Under the Sea

Over the holiday weekend we ventured out to a new exhibit downtown.  Aunt Kelly came with us and provided the photographic proof of our fun day on the town.  John's parents had given the boys some birthday money for a "family activity" so thanks Grandpa and Grandma.  It was a fun day.






Happy Thanksgiving 2012

We had a lovely quiet Thanksgiving Day.  We were close to home this year and had Aunt Kelly over.

Every holiday Aunt Kelly brings a stack of library books to share, usually to go along with theme of the holiday.  There were many books about Turkey and traveling to Grandparents houses.  She brought 15 books which her co-workers thought excessive but Aunt Kelly knew...it might actually not be enough.  The boys (mostly Colin) had her reading aloud for hours today.  That is not an exaggeration...hours of the day were spent with Kelly reading while Colin listened intently.  She finally asked permission to take a 10 minute break so she could eat her pie and enjoy a conversation with one of us.  Oh Colin...We love that you love books but the day you learn to read them yourself is a day we will all rejoice.  It's been a joy sharing in your love of reading but we have lives to lead little one. 

...more reading

...and still more reading

Preparations.  John was in charge of the Turkey (with brown rice stuffing) and Mashed Potatoes.  Kelly had green salad and appetizers, pumpkin pie and sparkling water.  I made green bean casserole, two different sweet potato dishes (one traditional which I don't like and another casserole that I do), biscuits, cranberry stuffing.  It was a feast!

There was football watching of course.

The Feast

The Robinson side of our family always take a walk after dinner.  We got out just as the sun was setting and it was still close to 65 degrees.  Usually we have to bundle up for the after-dinner stroll but we lucked out. 

This is Thanksgiving in the 21st Century.  We skyped with my parents in Idaho earlier in the day then again when they met up with aunts, cousins, and great-grandparents.  What would have made our day great would be to have all of them sitting close by at the table but if circumstances make that hard to do...this is the next best thing. 

A Successful Thanksgiving Celebration!  There is no evidence in the photos above that I was there.  I assure you I was.  I have the leftovers to prove it.  And now that Thanksgiving has had it's due...onto Christmas. 

Fall Chores

John's home from work for the rest of the week so it's time to get some fall chores done.  Next on the list...getting the Christmas lights up.  I'm usually very strict about waiting until after Thanksgiving to start anything Christmas but with temps in the 70's today it seems only logical.  But believe you me, I won't turn them on until Thanksgiving has had it's due. 
Happy Thanksgiving to you all!  We have much to be thankful for!

Boy's Night

I had Mommy's night out last weekend, so it was boy's night at our house.  I got this picture sent to my phone around dinner time.  Notice the intricate mustard work.


Aren't Daddies fun!?

The Sleeping Challenge Continues

Remember a while back when we noted how it was more challenging to get some shut eye in the car since the boys graduated to booster seats? 

Remember This?

Colin has mastered the seat belt neck sling

Colin kept falling into the book basket so Seth helped him out and held a sleeping Colin head all the way home.  Aww...brothers!
Here's some behind the scene's information.  We live on a dirt road and there's something about the rumble of the dirt road that puts Colin right to sleep.  We are almost always within a few minutes from home so he doesn't have to keep up this acrobatic act for long.  Promise!

Kitchen Helper

With Seth gone to half-day Kindergarten in the morning, Colin and I have been spending some quality time together.  Last month we had a long-distance birthday party for Grandma who lives in Idaho.  We were scheduled to Skype (video chat) with her on her birthday and Colin and I decided to bake a cake and put up party decorations so we could have a pretend party on video. 

The Happy Helper
Colin chose the cake and frosting flavors.  Cherry Chip for the cake and rainbow confetti for the frosting.  I would not recommend that combination to those who might be swayed by a four year old to do the same thing.  Don't. 

Grandma blew out her candles with the help of two little boys and we had a festive celebration.  Happy Birthday Grandma.

Funny Things the Boys Have Said - The Election Edition

1.  John was watching a recorded version of the first Vice Presidential Debate one morning while the boys were eating breakfast.  After finishing their cereal they joined Dad in the living room.  John realized that out of all the things the boys have ever seen us watch on television (which is not a lot...most of our TV viewing happens after the boys go to bed) this has to be the most boring thing they've ever seen.  John thought he'd use it as a teaching moment and explained that we would choose one of these two men to help lead our country.  Seth turned up his lip and wrinkled his forehead and said, "Ugh, Why?"  Touche my young man.  Touche.

