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.