Tonight

Tonight was epic. Joel Husband is in Canada, and I did my usual breaking up of the evening in order to ensure Mommy's sanity.  We ordered food (thai) - and when we got home Mommy plied them with TV while I organized.  We had dinner, and then there was more TV for them.  I admit it, it is terrible. But the husband is away for many nights, and I am tired, and this is how I get by.  But, it works, for me - because we have a good hour of bedtime which is explained in the snip its here:

There were conversations at dinner:
James: "I'm going to marry Beatrice and Mariah."
Mommy: "you can only marry one person."
James: "I will marry Mariah and then go over Beatrice's house"

Then, there was after dinner entertainment:
The book: "The Day the Crayons Quit" was read in epic rendition by me.  Not joking here, an oscar worthy performance.

There was a massive pig-pile tickle fight involving Angus (because he was obviously sad to be left out claimed both boys).

While putting Joel Andrew to bed, he confided in Mommy that he was super scared of the ghosts.  I told him that Ghosts can't come in because Mommy sets the alarm, and if a Ghost tried to come in he would hear the alarm and he should just run right to me.  

Joel then asked, what if the ghost came in through the chimney.

Then, Mommy said, we have motion sensors.  I brought him to the motion sensor in our hallway, and told him it was red when we moved, if it was a ghost it would turn blue and the alarm would sound.

Joel seemed satisfied, but wanted a few minutes.

So.  We laid in his car bed listening to the sleepy music and then Joel so thoughtfully asked: "How does Santa Claus get in if we have the alarm?"

Mommy then said there are 4 things that can get in only because they are the best. Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and the Leprechaun (wouldn't have thought of this one but it was just St. Patty's day and the Leprechaun just peed in our toilet).

Joel said - that is because they are good and have a shield?

Yes, that is why.

So, hopefully, no waking up scared about the ghosts.

Not the most epic Mommy moments.  But the most epic Mommy night.  I'll take it, and hopefully remember it forever. 

James Morris, Olympic Skier

There has been a lot of posting about Joel Andrew lately, so I thought I would add something about my other guy - the fantastic skier, James Morris.

He is about to be 4, in a few months - and he is an amazing skier!  AMAZING!  It is actually quite scary.  The boy makes parallel turns, will conquer anything you send him down and is supper smiley and happy the whole time he is doing it.  He goes down blues with ease.  He loves, loves, it.  We are half expecting them to let him in River Runners next year, though we shall see.

The one problem, is he is still not yet 4 years old.  For everything he has in skiing talent, he lacks in paying attention.  When we take him down the crowded trails, he just goes - who cares if there are other people?  Quite scary and frustrating for me, of course.  We really NEED to work in this with him.  Luckily most of the time he just follows his brother and I can follow just behind.  Let's hope we can keep that up!

Glitter

Dear Art Teacher at School,

I received an unwelcome surprise when I looked through my son's take home folder today.  I had yet to open it up and see my arch nemesis.  But, alas, there it finally was.  Glitter.

Because I was unprepared for such a heinous act, the glitter now is all over my kitchen, my feet, my dog.

The Williams family shun glitter.  People who send us glitter cards for the holidays are put on a blacklist.  I understand you guys are all about fun and learning, but keep that crap in the classroom.

Now I am faced with the crazy dilemma of what to do with my son's handmade artwork, with his handprint on it.  Like I didn't have enough of a struggle of what to do with his artwork already, and now you throw this kink in.

I know, I will send it to Nana and Pa.

Final Joel Andrew Photos, Munich

I said the whole time we were in Munich that Joel needed to take more photos.  The ones below are all we got off his camera.  He was too comfortable with his surroundings, didn't need to take pictures anymore I guess!  Alas, at least we have Venice and Vienna to enjoy!

Joel Andrew's Photos of Venice

See full description of these images by visiting the next post on Joel Andrew Photos, Vienna below…  But, here is a glimpse of Joel Andrew's view of Venice:

Joel Andrew's Photos

When we went to Europe, we gave Joel Andrew one of our old Digital Cameras and let him run crazy with it.  He took 400+ pictures of the trip.  When we were walking around and he was bored, we would pull out the camera and he would spring forth with new life and excitement!  Sometimes he took 90 pictures of his stuffed animal and backpack in our hotel room, and sometimes he took some awesome every day shots.  I think I have a Museum exhibit on my hands here!

Here are some shots from Austria first…  There are a ton, but I wanted to share some Joel Andrew originals with you today, keep in mind - all photos were taken by him:

See some common themes?