Christmas Eve

We had a nice Christmas Eve, filled with family traditions. Thomas had to work a bit this morning, but then we went to a movie (The Princess and the Frog - cute, but about 15 minutes too long for Carter). After the movie (and a short nap in the car), we went to church. During one church-y song, I looked down and realized that Carter was singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer to himself. That's his favorite Christmas song this year, due, in no small part, to the fact that it's pretty much the only Christmas song for which I know all the words! We did dinner and Christmas pajamas at home (more on that in the next post) and now Thomas is off to play his viola in a midnight church service. Happy Christmas Eve!

At Thomas' office

At church, where almost all the Fowlkes' turned out.

Carter waiting, not so patiently, to open his Christmas pajamas ("Oops! I ripped it a little bit! Oops! I ripped it a little bit more!")

Thomas heads off to play at a midnight service

Shy Boy

It's hard to believe that the boy behind "Shake your booty; hit your boo-oo-oo-ty" is shy, but he definitley seems to be, at least in large groups.

For the Thankgiving program at Carter's school, the kids were supposed to dress up as farmers. We sent him to school in a floppy straw hat, and he spent the entire performance yanking the brim of the hat down over his face.

For last week's Christmas program, he didn't have a hat, so he spent the entire performance yanking his shirt collar up over his face. In private, he often shouts his big line from the Christmas program, but in front of the audience, he was just shirt-faced.

His behavior at the Christmas program reminded me that he used to do the exact same thing in gymnastics class earlier this year. He was in a class of 5-6 kids, but ALL the classes warmed-up together (LOTS of kids and lots of activity). He did well in the class itself, but during the warm-up, he'd just stand there with his shirt over his face.

For his next performance, I'm making sure his costume has a hat -- or a mask.

Jingle Jog 2009

Thomas ran his second Jingle Jog 5K last weekend. This year, Carter joined him for the Elf Run (a terribly organized 50 yard dash for young kids to run with their grown ups).

Bronwyn was there to run it with Carter.

It was the coldest day of the year so far, which Carter did NOT enjoy.

But, apparently, it wasn't too cold for ice cream...

Gingerbread House

This year, I decided to try my hand at making a gingerbread house from scratch. Carter helped with making the gingerbread and with decorating the house.

At first, Carter didn't understand that we were making a three-dimensional house. We decorated the pieces before I started to assemble the structure, and he kept referring to each piece as either being "my house" or "your house".

When I got the four sides up, he seemed pretty disinterested. And a little miffed that I was using "his" house pieces.

But when I put the roof on, he got it. He exclaimed, "Thank you! Thank you, Mama! Thank you for my house!"

Here he is with the final product. I can't believe it's still standing!

Carter's Concert

After several months of being camera-shy, Carter performed a couple of songs for you on camera with his "guitar". Enjoy this short video (with earplugs, possibly).



Think he has a future in heavy metal? Or in... (what's the opposite of music)?

Resolutions

This is a bit early for a New Year's one, but Elizabeth and I have decided that we are ready to embark on our first triathlon. Yes, you read it correctly, triathlon. Swimming, then Biking, then Running, all one right after the other. Without stopping.

You may be asking "Why would you do this?" After writing that, I am asking that as well. However, it is done, we are registered and paid, so we might as well. And it is a short distance beginner triathlon. In fact, it is called "My First Triathlon" though not sponsored by Fisher-Price as far as I can tell.

The point of all of this is to first invite the blogosphere to both join us in this adventure, and keep us accountable (in a supportive way) for the training that we both must do to accomplish this. The race is June 5, 2010, so we have exactly 6 months to train. We are both focusing on our weakest event, which is swimming for me, and running for Elizabeth.

We are inviting anyone and everyone to participate also in this national race, which happens to be just outside of Atlanta (at Lake Lanier). It is a sprint distance triathlon (1/4 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 5k run) that is designed for first timers. If any of you are triathlon veterans, there is the "My Next Triathlon" which starts 15 minutes earlier and follows the same course. We are participating in the Saturday June 5 race, and info is here if you want to join us. www.firsttri.com

If you want to come and join us, let us know and we will figure out transportation and housing and all kinds of fun stuff (like a giant fat-filled meal Sat night). We already have one friend signed up (thanks, Matthew!) and the more the merrier!

Go Team Fowlkes!

New Boots

Carter loves the new boots that Mama Helen got him (just like Aunt Kir's!). He's been wearing them pretty much every day since he got them!

Yes, he did strike that pose all on his own...

A Lovely Saturday

My family started the drive back to Arkansas on Saturday morning, leaving us to our own devices for the rest of the weekend.

Yesterday, we joined and explored the Atlanta Botanic Garden.

(which Carter heartily enjoyed)

(due, in no small part, to the holiday train they have running around the great lawn...)

Then we had lunch that made us each very happy, though in different ways (Carter - corn dog and mac n' cheese, Me - smoked tofu, Thomas - world's tallest burger)

And then, after Carter went to bed, Thomas and I lounged in front of a fire (it's finally cold enough at night!) and caught up on TV.

An excellent Saturday.

Thanksgiving

My, mom, dad and Mimi came in from Arkansas. Park, Ashley, Anna and Sam came for dinner. Cart Cart and Nonna joined us for dessert.

Family assembled at our house for thanksgiving dinner.

I got in some good snuggle time with Sam.

Carter debuted his new Christmas pajamas (along with Mama Helen's boots) after dinner.

First full Fowlkes family photo with the new addition!

Ben, Rebecca & Miranda

Our friends Ben, Rebecca and their beautiful girl Miranda came for a visit on Monday night. We didn't get any pictures of Carter dragging all his toys into the kitchen for Miranda to play with. We didn't get pictures of Miranda and Carter in their pjs, reading stories. We didn't get pictures of the two kids eating a really good dinner together.

But we did get pictures of Carter directing Ben in several yoga poses. It was so nice seeing our San Antonio friends here in Atlanta!!