We're home

"Since he doesn't have an ID, I need him to tell me his name."
"Ok. Tell him your name, buddy."
"D.J."
Under the stern glance of the security guard I say, "No, that's a car, tell him your name."
"Lightning McQueen, ca-chow"
"No sweetie, tell him your name."
"Thomas"
"Nope, that's a train, tell him your name."
"Leo"
The security guard is still seriously not letting us through.
"I'm 3, and my name is Noah" he finally says.
I let out an exasperated breath and the guard waves us on with the tiniest bit of a smile on his lip.

This was the scene last summer when I flew to Washington with the boys. This time the boy was well trained. Said his name before he was even asked, put his shoes in the bin, and knew he'd get his backpack back.

It was a long day. Two flights to get you from Salt Lake to Detroit. But the kids did great. They both did a lot of this...


And a little bit of this...


Now it is time for us to unpack this mess and get back to this Michigan life. Good night!

Merry Christmas

Birth Story

Gage Christian born July 14, 2007

My Lovely Lindsay friend is doing a week's worth of birth stories on her blog. Gage's story is today, day 4, read it here. Scroll down to read her first post to start the series, it's beautiful.

A Good Deed

After he shoveled the sidewalk and brushed all the snow off our car, little Noah started work on the neighbor's.

(Yes, I am taking this picture from inside the front door with warm slippers on my feet.)

The Feast

Every day leading up to Thanksgiving Noah and I thought about something we were gratful for. His was written down on a feather, gluesticked to a paper turkey and proudly displayed on the fridge.

Mine were sometimes spoken, sometimes not.
Most days my grateful had to do with one of these pilgrims. Grateful for a thoughtful boy. Grateful that Gage's cough was better. Grateful that I checked my temper when the snowglobe (that I bought to replace a friend's after an exciting playdate) was hucked down the basement stairs. Grateful for the honor to mother these two.

We had a great feast Thanksgiving day. Friends came over to eat our first ever turkey. We used Grammee's crystal glasses, ate apple crumb pie and I even used a tablecloth. We were very fancy.

And of course in the morning we ran this


and then Dave played an injury free football game with friends. We are very grateful.

Snow and a Museum

The first snow sent Noah running into our room with the morning sun barely peeking, squealing "Is it Christmas?! There's snow!"

Amazing how much that big white blanket changes things. Everything becomes exciting and playful to a 3 year old. Before breakfast he was dressed, snowsuited up and had made the first of many snowmen.


He zooms out to the car when its time to go knowing he gets to brush the snow off. He does "his job" of shoveling about 5 times a day very very happily. He digs Daddy's boots out of the closet when it starts to get dark, knowing he'll be home soon to play. He's even quick to fetch the head lamp if he knows he'll get to play longer and is generous in helping up a fallen baby.


To me being inside is suddenly more cozy and things slow down. I spend more time on my little projects, stay in my pjs just a little longer. But eventually I have to start thinking of a good indoor activity for the boys. The other day we went to a great museum with some friends.



I was surprised we hadn't discovered it yet. It was close, free and had great exhibits - tons of big, shiny, colorful things for the boys to look at.

Yes, they are holding hands. And yes, they are adorable.

Another Courageous Lion and his Monkey brother

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate
The first one said, "My, its getting late."
The second one said, "There are witches in the air."
The third one said, "We don't care."
The fourth one said, "Let's run and run and run."


The fifth one said, "We'll sure have fun."


Then whoosh went the wind
And out went the light


And five little pumpkins rolled out of sight.

Happy Halloween!