Bowlin Beige

The weekend after Christmas we packed up the car and headed to my in-laws home in North Carolina. My brother-and sister-in-law and nieces and nephew met us out there, so we had the whole Bowlin/Williams clan together. The kids had a great time playing with their cousins and spending some quality time with Grandma and Grandaddy. They made Christmas door hangers and Grandaddy even put on a magic show! Family craft project Cousin Maddy (the oldest) reading to Parker (the youngest)  Carolina and Ainsley playing games My two handsome men

Christmas Eve we went to church for the children's service. After we got home it was time to put out the reindeer food (oats mixed with glitter), which meant sprinkling bags of this stuff all over the front yard. Ainsley made some at school and also at the sitter's house, so we had plenty for both kids. Then we put out cookies and milk for Santa by the fireplace. After reading some Christmas stories, both kids were a little wound up at bedtime.  Ready to be a 'wise man' at church.  Sprinkling reindeer food Christmas morning was a special surprise for everyone. Ainsley got a new bike, Parker got a tractor and trailer, they each got a flashlight friend, some books, and other stocking stuffers. We had a great time watching the kids open their presents, and they had fun tearing the wrapping paper off everyone else's gifts. What a special day! Parker was pretty obsessed with this truck book. He would carry it around to different people

There are many things that I enjoy more as a parent, especially when it comes to Christmas. Listening to my daughter sing Christmas carols and watching Parker stare in awe at every light display remind me that Christmas is truly a magical time for children.  We did 'Elf on the Shelf' this year and every morning Ainsley races downstairs to find where 'Sarah the Elf' has decided to perch herself after an overnight visit to Santa.They never get tired of reading The Night Before Christmas every night for the month of December.  Last week Ainsley's class had a Christmas party. They decorated cookies, played Christmas tree bingo, made reindeer food, and had a coloring book exchange. I know in a few years she won't get excited about making gingerbread houses with her best friend Owen, so I'm enjoying these small magical moments as much as I can.  We made a semi-conscious decision not to visit Santa this year. It's not that we avoided it, but after la

Last week Parker got a hold of my phone and had the camera turned around on himself. Amazing the things that happen when an almost-two-year-old gets to watch himself on a screen.

Here she is, our little dancing bug, giving us a show after dinner (to the credits from Shrek the Third). And still more to come...

A few nights ago we had some friends over for dinner. Ainsley's friend Beatrix came also, and they spent the night giggling, running, and playing games. While the adults were eating dinner, the two of them were in the playroom with a big container of peel-off stickers. They were working on a presentation. Ainsley came out of the room several times to tell us that she was going to put on her 'singing dress' and they would put on a show for us. They spent over an hour working on these masterpieces. I won't go into detail about what the playroom looked like when they were finished, but I will say that the entire tub of stickers was empty. We were told to sit in the living room in front of the fireplace for their big show. Ainsley put on her Snow White dress (her singing dress apparently). Beatrix decided she really didn't want to get up in front of everyone, so she sat on the floor (or, the stage), and supported Ainsley in her starring role. Ainsley got up in front

She doesn't even realize she's being funny. She says it with a straight face, which makes it even harder not to laugh out loud.  Ainsley (after coming out of her room at bedtime): "Mommy I want a hug." Me: "Ainsley Mae, get back in bed!" Ainsley: "Hug!" Me: "Get in bed. You've already had plenty of hugs. Stop coming out of your room!" Ainsley (doing her best Austin Powers/Doctor Evil impression): "Hug! Hug! Hug!" If you haven't seen the movie then it's not nearly as funny. On our way home today, after she says something brilliant: Me: "How did you get to be so smart?" Ainsley: "God made me that way."  At least she's humble. My DH gets her up from a nap. Ainsley farts. DH: "Ainsley, was that your bottom?" Ainsley (straight-faced and completely serious): "Yeah, it's just waking up." I love that silly girl. .

Last night was Ainsley's school program. As a 4-year-old she got to sing five times, both with her class and with the whole school. She looked so pretty in her black and white dress (thanks cousin Clara for the beautiful hand-me-down!)  Our little bug was a stunning performer, as always. Parker wasn't quite as thrilled about it. He was actually pretty pissed off that all of these kids got to stand up on stage and he wasn't allowed to be with them. Every chance he got, he would run toward the stage as fast as he could. I had to keep him out in the hallway for most of the show. He REALLY wanted to stand next to his big sister.  Finally at the end of the program parents were allowed to come collect their child with their class. Parker took this moment to pull away from me, weave his way through the crowd, and climb up onto the top riser. He couldn't find Ainsley in the crowd so he just plopped himself down next to some other boys on stage and smiled.  Let's fast-forwar

Ainsley was so excited to go back to hunting camp this year. She spent weeks asking how many days until we got there. She was so excited to sleep in the bunk beds and use her 'special potty' (the camping toilet that Papa got out so she didn't have to use the outhouse). Parker stayed at the lake with Nana while the rest of us stayed at hunting camp. Eric and Papa had been hunting all week by the time we arrived on Thursday.  While Eric and I hunted, Ainsley spent her days with Papa hiking in the woods, collecting sticks for fires, roasting marshmallows, playing in the snow, riding in the Ranger, and looking for wildlife. Papa started teaching her how to read a compass, and she was thrilled to get her own walkie-talkie to use at nap time. She loved every minute of it and can't wait to go back again! Trying on Daddy's boot blankets.  Snuggling with Daddy before dinner. Listening to Papa's stories (and guarding the turkey feather that she found in the w

So many things to be thankful for this year. What better way to remind us of those things than a class full of 4 year olds? Here is Ainsley, dressed as an Indian, singing some songs about turkeys and Thanksgiving. Afterwards we got to enjoy a special feast with the other parents and kids.  We made the quick 4-hour drive to York to spend Thanksgiving with my side of the family. The kids really enjoyed playing with their cousins, who they don't get to see often enough. Parker is still too young to fully comprehend that he is the only boy in the family.  A rare moment sitting still with cousin Kaitlyn. So thankful to be with Nana and Papa! Some silliness with cousins Julia and Clara. Parker is busy collecting all the trucks and cars in the house.  Happy Thanksgiving!

A few finishing touches before wrapp ing up my trip to San Francisco. My final presentation went well, and I had a beautiful final day to spend in the city. Fisherman's Wharf My kind of place!  . One final visit to the sea lions Golden Gate Bridge One more glass of great California wine. My trip home was a little more stressful than I had hoped. Due to mechanical problems with the plane, I was re-routed and ended up spending a good part of the day and night either on a plane or in an airport. However things worked out and I made it safely home!