Merry Christmas from the Metcalfes!

In no particular order....our Christmas day!! :)

 a ba-jillion pieces

 actually reading the directions

 all done!

 just chillin'

 enjoying watching my brothers dig into new toys

 testing out the loader

 matchy shirts...can't help myself!!

 Lunch at Grandmother and Papa's home

"Christmas pajamas" this year were whatever I had in the color red. Hand-me-downs and 2 sizes-too-big have no affect on sweet dreams! ;)

4 Months...

     Daniel Asher is 4 months old...ALREADY? Where has the time gone. Oh yeah I remember. I've been chasing a preschooler and a toddler. Learning the art of potty training, changing diapers and swiping gooey noses... oh and chiseling dried oatmeal off the kitchen table and the floor and the highchair and the chair-the-highchair-sits-in and the bowl that never made it to the sink. Next time I need a concrete slab poured, I'll just stop by SAM'S and pick up a box of instant oatmeal! So while life scurries onward and I slowly regain a few more minutes of sleep each night, my newest addition has begun to explore the world around him.

 IGNORE my face, focus on the baby smile!!!

 At 4 Months:
1. Mommy and Daddy can't decide what to call me still: Daniel, Asher, Baby Asher, the baby, him, yes that one, Baby Daniel... it will be official when mommy busts out the Modge Podge and decorates wooden letters to go on the wall.
2. I can roll from tummy to back.
3. I prefer to sleep on my tummy(no lectures) and don't mind playing on my tummy as long as I haven't just eaten.
4. I have chubby cheeks and one irresistible dimple on my left cheek. I have really chubby legs. SO.CUTE.
5. I smile anytime some talks to me.
6. I laugh and gurgle and cooh.
7. I reach for toys and make a bee-line to my mouth. My big brother David is already a good teacher in sharing. He makes sure I always have a toy next to my face or on my face if playing close by.
8. I'm already attached to a blankie and love to grab it or have it snuggled next to my cheek in the car seat.
9. I'm also my mom's best bud. Since I'm still a nursing baby I go where mommy goes.  I've been an excellent Christmas shopper. The sweet 'ol ladies go ga-ga over my smiles and the old men are quick to hold the door for my mommy!

Love. Cherish. Smother in kisses. Nurture. Scrub. Pamper. Nourish. Cherish. Love.

Avoiding the Christmas Madness

Looking for a way to make a difference, not just in donations, but in the gifts you give to others during this Season of Giving? A true blogger and sister in Christ compiles a list of families and/or companies selling items that make great gifts and whose proceeds benefit a most WONDERFUL cause!

GO HERE and CHECK IT OUT!!!

" Every shop on this list represents a family or ministry raising money for adoption and orphan care.  This Christmas take your gift-giving to the second power by buying gifts from these families." -Vitafamaliae

The Dancing Lady

     This story I'm about to unfold is worth more than gold itself. It has literally pulled me out of my hiatus from stagnant unmotivated blogging with a force! Sit back and enjoy!!! ;)

     For me having children has been engrossed with snotty noses, diaper changes,  and more diaper changes. Samuel is finally emerging into quite the charismatic preschooler with a million questions that no answer can satisfy. He is also at the age where what he is thinking slips right of his mouth with an innocent twang. This evening we decided to do something quite crazy. TAKE the children with us to a fine dining establishment. Bonefish Grille is usually reserved for birthdays, anniversaries, and a babysitter is always prearranged. But after fighting Christmas crowds we lost a couple of marbles and arrived at 4:30 before the dinner rush. As per habit, we always make 2 trips to the bathroom with a 3 year old. At the beginning and end of the meal. I volunteered for the end.
Here is our chain of events:

     We enter the ladies room and wait patiently for our turn. Nice lady comes out of stall, we go in stall. Nice unsuspecting lady begins to wash her hands.

Samuel: Is she the cooker mommy?
Me: no, she is a customer. She is eating here just like we did.
Samuel: She doesn't cook?
Me: I don't know Samuel, but this time she came to eat like we did.
Samuel: well is she the dancing lady?
(nice lady is still washing hands right outside the stall)
Me: Cough, catch my breath, shhhhhhh, Samuel. Let's not talk so loud. How old are you Samuel?
Samuel: mommy is she not the dancing lady?
Me: Flush toilet...flush again. Peek outside. Sigh in relief. Nice lady is gone.

     WHERE DID MY THREE YEAR OLD SON GET THE IDEA THAT A DANCING LADY IS PART OF THE DINNER ENTERTAINMENT?!?!?!?!?!?

#1 embarrassing moment since having children...it has begun!!!