and now December is nearly half over

These boys, whom I have to remind that not everyone needs to be kung fu fighting, and definitely not right next to the Christmas tree. 

What if there were a rule that you were not allowed to say a word unless you knew how to spell it? Hank pondered aloud. The world of guidelines and regulations is a big area of interest for him, and his head seems to have barely enough space for his ideas to roam.

Meanwhile Tolliver wanders the house in his wearable blanket, giving warm-as-toast Little Fur Family vibes. He mixes Nesquik to make chocolate milk, unless he's frying an egg for a sandwich. He adds arugula and tomatoes to the grocery list, to maintain his habit.

Last night Tucker bowled in his first high school match, and today he accompanied the choir at three holiday concerts. I tried to send him from my spot in the audience tonight this smile that had a lot in it. You know, one of those smiles that said, almost word for word, "I'm so proud of you." He smiled right back, really big.

These boys, who leave socks lying around and the toilet seat lifted, who are really loud and often stinky, who tell me they like my earrings and thank me for making bucatini for dinner. I could not love them more.