Gift ideas 2009
Evan’s birthday seems to be sneaking up on me faster than usual. Two people have asked for ideas, so I am hoping this list is helpful for that as well as Christmas. It is interesting each year to try to figure out what the boys are spending time thinking about. In case it would be helpful for you, here are some ideas:
Evan:
rock polisher
legos — a “good” set since Grayson has all the “good” ones (ok, those are Evan’s words 
) pirates, castles, Star Wars
art supplies
gift certificate to amazon.com or to Barnes and Noble (book lover!)
ear warmers
wrist watch (not a digital one, please)
prism
digital camera (not a children’s one–the pics are too grainy to print)
Evan continues to love science–rocks, gems, amphibians, dinosaurs, fossils, reptiles, space…
subscription to National Geographic KIDS magazine
Grayson:
Legos — especially if they include dragons, castles, trolls, monsters, Star Wars… that sort of thing.
dot to dots (not super easy ones) maybe ones that go to 30 or so
art supplies
house shoes (size 12/13)
ear warmers
DVD Ponyo on the Cliffs by the Sea –widescreen version
50 to 100 piece puzzles
magazine subscription — ideas for a kindergartner?
Other ideas:
games
Junior Scrabble?
Number Quest — would probably have to find used or on ebay — Evan’s teacher has this math game he loves it
If there is something you would like to claim from the list to give as a gift, you could either leave a comment or let me know and I can take it off the list.
The Rat King
Both boys have gone round and round about what they want to be for Halloween. It started out as a dragon (Grayson) and a knight (Evan). It progressed through vampires, wolves, and then the Nutcracker. Grayson finally decided he didn’t want to be the Nutcracker, he really wanted to be the Rat King. Evan then decided HE wanted to be the Nutcracker Prince. Still thinking about all this yesterday, Grayson came home, opened a cardboard box he’s been saving since his birthday back in April, plopped down and drew the cutest Rat King I had ever seen.
Daddy’s Little Helper
Grayson is definitely into helping with the yard. If Ben is outside, Grayson is outside. He was so excited when we got out the blade mower this year and he was really mowing instead of pushing a plastic one. When they were out mowing this past weekend. I just couldn’t resist grabbing the camera.
Sweet Girls
Today while eating a snack, Grayson says, “Mom, I think girls are sweeter than boys.”
Aww, I think.
“What makes you think that sweetie?”
“Because girls are always getting bug bites.”
Ah! 
Tour to Tanglewood
In Winston Salem, there is a great opportunity to support research for Multiple Sclerosis in a biking fund raiser. Ben has done this for five or six years, always wanting me to join. This was the first year I was up to trying. I can’t believe it, but together we raised just over $1000! Can you believe it?! We did many training rides leading up to the big ride, finding some new places to ride along the way. In the end, I had to take the 22 mile option because I just couldn’t ride 45 miles in one day yet. Here are some pictures from our ride. Did I mention that is was pretty cold and rainy that day? Maybe next year will be dry. Thank you so very much to all the friends and family members who were able to support us in this event.
Just starting out
Ben somewhere along the longer route
Here we are at the end of the ride. We are soaked!
Bows and Arrows
Grandpa Robert came by to visit this past weekend and brought each of the boys a bow with three arrows. Grayson’s first words were, “Yeah! Now I can shoot Mommy and Daddy!” Oh my. Luckily, they were redirected to practicing on targets, not people. I noticed yesterday that after they made their beds before school, the bows and arrows were placed carefully across the quilts.
Silly boys
Sometimes when Ben gets home the boys are off the woods or tucked into a book and can hardly notice. OTHER times, they are all over him. They were getting so silly yesterday that I had to grab the camera.
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