Growing Into His Paws

I really do want to be blogging again. I promise. It's just harder than it used to be. Allen's not a toddler anymore. Everything he says and does is not hilarious (sometimes, it's downright infuriating!). He's in school from 8:00 to after 3:00 everyday, and on days I work, I don't see him until almost 6:00 in the evening.

So it's hard ... he's not providing me with witty one-liners or hilarious stories or funny dances on a daily basis anymore. He's still hilarious -- don't get me wrong -- but he's so much more independent now, that we just don't see it as often.

Please bear with me, and don't give up. I may not be able to blog every single day, but I will continue to blog. So keep checking, and if you haven't heard from me in awhile, nudge me with a comment.

Now, onto some cute/sweet/funny things from the last week.

• Last week, he saw a commercial for the new Ice Age Movie coming out on Blue Ray & DVD on Tuesday, December 11th. Don't you know that he remembered! He said multiple times over the last several days, "On the 11th we have to get new movie!" (he kind of sang it and did a little dance each time). You can imagine his excitement Tuesday morning!
• Sunday we had some friends over (hospitality after the meeting). He was so excited for everyone to be there and sat at a table with friends who were all probably over 60 years old. But he loved it. He has such an affection for the friends at the Kingdom Hall, especially the older ones. In fact, he made one man ride up the elevator with him so Allen could show T his room (T is in his 60s). 
• He decided on Sunday that he wanted to start picking his chores again each day (we use the fisherkids system) and did really well earlier this week. The past couple days he's slacked off though :/
• This morning, because we all had an early meeting to attend, Nana, Papa, and I all took Allen to school. As he got ready to get out of the car, he gave us all kisses. The staff member helping the kids in, said, "Oh, you've got a lot of love this morning." To which Allen replied, "I've got three loving givers today!"
• Tonight, we're home from our meeting because he's running a fever. However, he's not acting sick ... he's been waving his light saber around, putting puzzles together, playing games on my computer and iPad, and now he's whining that I'm NOT playing a game on my computer. So, he has the fever, but I'm the one who's feeling dizzy and sick.
• Since I wrote this, Allen's fever has suddenly disappeared. He has been super hyper, and as he was taking pillows off my bed (and hearing me warn him over and over again to watch my wine glass), knocked a pillow into my glass -- at full speed -- and spilled wine EVERYWHERE. Seriously it was like a wine massacre in our room. Splatter all over the place. Good times for Mama.
• Lest I forget the title of this post ... Monday he had a tennis lesson. It was just he and another little girl this time, so he was able to get more personal attention. And it was Coach Warren. Coach Warren (not my dad) tends to be a little harder on the kids. He's not mean at all. He just really makes them focus. So during a water break, he came over to talk to me. We discussed Allen's progress and what Coach has been helping him with, and then Coach said the greatest thing: "Kids all grow into their paws at different times." He went on to tell me that his 14 year old just grew into his paws. It made me feel so much better. Because Allen is SMART (he scored in the 95 percentile in Math and 99th in Reading in standardized testing)! But, he doesn't want to ride a bike ... or take risks ... and he can't consistently catch a ball. So to hear Coach reassure me that Allen is OK ... that Coach has seen kids like Allen before (maybe even his own child) ... made me breathe a HUGE sigh of relief. My child is not destined to be an athletic loser like me. Whew!

I guess that's all for tonight. Sorry for the lack of pictures. Still trying to remember to include them/take them in the first place.

xoxo!+

Weekend Random

Sorry, folks, no pictures. But I do have a few cute stories to share ...

Saturday morning was bad. Really bad. First of all, it was pouring out. Getting ready for service was challenging, as Allen couldn't find a certain car that he "needed." Crying ensued. We dragged him to the car. Then arrangements didn't quite work out the way we'd planned, or the way Allen wanted. So he threw a tantrum. In the middle of the Kingdom Hall. A foot-stomping, screaming, flailing tantrum. I dragged him to the car. After a talk (and discipline), he improved. We talked more at home. And everything was better.

Later, at Nana and Papa's, Allen came up to me and said, "Mommy, I want to have a talk in the living room about this car." I obediently followed him to the living room and knelt down to his level. "Mommy," he explained, "this car stays at Nana's." "Oh, did I put it in your backpack to take home last night?" I asked. "Yes," he replied. "I'm sorry," I said. Fortunately, he forgave me and all was OK.

