a love affair begins

Given the large number of wheeled toys we own, it's not surprising that Macon is already registering joy and wonder when he sees trucks and firetrucks. Yesterday at Jed's favorite park, he finally got behind the wheel himself and love blossomed. 

like a fish in water . . . 

Hey, ladies, wanna ride? 

Aw, come on, man. Use your mirrors. Have some pride. 

sunday

The boys have colds. Multiple overnight wakings have slowed Mama and Daddy down, but the boys are running (mostly) at full steam. 

certainly, Macon's appetite hasn't suffered

playing works up a thirst 

nope, won't fit

maybe I can hide the dog's collar in here . . . 

And outside, we made a "pond" from which Pilot Jed could dip water for fighting forest fires.

yes!

Gray hair in the "news"! Click here, all you blondies and brunettes!

bunny love

One of our neighbors has a pet rabbit that hangs out on the porch. Thanks to today's warm sun, the bunny was receiving visitors. 

Friends of St. Philip's

The first Friends of St. Philip's meeting will be held on Sunday, February 26 at 2 p.m. at Germanton Methodist Church in beautiful downtown Germanton. If you're interested in keeping the building where it is, I hope you can attend.

captive play

Recently, we shifted our office/craft room into the guest room, leaving a small square room free to be used as an upstairs playroom. This morning, I had Macon contained in there while Jed was brushing his teeth and getting dressed. Once Jed was all set, I started to take the baby gate down, but Jed wanted it to stay so he and Macon could be in there together. I'd be a fool not to comply with such a request, and they played happily for at least 30 minutes, which is an eternity for such! 

Despite this image, they were both pretty content with their captivity.

working hard

Last week, our oven conked out. Yesterday, Craig of Craig's Appliance Service came to fix it. He got us cooking again at a reasonable price, but the best part of his work was his time with Jed. He patiently answered every single question Jed asked, and seemed genuinely happy to have him hold the flashlight. 

In Macon news, if you ask him where his nose is, he will, if so inclined, point to your nose or to the side of his head. When asked about his mouth, he's a bit more accurate and will point to his own mouth or try to pry his fingers into your mouth. Given that he just put his hands in the toilet, that's maybe not as fun as it sounds.

st. philip's (and grandma!) in the news

out and about

playing peek-a-boo around the corner

and then to the great outdoors . . . 

where poor Winston just wanted to catch a few winks

happy birthday, grandma!

Happy Birthday from all of us!

(I didn't think he was supposed to be sullen for about 12 more years.)

St. Philip's

When Eric and I planned our wedding, I insisted on a ceremony in a beautiful building. My home church, Germanton Baptist, is a lovely congregation and the building is fine, but I'm an architectural historian and as such, the building's architecture and history were very important to me.

Thus, we walked down the aisle at St. Philip's, a nearly unaltered gem of Carpenter Gothic craftsmanship. Now, that church is seriously threatened. The Episcopal Diocese has made plans to sell the property to Germanton Baptist, deconstruct St. Philip's, cart it 100 miles east, and recreate it in Carrboro.

The Diocese's need to divest themselves of a congregation-less church is understandable, but the local community was never approached. But, in fact, solutions that allow the Diocese to unburden itself while keeping the building on its current site or at least in the town do exist.

Click here to read a story from today's Winston-Salem Journal. 

I've penned my letter to the Bishop, and if this blog post breaks your heart, too, I hope you'll do the same. Contact information for the Bishop of North Carolina can be found here while contact information for the Church of the Advocate (the congregation planning to swipe our building) can be found here.

me want remote

I see that which I love best. 

Let me make tracks . . . 

Ha ha! Got it! 

Mine! Mine! Mine! 

Oh, remote control! How do I love thee? Let's run away together. 

To the coffee table! 

Remote, are you playing hard to get? 

Don't worry, remote. You'll never get out of my reach. 

WHAT? How did you get all the way over there? 

Never say never, little Macon. 

NOT FAIR! NOT FAIR! 

Zoology Lesson From Jed

We learned today from Jed that there are two different kinds of bears.  Teddy Bears and Polar Bears.

Who knew?

happy birthday to me!

Yesterday was my birthday. We are a low-key birthday folk, but this year, it did feel much more like a celebration. For the first time, I attended a Groudhog Day event because part of my monthly volunteering at Jed's school involved taking the the one-year-olds to see Sir Walter Wally. 

Then, in the best gift of all, Eric came home from a two-week trip to Chicago two days early, and a few hours after this beautiful bouquet of flowers arrived from him. He came to school to pick up Jed and I wish I'd had my camera: Jed's face lit up and he sprinted across the playground and jumped into Eric's arms.

 

After supper, Jed was in a panic to have birthday cake. To him, a birthday without cake (meaning without cake for him to eat), was unacceptable so we headed out for a cupcake. I was a bit worried about the pre-bedtime sugar rush, but neither boy seemed too wound up and they slept quietly all night long. Happy birthday, indeed!