Mommas, {Don’t} Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys

While Husband was traveling a couple of weeks ago, the kids and I went home for a visit. We got to do all kinds of fun things, but I think Caedmon’s favorite was riding a horse.

He knew he was going to get to ride at horse at Cini and Papa Duke’s, and we hadn’t been there very long before he was asking to get on a horse.

Levi saw him riding and came down to have a chat on horseback.

Mom and Honor were supervising.

Honor got to sit on Honey for just a minute. She was too busy to sit still somewhere, even if the horse could move.

While we were there, Caedmon got to ride several more times.

He rode with Aunt Squirt on her barrel horse, Kai.

We went to a playday that some friends of Mom and Dad hosted, and Caedmon got to ride in the arena with Dad. He ate. it. up.

Caedmon finally got an official riding lesson from Aunt Squirt.

And then he was riding on his own! And so excited!

It did my heart good to see Caedmon on a horse and loving every second of it. I grew up riding horses and I’m so excited that Caedmon not only got to ride, but that he loves it. Riding horses is so much more than just a “fun thing”. It teaches so many principles, consideration of others, and reinforces a good work ethic. Caedmon won’t be able to ride all the time, but I’m thankful he has the opportunity.

Though Honor didn’t ride a horse, she was ready. Before we left for our trip, Husband bought her these babies.

To say she loves them would be an understatement, don’t you think?

We had a lot more fun while we were – including meeting our brand new Cousin C! But that will have to wait for another time.

Cookie Love

Last week, I sent some special boxes to NLB and Squirt. Yes, I am contributing to the “Freshman 15” on two campuses in two different states.

Their request was for cookies, of course. So cookies it was.

Chocolate Chip.

Mini M&M.

And Oreo-stuffed Chocolate Chip.

They looked like some sort of alien cookie, but they were so good. (Of course I had to make a few for us!)

I also sent them some hot chocolate mix and marshmallows. And Caedmon included some special artwork.

(Caedmon also included some “scissor art” for Coe, NLB’s roommate and our “other brother.” After I mentioned that NLB would be sharing his cookies with Coe, he specifically wanted to make some artwork for Coe. I thought it was kinda sweet.)

Caedmon carried Squirt’s box into the Post Office. He was so proud of himself. They’ve both received their packages and are enjoying the contents. We were glad to be able to send them some love in the form of sugar and chocolate.

Cousin Day at Mom and Dad’s

Honor got to meet Cousin E for the first time the other day. We all ended up at Mom and Dad’s for the afternoon and had a great time letting the Aunts, Uncle, and Grandparents wear our boys out while the girls hung out together.

Cousin E (1 1/2 weeks) and Honor (8 weeks)…6 weeks difference in age is a big deal right now. Very soon, it won’t be.

Cousin Q was getting ready to go swimming with Caedmon.

He didn’t really want to get in…he thought putting his feet in was just fine for a while. Caedmon swam with Fidget until she had to go to work.

Mimi and Dad supervised from their shaded spot.

Uncle HLB stopped by on his lunch break and loaded up the water gun.

Aunt Trump and Honor hung out inside, out of the heat.

Then the boys took their water gun fight to the trampoline.

Oh, but Caedmon wasn’t done swimming. He convinced Aunt Squirt to get in with him.

And then Q decided to get in, so Mom got in with Caedmon and Squirt swam with Q.

They paused for a while and Caedmon helped Squirt water her horses.

But he refused to take off his swim vest. Because that meant swimming was over. He was not done. He and Squirt ended up back in the pool for a while. I think Caedmon wore out three people that day – besides himself. He was one tired little boy when we got home. And that’s the way I like it.

Lots of Love for NLB

**I set this to auto-publish, not knowing if we would have power at home this morning to do it myself. Last night when I went to bed, we were expecting by now to be in the midst of what everyone around here is lovingly referring to as “Snowpocalypse ‘11.” My motto is this: “Ice isn’t nice.” We’re just hoping that we get less ice and more snow because not only would that be more fun, it would mean a lot fewer power outages for everyone involved.**

As we prepare for NLB to head to the Sand Box, we decided one last big family dinner was the way to go. Everybody was able to make it, thus the reason Mom & Dad’s yard looked like a used car lot on Sunday.

Yes, there are 12 vehicles. Just think what it would look like if we invited extended family and not just “us”!

We all hung out until lunch was ready.

Dad and Grade A discussing deep things with Papa…like fishing.

Deputy Guy was trying to watch something on TV. Quite a feat with that bunch.

Fidget (who is home from military school…for a while, anyway) deeply involved in a text.

Mom, cookin’ in the kitchen with Mimi taking her photo. NLB was having a meaningful convo with Curly.

Trump took the little guys outside for a bit.

And there had to be some goofiness.

And wrestling.

And eating.

And somehow, Mom was still in the kitchen. Don’t worry. She did eventually sit down and eat.

But then came the most painful thing of all. Pictures. Where we all had to stand still. And be nice. And pretend to like each other and stuff.

Trump wasn’t too keen on being lined up on the front row with the preggo girls.

(Fidget, NLB, HLB, Squirt; Trump, Curly and me)

Mom was trying to direct traffic.

Just for a brief second, we were all there (minus Cousin Q – he was napping).

(Back: NLB, Grade A, Deputy Guy, Husband, HLB, Fidget. Front: Trump, Curly, me, Caedmon, and Squirt)

And then we added more people. This is as good as it got.

(Everybody plus Mimi and Papa Sam, Mom and Dad)

Those of us who remained after all the picture-taking torture put the little guys down for naps and played cards. And ate more. It’s what we do.

We’ll miss you, little brother. Be careful over there and give those who participate in malfeasance for malfeasance’s sake a whoopin’. Stay safe and come home to us, preferably all in one piece. I will hold up my end of the bargain by praying daily for your safety and sending cookies (not daily). Caedmon will miss his wrestling buddy. I’m sure you’ll have lots of fun things to teach him when you get home and your niece will be old enough to give you some slobbery smiles.

Most of all, remember who you are, where you come from, to Whom you belong, and that we love you!