A Stitch In Time For Christmas

I'd like to say we've had a good run in the Browning home, and that it's been a while since I posted about a child's trip to the hospital. But since it's only been about 6 months since Matthew's broken wrist I can't really say that. 

This (pictured above) was what we were doing about an hour into Ben's company Christmas party. Can't say what other Hannah Solar employees were up to about now. Serving another drink, maybe tapping a foot to the band, another helping from the buffet perhaps. Not us. No we were at Children's Healthcare awaiting 5 fresh stitches courtesy of a table made out of a solar panel approximately 42 inches high and an overactive 6.75 year old cursed with his mother's attention to, well, most anything. 

The rest of Christmas Matthew commiserated his new wound with Okay the Tokay, his Elf on the Shelf, who the next morning was suddenly sporting a sympathetic band-aid over his left eye, too. 

Christmas Chorus Crazy

Organized Silliness Eradicating Exercise prior to Christmas Chorus performance at the Walker Lower School. Too postable to stay unposted. 

Bootscootin' Day

Another Walker Volunteer Day success story. This was supposed to be the day I helped with Math Rotations. That's what I signed up for, but the Good Lord clearly knew that was no place for me. So he sent torrential rain showers on the day Bootscootin' Day had been planned for and in his infinite wisdom had the school reschedule it for my Math day. 

Thanks, God. 

And what a fun day it was. A few days after Halloween and these cuties were clearly still in full on dress up mode with their head-to-toe Cowboy gear, and Matthew sporting his first pair of authentic cowboy boots. Cheap Target brand would not do for this Texan at heart. The kids were so cute and awfully proud of their homemade (or rather school-made) hobby horses. Matthew's was named Dalphin. Exactly, "like Dolphin. But with an a."

And there was more than just cute boots and hats. There were western games, of course. 

Rope Toss where they tried to rope a calf, I mean, desk chair. 

Horseshoes. 

And Bandana Squeeze Relay where they soaked a bandana in water and had to wring it out in the bucket down the way and race back to their pard'ner. But it was about 45 degrees on this chilly November morning, and Matthew didn't have much interest in getting cold and wet. Can't imagine why...

Me and my handsome cowboy.

Dear Lord, I'm sure you've noticed by now, I've signed up for Math Rotations Mom again on March 3. If plague hits The Walker School, I'm sure I'll know the reason why. 

Amen.  

Another Whitlock Halloween

Halloween is always one of my most favorite times of the year. The south is finally enjoying it's long awaited reprieve from the steady heat of summer and early fall. The leaves dazzle with yellow, orange, red, brown and each variation in between. The excitement of the upcoming holiday season and time together brims the spirit weary from the long year. And the Brownings get to enjoy another Halloween in Whitlock Manor. 

When Ben and I enjoyed our first Halloween in the neighborhood in 2006 we had just moved in and were childless in those days. (If I can recall that far back.) And walking around the neighborhood - toters in hand - waving to the hay ride passengers and talking with neighbors who were doling out candy, hot dogs, beers, juices, smiles and "hey girl"s, we knew we were home. And each year I get that same sense of community on Halloween. 

Yoda, baby Lion, Ben and I headed to the neighborhood party for pizza, cookies and catch up with neighbors before joining forces with the Timkos for Trick-or-Treating. Their oldest, Katie Grace, lives on the street behind us, and she and Matthew are getting to be experts at crossing the bridge over our backyard creek to link up for their play-dates (parental guidance always present, never fear). They ran to each other with such joy you'd think they hadn't just seen each other that day in school! 

Henry wasn't so sure what to make of all the characters or his lion's mane for that matter, but enjoyed chasing the older kids and trying to eat their pizza. It turned pretty cold when it started to get dark, as I guess it should in near November. But neither that nor the rain drizzle that soon followed were enough to run us home. The kids enjoyed their candy hunt, and Matthew was exceptionally sweet to Henry and KG's little sister Ella. An epic candy haul was achieved as well the blissful sugar crash only a Halloween Friday night can bring. Another Whitlock Halloween success story. 

A Picking We Will Go

You know all those Atlanta yuppies who pile their kids in their SUV on a sunny fall day and drive up to the mountains to connect with a simpler, more country way of life? 

That's us.   

A few weeks ago we had a rare Sunday with no plans, and well I can't have that, so we headed up to Ellijay for the afternoon for a little apple picking and fall fun. 

Last time we went apple picking was 2 years ago before Henry came along. (Yeah this time last year with a 3-day old, for whatever reason, we were not riding around farms in wagons.) Last time we went to the farm that came highly recommended. There were inflatable jumpies, and porta-potties, and pig races, and pie-eating contests, and pony rides...and people. Oh the people. As we approached this time and saw the line of cars draw out for a mile, I turned to Ben and pleaded to find somewhere less...people-y. 

