it's the most wonderful time of the year

Okay so frequency is not my forte. 

There's a sign I see for sale in cutesy shops that says, "Pardon our mess.  My children are making memories."  Let's just say my house is a wreck. 

November just flew.  Basketball practice and games every weekend, birthday parties, swimming, and football games (high school, Bama, and our Titans)... and then of course Thanksgiving.  It was an exciting month, though!  Lots to report.

He'd have been so perfect for the 80s

Swimming wears this one out!

His first of many pancake breakfasts

Our first snow of the year - in October!?

"Leafs!"

Mighty proud of his coast guard creation

at the Titans game - but mostly just paying attention to the bowl of M&Ms

These two love each other so very much.

Cheese!

Early in November, we found ourselves fighting yet another round of ear infections for Matty, which was finally the last straw.  He got tubes soon after and he seems so very much happier.  Once all that gunk was gone he could balance himself; he began walking within days.  He did end up with bronchiolitis again but it never turned into an ear infection, as it has done a dozen times before.  He got over it quickly and moved right along.  He is still gaining confidence on his feet but clearly enjoys his new perspective. It took some weeks for him to grow accustomed to socks and shoes since he'd been barefoot since birth, but now he finds random socks around the house and tries to put them on, regardless of their size.  If he sees me at the shoe bin, he bolts over to get his shoes on.  He adores his big brothers and can't stand staying on the sidelines.  He wants in whether it's a wrestling match, a playground game or a snack.  Especially snacks.

The snackiest boys you'll ever meet

He still only has 6 teeth, which had been an issue for eating.  Now he's gotten a taste of the good stuff and figured out a way to chow down on crackers and nuggets and pasta and pizza.  Thank goodness I don't have to rely on baby food pouches to get his fruits and veggies anymore.  Although he does love his applesauce! 


I have said from the start that Matty is a smiley boy but this past month he seems to have really come into his own.  Maybe the walking, maybe the tubes, maybe just the age -- he is happy as can be.  He went though a (thankfully) brief phase of banging his head on anything and everything - fits and tantrums.  Now it's all fun and games.  He sneaks that pudgy bare foot up onto the kitchen table while he eats, all the while watching me and smirking.  He scrunches his nose and smiles with his eyes... he's just so happy and precious! 

Waving to his brothers at swimming lessons

Pre-haircut ;)

Our extended family has grown a little bit in the past month, too.  My mom married her longtime beau while on vacation in Colorado. She still splits her time between Texas and Louisiana - and Nashville too, I guess! We also have a big wedding coming up in August.  Hayes's sister McCall is now engaged to "Uncle Jay" and they are in the throes of planning.  It's funny to think back about how exciting a time that was for me, yet also so very stressful.  You don't realize how much goes into that process until you do it yourself.  You don't know how fun it is, either! 

Thanksgiving began with Grandparents Day at Peter's school, which brought Reenie and Nanny into town for the festivities.  Peter was so excited to show off Ensworth and perform "Over the River and Through the Woods" in the musical program. 

With Nanny, McCall and Jay all celebrating elsewhere, our Turkey Day was quiet.  Reenie fed us a small feast and we settled in for a football weekend.  Not much shopping was done, but we took the big boys to see a movie and tinkered around the house.  Our big feast was Saturday night once McCall and Jay returned, and after our house divided suffered through the "most thrilling college football game in the history of college football."  As Jay and McCall both attended Auburn, they were very happy.  Hayes and Tommy, not so much.

Of course with the passing of Thanksgiving comes the onslaught of all things Christmas.  We hauled all the loot down from the attic, trimmed the tree and decked the halls.  Our elves, Flapperjinks and Sam, arrived from the North Pole with very specific instructions for the kids.  Get along.  Be kind.  Take care of each other.  Shouldn't be so hard, right!?  Right?!  We have seen glimpses of peace in which the boys are all playing quietly either alone or together.  Sharing, not picking, not arguing... bliss.  Short-lived, but bliss nonetheless. Matty is quite a train lover, much to Davis's dismay.  He hasn't had much competition for trains and tracks until now, so I've been busy building tracks massive enough for two kids to crawl around.  Davis has a habit of wanting something only after Matthew picks it up.  So he yanks it, which causes Matthew to scream and grunt and roar as his brothers have modeled so lovingly.  I'm actually glad that we have so many trains and tracks now - plenty to go around. 

Anyway, the elves.  Mischief makers in their own right.  Take a look!

This is a magical year for both Peter and Davis.  We have done some dealing with Santa and decided to change up our Christmas routine this year.  Hayes and I will give the want, need, wear, and read presents.  Santa is going to leave one pile of presents for the family instead of individual piles for each boy.  Frankly, everyone ends up using everything anyway - even the baby toys carry a sort of novelty for the big boys.  We'll see how that goes.  Maybe it'll cut down on the "...but Santa gave that to ME three years ago!" types of commentary. 

I am thrilled to report to that I am just shy of being finished with all the shopping and preparation for the Christmas hullabaloo and therefore I'm just shy of being able to relax and enjoy the magic and wonder of the season.  It's going to be a good one.