This morning, he had to go pee-pee, and as he did, he let out a huge fart. "Now that's a fart," he stated. Then he dragged Murphy into the bedroom to play. Awhile later, Brian was coughing in the shower, and Allen, panic in his voice says, "Oh no! Daddy has the throwup bug!" It was so sweet.

Aunt Kristen, you'll love this! Before we left for meeting this morning, Allen looked at our calendar. He pointed to the 25th and said, "I know what we're doing on the 25th! We're going to see Aunt Kristen!" I'm not sure how he remembered that, but he did. And tonight he asked if we were sleeping in one of Aunt Kristen's guest rooms. I explained that we'd be sleeping at Uncle Peter and Aunt Eileen's. He said, "And then we'll go meet Aunt Kristen and Uncle Josh in the morning?" I think he might be a little excited about our trip.

This week should be interesting. Nana and Papa leave tomorrow for Pennsylvania to pick up Gigi. So Allen and I are manning the shop together on Tuesday and Wednesday. Fortunately, we have the Leapster and the help of the "girls" so I'm optimistic that it won't be horrible. Tomorrow, I think we're going to make snowflakes and put them up on our windows. And do laundry ...

xoxo,
AHC

It's those eyes ...

Above is Allen's first self-portrait. Age 4, October 2010. His teacher, Ms. A, pointed out to us that we won't get many more drawings like this, since soon he'll learn the stick figure. But I love this drawing. Look at the eyes. Not only are they my boy's most striking feature (and, of course he knows this, since everyone remarks on them), but it occurs to me that it says something about how he views the world ... full of awe and wonderment over all he sees.

Ms. A also told us -- at our parent-teacher conference -- that Allen is confident speaking in front of the class (since he introduces himself to just about anyone, we were not surprised), and that he interacts with all the children -- even the shy ones. Our hearts swelled at the thought of our sweet boy caring about every child in his class, drawing out the shy ones ... we could not be more proud. Ms. A also mentioned that Allen loves geography (he knows the continents), is extremely enthusiastic (somehow, I'm not shocked), and is enjoying the pre-math works (whose child is he?).

In other news, my Mama is recovering from sinus surgery. Dr. Christian (the most wonderful doctor ever) told us that he cleaned out lots of junk from her sinuses (old nasty stuff too), and once he got that stuff cleaned out, he found polyps, which he also removed. She's in a lot of pain and is struggling with some nausea. And in true Cheryl fashion is extremely impatient about her recovery. But I think she's slowly accepting that it will take some time.

Soon I hope to backtrack to September and share with you details of the Farmer's Table and our anniversary trip to Greenville. Then I'll share with you the gifts I received ...

xoxo,
AHC

Feelin' Groovy

As some of you may know, due to some health complications, I've been under the weather, for oh six months or so. But, after finally visiting my doctor again and some adjustments to my medication, I'm finally feeling fabulous! I'd say I'm feeling like my old self again, but honestly, I don't remember the last time I felt this good!

Anyway, I don't know how long this feeling will last (hopefully for a long time), but I'm taking advantage of every good minute that I get! I apologize in advance if I get to happy and positive for ya'll, but honestly I just can't help it.

Armed with this new energy and a beautiful day, yesterday Brian, Allen, and I went for a lovely bike ride through our neighborhood. We rode past the river, and down by Brian's favorite piece of property facing the water. We marveled at how out of shape we were as we pushed ourselves to go over the smallest of hills. We discussed whether it was lack of practice or added weight that made us so much less steady on the bike (remember when you could ride, no-handed?). The wind blew through our hair, the sun warmed us (maybe a little too much), and Allen provided random commentary (at one point announcing, "I'm a grown man, baby" from his luxurious trailer hitched to Daddy's bike).

Then we stopped at the park. Oh the park ... how Allen has missed you! We played hide-and-seek, and swung on the swings ...

I even climbed over the top of the monkey bars, at Allen's request:

All in all it was a fabulous outing. So fabulous that we decided to ride our bikes to Nana and Papa's house for dinner. Dad made homemade Margaritas (boy were they strong), and Allen found some new shoes:

What a fantastic day!

xoxo,
Allegra

Nana and Papa's Anniversary Dinner

My parents' (aka Nana and Papa) anniversary was April 19th. They've been married 41 years (awesome, I know). They have a beautiful home that has been exquisitely decorated by my interior designer mom. Buying presents for them is not an easy task because ... well, after 41 years, they pretty much have everything they need or want. Plus, Mom's very picky.

