Licensed to Drive (with a licensed adult over the age of 21)

Some magic happened on Monday.  Todd was able to get Henry's name and address on an official paper.  Our school wrote a letter stating he was a student and lived at our address.  So, as soon as school was out, we headed to the DMV.  We drove out to a further one because we were told it was less crowded and moved quicker.  It was hopping when we got there, but Henry got to start the test right at 4:00 which was the deadline to begin.  He came out with a smile on his face.  He passed!  He said he was going to tell everyone he got a 94%.  What is true is that he passed.  They took his picture.  He signed the little screen to validate it and then immediately regretted his signature.  I didn't know it would show up on the card?!!  Yep.  You now have 180 days to practice it for the real license.  Then he asked if he could drive home.  Our house was 30 minutes away on country roads.  I don't think so.  

The following day, we did take him to the local Baptist Church parking lot - they're always the biggest ones.  He has done very well so far.  He's parked and made it in the lines really well.  He's hit 15 mph which felt fast.  He is learning how to go around turns smoothly.  He only mixed up the pedals once.  He's been great.  Our next venture is the neighborhood and surrounding streets.  Something that actually has marked lanes.  

Day 1 - Todd's car

Day 2 - my car

Mid-week, the boys headed down to Atlanta with the art students.  They spent the morning at the High Museum.  I asked for pictures and they sent me some.  Not a selfie among them.  I thought they were hitting a second museum for the afternoon, but it was an art store.  Josiah brought home some souvenirs - markers, pens, sketch paper.  Henry found a National Parks poster there, too, so they both made out.  It is nice to still be close-ish to a big city.  

The Lichtenstein house was an optical illusion.  

This weekend, Henry, Caroline, and I headed up to Staunton to celebrate Grandma's birthday.  They, in turn, celebrated mine.  We enjoyed my childhood lasagna and I made sure to take a picture of the recipe before it disintegrates.  Caroline has already requested that we make it soon.  Then we had an ice cream cake which was also a favorite.  It was a great trip.   I did not get a picture of all of us together...

Since we haven't been up since Thanksgiving, we celebrated Christmas, too.  

Grandpa showed us what he has been working on downstairs.  It is incredible.  

Caroline loved his large collection of tiny anvils.  

Maggie took to Caroline like bread and butter.  They shared the chair often.  Maggie curled right up into her.  When Henry tried to get in on the action, Maggie sat as if to say, Excuse me sir, but this is my chair.  

When we got back to SC, Josiah had put together my birthday potato bin.  It was bigger than I expected, but that just means more potatoes.  Nothing wrong with that!  

So begins our final week of the 3rd quarter.  Time is flying!