A Sparrow...

Another very moving video...

Brotherly Love

Only Brothers.....

Happy Birthday, Sir L!

One week ago we celebrated the big 8 year old birthday party for my boy, my 'knight in training', along with his younger brother who will soon be turning 4 years old in a week!
Now, sit back and get ready for a ridiculous amount of pictures- it was a fantastic afternoon of dragon slaying, jousting, riddles, feasting, and just plain ol' fun by the Knights of the Round Table! Happy Birthday, to my sweet and chivalrous young men!

First, a summons to all present...

“Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

By Royal Decree of the Irwin Kingdom,
all knights and ladies gathered here together
on this 25^th of April,
in the 2014^th year of Our Lord,
are hearby summoned by the most honorable and revered King Arthur of Camelot
to participate in this year’s annual
Knight’s Tournament,
to prove your worthiness as a candidate
for the order of “Knight of the Round Table”.
Your wits, strength, and virtue will be tested in “Ye Olde Knights Tournament”
held in yonder arena, a series of special quests of the highest skill. 

Who will prove themselves worthy this day to join the Order of Logres?
God Speed, all of you.”

Then, as it was an early afternoon gathering, with many festivities and quests to accomplish, the Banquet and Feast was held first, with a royal spread to please a knight (or lady!)...

Now, let the quests begin!

First, a test of speed and endurance: A Relay Race

Two teams of knights and ladies. Each leader, equipped with a 'horse' and 'lance' must gallop on your horse, first testing your aim as jousters, joust the target ahead as you ride ahead; next you shall knock the dragon off his tower, thus freeing the dragon's poor victims, imprisoned under the 'mountain', carrying them onward with you; ahead is an evil castle that you must storm, by throwing a 'boulder' at the castle- all the while holding on tightly, but with care, to your rescued victim; on the way back to safety, you must leap over the 'moat', and head home, never dropping your victim or lance, then pass your lance and horse on to your next fellow knight, you will accomplish the same quest as quickly and accurately as possible. Let's see how each team does, and who works together to complete this quest the quickest.

Next, a test of agility and accuracy: Joust Throwing!

Each man for his own in this competition, each knight/lady will get three shots at aiming your lance and throwing it through the target. Who will execute three aims most perfectly?

Third, a test of courage: Dragon Slaying!

Each knight/lady will dip your darts into the poison and then place them individually into your special 'dart thrower', closing through them with all your might and courage, facing the dragon and blowing as many darts as you can to hit the dragon in the heart! 

(Then they took him out back and really slew him!!)

Next, a test of teamwork and keen observation: Puzzle Competition!

In partners, there will be a timed puzzle competition. Each pair will attempt to be the first to complete your puzzle correctly and completely.

Now, a test of creativity: Play-doh Castles!

Each knight/lady must create and build your own castle, using only the play-doh at your disposable. Whose will be the sturdiest, the loveliest, the most Medieval?

A little break for Story Telling of the finest caliber...

Finally, a test of wits: Riddle Quest!

The RiddleMaster will read off the riddles and everyone will see how clever you can be by attempting to answer as many as possible correctly.

At last! The scrumptious moment all the knights/ladies had been waiting for- 

a celebratory cake for the knight of honor this day: Sir L and Sir C, 

full of virtue and valor and vivacity this day, honoring their blessed entrance into this world!

And, of course, there were gifts presented to these two Sires, 

from their gracious and most thoughtful knightly friends and companions.

'Twas a day of greatness, a day of gladness,

a day of great gaiety and glee,

ending a note of gratitude for these two handsome knights.

(What do you expect? Even knights need to kick back and let loose now and then!)

"Toughest Job in the World" interview

A "Must Watch":

Where's Waldo....er, Where's Mama?

My children have an uncanny knack for finding me- at night, in the dark, while half-asleep. It reminds me of those seek and find books, "Where's Waldo?", where you have to find Mr. Waldo amidst all the chaos and crazy things happening around him. 

Let me explain....

Every night lately, I have been 'trying out' different beds in the house for slumber, due to the supposed need for Papa and K (19 months old) to have an entire king-sized bed all to themselves. (Yes, I am serious.) The reason for that would take a bit of explaining, but in a nutshell- the baby sleeps best when he has his own personal space, and when Mama is not within reaching distance (i.e. suckling distance). So, the best way to insure this is currently for Mama to sleep elsewhere. (If you'd like more of an explanation, ask me). Suffice to say- I have been bed-hopping the past several evenings to find the perfect slumber spot for moi. Do I take the futon in the front room? The bottom full-size bunk bed with Sleeping Beauty (Ch- 5 yrs)? Or the queen bed, snuggled up tight next to the two oldest children, knowing I may indeed get woken up halfway through the evening soaked through from....one of my bedwetters. :) Mmmmm. Nothing like the feel and scent of urine at 3 in the morning! 

Now, you would think, with all my evening bed-hopping, no one would know where to find Mama in the middle of the night, right? They'd get confused in the midst of their grogginess, in the dark room, and give up quickly, going back to bed right way. Makes sense, yes? 

Nope! Not my children! They can find Mama no matter where she is! It is absolutely inevitable that on any given night, no matter that I start off in an independent, stretched out, gloriously comfortable slumber, I wake up several times throughout the night, always with yet another child sticking someplace to my body! It's like they multiply, every time I shut and reopen my eyes!! 

These little hound dogs wake up and start sniffin'....

Where's Mama? Mama! Mama? 

And they sniff and hunt around until they find Mama! You'd think they'd simply hop into the nearest (and dryest!) bed. But that would be just way too easy, wouldn't it?! Nope! Must Find Mama!!!

And so they do. It doesn't matter how big the bed is, or how many people are supposedly able to fit in the bed. No, no! My children will make a way to fit! Move over, Waldo!! It's Mama they're really looking for (and managing to find every single time thus far!!) 

Ever heard of the phrase, "Packed like sardines"??  I understand that concept in a whole new way!! If you're curious, try this: Put one child flush on your right, one child flush to your left; Cradle one in your arms; Place another one at the end of your feet, holding on to some part of your leg; and another child lying sideways on the pillow under your head. Ahhhhhh. Nothing like the 'family bed', eh? 

And so much for hiding!! They can stake me out no matter what bed covers I'm trying to 'hide' under!!  Bring it on, Waldo- ain't nowhere my children can't find me! Go ahead- throw in darkness and sleepiness!! I'll bet my kiddos can find me faster than anyone can find you!!! 

(Secretly, I remind myself almost every morning- after getting kicked on all sides, coughed on, snuggled up against, haired pulled, etc.- I still wouldn't trade it all for anything because I am fully aware that this will end at some time, and I will wake up many new mornings comfortable, well-rested, uninterrupted....but without any little bodies snuggling up on all sides. 

And I will miss it. 

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