A weekend of fun

This past weekend, we went to Wilmington for the weekend. We had not been there since our beach week back in the beginning of August. We decided to go because Daddy was heading there to fish with Uncle Jeremy who was camping there about 5 miles from Nanny. Since we were going to be either home alone or there with Nanny & Daddy, it was a no brainer. We headed out at 9pm (yep you read that right, 9pm) Friday night after attending a friend's wedding in Raleigh. Daddy fished in the terrible rain all day saturday & then again most of the day Sunday & spent the evenings with us. While he was out, the plan was for Nanny to make halloween costumes for the kids but that plan changed once we realized that nothing was all that tempting in the pattern books. So i decided to dress them in things we have at home & save the money to use on other shopping expeditions while we were there. The kids were great all weekend as Nanny drove us around since we were left without a vehicle! Thank goodness Nanny already had carseats, since Daddy had to pull the boat & take his truck. This is a synopsis of what we did:

First things first- we hit mommy's favorite local restaurant- J. Michael's Philly Deli. The boys enjoyed the water fountain out front (even though it was raining!)

Then we went next door to the Learning Express & i got the boys these ADORABLE buckets for trick or treating: Then, since we were already on that side of town, Nanny suggested we go to a place called "Old Time Pottery." I had never been here (or heard of it) & we ended up spending 3 HOURS in here & way to much money. But the kids were very patient....

Eli zonked out about halfway through the store & so nanny got a pillow & rug from the houseware dept & we made a little makeshift bed!
It must have been cozy because he slept for about an hour and a half!
Jackson decided to smell the artificial flowers & told us they smelled SOOOOO good!

This was about when his patience was wearing thin...he had just said, "I'm weady to doe" (i'm ready to go)

Back at Nanny's, the boys discovered a poor unsuspecting lizard on the broom stick... it was cute to see them try to touch it. Sunday morning, we headed to church....The boys got a little energy out in the church yard before heading to lunch.We met up with Marie & Kaleb for lunch since they were on their own also, since Jeremy was fishing with Randy. We went to Michealangelo's Pizza where the kids ate an entire slice of pizza a peice. Seriously, i wish i had taken a picture of these slices.... they literally had to use 2 plates to hold them because they are so long! I am such a glutton, i had two! Gasp! But in my defense, they were thin crust! We spent the rest of the day in Pottery Plus & Space Savers stores looking for more deals. By the time we got back to Nanny's, we were pooped! Then we had to drive home! We didn't make it back to our house until around 9:30pm! What a weekend!

Family from Michigan

Randy has a cousin, Laura who lives in Michigan that we don't get to see that often. She got to come the last weekend of September for a visit & the kids really enjoyed playing with her two kids: Gabe who is 3 & Gracie who is 11 months. I really enjoyed getting to visit with Laura. I think we have a lot in common & it is so unfortunate that she lives so far away! I have only gotten to visit with her 3 times the entire 7 years i have been married, but each time, i have thoroughly enjoyed it. Here are some pictures from our visit.

{i love how Gabe has to close his left eye with his finger!} {the boys being patient & posing for me}
{Gracie & Jackson were checking each other out! He really took to her!}

{Randy, Laura, & Gracie}

Parent's Night Out

At the end of September, my sister in law, Marie randomly called to ask if she could have the kids for an evening so Randy & i could go out. Umm, yes, you sure can, i told her! It was so nice to not feel guilty about asking someone to keep the kids. We NEVER go out & it is mainly because we don't feel like putting others out so we can have time together. So, since she offered, i didn't feel one iota of guilt! We took the kids over on Saturday evening & we went to the Outback for dinner. We had a great adult meal & the kids had a blast playing with Kaleb. And i think Marie was thrilled that Kaleb was entertained also! Here are some pics i took when we went to pick them up... apparently, they had an incredibly good time!

{are you ready for some football?}

{Daddy showing Eli how to get the sit & spin to work!}

{even though he looks cute in the helmet, i vote for a lesser contact sport!}

{Such goobers!!} {playing dressup... the fireman & the construction worker}
{rock n roll!}

Sleep, Child, Sleep!!!

Seriously, since we took the pacifier away from Eli back in AUGUST, he has not been a great sleeper. This has been such a bummer for us because he was the most awesome sleeper before. He would even come to us, blankie & pacie in hand, & want us to put him in the bed! Not anymore. Nope, now he LOATHES the bed. And as a result, we also now loathe nap time & bedtime (until he finally zonks out!). He goes to bed screaming & having a tantrum & then he has been waking early. This is what getting up before dawn will do to you by 10:30am....

And this is what it looks like on the weekend when Daddy is home:We really hope things will get better in this realm, but since it's been 2 monthes & it is still touch & go, then we just aren't sure! We are contemplating putting the boys together in a room, since Eli really just doesn't like to be in there by himself, but we fear they will play around rather than go to sleep. So we will see! Until then.... say a prayer for a good nights sleep!

HT Triples

Towards the end of September, Harris Teeter did a triple coupon weekend. Yippy! I love it when this rolls around, because it means i get to stock up on things we need or use for el cheapo. I decided i was only going to go once (you can only triple 20 coupons per day) & i went on a Saturday morning & took Eli with me. Usually, i try to go without the kids, but this time it didn't work out that way! He became my helper & would put the items into the back of the cart for me. So on our way out, he got a prize.....

He even brought one home to Jackson too! These kids love balloons, but honestly, we (the parents) hate them! The kids fight over them - even if they both have one! So they usually hang around until bedtime when they "accidentally" have a run in with my scissors while the kids sleep!

