Visit home

My parents took the kids home with them to SC after James's party. Seth had a race in NY that we weren't attending, so I took the opportunity for trip home on Wednesday. 

Mac and Bentley are never on leashes because we have a fenced in yard. This is not the case at my parents' house. The kids absolutely loved walking them around the neighborhood. I think they'd walk several miles as long as they have a leash in hand!

My parents yard is very shaded. Frogs  hop around everywhere! Adelyn enjoyed catching them! I'm so glad she's not ALL girly-girl!

We spent Thursday at the YMCA pool. Adelyn's new thing is seeing if we match. Our bathing suits kinda did!

James finally discovered that last 30 minutes we were there that he did indeed like the little kid slide! It takes him forever to warm up to some things! 

On Friday, my aunt, uncle, cousin, and her little boy came over for lunch. Harris and Adelyn searched for frogs and put them in a container their entire stay! Adorable

We got home Saturday afternoon and had an impromptu dinner date with my friends whose husbands were also out of town. That certainly made the evening pass in a fun way!

Happy 3rd birthday, James!

James turned 3 on June 22nd and we had an ice cream birthday party Sunday afternoon for him. I can't believe my little boy is three! 

• James has a sweet little voice (can be a big voice too!) that I really need to record more. I love how he talks. When he does something mischievous, it's almost hard to be mad at him because of what he'll say and how he'll say it. 
• He is VERY silly. 
• "Thank you" comes without being prompted. So does "I wooooooob you!". 
• He gives great hugs, and often gives you a kiss when you ask for a hug, which would melt anyone's heart. 
• The red hair plays into his personality- he's quite feisty. He's often a tester. For instance, at the pool the other day I asked him not to throw his monster trucks in and he looks at me, grins, and dangles them a centimeter above the water. Just a small example....
• We have been potty training for a little over a month now. He's got the first part down pat (everyone told me boys would love to go outside). The second part has been a bit trickier and maddening for me. But hopefully we've turned a corner. 
• James is super duper attentive to details. He remembers street names, people he met once 6 months ago, and just about everything you say (not that he always does it- haha!). I think he's a genius. 
• This kid still loves tractors....really, anything with wheels. Where did he inherit this from? He is obsessed with the movie Planes, playing with Legos, and anybody's iPad/iPhone. 

We love you, Jamesy-James!

Three years old! He has been so excited about this birthday. His birthday was celebrated in early May at school (since his was after school ended). Kids have no time concept and I got tired of, "NOW is it my birthday ?" so we made a chain. It had 37 links to begin with and we have taken off one each day. When it got down to the last few chains, he was practically doing cartwheels! :)

 3 and 5 years old!

Nana and Grandeddy

 Grandma and Grandpa

 The party started at 3. I didn't want to the kids melting outside (nor did I want them running through my house), so I cleared out the basement and set up some activities to do. They colored ice cream pages. 

 And painted ice cream posters 

It wasn't as hot as I thought it'd be (certainly not cool though!). Kids don't care- they played on the playground too!

 Once everyone arrived, it was ice cream time! Guests chose a cup or cone, vanilla and/or chocolate ice cream, and a variety of toppings (nuts, sprinkles, blueberries, strawberries, syrups, and cherries)

 Adelyn gave James a sweet hug after singing "Happy Birthday"

James chilling and eating his first cone

 This part of our deck is shaded. Each child got a couple turns at trying to break the ice cream pinata. 

 Y'all, it would NOT break! My friend has a son in high school and he couldn't even break it! I finally untaped the top and just dumped the candy out. 

This was a fun, simple party that James loved! Happy birthday, buddy! We can't imagine life without you and are so glad we got to celebrate your new year!

My parents took the kids to SC with them so Seth and I have had 3 glorious, kid-free days. It's been an awesome stay-cation! I have had a couple great workouts (finally got to return to my personal trainer and got in a 3.5 mile run), got some errands ran, and got some things cleaned out at home. Additionally, Seth surprised me with a massage at Spa Sydell and we had 2 date nights! Thanks Mom and Dad for taking the rascals. 

SFGG

I have an awesome set of friends from college and we're still the best of friends. We have gone on several SFGGs (super fabulous girls get aways- haha!). We aim to make them kid-free but that can get kind of tricky! Melissa, who lives in PA, was vacationing with her family at Reynolds Plantation (Lake Oconee) last week. Since we were within driving distance of each other met for the day. 

Since Randy and I were driving from Cumming, we carpooled together- it's MUCH more fun together. 

We got there just before lunch and spent the bulk of the day at the pool. This pool ROCKED! 

