Five Brown Kids

Thanks Mom.  Perfect gifts - kids were happy playing all day.  And I got a Christmas day nap.  Heaven!

Just found this hiding on Jaxon's pillow while I was putting a clean blanket on his bed.  They clearly have a Christmas eve plan of action. 60's and sunny all week.  Someone should have come to visit us!

My update on finding my biological father is that there is no update.  I don't know how to find his address in Canada so unless I hire someone I'm at a standstill.   I did have a dream that he came to visit me and we walked down the road and talked about my kids and he was very nice - he liked me! I thought you might be interested in this picture I found of his son and below that one of me and my siblings when I was around 10. Different moms sure, but we've clearly got the same father!

Jaxon turned 8 today!  I love this kid.  He is a peacemaker in our home. And heaven knows we need one of those. His report cards make me weak in the knees.  He's faster than a speeding bullet.  And his curls will make anyone smile. We had school friends over to roast hotdogs and s'mores on the fire pit and then play football in the backyard.  Tyrone was the "all time quarterback" and the boys couldn't get enough. We skipped the cake and blew out candles in ice cream before it was time for everyone to go home. Jaxon is now the proud owner of a cub scout book and a beautiful set of his very own scriptures  - he might have both mastered before the week is out! Last year.   Everything still holds with one update.  No more thumb sucking!  Just in time for the big 8 he is over it.  I still owe him $100 - but that's pocket change compared to the orthodontia bills we were going to have to pay.

My dad added two new custom pieces to our collection when he visited in the fall.   Before I was born my dad did some carpentry work for Mac Sibley in Meaghers Grant and took this cast iron tractor seat home as pay.  (This was back in the hippy days as I'm sure you can assess)  It's been floating around my parents house for the better part of four decades.  When we lived in the Wharf Rock house it was on a block of wood in the back yard for an outdoor seat next to the play set. Grandpa is making each of the grandkids a treasure box. Scotia received hers for her fifth birthday.  It is cherry with beautiful dove tailed corners. The boys have had their boxes for a long time!  They are made out of cedar that my dad found in our back yard in Chapel Hill.  

On Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend Emily, Courtney and I got to go for a run.  I sure miss those.  The men worked out at the Y and then the women went out for lunch and a little shopping while the men and kids did a little fishing. We spent the afternoon at an antiques mall where Emily found a great trunk, Courtney a bench and cool desk and I bought four more Fiestaware cereal bowls, even though I admired a sweet cake stand.  (Next year with a paycheck, right?)  We completely enjoyed an afternoon to ourselves! Here's a conversation from the day I don't want to forget: Parent 1 sending kids out the front door, "Don't play in the street!" Parent 2, "That's what they're doing, racing (tinker toy) cars in the street!" Parent 1, "Watch out for cars then!" Parent 3, "More danger of being eaten by a bear than seeing any cars!" The kids were all safe all weekend despite crazy crowds in Manhattan, football games, airsoft guns, fis...