Florida Fun

Originally, Daman was planning to go down to Florida for the twins' baby blessing with Reese, but his monster headache attack changed that plan. So, he postponed the trip and scheduled it around the time when Braden was going to be down as well, helping Reese build some cabinets. He took Emma with him, since she was free, and much fun was had. . .

Building Boys:

Woodshaving spa treatment:

"What?, do I have something in my hair?"

Little Buddies "helping" the boys:

"I'm in if you are. . . "

The wee ones, Rook and Tigue:

I see a very fun future for these two together. . .

Anabelle and Emma:

And of course, reading time with Kiki!!

Daman and Emma had a marvelous time, and I realized how much easier life is without a toddler around, and full use of a car! Isaac was at school, so it was just me and Lucy the bulk of the day, and with a car available full-time, the world was our oyster!! It was a nice break for all of us.

Heat Wave!!

Everyone in Virginia is writing/talking/blogging/whining about the historic blizzard, so even though I'm going to do exactly the same thing, I thought at least I'd mix up the title. The snow made its entrance Friday night and our power made its exit early Saturday morning. I don't know where it went, but it must have liked it there, because it didn't come back for almost a week. Though we are new in the area, a wonderful family invited us into their home to wait out the storm. We brought our Wii as an offering and tried to cook and clean as much as possible. They were extraordinarily gracious and we did teach them Rook, so we figure it all evens out. Lucy even celebrated her 3rd birthday there!

The sledding was awesome. Isaac went with the Palmers to a big hill nearby and Daman built this huge ram in their front yard that will probably be there until June at this wintery rate.

Behold, the mighty icicle. If this could be stuck into some sort of lightsabre holster, it would have been, trust me.

Our hotel/new best friends. We actually discovered that Daman and Tige are cousins through the Bateman side. Tige said that he felt really close to his Grandma Bateman while we were staying with them, like she was smiling down on us, happy that two more Bateman's found each other. That made him really happy. . . was that before or after Emma ate your daughter's piano sheet music??

Bugs

Here's the sum-up: Lucy was itchy. Mom checked head. Dad checked head. Lucy had lice. Mom convinced Lucy that it would be fun to put on swimsuit and have a fun de-bugging party. Fun lasted five minutes, until Listerine got in eyes. Lucy was happy to be able to watch TV all day while Mom washed everything she could fit in the washing machine. Isaac comes home from school. Mom checks head and takes deep breath. Repeat. Isaac was not convinced of funness for even five minutes, but does enjoy the all day TV lice side benefit.

Step One: Pretend you are about to have a really fun swim party-- oh what a tangled web we weave. . .

Step Two: Saturate head with lovely smelling Listerine (she didn't keep this smile long)

Step Three: Sit and Soak and Bask in Clifford the Big Red Dog

Repeat steps 1-3 for Isaac. Use coconut shampoo for the next six months and worry every time your head itches.

Happy Birthday Lucy!!

We were snowed out of our house for Lucy's birthday, and we left all her presents at the house. So, while everyone was camped at the Palmer's house, I braved the storm to fetch some birthday supplies. . . and got stuck in the snow. Some kind neighbors helped me out (twice) and it was on to the birthday celebration (part one) Brownies, assorted presents, and new friends--what a great birthday!




Then, once the storm was over we got to do the real party. Lucy loved the song "When You Say Nothing At All" and sang it over and over and over again. So, she requested a "Nothing at All" Birthday party. I wasn't sure what that meant, so we went with a music theme. Daman rocked the birthday guitar cake. I made little Easter Egg maracas for all the little ones and we had a kind of chaotic dance party with a few kids lurking in the corners. I mostly want to note the public embrace between Isaac and Lucy. Proof! They love each other.

