The "Finnster, et al."

This is a little late - but I am finally getting around to publishing pictures of the boys' Halloween pumpkins.  The timing on this post is actually fitting as the boys finished these pumpkins about 10 minutes before they were supposed to go to bed on the night before Halloween. So basically we got to enjoy these pumpkins for approximately one day before we threw them over to fence for the deer to eat. Oh, and as it turns out, I don't even have a picture of the finished products.  Congrats Erin. 

Since Finn spent much of Monday night throwing up, we spent much of Tuesday at work with me.  I had to be in court all morning, so I set Finn up with Netflix on my office computer, my Ipad, a pastry from the coffee shop around the corner, and pallet on the floor just in case he started feeling poorly again. Fortunately, Finn was very excited to go to work with me. Unfortunately for the office, Finn was feeling much better by the time I left him the capable hands of Lori and and Lawren.  Whilst sitting on the bench, pretending to be a grown-up, I received the following pictures via text from Lawren.   At some point Finn went rummaging through the office and found some old swords that Butch had laying around. After much struggle, Finn was ultimately defeated.  After getting back from court, I found that Finn had left me sweet notes and pictures all over my office.  Writing this blog reminded me of when I use to bring ...

Second verse, same as the first - almost.   Hand, foot and mouth has once again plagued the Begley home.  This time the unlucky recipient was young William - our most tolerant and patient baby . . . NOT.   Hand, foot and mouth hit Will pretty hard.  For five full days he was miserable. When Sam was Will's age he contracted hand, foot and mouth.  I recall that he didn't feel well, but I don't remember him being in complete agony.  But I guess this makes sense as Sam never complains about being sick.  Will, on the other hand, revels in the attention his sickness brings (at least that is my opinion) and plays it up for everything it is worth.  Think - Michael Scott - when he burned his foot.  So for five days, Will stayed with Gran during the day.  Fortunately for Will, he was well taken care of at Gran's house.  Unfortunately for Gran, Will gave her hand, foot and mouth.  Most of Will's bliste...

Very early on Thursday morning, we packed the van and drove back to Tennessee.  I had a trial that next morning (Friday) so we had to leave a day early.  The drive back wasn't too bad.  The boys slept intermittently and watched Buck Denver.   We stopped at Chik-Fil-A for lunch.  To me, this was the most memorable part of the day.  I love seeing the boys having fun together.  We made it safely home at around 4:00.  We were completely unpacked by 6:00 and we spent a quiet night at home.

This morning Finn came traipsing through the kitchen looking like this.  I had asked him to put his tie on for school.  I took one look at him and said - "Finn that is the worst job I have ever seen - do it again!"  Finn did not take my criticism too well and responded, "Mom! You can't expect me to do it perfect every time!!"  I was taken aback by Finn's assertion that he felt his attempt came anywhere within the out realm of perfection.   I told Finn to look in the mirror  and then gave him an opportunity revise his statement.  Finn agreed that he could've done a tad bit better. 

On our last night at the beach Sharon and Gran planned a 1st Birthday party for Mason on the beach.  While Mason was having his picture taken, the boys played in the sand.  Will really loved the beach.  He could have spent the whole week playing in the sand and chasing seagulls.  Sam and Henry found a hole.  I told Sam to try not to get his pants wet - so he held them up (really high) the whole time. I just love Sam's little legs.   Gran and Henry The sky was really pretty so we took several pictures.  Sam took this picture (that is why he is not in it).  Sam really enjoys taking pictures.  He takes his time and tries to center the picture properly.  Finn took this one.  Finn was not so meticulous.  Sam was so excited to write his name in the sand.  The last time we went to the beach Sam was too young to write....

On our last full day of vacation it had warmed back up enough to go to the beach. The weather was perfect, there were no jelly fish and best of all - Pa was able to play with us. After lunch we took the boys to play putt and drive Go-Karts.  Pa was able to fly in the night before so he and Gran were able to play with us too. Let me just say that playing Putt-Putt with Will was fun to watch - but frustrating for the boys.  At first Will wanted to actually play.  He did his best with the putter. Then he realized that it was way easier to wait until Finn and Sam putted the ball into the hole and then go get their balls.  This upset both Finn and Sam greatly. It was also surprisingly hot - so the heat made Will's usually "sunny" (note the sarcasm) even worse. After we were finished with putt-putt, Michael took the boys over to see the gorilla.  Will was very uneasy. T...