Dapper Dude

The Hammer's Out of the Bag

This crazy, crazy kiddo. How he makes me chuckle.

O and I went on a much-anticipated "date" to Lowe's. O could hardly wait. "Just you and me, Mommy? We are going on a date without No-nos, right?" It was late. I was worn out. I wanted to put it off, but we are working on letting our "Yes" be "Yes," and our "No" be "No," (Mt 5:37) so off we trucked to Lowe's. Our mission: to buy Daddy a "man hammer" for his stocking. (What exactly is a "man hammer"? I am still not sure, but according to number 5 on Jeremy's Christmas list, every true man requires one.)

We ever-so-carefully selected the absolute perfect hammer for Daddy, after trying every single one Lowe's carries (and Mommy's patience). It really is a great hammer. We thoroughly discussed the high level of secrecy involved in Christmas shopping, and I was assured by one innocent looking Boy that he would never tell.

But what did I hear transpire last night, as O jumped from foot to foot, grinning from ear to ear? "Daddy! I am doing such a great job not telling you about the hammer we bought for your stocking. The one we got at Lowe's. On our date. I haven't even told you it once!" He received a huge congratulatory hug from one proud Daddy. And how could I even begin to be irritated at such sweetness? So Daddy knows about the hammer. O is thrilled that he is keeping his secret so well.

Ornamented

Each year I select an ornament for the Boys that reflects their interests or some facet of their personalities. As I painstakingly pick out the perfect ornament, I can't help but tear up just a little, envisioning them one day hanging these little boy ornaments on their grown up married trees.

So the ornament of 2008 for Owen is the world.

He loves any type of map or atlas, giving directions and learning about new places. Since geography is not my strong suit, I have been learning right along with O. These special times pouring over our children's atlas or researching the highest mountain and the largest waterfall with him snuggled in beside me are some of my most treasured memories of 2008.

Goofy, crazy, No-nos! For my sweet, darling Baby, I chose a sweet, darling cow.

"Cow" was one of Nosy's first words, and he loves to "MOOOOOO" long and loudly whenever we spy a bovine beast...or really any animal that's not a puppy. Every time we pass a field of any type (or even just an empty lot) he adamantly insists that cows reside there. "COW, Mommy! COW!"

I am already excited for next year, when I can unwrap these ornaments and once again tell my children the stories I am typing right now, and recapture a bit of their little boy-ness.

Budding Photographer?

Decking the Halls

It's the Friday after Thanksgiving, and although we are all exhausted from saving so much money on our early morning shopping adventure, there are decorations to disperse! We ordered a hot, bubbly, ooey-gooey pizza to nourish ourselves and got down to the joy of decorating!

Hanging the stockings by the chimney with care.

I just love our photo stocking holders which display a picture of each of us around the time of our very first Christmas. (side note: Since I am back-blogging this, I must sadly confess that TWO of them have bit the dust due to a certain eager toddler yanking on the stockings.)

My favorite part of decorating is reliving the special memories that each ornament holds. Every one of our ornaments has a significant story, so reminiscing is a must. O loved hearing the stories from when we were growing up, as well as finding his special ornaments from years past. Nosy was thrilled that so many ornaments had ball themes! He named each type of ball before carefully hanging it on the tree.

Our lovely Christmas tree in all its glory.

Owie is privileged to have this tiny tree in his very own room! This sweet tree is so special to me, and there could be no more perfect place for it than in Owie's room. Jeremy's parents brought me this tree to cheer up my hospital room when I was pregnant with O and had to spend Christmas Day flat on my back in bed. Even though I was super sick and so sad to be away from home on Christmas, it was comforting to watch the lights on my tiny tree.

Thanksgiving in Pictures

Thanksgiving Eve prep with my Guys

On Thanksgiving, we headed north to Aunt Julianne's house for turkey and all the trimmings.

Nosy anticipates his Thanksgiving feast: PB&H

Turkey-carving Rob

Coloring contest

Will gets a ride from Papa,

and Ally rides high on Joel.

Sweet Mia

Owie is the engine of the Halpin Choo-choo

A little "hutt-hutt" with Papa

Will is stylin'!

Ollie P and Maddie

Daddy and The O

Nosy's trademark passing stance

My football Hottie

Daddy snuggles up with Noah

Clayton is so daring!

It's tough to get a picture of Julianne! She's always behind the camera.

Our little Fam

Time to head home!

Gramps and Yaya joined us for Thanksgiving Supper at our house.

Doctoring a gravely ill Biscuit.