Happy Birthday, Nanny!

Here is a little message for you on your special day. Sorry we couldn't spend it with you, but maybe this will make you feel like we are there! We love you!

ps. Eli blew that kiss all on his own (i didn't tell him to at all!)

Pullen Park Playdate

Last week, I took the boys on a playdate at the park with our friends Ms. Candace & Mia Tate. We had a picnic (where none of the kids really wanted to eat!) & then went to play on the equipment & ride some rides. I was finally able to convince Jackson to ride the train (last time it was a no-go because it was "too loud.") & they also got to ride the boats. We had a great time & it was nice to catch up with Candace & see how much Mia Tate has grown!

Isn't this a sweet picture? He loves being a helper! And he is getting to the age that he really likes to help "little" kids.

Taking a boat ride...
Waiting for the train...

On the train...
Can you tell what is going on here? Eli is having a toddler moment- not wanting to share & Mia Tate is wondering what his deal is! Meanwhile Jackson is oblivious!
Enjoying having the space rocket to himself...
Eli still loves the swings. He pure giggles out loud while he swings- it is quite cute!
We took home this rock as a souvenir- only because Eli wouldn't leave it behind!

Red, White, & Blue

As it turns out, Jackson learns things all the time that i have absolutely NO IDEA he knows. In the car 2 days ago, he busted out in a song that i had heard before, but never from him. When he finished up, i said, "Jackson, that was great! Where did you learn that?" He told me at school- that they sing it everyday. Who knew?! I literally ask this child every day that i pick him up, "What did you do today?" And he most always says, "I don't remember" or "went on the playground." So the song was an exciting look into his days there. So, of course, i video-ed him singing it for you all to hear!!! (did you expect any less?)


Cute, huh?!

And, Aunt Becca told me after bible class tonight that Eli is now doing all the motions to "The wise man built his house upon the rock" (she is teaching his class). It took bribery (aka food) to get him to do it for me before bed tonight, but my camera battery is dead, so no go on the video. BUT, stay tuned..... i will try again of course! I am going to try to get Jackson singing "Little Me" on video too if he will. He learned this last year at school & it is one of his favorites to sing (other than "Blue Skies & Rainbows!") It is so sweet to listen to him sing... he always seems to have a song in his heart!

Backyardigan's Party

Friday night we had Eli's birthday party... kind of spur of the moment due to "hurricane" hanna. Even though the hurricane turned out to be a joke of sorts, they were forecasting it to do some damage, so i didn't want to take that lightly & moved the party from Saturday afternoon at the park (which ended up being beautiful) to Friday night at Mema's (when it was nice & rainy!) Eli was thrilled with his birthday cake - which was the most impressive Pablo (from the Backyardigans) in a star. I loved it so much i had a hard time cutting it! Many thanks to our friend Andrea, from church, for making it. She is so talented! (it kind of makes me want to take a cake decorating class, but really... where would i fit that in??)

Eli's first look at his special cake...To say that he wasn't too sure why we were all singing to him... was an understatement!

Blowing out the candles... Eli not only enjoyed looking at the cake, but he enjoyed EATING it too! He took his sweet time & even after everyone else was up from the table, he was still sitting there working on his!

When it came time to open presents, he was excited & engaged with each one. In fact we had to nudge him along to open a new one, because he would want to sit & hold/inspect the current one. And speaking of presents, we now officially own anything & everything that has a backyardigan on it! Seriously! He got 2 backyardigan balls, 3 DVDs, 2 books, a watch, a stuffed pablo character, a lunchbox, a color wonder tablet & a mini doodle pro! He also recieved some new clothes & sidewalk chalk, tadoodles markers, a fun snappy sounds book, bristle blocks (a real hit with Jackson too!) & some money that we already used yesterday at stride rite to get new tennis shoes (thanks Gma & Papa Evans!)When we got home from the party, Nanny was waiting for us. She wasn't able to make it in time for the party since it was moved to Friday evening, but decided to spend the weekend with us as originally planned anyway. (Hurricane Hanna didn't scare her! Ha!) Eli was thrilled to show her each & every gift he got & then he got to open one more, Nanny's gift!

Thanks to everone who made his day special & for being patient with the changing of the party last minute! We had a great time!

They say it's my birthday....

Our baby boy is not a baby anymore! Oh, no! I can't believe Eli is two years old today. When i had to wake him up this morning (to get Jackson off to speech before the first day of preschool), i was giving him kisses all over & I told him, "This time 2 years ago, mommy was giving you your first sugars ever!" He just snuggled into my neck & giggled. I actually teared up! It is still amazing to me that time goes so fast with these little ones & that in the blink of an eye, they are a year older. When Jackson was this age, I was already preggers with Eli which BLOWS my mind! That seems like a lifetime ago in some ways, but then again, it seems like yesterday. I hope time will slow down & that we will be able to savor every moment we get with our precious boys. Here is the birthday boy today..... Can't you just hear him saying "cheese" with his little tongue out?!

If i get more pics today & have a chance to post them, then there is a slight chance that i will! But considering i am starting a new bible class tonight at 7pm, i can't be held to that! We are having celebratory pizza night & are making homemade pizzas (the kids favorite) in Eli's honor tonight & he already got one present today! Aunt Becca bought him (& gave it to him in the store) a Backyardigan's ball. It is both his favorite things rolled into one (the backyard gang & balls!) He was so excited, he TRIED to take it to bed for his nap, but i had to convince him to leave it next to the bed! And since he has been napping, the mailman delivered a box with his name on it from Aunt Debbie.... Hmmmm.... What could be in there? We will have to open it tonight!