the great outdoors

We've just returned from Grandma and Grandpa's where Jed spent almost every waking minute outdoors, and today was no different: he came downstairs dressed, saying he was ready to go outside. Given that it was 25 degrees and still not very light, he had to wait a little while. Mama and Grandma must fuel-up on coffee first, young man! 

He acquired a football and properly scaled tennis racket while we visited, and he's learned to remember and recognize certain landmarks, such as the Sauratown Mountains, as signals that we're approaching Grandma and Grandpa's house. Thanks to Teddie for providing a stop and dinner on the way home today! 

finally . . .

 . . . some new pictures.

Grandma has graciously passed down her Flexible Flyer. Too bad it was 65-degrees today. But we're ready when the weather changes. 

all the comforts of home

Jed: I'm building this house. It will be done in no time at all.

Me, absently: Wow, great.

Jed: It is for you. This house is for you.

Me, still kind-of absently: Thanks, buddy.

Jed: Yeah. It will have all the things you like in it.

Me: Oh, yeah?

Jed: Yeah. It will have a tool bench and a[n] airplane and a rescue pack.

calling all Jeds!

Today at the library, we stumbled across a book called The Toy Farmer. In Jed's words, the main character is a little boy named, "J-e-d. That spells Jed."

tennis anyone?

Back in December, Jed discovered my tennis bag while we were dragging out Christmas decorations. My rackets have been hibernating for a couple of years, but recently, I have been thinking about playing again, so when he started harassing me about the bag again yesterday, I finally got it out for him. Thankfully, I still have my old rackets, which are suitable for contact with dirt, bricks, the steps, etc. We started with the larger ball seen here, but progressed to an actual tennis ball. Jed's personality does not lend itself to coaching, but I did get him into a better form and marginally better grip by the end of our "lesson." 

two of our favorite things

the cost of doing business

Yesterday, I got about an hour in the kitchen without "help." With this precious time, I made risotto. 

But there's no such thing as a free lunch, or supper in this case . . . 

Yes, it was worth it.

birthday fun

Two of our Wilson cousins have birthdays in January, so we were delighted to attend their birthday party over the weekend at an indoor play-space. Macon loved the "tot lot," monitored by Aunt Judy, and Jed had a blast in the giant climbing structure. Happy Sixth Birthday, Katie and Happy Second, Lily! 

Macon with birthday girl Lily! 

weekend pictures

ready for work

ready for a backhand slice

ready for rescue

reading on the steps

here I come

here I am

jed said

Me: Stop messing with the computer!

Jed: But I was just reading this article 'bout the dot com and seeing 'bout how that was going.

kicks for the kid

In yet another rite of passage that hurt my heart just a tiny, tiny bit, Jed and I took Macon to get his first pair of real shoes today. So far, he seems to dig them. 

Look, Mama! Even the bottoms are cool! 

Standing taller, but still not so accurate with the Elmo-phone-to-ear placement.

And yes, he really is "talking" on the "phone." He holds it to the back of his head and jabbers away.

kicks up close

Raisin' the roof for shoes! 

delivering

Yesterday, Jed told me he was going to "write some notes to some of my friends" and then be a mailman and deliver them. After fully informing me of his plans, he set to work. 

writing

Ready to deliver . . . 

but he delivered Macon's lunch instead.