My Cherubs

Our music director assigned solos to both Evan and Andrew the last time that children's choir sang. Evan handled it like an old pro; Andrew took a bit more coaxing. After singing the song beautifully at the rehearsal the day before, we told Andrew he had done great, and to do that well the next day for church.

Andrew: Oh, I'm not singing the song again.
Me: Well ... you have to sing it tomorrow for church.
Andrew: No, I'm only singing this song once. And I sang it. So I'm done.
Me: (trying to think quickly to persuade without arguing) But Daddy didn't get to hear you. You have to sing it tomorrow so Daddy will hear you.
Andrew: Daddy should have been here today if he wanted to hear me.
Me: (slightly exasperated) Andrew, you just have to sing it tomorrow. That's the end of the conversation.

And they both sang beautifully during church.

One of these children is taking it very seriously. And one of them is a ham.

The children's choir before church. 

Evan singing his solo. Notice that Andrew is not exactly standing in formation. He was twirling, wiggling, and completely not paying attention until . . . 

he got the microphone. Then he sang like an angel. 

Playing catch-up

Whew-ee, it's been an entire month since the last post. At some point I'll do a post on just what exactly has tied up all my time . . . but for now I'll just try to catch up on what we've been up to.

My two awesome friends Jen and Angela; this is after laughing so hard I think I had tears. 

Evan playing tug of war at his friend Emilio's birthday party

Andrew and his best buddy Graham bundled up to go play outside.

We're thankful for our friends!

Bowling for Birthday Fun

Thankfully, Evan's birthday party with his friends was not snowed out (after a week where almost everything else had been canceled by the weather). We took Evan, Andrew, and 5 friends bowling, which was hilarious, exhausting fun.

Evan and his best friend Kendrick

Daddy helping Andrew bowl. Andrew did great, bowling 2 spares in 2 games!

Evan demonstrating some bowling form. 

The birthday bowling crew, after a fun-filled party.

The birthday festivities, Day 2

Since we continued to have snow on the ground, we continued not to have school. So the day after Evan's birthday we just continued to celebrate.

Wrapped in his birthday present Star Wars blanket/robe with his birthday present Lego Tie Fighter, which he made almost entirely by himself.

The awesome present from Grammy & Grampy arrived, and Evan spent hours minutely examining the carpet, hair, clothes, his brother's face ...

Creating and working on the volcano with Grandma

Andrew is determined not to be left out!

Two loved grandchildren and two loved grandparents!

Evan's "Totally Awesome!" Birthday

Evan's greatest dream came true when school was closed because of snow on his birthday. Grandma and PaPa were here, so it was a day packed with birthday celebration. Evan chose cheesy eggs and biscuits and gravy for his birthday breakfast, and lunch at Ole NC BBQ buffet. That afternoon my Aunt Georgie, who shares a birthday with Evan, came over with Martha, Denise, and Danielle.

The Birthday Duo

Fun family here for the birthday afternoon

Andrew, Evan, and Danielle--the Terrific Trio

Evan insisted that he wanted a carrot cake for his birthday. With carrots on top. Not balloons or anything festive. Just carrots. 

Evan gets pretty excited about presents. This is his volcano set.

Grandma and PaPa made sure Andrew got a little something special, too.

Snow Day--For Real!

So far, our winter storm succeeded in canceling Evan's basketball game, his best friend Kendrick's birthday party and sleepover, my lunch with a friend, a party for friends of ours, church, and school tomorrow. Not that the boys care about any of that--because it's snow! They can play in it!

This was Andrew's snow get-up. He does have a great coat, but I couldn't find his snow pants anywhere. Thank goodness for a warm Halloween costume!

My two snow-lovers.

He sat out there and played for about half an hour or more.

It's a Snow Lion!

National Air & Space Museum (Chantilly)

Before heading home on Monday, the boys and I went to the National Air & Space Museum in Chantilly. Unlike our excursion to the Mall the day before, this day was bright and sunny and warm. Figures--the day we're inside a museum, it's gorgeous outside! I'm not a big museum person, but this one was perfectly sized--enough to see, but not so large that I was overwhelmed. And it was almost totally empty. We had a great time!

Evan and Andrew pilot a Cessna 180.

Evan's favorite plane was the SR-71 Blackbird. It flew from California to Virginia in 64 minutes! He bought a model of it to build with Daddy (whenever Daddy finishes his dissertation ...)

The Space Shuttle (the Enterprise) was also a huge hit. The space exhibit included a display of food that astronauts eat in space. They had a package of M&Ms, which prompted Andrew to declare that he wanted to be an astronaut so he could eat M&Ms. Not necessarily in space, mind you -- just to eat them.

An AP reporter was there interviewing people about the end of the Space Shuttle program, and he interviewed Evan. When asked what he thought about the end of the Space Shuttle, Evan said, "Well, I'm not too happy about it!"

The two best guys to spend a day with at the Museum!