Cornelius Chronicles

There are only two words for this ... DOG PILE! 

 Thursday was National Talk Like a Pirate Day.  How cool is that!  The library had pirate crafts for the kids and the librarians all wore Pirate costumes.  I love librarians.  :) Rebekah was in crafting heaven.  She was born to craft.  Maybe she is the next Martha Stewart.  I know my house could use her skills.  ;)  She pores over craft books for hours thinking of all the fun activities she can do, and then she does them!  I think crafting might be her passion.  Rebekah showing off her crafty treasure chest. She had way more fun than her face is letting on. Beware the dread pirate Loyd Blue Hook.  He is clever and curious.  A dangerous combination. Xavier was Pirate Wiggly Pants!  He loved his hook.  :) Funny Xavier quote: Thursday afternoon as we were driving back from the Doctor's office I was telling Xavier it would be time to take a nap when we got home.  He insisted he wasn't tired and would really rather watch c

This week was homecoming week for Dustin's high school.  It's fun to hear about the fun things the kids are doing at school, but what we look forward to most is the shopping cart parade.  The kids look forward to it all year, mostly because they throw out candy to the crowd.  We got a pretty good candy haul this year and are nicely primed for Halloween and it's orgy of candy next month.  Yea! Waiting for the High School Homecoming parade to start (mostly waiting to collect candy). Dustin walking with his High School FIRST robotics team and their winning robot.  Go team 118! Making Lava Lamps at the Helen Hall Library.  Very fun!  We love library programs! Maeve practicing her dance positions while watching cartoons.  She loves TV. Maeve is starting to show an interest in my yarn.  I can't keep her out of my yarn box.  She always goes for this particular spool of canary yellow.  I think she loves its cheerful, bright color.  I bet I have a budding

Maeve and her Daddy, Sept. 10 2013 Happy 1st Birthday Queen Maeve!   Miss Maeve, we are so happy to have you as part of our little family.  This past year has gone by so quickly and you have grown so much.  We love your shining blue eyes, your loving, wide smile, and your bubbly baby giggles.  We love the look of mischief you get when you get a good idea (just like big brother Loyd,) and we love your squeals of delight when we play on the floor.  We love listening to your baby coos and watching you learn to walk.  You have added more joy and love to our family that you know.  We wish you a very happy birthday, and many many more to come!  We love you! We had a quiet little family party for our Maeve, but don't think we skimped on the festivities.  There were party hats... (Thanks Rebekah!)  Birthday presents... And cake!  The perfect party.  :)

Queen Maeve is walking now!   She is pretty good at walking around the house while holding on to all sorts of treasures like sharp pencils, left over scissors, and small Lego bricks (the Lego's are usually on their way to her mouth).  She has also learned how to open the child safety locks on the kitchen cupboards, climb on top of the children's craft table, and throw a pretty good tantrum at an instant's notice.  Imagine, our intelligent little girl has managed to acquire all of these wonderful skills before her first birthday. I love you, Maeve.  I can already tell you are going to keep me on my toes.  Thank goodness for those extra eyes in the back of my head.  ;)

Maeve catching a nap whenever and wherever she can.  After a busy and exciting summer we have found ourselves exhausted and ready for school to start so we can get into our regular schedule again.  On Monday morning we all woke up bright and early and excited to get ready for the first day of School.  Rebekah is returning as a 2nd Grader this year, Loyd is beginning his formal academic career as a Kindergartener, and starting in October Xavier will get to go to preschool! We made it through our first morning back to school.  Everyone got up and dressed on time.  I only burned 2 batches of waffles.  We got out to the car with time to spare, and Xavier, Maeve and I walked Loyd and Rebekah to class.  Rebekah was quiet, but excited.  I think she was happy to go back to school, but she was a bit nervous for the first day and learning classroom rules for a new teacher.  She is in the same class as one of her best friends from last year