeping him out of it.

Not even sharks being caught all around us. "Mom, they are so small." I didn't let him go very far.

This seems safer. 

Freedom to bike all over the island = kid heaven.

This banyan tree is a wonder! And so fun to climb! 

It was a blast to spend six days with Uncle Mark.

Nana and Papa with all the kiddos.

This is their favorite way to get around.

I'm telling you, it's a tough life down there.

Thanksgiving dinner winding down. So much fun!
 

Thanksgiving sunset.

  

 

 

Oops... not one picture of Carl! We love you, Uncle Carl! 

Six sunny Florida days with family... THANKS SO MUCH, Nana and Papa!

Turkey Art

First, I printed the simple turkey line drawing and the kids outlined it with a Sharpie. 

Then they colored them beautifully with oil pastels. Don't forget the horizon line.

 

Fully colored. Lovely.

Now take a black oil pastel and cover the whole thing with black. 

Really, Mom, are you sure? Yep.

Now you can scratch away using a toothpick, skewer, or popsicle stick. 

Try to follow the direction of the grass and the sky/wind and the feathers.

They loved the final product.

I did not love the little balls of black oil pastel all over the wood floors. 

My advice: take it outside to brush off all the scraped bits of black.

 

Peter wanted to do something a little different. I love this project. There are step-by-step instructions as to how to draw a turkey. 
I did it with Hannah and Will three years ago.