The Sharp Boys

Easter, 2010

2010-04-17T21:21:00.004-04:00

Jackson holding Nolan, Aaron, Ei

Mama and Baby Nolan

Mama and Sweet Baby Aaron

Jackson

Aaron

Nolan

The Sharps

Best Friends

Wii Play Together

2010-01-02T12:08:00.001-05:00

Christmas!

2009-12-16T16:01:00.009-05:00

Introducing Baby Nolan

2009-12-07T15:20:00.009-05:00

Nolan Maxwell Sharp

Born November 16, 2009

10:30 a.m.

7 pounds, 6 ounces

20.5 inches long

Jackson reading to Aaron

2009-11-14T12:27:00.001-05:00

With every job I've ever had, there have been moments when I think of giving up because I'm so frustrated or overworked or bored. But there are always these moments that make all the frustration worthwhile. Parenting is no different. This was one of those moments for me.

I walked in to find my oldest child reading to my youngest (for the next few days anyway). They were both happy. Life is good.

October 17, 2009

2009-10-17T22:03:00.008-04:00

Jackson

Aaron

Nolan (well, as close as we can get for now)

The crew

Here we are TRYING to get a picture with Mama.

Guess who wasn't cooperating?

All the boys with their Mama IN ONE FRAME

Impressive, no? (It took only 2 hours.)

Mama loves these boys.

Sweet boy kisses

Aaron is sitting. Quick! Take the picture!

Those are some pretty cute cowboys. But wait! Shouldn't there be a horse?

Ah, yes. There he is. And looking so cooperative!

Sure, you've heard of the headless horseman.

But have you ever heard of the headless horse?

Fine, I'll put the head on. But I won't be happy about it.

It's a showdown.

Happy Halloween, y'all!

August 15, 2009

2009-08-19T17:09:00.005-04:00

Spring

2009-06-04T23:28:00.001-04:00

First, a little cuteness in video form. Just listening to the big boys giggle in the background makes the whole video worth it.

This next series of pictures illustrates why my dog still lives with us, despite her constant shedding and barking at everything to pass our window.

Yeah, you just can't make this dog mad. And so, we keep her.

I didn't get a picture of the boys picking the beans, but this is our first crop from the garden. The boys swear that they hate green beans, but I cooked these (all 11 of them), and we ate them for a little snack. They loved them and begged me to go pick some more. Unfortunately, the rest of the beans are only about an inch long right now.

We went to the Festival of Reading and rode the horse-drawn carriage. This is after the ride. I couldn't get a during picture because I rode with them.

We went to the Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga. If you haven't been, go now. I mean it. Stop looking at pictures of my children, pack up your things, and start driving. It was great fun. We're in Chattanooga so much that we joined the museum, so I'm sure we'll be back a lot.

This picture is of a cup tower game they were playing. My camera battery died before I could get a picture of the finished product, but it was about as tall as they were.

This is the giant musical instrument exhibit. It was so cool. The boys spent a lot of time here.

Want to see how it works? Here's a video. Cool, huh?

Jackson and Ms. Kathleen played at the library during storytime. This is the alphabet song. Yes, that's Aaron chiming in with "MAMA" around the letter V. He wanted me to pick him up and was not happy that I was holding the camera instead. He's not a fan of the cello because it usually means that someone else is getting attention.

We played kickball with the other kids from homeschool co-op.

Well, Aaron played in the dirt while the boys played kickball...

...which explains why he looked like this before we left.

This is the boys' music class performance.

And this is, quite possibly, the cutest thing I've ever seen: the boys' tap performance (same night as the music class). I wish I had a video to upload here because the pictures don't do this justice at all. Unfortunately, my video camera is not Vista-compatible. Thanks a lot, Bill.

Jackson and Ms. Kathleen played for the MOPS kids.

Easter egg hunting

This is in the hotel in Chattanooga (our home away from home). Ei fell asleep like this (with his feet propped up on the wall). That boy sleeps like his daddy.

Sock Monkey jammies!

And a birthday party with miniature bowling and lots of fun rides and games

Cello Practice!

2009-04-08T23:38:00.001-04:00

I was getting ready to take the boys to the library today when I heard them conspiring to put on a concert on April 14. The date isn't significant, but we have been talking about how to read calendars and the days of the week/months of the year. So I guess it's good that they know April 14 is soon! This was their spontaneous and unsupervised practice. I tried to get it on video without their knowing, but they caught me, so they were aware that I was recording here.

The words to the song they're singing are "Ants, Ants, Ants. Digging in the dirt, dirt, dirt. Going in the ground, ground, ground. All the way to China, China, China." The song is intended to teach the names of the open strings (A, D, G, C), but since they aren't readers, they don't quite get it.

Spring!

2009-03-24T21:01:00.008-04:00

It's spring! I was antsy for new pictures. So, we threw on our Easter outfits and headed for the photographer. How cute are these boys?

