October 17

Big Boy got a new pair of shoes!

So, I've been looking for a long time and haven't found the right pair of shoes at the right price. But I've had a lot of time becuase the weather has been unseasonably HOT. Eighty degrees in October still calls for sandals and flip flops. But, all of a sudden, a cold front arrived. And it looks like it's staying for the week. Maybe fall is here to stay. So, off to Target this morning to buy some shoes.

Grayson enjoyed trying them on and walking around the aisle. They look a little big, but we need some growing room. They are so cute on him and make him look like such a big boy. Thanks Aunt Kasey and Uncle Nick for the birthday gift card. He loves them.

During Grayson's photo shoot, Neylan climbed up the stairs and sat on the other side of Grayson's step, then said "cheese". How can I resist someone who wants to have their picture taken? I totally have these boys trained to help me keep this crazy blog going!

Sorry- now that I look at these pics larger, I realize I didn't have the flash on.

A random thought!

So, looking back over the posts, I realize that 6 out of the last 8 days pictures are of Neylan eating or doing something with food. Man, that kid eats a lot! Or, it's the only time he stays still long enough for me to get a picture. Will work on a bigger variety for ya'll

October 16

The party favors from yesterday were placed in these buckets, which got left in the car- to be worn as hats today!

October 15

The boys were invited to a birthday party today at the park. It was the perfect day to be outside. The theme was superhero. They had a great time eating, playing and then dressing up in their Halloween costumes for a quick picture.

More cute pics of my Chick-Fil-A duo on Halloween!

October 14

Tonight was date night! The first one in, hmm. . .  a long time!! We had dinner at California Pizza Kitchen, one of our faves, and then went to a movie. We saw Courageous. FABULOUS!!! After we paid for dinner, two $10 movie tickets, and $13 for popcorn and a drink, we realized that's why we don't go on dates much. We can't afford them. So, until next year, this will suffice. We had fun and the boys had a blast with their favorite twins.

October 13

Adam took the boys to the park before dinner tonight and came home saying the boys were hungry. Dinner wasn't quite ready yet so I sent them to the backyard to play. Neylan was apparently really hungry and found a piece of 3-day old bread that had been sitting out that I finally threw out to the birds this afternoon.

October 12

Grayson requested to watch Toy Story 3 tonight before bed and since there is a scene at the beginning where Andy eats popcorn, he wanted some too. So, we had a little movie night and the three of us shared a bag of popcorn!

October 11

We went to a self-serve frozen yogurt place for dessert tonight. No complaints from these guys! Who needs spoons when you can just drink your yogurt from a HUGE bowl!?

October 10

Neylan had his 15 month check-up today, which included another round of shots! So, we talked about it all morning before we went to the doctor. Since Grayson has been so fascinated with playing doctor lately, he asked if he could have a shot. When we got there, he asked the doctor the same thing. So, she caved and let Grayson have his flu shot! Grayson also wanted me to get one, so I got my flu shot too. And then the best part- suckers for such brave boys. They didn't offer me one for being so brave! 

October 9

The easiest way to get through a grocery shopping trip- find a race car cart and let them drive through the store. And shop fast! And promise a horse ride after checking out!

October 8

How much fun can you have with a 5 gallon bucket and some dishwashing detergent?

A lot, in the minds of these boys!

They took turns blowing bubbles

And then regretted sticking the whole face in

So, then decided to just stick the whole leg in (mind you the water is very cold waterhose water)

Let's retaste just to make sure it's as nasty as they say it is

And then, let's stick both legs in

And now, let's sit down!!!

Well if you're sitting in a bucket full of water and bubbles, you may as well get washed!

After all of this fun was over, they headed straight for the big bathtub!

October 7

I have been looking at this plant all spring and summer wondering if it was a weed that needed to be pulled. I knew I had planted a mum there and that the leaves looked like mum leaves, but I just couldn't tell. Until now. When I went out today, I see- it's my mum!!! It's gotten a lot bigger since I planted it.

