South Carolina

Monkey arrived in South Carolina! We got home last night from South Dakota, and were greeted by a big box from Charlotte, North Carolina. Needless to say, we were all smiles as we opened Monkey's little travel "pod". Carolina was thrilled to finally meet her cousin, and she asked him to join her in a little basking on the front lawn. It is quite warm here today, and the sun felt soooo good in the midst of winter!

Curious about what the numerous coolers on our front drive contained, Monkey investigated. Hmmm...a little champagne....

Some beer....

And another cooler filled with shrimp covered in ice. Had we wandered across the street, the coolers over there would have revealed oysters. Yes, it's true! Monkey will be able to take part in an Oyster Roast!! Several of our neighbors get together with our kids, and we roast oysters on New Year's Eve. I think this is the 4th year we've taken part. One year we did local crabs along with the oysters (also local), but this year decided that local shrimp sounded good. After eating, we set off fireworks for the kids. And if someone over indulges, it is a quick hop, skip, and a jump into our respective homes.

Monkey and Carolina discovered what we're having for dessert....s'mores! I'll try to snap some pictures of the festivities tonight, but it will be dark so I can't promise anything. For now, Monkey and Carolina are catching up on hugs and kisses...

Old Salem

On our way down to Charlotte to see Neil, we had to make a pit stop in Winston-Salem to pick something up. Since it was dark when Monkey was there to meet with the girls and help out at the food bank, we drove through Old Salem. Old Salem is a reenactment village set up to demonstrate what life was like in the 1700s when the Moravians first traveled to North Carolina. Old Salem is also the home to my Alma Mater, Salem College. The village is full of traditions and handicrafts year round, but is especially buzzing at Christmas time. He couldn't believe the line for the Candle Tea and it wasn't even dark yet!

Monkey was so excited to see the horse and carriage and begged for a ride, unfortunately, we were in a hurry.


Monkey thought the buildings were pretty and enjoyed learning a little bit about Moravian culture and architecture as we drove through. he is with some of the older buildings. The yellow one is the Salem Tavern. They housed and fed George Washington back in the day and one of my bridal showers back in '07. :) He was especially intrigued by the setting with historic Old Salem in the foreground and thePenis buiding Wachovia building in the back ground.
Monkey was so fascinated by the building, he made me get a little closer for a better shot.

His mother's child, he couldn't resist checking out the shops for a minute too! He helped me make a pressed penny for Freddie and tried out a few of the traditional Moravian holiday items.


We made friends with the gift shop lady and she said that Flat Stanley had recently traveled through. Too bad we missed him!

Monkey really seemed to enjoy Old Salem. He was trying to talk them into making this one of their new post cards.


I'm especially grateful to Monkey for encouraging this visit. It was my first time visiting the fancy schmancy new visitor's center across the street, and I always love Old Salem when it's decorated for the holiday.

no more monkeys jumping on the bed

Before Monkey and I hit the road to Charlotte, he had to do one last thing. It seems Jack has been teaching him some bad lessons. (Please ignore my naked walls!)

tardy

Sorry these are late, but Monkey and I had a few more adventure before he made his way down to Bethy's house. Lisagh said it would still be alright to share them, so here goes.

When I heard about the opportunity to host Monkey, i was especially excited because I have my own little traveling friend. His name is Mikey. My husband actually had a Mikey doll when he was a small fry and loved him to pieces...literally. When I first moved to Richmond several years ago, I found his twin in perfect shape. Now, when I'm gone for long periods of time, new Mikey comes with me (original Mikey is a bit too fragile). New Mikey has been to Ghana in West Africa and all over Europe. He was especially excited to meet Monkey and share stories of their travels.
The boys even let Original Mikey join in the conversation. Together, they helped monkey compile his passport entry for this leg of his journey. Mikey told Monkey how we collect patches from every place we visit and helped him put one from his trip to Old Salem on his suitcase.

Happy Birthday!

Monkey, I meant to post this on December 23rd, but the holiday madness caught up with me. I hope your first birthday was a great one!



