Assortment

Enough

Among all the holiday preparations, planning, and making, there is a time for enough.  It's a good place to be.  It is peaceful. 

I've done more than I planned, though I may not have done all I  intended.  There were moments where laughs exploded and hearts were touched.  There was early morning quiet, and evening time commotion.  There were those gifts that you couldn't wrap with brown paper, or tie with white string. 

Some gifts for giving are still in my mind.  They will stay there for next time, and that's alright.  Because this is enough.

Have a wonderful Christmas

 

Fly Boys

Leather caps are fastened.  Goggles are adjusted.  Silk scarves are blowing in the wind.  It's a good day for flying, boys.

Just as the musketeer hoopla was winding down around here, it was time to begin the run-up for an Aviator Party.  It seems that we had a boy who had outgrown 5, and was ready to try 6 on for size.  First on the checklist was building his very first model airplane.  And not just any old airplane, either.  It was a P-51 Mustang.  If you don't know, a P-51 Mustang is the best of the best; the coolest of the cool.  I mean, this is the kind where all you have to do is close your eyes, and you're there in the cockpit, controls in your hands, G's pressing you into your seat, the deep-throated rumble of the radial engine sounding as sweet as your mama's lullaby.  That kind of cool.   

He was thrilled with his P-51 Mustang, yes, but he didn't know he had another thing coming.  Get your caps, goggles, and scarves, boys, and head to the backyard, cuz there's something you've gotta see. 

How about a P-51 Zipline?  It's not a P-51 Mustang, to be sure, but from the looks on their faces when they saw the new zipline cable stretching from the top of the playset to the far side of the yard, the P-51 Zipline would do just fine.  Afterall, pilots have to fly, don't they?  Yes.

They have to fly...

 

... and fly...

... and fly...

...until dark. 

So dark, in fact, that getting a good photo of the birthday cake was a bit hard.  We did, though, get a few pictures of that cool P-51 Mustang strafing the enemy hiding in the snowy trees. 

It was a great day.  The best birthday ever--or so I was told. 

Six.  It fits just right.

All For One & One For All!

Stick a feather in a hat, and you are ready for a party!  But, this isn't Yankee Doodle.  Oh, no.  It's time to thrust your weapon into the air and shout, "All for one, and one for all!" Because the Musketeer birthday has finally come!

But, first you have to have a cake. Wait! No--a castle!  Yes!  A krispy treat castle.  And, of course, the birthday boy is the assistant castle builder, because he can do so many more things, now that he's four. 

This castle needs lots of sprinkles.  Lots.  There's no better time than a birthday for a little excess.

Brick by brick by brick.  Up goes the caste. Then, into the frig to await it's shining moment.

Three very excited boys are herded into their bedroom while they breathlessly await the biggest reveal of the day.  Finally, their tingling ears hear "You may come out now!" 

There, lined up on the couch they found just what it was that mama had been working on behind closed doors all that time.  Three Musketeer costumes!!   Their clothes went flying.

Here they are, in all their strength and bravery...

...Musketeer #1...

...Musketeer #2...

...Musketeer #3...

All villains, scoundrels, thieves, blackguards, knaves, rascals, rogues, scamps, and rapscallions: Beware!  These little tuffies are ready, willing, and able.

At the end of a day of tough battles, and daring acts of chivalry, it's time for the candles, the song, and the waving of the flag atop the krispy treat castle.

Happy Birthday #4, Keane!