October 6

Mr. Independent is at it again. Most of the time I just let him. He needs to try and succeed in his own way. Tonight after he finished playing outside, he wanted to put his clothes back on- himself! And he did

Backwards!

Who cares when he is so proud of doing it himself!

October 5

I had a little bit of a break today on my workday and a 30% off Kohl's coupon. So, I just HAD to go see what I could find. And I came home with this perfect and adorable picture frame for my monkeys who are quickly becoming very close friends. Now, I just need to find the right picture for it. It matches Neylan's room perfectly too!

October 4

These boys get presents all the time! Today Adam was invited to a baby shower for some of his coworkers who are pregnant. What he didn't know was that it was also for him. We got a nice gift card and the boys got 3 new ball bath toys. Thanks LKMS!

October 3

Had a pretty uneventful day- thank goodness. It was just a LONG day of traveling. The boys did great on the flight home and we walked into a clean house with freshly shampooed carpet. Thanks Adam. Now, how long can we go without a stain or a spill? I give it less than a week!

October 2

We had one full day in TN to enjoy family, so we did. We spent the evening with Adam's family. Mimi and Papa got the boys their first nerf football and Grayson was ready to play immediately. Mimi is always a good sport and does whatever Grayson wants, like tackle, throw, catch, and kick.

Grayson and Mimi also made chocolate chip cookies for everyone. He still LOVES to help in the kitchen

October 1

This morning we had a nice little family reunion at my grandparents' house. All of the kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, minus 2, were able to come for lunch. We had a great visit.

September 30

It was a beautiful morning, so we went to the park and walked on the peir. We stayed until we were run over by big kids on a fieldtrip. It was lunchtime anyway and Neylan had fallen asleep. 

We went back to the beach tonight after it cooled down some. Unfortunately, the cool down was a cold front coming in with a lot of wind. The kids played in the water for a little while, but were ready to go inside when they started to freeze. Neylan's chin was chattering and Grayson's lips were turning blue. Don't they look cold?!

September 29

A day at the beach

Another first for Neylan. He was quite hesitant, but after a couple hours and lunch, he warmed up to the water and ventured out a bit more. The boys had a great time and the weather was perfect.

Grayson and his cousin Lauren. Two peas in a pod who are quite social and made friends with everyone under 4 feet tall on the beach this morning.



September 28

Travel day #2- from TN to SC. We had a 6-7 hour drive to do today. We planned to leave after lunch at naptime hoping for optimal nappers. Neylan came through for us. Grayson didn't fall asleep until 6:30 pm! They did great though and we only had to stop one time at McDonalds for some leg stretching and play time outside.

September 27

Several weeks ago, in a moment of desperation, insanity took over my brain, and I acted on it! I booked a flight for just the boys and I to go to TN and the beach to see family. It takes a lot of organization to get my crew ready for any trip, but in this case, I was pretty nervous. So, this is how it's done. One kid in the stroller and one on my back! Lots of bags on the handles and a bit of help recruited to get the bags checked in. Security was much easier than I thought. Everyone was very patient as I have to unload all the bags, remove shoes (which you no longer have to do for kids under 12- hallelujah!), fold up the stroller, and get two mobile ones through the metal detectors. We didn't have any time to spare, which was actually nice, and were able to get everything ready to load the plane and board as soon as we were through security.

The boys did fabulous on the hour-and-a-half flight. We ate snacks, read books, played ipad, and then landed. It was a breeze. The flight was pretty empty so we had our own row and very few people around us to bother. No one cried, had a fit, pooped, or spilled anything major the whole time.

I am aware that I do have to return home, so will just go ahead and plan for a much different trip. If it's as easy as the first flight, I will consider myself very blessed!

After we landed in Nashville, we have a 3 hour drive home. So, we stopped near the halfway point for dinner and some play time. It happened to be kids' night at Chick-Fil-A and the activity for the evening was "decorate a doughnut". Perfect for a long car ride home. Boys hyped up on a doughnut covered in fosting and sprinkles!

September 26

Is this not the cutest fireman you have ever seen? He needs to be featured in a calendar!