Being covered in stickers is much better than being covered in a rash, medical probes, IV's, etc. Still recovering, we spent much of today resting on the couch. Boyd has an incredible home library and I think we have read almost every book.

Being a walrus with two lollipops.

A new favorite game. Memory played by matching.

My dear friend and training partner Yihunlish gave Boyd a traditional Ethiopian outfit for his Birthday. He was so excited to wear it and show it to her when she came to visit.




Preparing to eat it until it looks like "St. Louis" (the arch).

Making roads and road signs.

Thank you to all those who said a prayer for me as I was sick with and recovering from Kawasaki Disease. I might be the only kid in the world

who was sad to leave the hospital. Once I was feeling better it was a really cool place to explore and the Inova Fairfax Hospital had an amazing children's ward.

Fashion tips and a cookie recipe by Boyd

Yes, it's official you can stop watching all those fashion and cooking shows on t.v. and just read our blog instead. Boyd's been picking some wild outfits from his dresser. Then he squirms off after meals without a face wash to complete the ensemble. Here he models his camo hat, and his bead necklace from school. He must have worked really hard to complete it because he was so proud. He also snuck into his valentines cards box and stole some lollipops to create some blue makeup.

This is Boyd's muscle pose.

Not sure where he found the socks, but was glad they were as tall as they were since it was only 40 degrees outside. (His hands are his pretend goggles).

Superbowl Sunday! Cooking on the big green egg with dad.

Today Boyd and I were playing and I asked him for a cookie recipe. This was his response: "Blueberries, put the toppings on the top, hundreds of mix, like 5 mixes. Pour in baking soda. Don't turn it up to 6, just 2. If you turn it to 6 it will poof flour. Put the sugar in. Put them in the oven."

He has also learned not to run with your eyes closed, as fun as it might be. A run in with the door frame must have taught him the hard way. Yesterday he told me "Even Dinosaurs have to open their eyes to run."
* Also, Boyd told me, "I hugged Irene." "She was crying." - I love how sweet he is to others. His teacher also tracked me down in private to share how much she enjoys Boyd in the classroom. She said something along the lines of, "He plays so well with others and helps them to play within the play scheme."

Mommy and Boyd Monday leads to construction with rice.

And some painting. Boyd loves to dip his paint brush into every color before applying it to his paper. All 18 colors!

Monday night Boyd wrapped up in covers. Finally asleep.



Tuesday night we walked into our room to find an empty bed. Someone stole all our covers and pillows.

Next door in Boyd's room we found our covers and our three pillows.

Side view of the heist.

Small miracles. Boyd finally figuring out how to pedal his trike.

Big miracles. Boyd painted this on Monday. After painting another titled, "A heart in your tummy." This one is "your heart. It's beautiful." Today we received a call from Boyd's great grandma Ramsey. Her heart was out of afib and didn't need to be reshocked. Everyone was surprised, perhaps it needed to be reminded how beautiful it really was.

Myrtle Beach in January

Finding fun wherever he goes.

Notice the dolphin in the background?



Was not a fan of wet sand. He told me he liked the dry sand, not the wet sand.

On the sky wheel.

He loves signs and spotted one on the inside of the ferris wheel. What does that say?

Up so high. Quite a view.

Running on the beach.

Frisbee.

His favorite thing. Playing trucks on the beach.







A mini vacation to Myrtle Beach, S.C. Boyd's first trip to the beach.

Boyd puts things into perspective. Thank you Boyd!

Playing Target.

Looking for stars.

One of Boyd's nicknames is BoBo; here he takes the name with new meaning. Bow Boyd. Still into Christmas.

As I tried to put Christmas decorations away I noticed this. Forget the camels, Jesus found a ride on a firetruck. I wonder if Jesus would have been equally enamored by them as a boy if he walked the earth in this day and age?

The ultimate construction site.


After wearing these goggles in the tub, he decided to try them out with the complete outfit. Boyd gets the job done.

Sometimes Boyd and I switch roles. Here he is being Mommy (hence the ponytail).

Two of a kind. Lounging with Dad.

The first Falls Church Snow! Surprise. Boyd said he loved the snow. I can vouch for that. We just need some new boots. His torso is so long his snow pants were a little high waterish. Next time I won't snap the snaps. He stayed warm and dry and enjoyed having a snowball fight with the boys across the street, making tracks, listing to the snow crunch under his feet, and shovel. His idea of shoveling was scooping the snow and tossing it into the air...

Boyd's face as it plops down onto him.

And the first snow wouldn't be complete without the first Frosty of the season. Boyd had to add boots.

A Week of Wonder

This past week we celebrated Adam's, Boyd's, and Jesus' Birthdays! It was everything we could have asked for and more. Many memories and full of love.

Boyd loved having us light the candles and sing Happy Birthday over and over again. Adam designed this special cake.

A special blend of Reindeer food near the Chimney.

I spy Rudolph's nose flying through the sky.

Visiting the manger. Away in the manger no crib for a bed, the little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head...

On the loop Christmas Eve finding treasures. Boyd has a runners knack of picking names for routes. The walk we take around the block is now known as "The Loop."

Snuck this photo after Santa slipped back up the chimney.

Boyd loves opening presents and found this one that Santa stashed deep under the tree.

Getting to work.

A camera of his own.

Love!!!!
Train around the tree.

What's up there?
Merry Christmas from the Nations capitol.

Grow arms grow. The mock reflecting pool.

Playing in the fountains. Way to tempting at a child's level. This is actually after Boyd put both feet through it. Always finding fun wherever he goes. (The splashes everywhere are not from Boyd so someone else much have had a good time)

The ultimate construction site.

Boyd built this city and named it Crayon.

Still has packages on his mind. Being one himself.

All in a Christmas Days work!