There was a splash pad 

 And a water slide that the kids loved going down! That's Amy and CeCe

Adelyn loves to play Little Mama to Zachry

 Gavin napped poolside

 Melissa sliding down with Cate

Dave sliding with baby Zachry

After a spending the bulk of the day at the pool (in which no kid but Gavin napped), Dave picked up pizza and we chowed down. Dave was the ultimate husband and tried his hardest to keep all 9 kids downstairs so us mamas could eat together upstairs. That didn't last too long, but it was super sweet of him to attempt it. 

College of Charleston girls: Randy, Melissa, Amy, and myself. Laura is represented on the iPad because she couldn't make it. We sure did miss her though! And why am I a foot taller than everyone?

And here we are with the kids (age range 5 months to 5 years old)

I LOVE getting together with my girls! Hopefully next time it will be for a longer duration and sans kiddos!

Fathers Day 2014

I'm wishing a special Happy Father's Day to my dad, my husband Seth, and my father-in-law! 

On Saturday night, we had a date night and went to Gibbs Gardens for Twilight at Night. In the summer, they play jazz music and serve appetizers and drinks in the beautiful gardens. 

It's Trevor's first Father's Day! Heather is due in August and couldn't be any cuter. 

On Sunday, we took our annual picture in front of the apple tree (given to Seth on his first Father's Day) after church. 

Love my silly family 

We grilled brats and ate corn on the cob, homemade mac and cheese, and a tasty salad. 

After naps, we went to Seth's parents pool for an afternoon swim. James and Bobby are relaxing!

Sliding down!

James (finally) loves to kick around on the noodle. This year, he's hit or miss with swimming (which is better than last year- he never liked it)

After the pool, we ate dinner (steaks) at Seth's Papa's house. Afterwards, the kids caught fireflies in the front yard. We brought them home in a jar and they released them in our driveway. 

I am so lucky to have my dad (who I get to see this weekend!), father in law, and Seth. I couldn't ask for a better dad for James and Adelyn and am so glad I have him to "do life" with!

Kansas Speedway

Seth had a race last weekend in Kansas City, KS. 

We stayed at a Marriott. The kids woke up early so we headed downstairs in pjs. Lo and behold, there was a STARBUCKS in the lobby. And each table had its own tv. I'm surprised I came back home. 

There is a Great Wolf Lodge across from the race track! We spent Friday and Saturday morning there with the Pombo boys. James was NOT feeling the water park. This is really the only time he got in the water and enjoyed it. At swim lessons 2 weeks ago, he was jumping off the diving board and begging to swim more. Here, he really only enjoyed the hot tub. Anyway, the other 3 kids had a ball! Eli and Adelyn loved the water slides!

Adelyn is leaping to the next log. We went to Whitewater Water Park in Atlanta a couple weekends ago, and she and Eli were too little to do the one similar. They were glad that they could master this one. 

The race wasn't until Saturday at 6:30 pm. These two are ready to cheer for Daddy!

Group shot at the Fan Walk

I am glad that Seth can still toss this 5 year old up in the air

I ended up staying at the rig with the kids because the only spot to watch from was super loud. Brenda bought Adelyn an Elsa MagiClip doll and James got some tiny Planes and Cars figurines. They seriously played with these for 2 1/2 hours. 

James was hilarious at the track! It was waaaaay after their bedtimes and they were wired. He was picking up a wrench and trying to fix things. 

Seth finished 9th! He went from 24th to 5th and on the last lap his engine blew, knocking him back a few spots. It could've been way worse!

Always a great time at the track!

Adelyn's activities lately

Adelyn started Mini-Jazz in January. The class is for 5-7 year olds (she turned 5 in May) but it was the only Thursday dance class around I could find. She has really enjoyed it! I'm not saying she's super- she's definitely the youngest one and it shows. BUT, she loved it! Her performance was at a high school May 31st. This dance company is amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed the show- watching the youngest kids dance and see the progression all the way up to the Senior Dance Company was really inspiring. Adelyn's dance was to "ABC" (Jackson 5)

 Before the rehearsal

 "Easy as 1,2,3"

 "Shake, shake, shake it, Baby"

 This was their pose at the end

 Daddy brought her a beautiful bouquet

Grandma also came 

I am proud of this girl for getting up in front of a packed auditorium and dancing!

Adelyn also started swim team with a nearby neighborhood. Practice is everyday (8 am). She absolutey loves it, and she has learned so much. We were only going to be on the Minnows team (no swim meets) but during evaluations they said she could do the swim meets. At her first meet she only swam backstroke (which she had just learned the week prior) and she hung on to the rope every other stroke. At her 2nd meet she swam freestyle and backstroke and didn't touch the rope once. We may have bribed her with ice cream for dinner if she didn't touch it. :)

At Thursday morning practice, they mark the kids' arms up with what they're swimming. It's very official looking. 

The kids hang out in the bullpen until their event. The girls spend their wait time drawing on each other with washable marker. 

We have 3 more weeks before the season is over. Go Lightening!