So rather than buying them presents, Brian and I decided to make them dinner. Allen provided a suggestion for the menu: chocolate cake. Good. That decision was made. However, now we had to come up with the appetizer and entree portions of the meal. We thought and thought about what they really loved, and came up with the following menu

Raw Oysters Served with a Ginger-Lime Relish and a Horseradish Sauce

Mixed Field Greens with Dried Cranberries and Maytag Blue Cheese

Moules Fromage Bleu

(Mussels in a Blue Cheese and White Wine Broth with Bacon and Shallots)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte

Candy Dish

Here are some pictures of the delicious food.

Raw Oysters served on Mom and Dad's Screened-in Porch.

(We got the buckets at Target for $1 each)

 Moules Fromage Bleu

 Just one of the four buckets filled with Mussel shells

 The Chocolate-Peanut Butter Torte (made from scratch thankyouverymuch)

 Mom's Candy Dish with JuJu Bees and Red Vines

I would never have had the guts to do this if not for my very brave and talented husband. He reassured me constantly that we could pull it off, and he patiently shucked three dozen oysters that evening. Thanks to him we were able to pull off (what I hope was) a lovely evening.

xoxo,
AHC

Ode to Papa

I don't know if ya'll know this, but my dad -- aka Papa -- can be quite hilarious at times. And most of the time it's unintentional. For example ...

I don't remember why, but at some point last Friday night, we all broke into Queen's "We Will Rock You." Except, Papa sang,

"We shall we shall overcome you."

Think he got his songs mixed up ...

And that same evening, he asked us about a wireless commercial he'd seen with,

"a guy in a three piece suit who answers his phone, 'This is Foofa Foof, who's this?' ... Are we supposed to know who that guy is?"

Anyone know the commercial he's referring to?

xoxo,

Allegra

Melt

(photo: scottrudkin)

Allen spent the day with Nana and Papa today. He went with Papa to run an errand in Bluffton, and he said,

Papa, will you take me to Target? Is that a deal?

Heart Melt number one. He totally got toys. Papa is such a sucker.

Tonight after dinner we were sitting on the sofa, when Allen climbed up and hugged me and said,

Awww Mommy. I'm so glad you're here.

Heart Melt number two. He totally got lots of kisses.

I love him till my heart hurts.

xoxo,

AHC

Stories

(photo: abakedcreation)

Allen and I had a great day at home together today. He was in a particularly good mood, which made me in a good mood (except for the fact that I sneezed 50 million times today).

This morning he counted to "fiveteen."

This afternoon he told Nana and me a story. It was really long, and I don't remember all of it, but I know he borrowed some of it from Backyardigans. Here's what I remember ...

A princess had a gweaming (gleaming) jewel that she brought to the sphinx, but then a dinosaur came and ate me so I couldn't help her.

He went on about the gweaming jewel and the dinosaur for quite awhile, and then this is how the story ended:

Then I pulled my pants down, and I peed.

It was great.

Nana came over after field service, and Allen wanted to know about her day. The conversation went like this:

Allen: So how'd it go?

Nana: Good. I placed a book.

Allen: Ohhhh ... That's so gweat! 

I think he might have told her he was proud of her or happy for her too. He's too much.

On a different note, did you watch the finale of Sing-Off? Did you guess the winner? Was it who you wanted?

Also, visit the shop blog and check out our giveaway. Enter to win (we'll ship anywhere in the United States). Time is running out ... you only have until Thursday at noon to enter.

xoxo,
AHC

Happy

We tagged along with my parents today, and visited Hilton Head congregation where Dad gave the talk.

Allen was dapper in grey pin-striped pants and matching vest.

And he was over-the-top good for the entire meeting.  Sat down, got his "Bible Book" out, and found his favorite pictures (Jonah and the Big Fish and the story of David killing the bear and saving the lamb).

We accepted hospitality and had a scrumptious lunch at Truffles (side note: I totally typed scrumptious before I even looked at the Truffles homepage ... weird, eh?). I had the Portabella sandwich which was heavenly.

Allen was alternately amusing and atrocious at lunch ... he entertained himself by talking to himself in the mirror behind us, wielding the fork dangerously (and trying to get the steak knife), and "waiting" under the table. He also announced that he had "pink eyes," but that he was all better now. He agreed that Mommy took good care of him while he was sick.