2.  I took Colin with me to vote on Tuesday.  We vote in a tiny Baptist Church down the road from where we live.  There was a bit of a line but nothing terrible.  I came armed with books for Colin to read if necessary but he did great.  He was very curious about what was happening so I explained to him what we were voting for and why.  At one point I explained that you could also write in someone's name if you felt like they would do a good job.  That's when Colin decided that I should write in Miss Jenny's name for President.  I took the opportunity to keep him occupied and we discussed further why Jenny would make a good President.  The gist was that she was pretty and nice and she won a medal (remember the marathon?).  Apparently the man in line behind us thought those were valid qualifications because he turned to Colin as we moved to the booth and said, "Hey kid, I think I'll vote for Miss Jenny too."  Which is probably more an indication of how he felt with his current options but nonetheless...Colin may have campaigning his future. 

3.  Seth had a mock election at school on Tuesday.  The students were voting for which book would get added to the school library.  Each student was given a voter registration card with their picture on it.  Each book was assigned a color and the students voted by wearing the corresponding color to school on Tuesday.  They even got "I voted" stickers to wear for the rest of the day.  I was happy to see them participating in some way.  Seth had some lessons to learn though.  He had made up his mind about which book he wanted, but then after talking with his friends on the bus, he decided to go with the book they wanted.  We talked about the ability to make your own choice, which doesn't have to be the same as everyone else.  He stuck with his original choice, which didn't win (have we mentioned the fact the Seth hates to lose?).  He's worked through it now but Seth, like millions around the country, is feeling some sadness with the results.

This picture has nothing to do with the post.  It's so cute and I don't have anywhere else to put it.  My mom took it while they were visiting this summer.

Soaking It In

10:00 AM by John and Kim 0 comments
We've enjoyed some warmer weather the last few days and I've let the boys play outside until the last bit of sun goes down over the horizon.  Pretty soon we'll be longing for the chance to dig in the dirt and run around the yard.  It's pretty rare to find our boys sitting and playing together.  Don't get me wrong, they enjoy each other's company but Seth is often trying to get Colin to go outside and run around while Colin is trying to get Seth to come inside and play pretend. 

I had to capture this from a far or the moment would be gone.


Lullaby Mix

John and I have worked over the years at putting together music that our boys enjoy and we can tolerate.  There are parents far more tolerant than I am when it comes to children's music.  It's not always easy to find a compromise but I think we've done okay.

Seth and I found ourselves home alone one evening a few months ago so we worked together to create a new lullaby CD.  I created one before we brought the boys home from Ethiopia but apparently they were growing tired of it and he was ready for some fresh new bedtime tunes.

Here's what we came up with.  Enjoy!


#1 Johnny Cash - I Got a Boy and His Name is John
The boys love hearing someone "sing about daddy"

#2 Lisa Loeb - Big Rock Candy Mountain


#3 Adele - Make You Feel My Love
I understand that this is a love song and Bob Dylan likely didn't write it from the perspective of a parent.  My sentiment for this song could be a blog post all its own.  It's about a little boy trying to find his way in a new family and a mother who wants nothing more than for him to know how very much he is loved.  Listen to it again...you'll hear it too.

#4 Sara Groves - He's Always Been Faithful


#5 Gungor - Beautiful Things

#6 Sara Groves - Jesus You're Beautiful


#7 Dixie Chicks - Godspeed
There's something special about being the mom of boys.  I love the word pictures in this song. I guess I'm not the only one who sometimes finds tired superheroes on the couch.

#8 Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Amazing Grace
We had to include some sounds from the motherland. 

#9 Mindy Smith - Angel Doves


#10 James Taylor - You Can Close Your Eyes

#11 Libbie Linton - When You Wish Upon a Star


#12 Jewel - Somewhere Over the Rainbow
This is about the time when the boys should be dreaming sweetly.  There's a strategy to putting together a lullaby CD you know.

#13 Paul Jacobsen - Edelweiss
We chose this one because it's Grandma Robinson's favorite song.


#14 Mindy Gledhill - Stay Awake
Colin and I watched Mary Poppins one Sunday afternoon and I sang along to every song.  This version is so dreamy.  I dare you to stay awake to the end.  It's not easy...which is exactly the point.



#15 J.S. Bach - Orchestral Suite in D Major, No. 3 Air On a G String
J.S. and I are tight.  We just use initials when referring to one another.
  
And Finally...


#16 Brian Crain - A Walk in the Forest
Sit back, relax, and a enjoy a few moments of soothing piano music.  You know you want to.

Is anyone still awake?  Hello?  Hello? 

Happy Anniversary

John and I celebrated our anniversary this last weekend.  The weather allowed us to wander around this town before going to dinner here (a place we would highly recommend to those of you who are local).

Thanks to Chad and Katie for watching Seth and Aunt Kelly for watching Colin.  We think this was their first night apart since Ethiopia and they both had a great time.


 Happy Anniversary Husband!