Eli to the ER

We made it almost 3 and a half years without needing to take either of our children to the hospital, but our streak ended the day after Christmas. Along with two new bikes, Santa had safety first on his mind and also brought two new helmets for M&E. Unfortunately Santa underestimated the size of Eli's head (no doubt because of the large brain it encases) and the 3+ toddler helmet did not fit this 3-year-old. No problem. Surely we could make it until Monday to go buy a new helmet for Eli. Um, not so much. While out riding the day after Christmas, Eli took a tumble that resulted in a deep gash on his forehead. I thought he probably needed stitches so off to the emergency room we went.

Three hours later we emerged with 4 stitches and the Patient of the Day award for Eli. This little tough guy did not shed a single tear while he was fixed up. I was thoroughly impressed.

Hopefully it will be a while before we have to visit the ER again, but for the sake of posterity here is a picture of the "boo-boo." (Please note that Eli is dressed in a dragon costume and is indeed wearing one of Madeline's hair clips. I had to keep his hair out of the way while I cleaned the stitches. Doesn't he look pretty?) Yesterday, we went to Target and purchased a new larger helmet.

Christmas 2010

We enjoyed another peaceful Christmas at home with our family. It was even more fun to see Christmas this year through the eyes of our children. M&E really got the whole Santa thing this year. They understood that Santa was watching them to see if they were naughty or nice and were very conscious of their behavior. They also paid a lot of attention to Sam, our Elf on the Shelf. Throughout the day they would report to Sam that they were being nice and Santa should bring presents. Sometimes one would even report that the other was being naughty and should not get a present.

The music was a lot of fun this year, too. M&E loved all of it and sang along to all of the Christmas carols on the radio. I was amazed at how quickly they picked up the lyrics. Their favorites were "Rudolph," "Frosty," "Away in a Manger," "Jingle Bells," and "Silent Night." Madeline especially could be heard singing all throughout the day.

Santa's spread on Christmas Eve:

Apparently Sam did report that M&E should indeed be on the nice list because Santa brought new bikes for these two!

They rode around inside the house all morning because this was going on outside, a white Christmas in Alabama!

Later on though, we all bundled up and headed outside to test out the new bikes in the snow.

"The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

Letters to Santa

M&E wrote letters to Santa at school with the help of their teacher. They are hilarious...

Dear Santa,

I want Wall-E for Christmas. And candy. I want a fish. My mommy likes rocks for Christmas. I want to give daddy a firetruck for Christmas.

Love,

Eli

Dear Santa,

I want a Sam that can move. We have a Sam at home. Then we can have two Sams. I want a bunny too. My mommy wants a bunny too for Christmas. I want to give my daddy a toy boat.

Love,

Madeline

**Sam is the name of our Elf on the Shelf.

Thanksgiving 2010

We had another great Thanksgiving at Maple Ridge Farm this year. As always, Susan was the hostess with the mostess. The food was delicious and the company was even better!

We lost my Granddaddy this summer so the annual shoot was named The Henry Ward Annual Trap Shoot in his honor. All ages joined in the fun.

Post-shoot and post-feast we all settled in for some relaxation back outside.

Looking forward to next year!

Halloween 2010

Asheville Adventure

Back in October Brandon and I stole away for a weekend to Asheville, NC. We had a great getaway while Mama Kaye kept M&E for us. Brandon had never been to the Biltmore Estate before so I had fun touring it with him.

We also enjoyed one of the best dinners ever on Saturday night. If you ever find yourself in Asheville, head over to the Sunny Point Cafe. You will not be disappointed. Let me just say I could have eaten a huge bowl of the black-eye pea risotto.

On the way home we were able to swing through Rutherfordton to visit my dear friend Jeanne and her husband Ben and we got to meet sweet new baby Ben - so precious!

Fall Family Fun in Virginia

It's taken me too long to post on this...warning: it's a long one. Three weeks ago we traveled up to Virginia to visit with Granddaddy and Vivian. The weather was gorgeous and there was never a dull moment - Granddaddy had planned 3 days packed full of activities.

Our first adventure was a trip to what can only be described as a pumpkin patch on steroids.

There were slides of every size. M&E were in heaven.

There was also a hayride, which went great... until we stopped in front of a building on top of which stood a scary old man in an orange wig. M&E were not fans and made it very clear that they did NOT want to ride the hayride again.

And, there were farm animals.

(I know exactly how you feel, Ms. Piggy.)

We must have lost Brandon at some point, but don't worry, we found him munching on a bag of kettle corn.

We barely made it out of the parking lot before M&E passed out.

The next day we trekked up to Baltimore to tour the National Aquarium.

M&E were starting to fade on us here, but wait...

this'll wake them up.

The dolphins were my favorite.

Once outside of the aquarium, we took a poll on what to see next. The submarine was cool, but Eli had his eye on something else.

So, we ventured across the harbor to the U.S.S. Constellation.

Um, is this safe?

One of the lower decks was set up perfectly to accommodate nap time.

Next, we drove over to Cobb Island to see a boat that is still in action - Granddaddy's sailboat.

On our last full day, we went to what was one of my favorite places to go growing up - Graves Mountain Lodge.

They were having an apple festival. Oh, Virginia apples - YUM.

We made the long drive back south the next morning. As M&E say, "Granddaddy lives really too far." Nothing like a few fall days to make me miss Virginia! We had a great visit with Granddaddy and Vivian and look forward to the next one.