Mowing, Art, Holidays and Trees

I mowed about a month ago.

(Real current I know.

But I haven't blogged for a month.

So bear with me.

Did you miss me?

I missed you all)

The bugs were crazy.

I swallowed two.

One went up my nose.

Another one tried to fly into my ear.

Plus there was a fly.

Buzzing.

Buzzing.

Buzzing.

Around my face.

I'm certain it was all fun for the neighbors to watch.

We went to a pumpkin patch this year.

This picture makes me laugh.

Halloween was fun.

Ryan and the little boys did some painting recently.

Ezzie painted a turkey.

I loved it.

And wanted to hang it up.

But he wanted to give it to a friend

who had broken her arm that night.

So we took it to her.

 Thanksgiving was fun.

Ezzie made a teepee at school.

And gave a speech about it.

His class also had a feast.

He was so excited he invited both grandmas to come too.

Jobie drew a thanksgiving feast.

We usually don't make key lime pie on Thanksgiving.

I did this year.

The house is decorated for Christmas.

Mostly.

I'm still changing a few things.

I let the little boys 

put the ornaments on the real tree this year.

That was hard for me.

Control freak.

Ryan doesn't like our real tree this year.
It's not big enough for his taste.
He likes to let it be known
that I'm the one that chose it.
The kids asked if we could return it.
Alright, so I'll admit it's not the best tree ever.
Next year I'll keep my mouth shut.
We'll see how they do without my input.

We have 4 trees this year.

Stupid?

Yes.

It's a long story...

Before Jobie started school,

he never drew pictures or colored.

Now he will disappear into his room

and come out with pictures like this.

He said this is mommy and daddy.

Daddy says I look hot.

I think we look crazy in love.

New Finds

I went to some garage sales last Friday.
Here's some of my more exciting finds.
Been looking for a round table for a couple of years.
Oh, I've found some.
For way too much money.
This one was marked $10.
I got it for $8.
It's a little scratched up.
And I would like it to be a little darker.
Not sure I want to paint it though.
And to strip it and refinish sounds like too much work.
Any other ideas?

A new toy box for the boys?
Or maybe something else.
Who knows.
It's on wheels.
And an old 7-Up crate.
Perfect for carrying condiments and silverware out to our fire pit.

The big oval tin is going to be a planter.
Gotta buy more flowers.
You don't see that, honey.
And the tall container is an old ballot box.
The slot at the top is where voters would drop their ballots.
Cool, huh?
Don't know what we're going to do with it.
But couldn't pass it up.
It was only $2.
Last year I told you about the chalk art festival.
Local artists create chalk art.
Donate them to a silent auction.
Which benefits Youthville.
We went again this year.
One of Ryan's friends did this piece.
Ryan's been looking for art for his office at work.
So he bid on it.
Then asked me to check on it throughout the week.
To make sure we weren't outbid.
I told him I forgot all about it.
Then surprised him with it for his Father's Day gift.
He had an idea that was what I was doing.
Apparently I'm not a good liar.
That's a good thing, I suppose.

The Self-Portrait

Ezra drew this picture a couple of weeks ago.Here's the conversation that has happened
at least three times since then.

Jobie:
Ezwa, is dat me?

Ezzie:
Does it look like you?
No!
Does it look like me?
Yes!
Clearly it's Ezra.
Why would Jobe ever think otherwise?
Three times.
He's a quick one, my youngest.