Happy Times

In the last few weeks the Reynolds family has dealt with lice, three kids throwing up almost simultaneously, a new calling as an EARLY morning seminary teacher, a car breakdown, unexpected monster student loan bills, and a day in the ER full of cat scans, x-rays, and a spinal tap for Daman. His inexplicable headaches persist without explanation or relief, but we are hopeful that we'll figure it out soon. But, before that there were happier times. . . times when we were in North Carolina and Grandma Lulu lined up a family photo shoot and we got to all pretend we were superstars in matching colors and snuggies. Let's take a moment and return to that time. . .

Grandma Lulu and her grandbrood

SNUGGIES!!
Grandma Lulu had a vision. This vision involved all her offspring and their families swathed in fleece--but what if they need to use a remote or eat something? How will their arms stay both warm and useful? Answer: Snuggies en masse. Snuggies should totally pay us for this segment of the photo shoot. We all had a great time with these. . . not enough room at the butchershop for all the hamming that happened in these get-ups.

Crazy cousins. Really, I just adore Isaac's face in this picture. It kind of reminds me of Luke's face when he founds out who Darth Vader really is.

Oh wait, how did our engagement picture sneak in?? Kidding. . I look so much better than I did seven years ago.

Quick quick look--my three kids are all really close to each other and noone is screaming or hitting!! So glad this moment was caught on film.

Lucy's modeling career might be cut short. Her endurance needs work. Luckily she can totally sell that pouting look.

The photographer was cool enough to take a shot of Isaac in his "Pokemon" hat. I love this picture, even though it makes my sweet little boy look far too much like a teenager in the making. Wasn't he just born??

It was a happy day. And there are happy days in the midst of crazy life right now. We trust the Lord, we love each other, and even with lice and spinal taps, we are grateful for the life God has given us. Amen.

May the Force (and the Cheese) Be With You. . .

Isaac REALLY wanted a Chuck E. Cheese birthday party, but a man in a fuzzy gray suit and a couple of tokens in a crown isn't worth 15 bucks a head to me. Then, suddenly I realized that you could have your party at Chuck E. Cheese and bring your own supplies. Hooray!! Hence, the easiest birthday party ever. I made a lightsabre out of green cupcakes, snagged some awesome star war plates, bought a mess of tokens and let 10 kids have a wonderful time at the Chuck. Emma was a champ in the backpack the whole time, and I didn't lose a single child. Happy Birthday!!

And Then He Was Six. .

Poor Isaac's birthday was a little overshadowed by Daman's ER trip and continuing headache troubles. But, we still managed a birthday surprise sign, he scored some transformers and to the delight of us all--picked cereal as his birthday breakfast. This boy loves him some cereal!

We did make Isaac's biggest birthday dream come true: Lunch at Burger King. Isaac had never been and was convinced that he could only truly be happy if he experienced the joy that is a Kid's Meal. So, I slapped on my Make-A-Wish hat and granted his little boy fantasy. I also had the first burger I've eaten in at least a year and regretted it immediately. Too bad BK doesn't do Boca burgers. Isaac played in the playplace, got chocolate milk and a spiderman toy. . and we all lived happily ever after.

We scattered Isaac's birthday over several days. The party is still to come actually. Wednesdays we have breakfast for dinner and it is a highlight of Isaac's week. So, when asked what he wanted for a belated birthday dinner, the answer was waffles. Since it is round and has sugar in it, I think it counts as a cake, so we lit it and sang. Happy birthday Isaac! I can't believe how big Isaac is. We just got his "report card" today for Kindergarten and he is reading at the end of first grade level. I wish he wanted to read farm books and classic literature, but for now he leans strongly towards anything Pokemon. Isaac is a ball of energy and imagination. He runs and sings and dances and jumps and is full of questions (and an eagerness to disagree with your answers.) He dotes on Emma and loves to play tag with Lucy. He has such a tender heart that is easily wounded, but quick to forgive--for which I am very grateful. I really treasure any time I get to spend one on one with Isaac. He is just a cool kid and I really enjoy our conversation. I can't believe he is six years old--it all slips by so fast. I wish I could remember for all of my children. . . more than once a year on their birthdays.