Wrestling with Gramps

Patty cake with Yaya

What a full, wonderful day with loved ones!

My Cup Runneth Over

Quotable

I am so far behind in blogging (Nosy's 23 month post, park days, etc.), but I had to jump ahead to today to post this gem.

What exactly is Owen thankful for today, Thanksgiving Eve? Thankful enough to record forever on the last feather of his Thankfulness Turkey?

"I am so thankful Mommy finally cleaned the kitchen floor!"

Thanks, O.

Patched

Owen has been doing great in his Cubbies class at AWANAs. We are so proud of him! I had the night off from teaching the two year olds, so Jeremy, Nosy and I were able to surprise O by attending his patching ceremony. (Patches are earned for memorizing a certain number of Bible verses.)

O is standing by his good friend, Justin, and you can barely see Oliver's sweet blond curls peeking out on O's other side.

Before the ceremony started, there was a puppet show, Bible story time and energetic song singing. We snuck in during the Bible story, accidentally making quite a commotion with rearranging chairs and Noah talking loudly. O was so absorbed in the story that he never even noticed our arrival! We had been there, sitting about ten feet from him, for fifteen minutes before he glanced our way. His face broke out in a huge smile, so excited was he that we came to watch.

The leaders call out each child one by one and announce which patches they have earned. There is much enthusiastic cheering and clapping for each kid. When Owie's name was called, near the end of the list, he ran as if he were sprinting for a gold medal. I have never seen his legs move so fast, arms pumping, face beaming. Oh, how I love that kid!

The Island of Kentucky, Lofty Aspirations, Etc.

Owie,

only two more super fast months until you turn FOUR. No matter how you say it, four seems BIG. There is nothing toddler about four at all. You have shown me this month that you are growing up quickly, by your actions and the funny things you say. You are growing up fast and wonderfully. I am so proud of you!

Here are some of the things you say that keep me laughing all day long:

Every morning you greet me with, "Is it Thanksgiving today?!" I can't even imagine how excited you'll be counting down to Christmas this year.

We found a huge mound of solidified concrete in the field where we explore. Without missing a beat, you yelled, "This is the Island of Kentucky!" Crazy. If we have ever mentioned Kentucky, it has been awhile.

We were building with blocks in the playroom. You announced that you were creating a brand new Chuck E. Cheese. I praised you for being such a great builder. "I am only a good builder on Mondays and Tuesdays, Mommy."

As for those lofty aspirations:

As we were driving past a cow pasture, you declared you wanted to be a "barner" when you grow up. "A 'barner?'" I questioned. "You know, the guy who takes care of the cows and horses in the barn. A 'barner.'" "Oh, sure. Okay, Owie."

Very shortly after that, you decided you want to be a "Bell Guy" when you grow up, as in the guy who rings the Salvation Army bell outside of Walmart. A very worthy cause, my Dear, but maybe not a life-long goal. "I think I will be a Bell Guy for next Halloween then...or maybe a tree." You crack me up, O!

After a run-in with No-nos:

"That makes me have a goose bump. When Noah hurt me. It made me have a goose bump."

Daddy and I are so proud of you , Owen. You are really showing signs of maturity, such as putting Noah above yourself (most of the time) and helping me without being asked. Your manners are coming along nicely, and I am so pleased with how you are being trained to obey cheerfully the first time. You are an amazing kid, O, and we are both so blessed to be entrusted with you for a little while. Love you, Son.

Adorning Our Bulletin Board

We have been working on some Thanksgiving crafts around the House of Halpin. My two faves earned places of honor upon our bulletin board.

Meet our Thankfulness Turkey. Every day as we count down to Thanksgiving, O thinks of something he is especially thankful for. I hope to do this each year to compare what he is thankful for from year to year. High on O's list: specific family members, sharing with No-nos and being shared with in return, and basketball goals.

We have been working for many days on our Kindness Quilt, inspired by a book of the same title. (I have an even greater appreciation for quilters after laboring over our paper version for hours!) We each drew pictures of times when we were kind, observed someone else being kind or received kindness ourselves. It was so heart-warming to watch the Brothers go out of their way to be kind to each other. Amazingly, the kindness has continued even after our project has been completed. Maybe we need to add squares to our quilt all year! I often pray that both my Boys will have a respect and self-sacrificing love for the other. Hopefully we are on the right track!

Our family of puppets is finally complete! They turned out so darling! O did an amazing job! I am now hunting for a shadow box to display these in O's room permanently.

Crafting with my kiddos is so much fun! I am thankful they seem to enjoy it every bit as much as I do.

Peek!

Cheers!