Bowles Blog

Men, Fun & Gingerbread

The other night, the children were decorating gingerbread houses.
Gingerbread houses from kits that I snapped up on clearance for a mere $2.99 a piece (!)
Ebby, as is her nature, started singing.
'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun'.
Then she asked the boys if they were having fun.
They were.
"Then why isn't there a song about it?", Ebby asked.

Will replied with this nugget:  "Men don't wanna have a song about how they do their stuff because they're private."

Will Bowles, future guru.
And gingerbread decorator ; )

Christmas Pictures

Here are a few, to give you a taste of our day.
Which began at 4:47.
AM.
That's THE MORNING.
Pre-dawn.
Just to be clear...

First, the children at the top of the stairs.  They are waiting for the all clear to come downstairs to open gifts.

Then there they are in front of the tree.  They've seen the gifts, but haven't opened anything yet.

 Oh look, there's Will leaping into Daddy's arms after opening his Lego Star Wars set.  Nevermind...

And there is Cuyler, with the Mommy made rice pillow around his neck and reading the deluxe pop-up Olive The Other Reindeer book I gave to the children.

Then Ebby, realizing the small rectangular package in the toe of her stocking is a pink iPod Nano.

A few hours later, Will has built the Star Wars Lego ship.

Oh look, there's BGD drinking out of his tiny tea cups espresso cups.

Then, Will next to what I consider to be one of the all time great Yankee Swap gifts:  the Kinetic Lighting Picture.  It plugs in, lights up and has the sound of rushing water!  And it's ours.  All ours!!  Thanks Pa.

Finally, I did manage to get a picture of the children and one set of grandparents.  Yes, it is dark outside.  No, it is not morning.  Those kids stayed in their pajamas all day long.  Which came in handy when Ebby went to take her midday, I got up too early and am overwhelmed by the holiday, nap.

We were also joined by Nana, Grandpa, and aching back Uncle Steven.  Unfortunately, none of these fine family members were recorded in still pictures.
But then again, neither was I.

It was wonderful to have the whole family together for Christmas--espeically for a day that didn't involve a 900 mile drive or a 2 hour plane trip.

Of course next year we need to make it a day that begins after the sun comes up.

Good luck with that, right...

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a wonderful day!  Brought to you by a few pictures that didn't make the cut for our Christmas card.  But hey, they're still cute, right?

Happy, happy, joy, joy to you! 

{Jake was unavailable at the time these photos were taken.  I think he may have been napping with the pack leader.}     

Random #4: Puppy & the Crocs

Random #3: Kind of artsy pictures that I like

First, our Christmas tree. Part of it anyway.  And our PEACE banner.  I don't have glittery banners with odes to vegetables hanging around the house.  But if I did they would say 'BROCCOLI' and 'SWEET POTATOES'.  Not peas.
Second, Ebby heading out to the garden for her daily visit.  She goes out and talks to Daisy every day.  Even without snow pants, she's dedicated.  Love that girl.

Random #2: Mickey Mouse

This one day, last week, BGD/Daddy was in California  for a meeting in Los Angeles.
The day before the meeting, he called us.
From Disneyland.
He was looking for a place to eat.
Because we couldn't be in Disneyland with him, we had Mickey Mouse shaped pizzas for dinner.
It was almost exactly just like being there...
Not.         

Random #1: This Blows

Got some catching up to do before Christmas...
See, told you BGD used the snow blower.  Technically, the snow isn't actually blowing in these pictures.  It was clogged.
But no worries, BGD unclogged it.
With his hands.

I'm sure that's exactly what it says to do in the owners manual.

Winter Weekend

Yes, it snowed.
12+ inches.
And yes, we officially have our very own 'plow guy'.
We've definitely hit the big time.
And while BGD is certainly not the biggest fan of the wintry weather, even he must admit there are a few bright spots.
Like getting to use our snow blower for the first time.  Or the fact that both the kids and the dogs seem to love playing in the snow.  Despite not having any snow pants (it's on the list, really), Ebby spent what seemed like half the weekend outside doing flips off of snowbanks.  Will and Cuyler struggled for neighborhood supremacy at King of the Mountain.  Maisy just ran around like a crazy puppy.  And Jake just keeps begging to  go outside and sit in the snow--perhaps to get away from the aforementioned crazy puppy.
It was a snow fun weekend, fer sure.
Too bad it's all turning to ice now.              

Tough Economy?

This just made me chuckle when I read it:

Citing potential problems due to recent inclement weather, Boston officials have announced that city public schools will close until next year.

{see the full article here}

Let's hope they don't try something like that in our fair town, I've got wrapping to do!

Happy Deval-iday to you!

What's a Deval-iday, you ask?
It's when Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick proclaims that all non-essential state employees stay at home on a work day due to an impending snowstorm.  He also encourages private businesses to do the same for their employees.
So here it is, the Friday before Christmas, and it's a Deval-iday!
Non-essential BGD is upstairs in his office on a conference call. 
Sometimes he really does work from home.
I've recently returned from a trip to the grocery store (not too crowded) and Starbucks (insanely crowded).  We are now the proud owners of 3 gallons of skim milk.  Swiss Miss hot cocoa for everyone!!
But oh, look at the time.  I've only got an hour before Ebby's gets home from her early release day then it's off to get the boys.
Happy Deval-iday!

**Disclaimer: I did not come up with the Deval-iday term.  I heard some quick witted state worked use it on the news last night.  But I like it : )