Arrrrrrr

2009-03-11T23:07:00.005-04:00

My poor little pirate. Ei woke up this morning clutching his eye and screaming that it hurt. I thought something was in it, so I took him in the bathroom and tried to rinse it out. He was crying pretty hard, so I assumed that his tears would wash it out. He stopped crying, so I put it behind me. About 20 minutes later he started again. I figured that he was just trying to get attention, so I hugged him, gave him a cold washcloth to hold over his eye, and sent him on his way. When he started crying again about 20 minutes later, I got worried. So, I packed up all our things (we were in Chattanooga) and decided to head for home. We got as far as Athens when I exited and decided to look for a CVS clinic or something because he was still screaming about every 15 or 20 minutes. I didn't find one, so we got back on the road and hurried to the CVS Minute Clinic in Knoxville. I assumed he had pink eye because his little eye was so read and swollen. The nurse practitioner there looked at his eye and said that there was no infection (thus, not pink eye) and that the color and swelling was due to his rubbing at it all day. He told me to take him to the pediatrician today. He didn't even charge me. I got really worried. Unexplained shooting pains in his eye? The nurse who didn't charge for his services but insisted we see a doctor today? All I could think was that it was a brain tumor. I got him in with our pediatrician right away. They dyed his eye green and then turned on a black light which showed a rather nasty scratch on his cornea. They washed out the green and put in some drops to numb it a bit and prevent infection, then they patched his eye and said to leave it that way until tomorrow. Then I have to bring him back for another check because the doc was concerned about the severity of the scratch. My poor boy. He told me tonight that he's scared because his eye might not ever heal up. Oh, how I wanted to rock him all night and assure him that everything will be okay.

Pay no attention to the hand prints all over the wall behind him. It's an illusion created by trick photography.

Fantastic Fridays

2009-02-28T21:03:00.017-05:00

I'll write more about this in my blog soon, but just to catch you up, the boys have been attending a home school co-op called Fantastic Fridays. Yesterday Ms. Kathleen, our family's very sweet and very talented cello teacher, joined our music class for a cello demonstration.

the class, singing a warm-up song

The children were very engaged in the lesson.

She's amazing with kids.

tuning Jackson's tiny cello

Jackson, nervously waiting for his introduction

Jackson and Ms. Kathleen, playing Twinkle, Twinkle together

She was absolutely amazing. One little boy, who is known to be a little talkative and rowdy, shouted out that he wanted a cello too and that he was sad because he didn't have one. Awesome, huh? My sweet Jackson was very shy while she was there (he's actually coming out of his shell quite a bit in this class because he has a couple of friends he enjoys playing with), but he played like a champ. Afterwards he told me it was hard to play for his friends. I can relate. But he did it, and that makes him a hero, I think.

When we got home, I took a few more shots because it was Aaron's birthday. Don't I have the sweetest boys in the world?

Happy Birthday, Dear Aaron!

2009-02-28T20:50:00.008-05:00

Today was my baby Aaron's first birthday party. We celebrated with a Very Hungry Caterpillar party.

The balloon was his favorite present.

"On Wednesday, he ate through 3 plums. But he was still hungry."

"On Saturday he ate through one piece of chocolate cake..."

"That night he had a stomachache." Yes, he's totally out in this picture. Birthdays are hard.

Happy birthday, precious Aaron.

Now, THAT'S a Snowman

2009-02-02T16:20:00.005-05:00

It snowed again today--a lot. It was a complete surprise too. We were at church having playgroup when the skies just opened up and dumped about 2 inches of snow on our world. It was slow-going getting home, but once we were here the boys were SO excited. We had to run out and make a snowman. Here he is:

Much better than our 2-foot-tall snowman from 2 weeks ago, no? It's been a really long time since I've made a real snowman. Those snowballs are HEAVY. We're inside now and warming our toes and praying for lots more snow tonight. It's so pretty and fun to get snowed in.

The New Year

2009-01-19T15:04:00.007-05:00

We made a trip to Atlanta last weekend. We visited the aquarium, swam in the (indoor) pool, and slept in a hotel (which was what excited the kids the most). It was a great trip, with the exception of the baby getting sick and being pretty fussy. When we got home I took him to the doctor who told me he has a double ear infection and Adenovirus. So, considering all that, I guess he was actually pretty good!

I love this picture because you can see Aaron screaming. He loved the hotel pool, but he was NOT happy at the aquarium. Poor little guy.

They were watching the whale shark above their heads.

This is the aquarium mascot. Ei wouldn't go near him.

They were exhausted after a long day. They crashed.

And today, IT FINALLY SNOWED! Daddy was out of town, so he missed it! Shucks.

Jackson made a snow angel (kind of). Ei said it was too cold to lay on the ground. Smart kid.

We built a tiny snowman. He has Mr. Potato Head features. They were very proud of him.

It's never too cold to swing!

It was pretty cold outside. They are resting on the sofa with their feet on a hot rice sock.

December 2008

2008-12-29T13:29:00.019-05:00

This one Becca took at Fantasy of Trees. Sweet Baby Aaron.

Group baths are fun!

Jackson was a camel in the Christmas pageant.

Ei was a lamb. You can't tell? That's because he took his costume off just before the pageant began and refused to put it back on. Notice here how the other kids are singing while he's playing with his girlfriend? I believe this was AFTER he threw the baby Jesus across the stage but BEFORE he hid the baby Jesus under the communion table during the Angels' Chorus. Oh, what a proud moment.