Turned the car around a mile or two and found R&A Apple Orchards. A family run apple orchard that had been in operation since shortly after WWII. This was more like it. Lunch, apple picking, pumpkins, homemade pies and fudge, and a wagon ride and orchard tour where our guide was the 12-year old granddaughter of the owner who knew EVERYTHING about apples. 

"A picking we will go! A picking we will go!"

It was a most gorgeous Georgia fall day. 

"Hey! Is this heaven?" 

"No...it's Ellijay." 

Henry wasn't about to be left out of the fun. 

Daddy showed him where applesauce comes from. 

Hey folks, sorry, gotta run. 

Mom and her boys. 

A rare foursome shot. 

Did I mention it was a most glorious Georgia fall day? 

Thank you Futch Family. See you again.
Same time next year. 

Henry Turns 365 Days Old!

I know. I did it again. Got distracted, busy, overwhelmed with daily lists, and confused in thinking that things like laundry and organizing the closet were more important than documenting and sharing the milestones in The Browning Family. But I am awake from my coma for a spell and ready to share a very big occasion we were recently blessed to celebrate with family and friends. 

Sweet baby Henry is 1! 

365 days have never gone so fast. Just yesterday I was pregnant and now we have a toddler. Just like that. 

And a wonderful toddler at that. 

Sweet and happy. Silly and funny. 

Physical, yet deliberate. Somewhat attached, yet adventurous and curious. 

He's our joy boy. 

And everyone wanted to celebrate this joy with us! Uncle Ted and Aunt Randle came for a rare and wonderful visit to help celebrate the big day. And we are so glad they did. It would not have been the same without them. We were so happy to be able to share a few days together, catching up, talking and playing. 

Matty saw to it there was plenty of playing. He and Uncle Ted invented something called "Swing Soccer." But having witnessed this, and now taken part myself, it's more like "Throw That Ball Right at My Moving Foot Soccer." Matty swings and laughs, you run around for the ball. The kid is truly a genius. 

Even more friends and family came around to sing Happy Birthday to Henry the afternoon of his party, including Mama P, Little Mimi, Amanda, Waylon...

...Cousin Ansley...

...Bop and Lovey...

...Sullivan...

...Katelyn...

...and Ryan!

It was a special party. Small and low-key but perfectly sweet just like the birthday boy himself! I tried to do this party a tad differently than my usual routine and not give myself a stroke over the planning details. And it worked. I learned it's more fun pretty much throwing it together in the last week or two. We're both growing up.

Mommy loves her birthday boy.

Pre-smashed cakes and decorations.

"Hoo is turning 1?"

Finally it was time for the big moment!
"I want cake! I want cake!"

"They're singing to me!?"

Daddy and Matty help Henry start digging in.

"Henry got icing on my shirt!"

"This stuff is interesting."

"Matty doesn't seem to approve of my approach."

Proper 1st birthday smash cake form.

"Just how blue do I have to get before she ends this madness?"

For those of you who like this sort of thing, here's a little something I like to call "Before."

And "After."

"Before."

And "After."

After the dust, tissues, bow and wrapping paper settled (if not the cake) Henry enjoyed a post party bottle and snuggle with Lovey.

Happy 1st Birthday Sweet Henry. 

You are loved.

Farmtastic Day

Matthew and I hopped in the car and casually headed to a classmate's birthday party one perfect autumn Sunday afternoon. Almost an hour later we arrived at The Art Barn. I had feared most of the drive I was certainly heading in the wrong direction; I was unprepared for how far our destination was. But it turns out it was more than simply "miles" away, and it was the perfect little getaway for the day. 

Surrounded by donkeys, sheep, pigs, chickens, bunnies, funky metal yard art and a clear Carolina blue sky we settled in for a good time. The kids had a blast brushing the donkeys, holding the bunnies, chicks and the eggs, talking to Pickles the Pig, and learning about the animals and muscadine grapes. And what trip to the farm would be complete without a tractor ride. 

After much fun near the Barn, it was time for the Art. The birthday girl wanted to paint a chicken so all the kids painted and laughed at the picnic tables under the shade of an arbor. Much more than a birthday party, this was just an all around Farmtastic Day! 

The kids learned never to stand behind a donkey. 

Matthew carefully holds a will-be baby chick.

Learning about muscadine grapes. 

Matthew and Caroline, the birthday girl. 

Thanks for coming. 

Now go.