Since we were in the Bluffton area (shopping mecca for us Beaufortonians), we had plans to go to Target, Kroger, and World Market. As we discussed where to go first, I said, "We'd better go to Target first to make the kid happy." To which Allen replied:

I am happy.

Jehovah [God] makes me happy.

Hearts immediately melted. He made out like a bandit at Target.

In the car on the way home, Nana was cleaning off his hands (he had been eating Funions ... he has a strange love-hate relationship with them), and when she was done, he said:

Now I'm good to go.

Too much. Just too much.

Now I sit in bed in a Benadryl haze with the Eagles game on, and my husband next to me watching very animatedly (he talks to the television almost non-stop, and occasionally gestures or dances around ... depends on how well the game is going).

I'm going to go to bed now because I'm getting up to workout with my personal trainer at 6:00 a.m. (yes, I am that crazy).

xoxo,

AHC

We should too

Today was a big day. And it was a good day, too.
Allen answered at the meeting. He said, 

"We should pray too." (the small font indicates whispering).

He was very proud of himself. We were too.

He also went pee-pee in the potty twice today. He was proud of that too. And so were we.

We went to Disney On Ice Finding Nemo (the subject of another post), and Allen made out like a bandit. Five over-priced gifts.

For dinner, we went to Dockside. Allen had "yucky fish." I'm still not sure what makes it yucky.


On the way home, he started whining and crying ... he kept saying, "but but but" when we told him we were not going to Walmart to purchase yet another toy for him. So I started to sing, 

"I like big butts and I cannot lie ..."

He told me to stop, and then he said, 

"Mommy and Nana are big butts."

Gotta love him.

xoxo,
me
 

 

Excessive

So, I was a little bit excessive today. When we went to Disney On Ice Finding Nemo, I took um, well ... uh ... about 140 pictures. So I'm busy trying to narrow those down into something that's not ridiculously boring to ya'll. I promise to do a great recap, but it's not going to be tonight.

However, lest you be totally disappointed, I'll post a preview picture ...

xoxo,

Me

Wood Violet

That's the name of the paint color we painted my soon-to-be office tonight. Wood violet. Sounds like a delicious color, doesn't it? And it is ... would you like to see?

Gorgeous, isn't it? I simply adore it. I had planned on only doing a big reveal once the office was finished, but my brother-in-law and sister requested an in-progress post. So here it is ...

Mom and Dad kept Allen for us so we could knock this out tonight. So we did adult painting, complete with adult beverages. Because really, how can you paint without beer?

Sadly, we had a little accident, while cleaning up, and we now only have one of those cute glass lamps left. Oh well ...

Once I was finished and all that was left was the up-high stuff, I had to go retrieve the kiddo. Despite Nana and Papa's attempts, Allen refused to spend the night. As soon as we arrived home, he grabbed the camera to snap a few pics. Here's his best one ...

OK, so Mom helped a little bit with it, but still ... I think he's a budding photographer (like his Aunt and his Papa).

I'm now finally resting in bed with a glass of red wine, so I bid you all adieu. More stories soon!

xoxo,

House proud and fun reward

We have had a busy weekend here in the Craig/Hunter family. Since we sort of had a weekend off (this was the weekend of our congregation's special assembly day, but since we're going to Kristen and Josh's next month, we decided to skip ours. With Allen, we thought it would just be too much for us to do it twice), we decided to schedule some house maintenance (with the help of Mom and Dad, of course).

After we had our house pressure-washed a couple months ago (it wasn't really pressure-washed, but I can't remember the name of it), our porch and doors were in some major need of TLC. Instead of restaining the doors, we decided to paint them. After throwing around some different ideas, we decided on a lovely color. I'll wait until I have pictures to share with you to let you find out the color (care to take a guess?). The boys painted yesterday (the front and back door, front steps, railings, and porch) while Mom watched Allen and I worked.

Today, the boys continued to paint (second coat on the steps, porch and railings) and planted in the backyard (this was a project started last weekend). You see, Brian and I have had some difficulty with our backyard. We didn't really like the landscaping that was put it when it was built, but neither of us really knows enough about plants to change it. Now that Dad is here full-time, he and Mom have helped us a lot. So we got some beautiful roses and hydrangeas to plant.

In the meantime, Mom and I had some work to do at the shop so we can get our website launched. We got out the lightbox and took some pictures. It sounds easy, but it's not so much .... But we got all the photos done that we feel we needed to so we can launch our website, so we're very happy about that.