Like father, like son.

The Stair Family Christmas celebration (Dec. 23)

Standing: Papaw Stair, Uncle Marc, Aunt Jen, Uncle Andy, Ei, Daddy

Sitting: Great-Aunt Marie, Aunt Marla, Jackson, Aaron, Mama

Making our gingerbread train

Working hard

They were cooperating. It was picture-worthy.

The finished product (and gingerbread-covered faces)

Leaving cookies, milk, a letter, and reindeer treats for Santa

Santa ate the cookies and left us a note

The loot Santa left--yes, those are their stockings on the floor. Ridiculous, no?

Our Christmas tree

Ripping into the goods--the boots were a HUGE hit. Way to go, Santa.

Christmas pictures

2008-12-13T12:05:00.019-05:00

Here they are. After 2 hours and much bribing, the results of our annual family portrait session. Enjoy!

And so it begins..

2008-12-10T15:18:00.008-05:00

He's crawling. Let the babyproofing begin!

Oh, and he got his first two teeth (both on the bottom row) on Monday. It's been a busy week for our guy!

I really tried to get a picture of his teeth, but he got REALLY mad. So, here's a picture of him just being cute.

This month

2008-12-01T13:38:00.032-05:00

Poor Ei. He is clutching a picture of Jackson here. We had just been told we had to stay a second night in the hospital, and he was so upset. He really wanted to see Jackson. I gave him a picture of him, and he held it and cried until he fell asleep. It was heartbreaking. They love each other so much.

Aunt Marie and Papaw came for a visit.

I can't explain this...

I put them to work.

Yup, he's sleeping on the stairs. That's Ei for you.

This is what happens when your 4 year old has too much time on his hands.

Thanksgiving wore us out.

I need to defend myself here. I do not ordinarily have giant inflatables in my yard. This was a gift from Mimi and Zoe. They were just sure we needed a giant Santa in my front yard. Well, the boys do love it. As you can see, Aaron was especially thrilled.

We went to Fantasy of Trees.

Yes, there are only 2 children in the picture. Ei wouldn't get anywhere near Santa Claus. I guess it is a little creepy to meet a strange guy wearing a big red suit who will break into your house in a few weeks after traveling the world accompanied by flying reindeer.

Russell with the boys

Aunt Becca was the only one who would go on this ride with the boys. They loved it. That night they told me this was their favorite part of Fantasy of Trees.

Jackson made a tiny tree. He was so proud of it. Ei did not make one. He had an orange soda and would not put it down long enough to decorate a tree.

Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-17T19:01:00.000-04:00

Our MOPS group went to the Pumpkin Patch yesterday.

We went on a wagon ride. Ei was very impressed.

We fed some goats.

And went through the corn maze.

Aaron liked playing in the leaves.

Then we went apple picking.

This is the boys' friend Dmitri. I actually put this one in here so you could see how Aaron spent the day at Pumpkin Patch--in the sling on Mama's hip (as usual). But isn't Dmirti cute? He and Ei are only a day apart in age, and they look a lot alike too.

The boys were VERY dirty when it was time to go home!

What a fun day!

October 10, 2008

2008-10-17T18:30:00.000-04:00

Fall

2008-10-08T13:55:00.000-04:00

September

2008-09-16T23:10:00.001-04:00

This picture CRACKS ME UP. He's so goofy.

Don't trust that face. He's into something, I promise you.

Hannah's babywearing too. It's contagious! Let's hope her baby doesn't weigh 20 pounds and 13 ounces at his 6-month checkup. Yup, you read that right. Aaron weighed 20 pounds, 13 ounces. We're going to have go take out a second mortgage to feed all these boys!

Picking Fruit!

2008-08-25T15:00:00.000-04:00

Saturday we went to The Fruit and Berry Patch. What a great day! We picked grapes and apples (which are almost all gone today--Monday!) We also fed some goats and had a picnic at the farm. The boys are already asking when we can go back!

The boys and their loot

"Look what I picked!"

Notice the grape juice dripping down his shirt. He ate a few while we were picking!

Even Aaron got to try them. He agreed that they were YUMMY.

August 9

2008-08-11T14:27:00.001-04:00

July/August 2008

2008-08-08T15:23:00.000-04:00

My little conductors

This is their GeoTrax trainset that is taking over our house.

Happy 4th Birthday, Jackson!

Sliding with Papaw is fun!

Yep, he really wanted a cello.

all of Jackson's buddies

Aunt Becca loving on Aaron at dinner

We went to Famous Dave's on Jackson's actual birthday. He had some sugar.

Ei got some ice cream too.

Is this guy beautiful, or what?

Who would want to watch cartoons alone?

Jackson got a play shaving kit for his birthday. They shave with Daddy every morning now.

This picture is priceless. Notice how Jackson isn't wearing pants. I guess he started to take off his jammies, saw his cowboy hat, and decided to watch a few cartoons before he finished the job.

2008-07-11T16:12:00.000-04:00