Before I was married...

How do you celebrate 15 years of marriage? At casa de Galbraith it's with a bowl of cereal and a few loads of laundry. We even toasted with a Nyquil nightcap...

Before I was married, I always envisioned anniversaries celebrated in tropical locations. On even numbered years, we would take the kids. Odd numbers would be just us. We would come up with fabulous gifts that corresponded with the "anniversary guidelines" (you know, one year = paper, two years = cotton, etc.). We would laugh about that one time in 1998 when we had that "silly little argument." And we would marvel at our unprecedented parenting skills. We had no idea our DNA would manifest perfection personified! That was all before I was married...

Now, I know that anniversaries can fall in the middle of the week...on a school night, no less. I know that you decide ahead of time "not to do gifts this year" because braces are on the horizon and piano fees are due. I know that husbands get horrible colds, but still offer to "take you somewhere special" between the breaths of his hacking cough. I know that I don't want him to be miserable, so I decline with the promise of "we'll celebrate this weekend." I know that our perfect offspring are fighting over a basketball in the driveway. I'm pretty sure I heard my dear husband tell one of them to "suck it up." Does that qualify as unprecedented parenting? I know that our tropical celebrations are always in Destin and always with the kids...even and odd years. I know that anniversaries can end with a peck on the cheek and the sentiment, "I hope you don't catch this." And I know that 15 years later, I wouldn't have it any other way.

June 1, 1996

May 6, 2011

Despite not feeling well, Russ and the boys surprised me

at my school with these beautiful flowers. According to Google,

the 15 year gift is supposed to be a watch, but who keeps track of that stuff?

Only Carter...

Driving home from the lake this weekend, I glanced in the backseat and saw this...

I did a double take and he gave me a little smirk. Gotta love a kid that can pull off that look!

Cicada Mania...

After being underground for 13 years, the cicada's were out in full swing this weekend! The boys weren't even born the last time this particular species emerged! As our resident professor, Russ had read up on them and gave us a full lesson on their life cycle.

Apparently, they come out of the ground every 13 years and mate. The sound that you hear is the male mating call (sidenote: after he mates, he dies...kind of a raw deal). The female lays eggs on tree branches/leaves. When the eggs hatch, they fall down and proceed to burrow into the ground. They spend the next 13 years sucking on tree roots and growing...only to emerge, mate and die. I've wanted to be alot of things in my life, but I don't think a cicada will ever be on the list! Seriously? Sucking on a root for 13 years?

I think their tragic story made them all the more fascinating to the boys. Some of the "sicker" ones were slow enough for us to catch and photograph. I love the one of Alex laughing! It's hard to believe that the boys will be 24 and 21 the next time these red-eyed wonders make an appearance...that thought might be depressing enough to make me go find a root!

Mimi's Magical Beds...

It's a well kept secret that Mimi has magical beds at her house. Upon hearing of Alex and Carter's impending arrival, they spontaneously produce gifts to celebrate the joyous occasion. I'm not exactly sure when the tradition started, but it's been going on for as long as either boy can remember. When we get to Batesville (about 45 minutes away), they will start pondering, "What do you think will be on our beds this time?"

I've tried to teach them to NOT expect it every time...these warnings have fallen on deaf ears because it DOES happen EVERY time! You could expect nothing less from magical beds! Occasionally, the beds experience a touch of dementia and have to produce cash or candy at the last minute (the boys are equally thrilled with these last minute productions). But most of the time, there is some thoughtful gift that says, "We love you and are so glad you're here." I'm so glad Mimi found these beds. They are giving my boys far more than gifts...they are getting wonderful childhood memories.

A sneak peak at the magical beds which are also cute and functional.

On our most recent visit, Alex's bed held a 4th of July shirt and a box of football cards...

...and Carter's had the same shirt and a very welcomed Yoda!

Carter's New BFF...

After discovering him on his "magical bed", Carter and Yoda did some serious bonding. They were virtually glued to each other the entire weekend...and it is still continuing back at home!

Yoda hitched a ride on Carter's back down to the water. He

sat on the dock and watched Carter practice his jumps. Good

Jedi training!

After coming off the lake, Yoda diligently followed Carter

inside to change into dry clothes. All refreshed, they're

walking down to the patio for a snack.

Yoda loves to snuggle and take a nap on the boat.

It was little windy on the water, so Carter was very careful
to cover Yoda's head with his hood. We can't have him
getting an earache!

Memorial Day...

We spent Memorial Day weekend at Mimi and Papa's...i.e. the lake. The weather was absolutely warm and gorgeous, but the water was still FREEZING! This didn't deter my crazy boys from jumping in...all three of them! Here are a few highlights:

All suited up for the first swim of the season.

Carter screaming, "It's coooooolllddd!"

Taking the first boat ride of the season.

Carter's jump off the dock...

...and Alex's jump off the dock.

Swinging with Papa while waiting on those burgers to grill.

Russ and Mimi chillaxin' on the patio.

Taking a quick time-out from their water gun/missile fight.

Carter driving the boat. Papa let him make the big turn

at the end of the cove. He was so proud of himself!

Worn out.

A sense of accomplishment...

Carter spent a few days at home while he recuperated from a bout of strep. Since he wasn't acting quite sick enough, I decided to put him to work...folding towels. Now, keep in mind that both boys have chores (making their beds every morning, taking out the trash, putting their dishes in the dishwasher, cleaning their bathroom sink area, flushing...), but for some odd reason, it has never crossed my mind to have either of them fold laundry. They put their laundry away when I'm done folding it, but that's as involved as they are in the process. I suspect it's because I am a bit OCD. I like clean lines and edges. I like them stacked according to color. But for whatever reason (I suspect it was sheer sleep deprivation from a sick child and an out of town husband), I turned the reigns over to Carter on this particular day. Not too shabby for a first timer! He was so proud of himself that I may have to increase my meds and make it his full time job!