Cabin Fever

Myles' school was closed for a week due to snow. And after you play in the snow a bit and are trapped inside, ya find some stuff to pass the time. Besides the normal matchbox cars, constructions trucks, LEGOS, blocks, books...

Homemade Edible Fingerpaint...

Because of this kid.
(he eats stuff)

Zombie Baby Wants a Kiss

Tower of Diapers

Watching the Snow

"Aquarium" made from diaper box

And if you're really feeling industrious, you give Ollie his first haircut. I loved his long curls. And I didn't even mind all the "She's so beautiful" comments he received. But it was in his eyes and he was rubbing them all the time to get the hair out, so...

Beautiful Luxurious "Before"
(this is his back, by the way, not his hidden face.)

Fun Spiky "After"

No longer luxurious curls, but still adorable

It Snowed

Snowy Frozen Pond

It snowed for a week. Although Myles had seen snow before, he didn't really remember. And neither Ollie nor Clayton had ever seen snow. It was quite a chilly treat for all!

A Fan of the Snow

M&O Visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

On a cold Sunday in January, we visited a National park & went on a short hike. 

At the Visitors Center

Wanting Out

Big Mountain, Small Boy

This kid's joy erupts in little bursts. He's the best.

Myles Gets an Ant Farm, Greg Gets a Frog

Greg has been working with all types of animals lately. Some make their way to our home. As a result, Myles now has an ant farm.

New Ant Farm

However, we do not have a frog.

That being said, this is the biggest frog I've ever seen "in real life." It can't hop. It just sorta crawls. Its girth is mainly air. It's the kind that some people lick so they can hallucinate. This frog was completely unlicked.

Myles & Ollie Visit the Children's Museum of ATL

Myles looks concerned. This is b/c he is holding Ollie's leg & doesn't want him to fall.
 It's hard to babysit AND drive a tractor, y'all.

We took a day to visit the Children's Museum of ATL & it was well worth the 5 hour round trip travel time. This place is great - all things completely hands on & interactive & what an amazing real learning experience-made-fun looks like. It also looks a little like bedlam. I didn't see anyone with more than one child who didn't have childcare help (either more than one parent or a friend) b/c it was crazy. Ya gotta play it one-on-one - b/c one kid runs one way & the other kid runs the other and you just give your spouse a knowing nod & hope you run into them again somewhere along the interactive farm-to-table experience or the fish-for-your-dinner pond or the place where everyone stashes their strollers & trusts that no one wants to steal their sippy cups. 

It was a chilly walk to the museum, but Ollie was prepared

farmers love tractors as do kids

Ollie shops for the food he grew on his farm

Myles loves produce

He is planning a very lemony meal

I didn't get a picture of it, but this "farm to table" exhibit was so cool. Not only did it include harvesting food & caring for farm animals, delivering boxes of food onto conveyor belts and stocking the grocery store, but it ended where kids "prepare the meal" from all the food in this huge kitchen & serve it to one another in a big restaurant. 

Really cool, really cute.

go fish

Here is where you climb into Earth. Myles made it all the way to top
before he realized he was too short for the last part. Which is a poor design if you ask me. 

Both boys had a blast as did Greg & I. That place was so much fun - Greg & I raved about it the rest of the day. We also commented on how nicely all of the children behaved. There were a few who weren't keen on sharing or waiting their turn for things, but for the most part, every child I saw was really kind & considerate & offered help to Myles and Ollie when noticing they were smaller than many of the other children. So, basically a few goobers, but mostly awesome - just like "real life", in my opinion. 

Meanwhile in Texas...

An entire little TX town, all lit up for the holidays!

 As some of you know, Greg & I had talked of leaving CA for the east coast many times, but what always made us hesitate was Banzai the hyena. Greg was the only trainer she accepted and they had a significant bond. She was his baby & he was her dad. She was unwilling to work with other trainers without Greg present. We knew if we moved that she'd require a new home & Greg was vigilant and diligent in making sure she was in good hands. He chose the Frenchak Zoological Conservancy in Madisonville, TX. They love hyenas and were very enthusiastic about acquiring Banzai. So, the day after Christmas, Greg flew to CA, picked up Banzai, drove her to TX (with the assistance of our dear friend and ranch alum Heather), placed her with her new family, drove back to CA and then flew home. Whew. 

Checking out her new digs.

One last milk bottle from her Dad

We know she is in great care & the Frenchaks are wonderful - they send weekly photos with updates. It's a modern day open adoption. Banzai was a huge part of our lives and we miss her deeply. We plan to visit her in the Spring. 

Here are a few throwback pics of our first baby (so much more bitey than a regular baby.)

Day 1 - Baby Banzai
(we didn't even know if she was male or female - google hyena genitalia, you'll find out why.)

Day 1 - and pretty much the last time I was around her. She was never my biggest fan.

A Boy and His Hyena

On a less bittersweet note, Greg was able to meet our newest family member - Charley Jr. - while in CA!

Uncle Charley & big sister Libby

The 2 Charleys!!!

Aunt Mollie & Libby