Brian had a great idea last night that we should reward Allen for his patience this weekend (and ourselves for all our hard work)  by going to see Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. So this afternoon we piled into the van and drove down to Bluffton. We stopped first at Sunshine Nursery to pick up a few more plants (including a Meyer Lemon Tree ... yum) for the backyard and for the front porch.

Then we went to the movies. Last night we showed Allen a trailer for the movie and asked him if he wanted to see it, and he enthusiastically replied that he did (he's also read the story, so he was familiar with the premise). So as soon as we got in the car, he was ready to watch the movie. His giddiness was adorable. He could barely wait to buy tickets. He couldn't decide between popcorn or Sour Patch Kids. And he was practically beside himself because we were early and could not get into the theater right away.

Once inside, he immediately wanted to get into his seat, and wanted us all to dance every time a song came on. When the previews came on, he leaned on Papa and covered his other ear because it was "too loud." But he recognized the "Wild Things" movie, and sat up once the movie started.

Boy was he riveted. His wide, blue eyes never left the screen. And he barely said anything for the entire movie. Once it was over, he danced in his seat some more, and then as we walked out, he grabbed Mommy and Nana's hands and said, "That was so fun!"

After a disappointing dinner at a restaurant that shall remain nameless, we went to the candy shop where everyone got some candy. Then it was time to go home. Nana sat next to Allen and kept poking and teasing him. At one point, she said, "I have to eat this finger." And Allen replied "You can't!" And when she asked why not, he replied "Because it's a finger not a snack."

All in all it was a fabulous weekend, even though Allen has a cold. I'm excited to post some pictures of my beautified house, so stay tuned!

xoxo,

Lessons from Ice Age

Allen's new favorite movie is Ice Age. We watch it at least 2-3 times a day. He loves so much that he even starting calling a little boy he met Friday night "Sid." We're pretty sure that was not actually the kid's name.

Anyway, tonight we had dinner at Nana and Papa's house. Once again, Allen chose not to join us for dinner. But he did join William (Papa's malti-poo) under the table. William is a very sweet pup, but occasionally gets a little nervous around Allen. And he'll growl and snap. So we were hearing a little bit of this going on ... and the following exchange occurred:

Mom: Allen, get out from under the table, please.
Allen: No! You got to twust (trust) me ...
Entire family: laughter and wonder over where he picked this phrase up
Allen ... (quietly) because I'm your only chance.

It then dawned on me that he was parroting dialogue between Diego, the Sabre-toothed tiger and Manny, the woolly mammoth from Ice Age.

xoxo,

Awesome ...

We've been having a fabulous time with the Moyer family, and Allen's loving hanging out with his cousins. I'll have tons of photos to post soon, but for now I just have to share this awesome story.

Tonight Aubrey was looking through the photo album my mom put together for me "to teach her baby about his Mama" while I was getting Allen ready for bed, and here's the conversation that followed:

Aubrey (to me): Awww ... you were cute. Oh wow, look at your mom. She was so hot!

Brian: Allen, what do we call Nana? 'Hot Nana.'

Allen: Hot Nana

Me: I know, she was a fox wasn't she?

Allen: She was a Chihuahua!

Awesome .... I'll post the famous "hot Nana" picture soon (I have to scan it first).

xoxo,

Word of the day

Since Allen is no longer going to "school" right now and Nana is back, we've decided to split days. I'm working mornings at the shop, and Nana works afternoons. Nana picks Allen and me up, and we go set up the shop (we're still having our sidewalk sale). Then Nana and Allen go off to do whatever.

Today Allen decided that he couldn't wait in the car while we set up; rather he needed to come in. Nana was bringing in some things from her car, and as she was carrying a box into the shop, she ran into the door. I asked if she was OK, and she replied, "Yes, I'm just an idiot."

A couple minutes later, Allen was running to greet a customer, and tripped and fell on the rug. We asked if he was OK, and he stood up and said, "Yes, I'm an idiot."

Tonight, Brian was watching the Stanley Cup game (yay Penguins), and as the players skated onto the ice, Allen starts yelling, "Go go go go go. Go you idiot!"

Grrreeaaat ...

xoxo,

Cars, School, Movies, and More

I haven't posted about the kid much lately. But it's not because I don't love him. It's probably because I've been watching him extra closely over the past week or so, that by the time I sit down to post, I'm so overwhelmed by all the stories that I don't know where to begin.

