Happy New Year!

The boys have finally calmed down from the excitement of Christmas. Carter is being particularly sweet to me, wanting to climb in my lap and "snuggle buggle" with me several times a day. At this very moment, he's placing my crown (wedding tiara) on my head. He told me, "Don't worry, I'll be very careful." So, here I sit with my crown on my head. Unfortunately, I don't feel too empowered by it.
Yesterday, we had 10 extra family with us at church. It was fun trying to keep all 5 kids, ages 6 and under, in one pew and quiet. Then we all went to Ramsey's for lunch. It was fun to catch up with Nathan's cousins. The amazing thing was that my old friend Lora and her whole family came in while we were there. She is visiting from Indianapolis for the holiday. Just as Carter's Mickey Mouse pancakes were delivered, she leaned down and asked "Hey Carter, do you remember me?" He reluctantly took his eyes off his pancakes and looked her square in the eyes, and seriously requested, "Can we talk about this later?" She burst out into loud cackles and proceeded to tell her whole party what Carter had just said. I just closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. I told her I was sorry but she really didn't hear me. She was too busy laughing. Later, I walked back to her table to talk about visiting with them before they leave Lexington and her husband asked Carter, "Hey Carter, you're getting so big! Did you have a big Christmas?" Carter looked at him, sized him up and asked, "who are you?" He responded he was Peyton Manning the quarterback for the Colts. Carter, unaffected and obviously unimpressed, asked, "Who are you?" Lora and her whole family howled with laughter. Then, as they they focused on Will, Carter disappeared. I looked and saw him at the other end of the restaurant talking to each table. I quickly, and politely as possible, excused myself and found out that he was asking each patrons at every single table "Did you have good Christmas?" Each table seemed charmed by this blond 4 year old spreading holiday cheer. Heaving a sigh of relief, I was happy he wasn't asking each one of them for money or candy.
Right now, I'm sitting on the couch, in my tiara, between my two boys. Carter on my right, looking through a stack of toy catalogues left over from Christmas and Will on my left trying to press any button he can on the computer. Carter is still in his pajamas, and Will has removed his pants and socks. Will is whining because he was hitting himself in the head with a small jewelry box. Carter, without even looking up from his catalogue responded matter-of-factly, "You did it yourself, Will." And that seemed to make sense to Will. Made sense to me.
Now it's time to get everyone in the car and head to the grocery. Time to spread some more cheer in the neighborhood.