~Amanda
(Mistah B?! That's a man's name!)

christmas day

monkey came down the stairs on christmas morning to find that santa had come to cottage bethy and he had left a great big candy cane in monkey's stocking!

monkey was especially fond of his stocking because it was handmade by his very own lisagh (she had given it to me last christmas - not even knowing its fate!).



but then poor monkey went through everything under the tree, sadly, santa did not leave him a macbook pro. maybe next year, monkey.

but we didn't forget our monkey friend. after seeing how much fun he had with the gingerbread houses, we found the perfect gift for him -


play-doh!! and since we realized monkey turned 1 during his visit with us, we had a play-doh birthday party for him! it was a wonderfully happy day.

our christmas eve with monkey

monkey went to church with us on the night of christmas eve.


we sang carols and lit candles.


afterwards, we drove around and looked at christmas lights.



then we all went home and went to bed and waited for santa....

a message from monkey

my date

i took monkey out last night.


he liked my friends.

and they liked him.



but he is still my (monkey) man...for now :)

Does anyone know where Monkey is today?

Hi everyone ...
I was calculating the time Monkey could arrive at the Bonanno Factory and I'm thinking it's about this time ...

Last week Domenick checked our mail box and found a key that unlocks a bigger box for packages. When he opened the bigger box it was empty. He left a note for the mailman.

Yesterday Domenick found the key again in our box and it donned on me, the package could be Monkey! but this time the key didn't work. We left another note for the mailman ...
so now all we can do is wait.
I feel so terrible Monkey could be stuck in a hot box through Christmas.

Hopefully the package is shoe repair and Monkey is enjoying the holiday, hanging from someone's Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas
Vivian

gingerbread

yesterday, after monkey finished painting my bookshelf, i took him to see a gingerbread house contest.




we saw so many beautiful and yummy houses! we couldn't believe they were all 100% edible, especially when we saw this...


yes, if you look close enough, there is something in that toilet - gross!


but most of the houses looked delightfully delicious and our little monkey just couldn't resist...

i was so embarrassed - i am such a rule follower and there were signs everywhere asking us not to touch! we ducked out of there quickly and to satisfy him, i brought monkey home to create his own little house.


not as pretty, but just as yummy!

all i want for christmas...

is a macbook pro.  at least that is all monkey has on his christmas list.  i explained to him that they are very expensive and that it is highly unlikely for even santa to go to such an extreme, but he said he was going to keep dreaming and he wanted me to put it out there for all you readers...

i think monkey might be holding out hope that i might even splurge on him.  today, i caught him doing some very bethy-like chores around here.  i have to say, it is making me think he is worth it.  :)

decking the halls

i have been decorating.

my theme this year is "peace on earth."  it seems that after spending five months with middle schoolers, all i could think about was peace.   

after putting some finishing touches on our tree, i sat down to have a drink.  my mind went immediately to our guest - poor neglected monkey!   thankfully, i have some children who can help entertain him.

i went looking for monkey and found him in the playroom.  he was watching the grinch with joseph.  :)  christmas coziness, we are loving it here!

*sorry about my picture quality, i will get my good camera charged for the next round :)

lo - i bring you good news!

today, i got to tell monkey some exciting news.  i received a telegram (okay, an email, but telegram sounds so old-school-christmas quaint) from lisagh that monkey will be spending christmas with us in charlotte!!!  we are all just beyond tickled - especially monkey after seeing all of my teacher treats.  i told him what's mine is his.  

one more day of school and the happy holidays begin!

school

monkey was the perfect student.  he sat quietly while we reviewed "author's voice," and i found him the perfect book to read.  after class, monkey told me that language arts is his favorite subject.  

shhhh...

monkey arrived in charlotte, north carolina!  he told us he had such a delightful time with amanda and he looked quite tuckered.  i told him we rise and shine here at 5:30am, so he was quick to ask for his accomodations.  i wanted monkey to feel cozy here at cottage bethy, and all we had available were king beds - i was afraid poor monkey would get lost in the duvet! so instead, i made him up a little drawer.  i know he has been treated like royalty on this venture, so i worried he would turn his nose up on this idea.  but not our humble monkey.  he hopped right in, rolled right over, said "sweet dreams," and he has been snoozing ever since.  he is off to school with us tomorrow...see you then!

monktisse

Monkey did a little pottery painting today.




Little Betsy was a big fan of Monkey. She wanted to take him home. Her mommy and I told her that he's not yet finished traveling. She accepted that and settled for a bite of monkey's banana.