Cheeky Charlie

 We are in full train mode over here.  I had not thought to get the trains out for Charlie yet but since he got some for Christmas we pulled out the reserves and they are a huge favorite.  

This purple engine is named Charlie and when you push his button he says "I'm Cheeky Charlie"  and then tells a few really good jokes "What wobbles when it flies? A Jelly-Coptor!"  "What has four legs but never walks? A table!!!" Hilarious.  Especially the 5,000th time.  Thanks Cindy.

Self Portrait with Rosy Cheeks

Merry Mississippi Christmas

 We started the day with some brother sister Christmas cuddle action.

 Then on to the presents!  Viola is an excellent opener.

 Dance of Joy!

 New boots.  This is her third pair of red cowboy boots.  They just go with everything, even pink fowl pajamas.

 "It's the dream that I always dreamed of!"

Viola was quite excited to get two dolls.  Their names are Fevvie(large) and Blueberry(small).

 Then a bit later the rest of the cousins, aunts and uncles, a bunny and a parrot showed up to do a bit more celebrating.

 Everyone had to wait to open their present. Oh the agony.

 "I'm smiling but I'm really dying to open my present. Please stop taking pictures and let me open my present."

 On with the paper tearing chaos!

 That is a definite look of Christmas joy!

Charlie is on his way to becoming Sir Topham Hat with his new railroad.

Bass Pro Shops, Here We Come!

There was a large man in a red suit that some of these children wanted to see so we all loaded up into the mini-van for a trip to Pearl.  Sadly this man was out of tickets so nobody got to see him but we had a blast on the way there.  

I may or may not have been riding illegally on the floor of the back seat, but that's neither here nor there.

A little bit of cousin time

 We spent a lovely Saturday afternoon with my brother Bailey's family, relaxing, playing in the leaves, eating tacos and installing a dishwasher.  Here are a few highlights from the kids in the leaves:

 Charlie managed to find a motorized vehicle that he is capable of turning on (but completely inept at steering!)

Painting Party with Famous Artist Loris Nejam Davis

 All of the cousins came over for lunch, to paint self portraits, and decorate cookies.  Of course Foster had some festive holiday wear for the occasion.

 Addie wanted to play with Charlie even though he had recently whacked her over the head with a car and made her cry.

 Viola finally consented to finish her painting under the tutelage of Loris.

  The finished masterpieces. Guess which one is Viola's.

 Didn't you recognize her mouth?

Merry Christmas from Viola

 At school Viola fresh ground some coffee for us and made a lovely tapestry.  Thanks Lola.

At Random

 Life is tricky sometimes.

 Viola has been asking for her own room. 

 This is Charlie's new woobie.  He's slept holding this car for a few days now.

Snow Tomorrow

"They" are forecasting snow for the next few days so even though it was Charlie's nap time we headed to the park to soak up some of the remaining sunshine.