A Christmas Video

The last couple weeks when I've dared enter the world of retail, I've been reminded how crazy the Christmas season can get. This beautiful little video reminds me of the true spirit of giving we should have throughout the year. Enjoy.

A call for numbers

After Josh sucked the life out of one phone (literally), and then took the replacement swimming in the toilet, I finally have a working phone. Could you please email me your phone numbers? While your at it, throw in your address and I can make sure we have those updated as well.

Thanks!
Erica

erica (dot) r (dot) garcia (at) gmail (dot) com

We heard a lot of giggling tonight in the laundry room...

This is what our investigation uncovered.

There's no rhyme or reason to this post. I just haven't updated in awhile...

Josh loves hats and the recorder

Gabe really wanted to be wrapped up like a present and put under our Christmas tree.

We've been sick. A lot. But this is what I found one particularly sick morning and my heart melted.

 

osh loves balls. The mosquitos love Josh. Even his eyelid is tasty.

Since we're in TX and can't create a snowman, Gabe created a play-dough man.

Gabe tackling a Cuban sandwich Thanksgiving weekend.

Give Josh a basket, garbage can, box, or drawer to climb in and he'll be a happy camper.

The previous owner of our home planted this lovely little Maple directly under the power line to our house. Brian, being an employee of our energy supplier did not approve, so the boys chopped the tree down and took it to the dump.

Lunchtime

This is why I don't answer my phone if someone calls during lunchtime...

(Sorry about the horrible camera work, but at least you can see the wonderful wood paneling that fills our house).

Introducing John Acre

John Acre is a red-headed fox. He is also a teacher. He teaches at gymnastics, nursery, and Friend's School and his teachings involve alternate lyrics to already familiar songs. Mostly, the lyrics involve off-color humor, such as this take on "Saturday", a song from the children's songbook at church: 

Saturday is a special day

It's the day we get ready for Sunday!
We poop on our clothes 

And we poop on the chair

(etc, etc, etc)

Thank you, John Acre. Your teachings are lovely.

New House and Halloween

We've had a busy couple of weeks. We moved into a new house (which we LOVE), and celebrated Halloween while unpacking boxes, organizing, and trying to dream up some good renovations on our house. Gigi and Pops also came for a quick and wonderful visit.

Our new house was built in the 1960 and the same man lived in it until last May. He left us gems like this:

And this 50 year old oven

We do have some new things though, and the boys (and me!) are certainly enjoying the washer and dryer.

Pops and Josh at Dinosaur Day at the Southeast Texas Energy Museum

Trunk or Treat

Halloween Night

Gabe's costume was completely directed by him. He saw the dryer ducts at a hardware store and immediately switched from wanting to be a ghost for Halloween to a robot. He wanted the boxes white, not silver, and he did NOT want any buttons, volumes, knobs or stripes. "Just plain" he kept saying.For the most part it worked out well, although he had some trouble staying on his feet when we went trick or treating.

I know I've been neglectful. So for the grandparents and Jennifer Chiles out there - here are some pictures from the last few days...

Josh loves lying down in the bath and relaxing.

Front porch play. We hang out here almost every afternoon.

The "NO" series

The "scary face"series

1 step forward, 3 steps backward

We love these two little boys.

And they're excited to be big brothers to a new baby sister sometime in early February. Gabe's especially excited because he thinks the baby looks like a dinosaur (he went to the ultrasound). We're excited too, but hope she's a little cuter (and sweeter) than a T-rex!

Snaggle Tooth

In just the last two weeks, Josh has gone from this...

(no top teeth, photo credit: Gabe Garcia)

to this...

(major snaggle-tooth)

Is this the same dental set-up as Chunk from The Goonies?

Boys

It got up to 109 Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (pre-heat index) so any outdoor time has had to involve water. Which means mud. The boys have loved it. (If you look closely at the first picture, you can see J's fang coming in). Slowly, but surely, that boy will get a mouthful of teeth. In the meantime, we'll enjoy the snaggle-tooth phase.

Gratitude

Josh delights in patty-cake.
We delight in watching him.

I could gush over both boys these days. I'm very grateful for them.

The other day, I was chatting with another mom at the park whose husband is stationed in Afghanistan for the next three years. I am amazed at her (and her husband's - and children's) willing sacrifice for our country. I am humbled and grateful so many are trying to make our country better. And for what? To be able to watch our little ones play patty-cake, knowing they'll grow up in a better world. It made me ponder my own contribution to making this world better. It seems insignificant most days, but hopefully it will mature to something great (or great-ish) in the years, decades, and even centuries to come.

(Yes. We bathe Josh after almost every meal.)

Birthday Celebrations

We celebrated Josh's birthday with Iris, his cousin who is just a few days younger than him, in New Orleans with lots of family.

We had a low-key family celebration on his actual birthday which included a pancake breakfast, presents, freezie-pops outside, pancake dinner, and early bedtimes for two tired boys. 

Fancy filter, you think? Cooky editing? No. This is how hot it is. This is what my camera lens is like for the first 1/2 minute outside these days. It's hot, but I'll be glad in February when it's 65 degrees here.

Garcia Family Reunion

We headed to Casa Garcia for a family reunion last weekend. There were 9-13 children and 10-12 adults sleeping at the house while we were there. It was a party.

The weekend included a trip to the beach - everyone had a blast - even if the next few days were filled with red faces and shouts of "DON'T. TOUCH. MY. BACK."

Thanks to Caroline for the pictures!