But I finally felt guilty enough about it this evening that I decided to take some pics and post about the kiddo.

Here he is playing with his cars ... I wanted to shoot a video of this, but Brian was fixing the garbage disposal, and I didn't think ya'll wanted to hear that in the background.
Sadly I missed the best part. He lined up all the cars neatly in a row, sat back and looked at them, and then "crashed" them and sent them tumbling all over each other. Such a boy ...

Allen has show-and-tell tomorrow. He has to bring something that starts with the letter J (their letter for the week). We decided to bring our jet. Here he is showing it off.

Somehow, Finding Nemo ended up in the DVD player upstairs in our room. And recently, for some reason (I have such a horrible memory), we put it on for him while we were trying to get ready. And now he's obsessed with the movie. It has to be watched every morning. And apparently, every evening now too.

But, it can't be watched downstairs. It has to be watched in "Mommy's yoom" on "Mommy's bed." He needs to watch it. It's evidently a life or death thing. And sadly, Mom and Dad have given in and let him watch it the past two nights. Here he is watching it on our bed tonight. Could he be more male?


I told Brian that the only thing missing is his hand resting in his unzipped pants ...

Other Allen higlights ...

• He now can say the entire alphabet correctly.
• He evidently witnessed to his teacher today and told her "something about the moon and stars" (he likes to tell people that Jehovah made the moon and stars. I'm guessing she didn't understand the Jehovah part).
• He told his teacher that he loves her.
• He got very upset last night because he "needed" to go to "Pantsypainan" (Pennsylvania) to "check Nana and Papa." The only thing that calmed him was Skittles. When he found out he could get those, he immediately stopped crying and said, "I'm so happy!"

There are so many more stories, but sadly I'm so sleepy that I cannot recall them. I will try to post more soon. I'll also be sure to post some pics of the Southern Supper tomorrow night!

xoxo,

First Day of School Celebration

We don't celebrate birthdays ... or any other holidays for that matter. And we don't miss it. But we do tend to make "celebrations" out of what some may consider more mundane things. Like Allen's first day of "school." Kristen flew in from Chicago. She made a cake. We bought presents. Oh, and we watched the alligator in Nana's pond.

Here are some cute shots from the evening.

Allen and Daddy walking back from viewing the gator.

The cakes. It was supposed to be a whole teddy bear (a Build-a-Bear cake pan set from Williams Sonoma). Sadly, the heads fell off, and one body got stuck in the pan. So Kristen did the best she could. And it was pretty beautiful, I think! Allen loved them, and said, "I need to eat the eye."

Here's Allen looking at his book from Mommy and Daddy. It's Choo Choo by Virginia Lee Burton. He loves Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by the same author, and Nana just got him a Thomas the Train wooden train set, so we thought it was appropriate.
Mom and Dad's book was no match for Aunt Kissy's present: Skippyjon Jones and the Bones.
Nana's present was also better than Mom and Dad's: a wooden school bus with wooden children, bus driver, and dog(?) included. Very cool!
Obviously, Allen had a good time opening his gifts. And while he had a great first day (the director said he didn't ask for us at all, and that he kept going up to her and telling her, "I'm having a good time!"), his face lit up when he saw us come to pick him up, and he ran over and gave us huge hugs (and patted my back). So, he still loves us, which is a huge relief.

xoxo,

Figures, Magic Kingdom

I apologize for the lack of posting ... surprise surprise, I got sick as soon as we got back from Disney. Between being sick and crashing as soon as Allen goes to bed, and having 500 pictures (love you Papa) to go through from the trip, the thought of blogging about our trip has been a bit overwhelming.

While I'm still trying to organize the photos, I will go ahead and share these three with you (in spite of the fact that I look like an idiot in them). They are of the Disney castle, and of our first ride -- The Carousel. I'm working on getting all the photos organized, and I hope to have some good recaps to share with you soon (once I can do something without having to blow my nose every five seconds)!

xoxo,

Fabulous time ... where to begin??

Well, we're finally home. We had an unbelievably wonderful time (thank you Nana and Papa), and we are sufficiently exhausted. I had such high hopes of posting while there, but with hundreds of photos to go through, I found the task a little too daunting. Here are some photos to whet your appetite (in no particular order) ... I'll be posting much more over the days to come.

xoxo,

Enjoying a show with Nana at Sea World
Charming the "ladies"

Playing with Uncle Josh (in a "London" phone booth)

His black eye (which he got within minutes of our arrival)