Road Trip, Mimi and Birthdays

Last weekend we went to Mary Ellen's, and I'm pretty sure Hardin wouldn't have enjoyed Disney more.  They have just about everything you could imagine for a kid to play on.  He and Liddie played and played and played and played some more.  He stayed up later than he ever has, 10pm, and had the time of his life.  His favorite was the gator.  Pretty lady, cool ride, the kid was over the moon.  I had just as much fun soaking in time with one of my favorite people in the world. 

Wednesday Mimi arrived, with a BEAUTIFUL chest that belonged to her mother.  Pictures to come once one of Jason's friends can come help him get it inside and put the mirror on.  The plan was to use it in Hardin's big boy room, but after one look we all agreed it has survived over 100 years in this family, no need to destroy it in a two year olds room.  We are going to use it in our guest room until the play room can be a piano room.  My family doesn't have anything like this precious chest, so I am very thankful to have something so special for our house.

Thursday I took a half day and kept Hardin out of school to hang out with Mimi.  Friday night we had dinner out at Double Zero with Mimi, Cat, Justin, Roddy and Sharron to celebrate Mimi's birthday.  Roddy's brave baby sitter took on all 5 cousins, but she had two awesome helpers in Stella and Olivia.  When I told Hardin it was time to go home, he didn't hesitate to say you go home, I need to stay here.  Those kids know how to have a great time. 

Saturday was Cawley's FIFTH birthday party at Leaping Lizards.  After a second day with the girls, Cathy and I were ready to split up Olivia and Stella and take one home each.  They were SUCH a great help with the little kids.  They showed them all around the jumpy houses, climbed the slides, helped them up and down, they were great.  I know it sounds a little crazy, but sometimes I get sad that my brother and I will never have kids the same age.  Seeing how much fun and how close they can be, even with 9 years in age difference, makes me happy at the thought of a different relationship. 

After all of that we slept.  4 hour naps yesterday and 3 hour naps today.  We worked in a little grocery shopping, a new tennis racket for daddy, and a park play date as well.  I've taken a page from Hardin's book lately, running full speed or asleep.  It's been nice. 

A very merry half birthday to you!

My sweet bubba love is two-and-a-half today.  Of all the milestones, this one may be the hardest to take yet.  At two, there was still quite a bit of baby left in him.  Six months later, there's hardly a drop.  He's a full fledged kid, he even smells like one after a long day.  The new daddy sponsored hair cut doesn't help. 

In a few days the folks at Amazon will have a big box full of all things potty training delivered, and then the very last baby thing will be the crib.  That may be around for a while with as much as we all love it. 

At two-two-and-a-half, here are a few Hardin facts and stats.

His memory is what stands out to all of us the most.  He does not forget ANYTHING.  We went to a restaurant the first week we moved in the new house 7 months ago.  We visited last week and as soon as we pulled up he said I wanna see the BIG fish not the little ones.  He remembered the colors, and exactly where the aquariums were from that first trip.  If you tell him we are doing something when he wakes up in the morning or from nap, it's the first thing he ask when he wakes up.  He memorizes the pictures in books in the first reading.  It may be normal at this age, but we are always surprised. 

He's not as great with counting.  I'm not sure if he tries to go to fast or if he loses interest, but he's just not that into it right now.

He does not like anyone crying, and will tell you he's going to go save the day if he hears a baby cry.

He's big on his surroundings.  When you are driving down the road he points out every color, shape and type of truck he sees. 

He's not as interested in sounds as he used to be.  Airplanes hardly even get a glance anymore. 

His vocabulary is expanding everyday.  He remembers words I'd never expect, and does not like not knowing what something is.  He even stands by me while I do my make-up in the morning and identifies each item. 

There are still a few words he pronounces wrong, and I love it.  Room is rune.  He always wants to go play in mommy's rune.  He asks for floss every morning after me, but can not get the F-L start down as much as he's tried.  He always says soff.  The double Ls are also a challenge.  I can't even attempt to spell his yellow, but it involves a fully sticking out tongue in the middle. 

I've never called myself mommy, but he picked it up from somewhere.  I thought I'd be mama forever, no such luck.  Jason on the other hand, is still dada for the most part.  Unless he's really trying to get his attention, then he's Jay-sin. 

He eats and eats and eats and eats and never gains weight.  Just like me, right?  HA!  Clearly we know where that comes from.  He's literally only gained a few ounces since his 2 year check up.  We still haven't hit 28 pounds.  He's getting taller tough, and the legs are getting long. 

His favorite foods right now are berries of all kinds, bananas, oatmeal, cheese, chicken, French fries, broccoli, carrots, mac and cheese, and steak.  He still will not entertain the idea of a sandwich.  Wont even try.  And he's exactly like daddy in his love for all things breakfast.  He can eat sausage, bacon, eggs, pancakes and waffles with the best of them. 

He loves his cousins and his friends, but he's become quite the little boss.  I was shocked at his Easter egg hunt at school.  With an October birthday, he's the oldest in the class, and he's taken that roll and run with it.  Weece, you get the blue egg. Ebwitt, you sit on that slide. Christopher, do NOT do that.  Etc.  He does the same thing with Lillian even when she's not here.  I hear him all the time saying Lillian can not get on the green swing, it's too dangerous.  He even stood right in front of my grandmother the other day with his arms out and said Maw-maw, STOP RIGHT THERE.  Do not cross the street, it is too dangerous for you!  She was trying to cross the hall from the bathroom to her room.  We're working on the bossiness. 

He's not the cuddliest kid, but the "I haven't seen you all day" hugs are so so so good.  Don't even try and snuggle him in the morning when he's watching his progrums.  That aint gonna happen.  Speaking of his favorite shows, he's picked up my mom and grandmother's ol' southern woman lingo.  He says pro-grums, just like my mom.  And when he's leaving the room to get something, he says I'ma run get my _____ right quick, just like my grandmother. 

He's started with the "IT'S MINE!"  Needless to say we don't love that.  He will grab something right out of your hand.  We grab it right back and try it again with some manners, but it's no less troublesome.  I know it comes with the age, but I don't think it's going away anytime soon. 

He's a happy kid, and runs HARD until he doesn't.  Then he's a total slouch.  Seriously, no middle ground.  It's 90 or nothin'. 

We adore him, and love him and are so very thankful God picked us to be his parents. 

That's all I can think of right now.  Today was an exhausting last Friday of the month, and therefor we celebrated Hardin's half birthday at Long Horn with yummy steaks and an ice cream sunday.  We have a super fun weekend planned with friends and a drive thru zoo. 

Cousin Time

Saturday we were L.A.Z.Y. and did a little shopping.  It was awesome.  Hardin even did well on our two hour trip to Garden Ridge at the promise of his cousins coming after the sun goes up again. 

Justin played in Jason's member/guest tournament today, so Cat and the kids headed up to play with us.  It love the day before they come, Hardin is so full of anticipation and talks about them all day.  As usual he talked more about Cawley, but played more with Lillian. 

The only thing I planned was make-your-own pizzas.  They were pretty gross, but the boys saved us by getting Chilli's to-go.  We played on the swing set, destroyed the play room, went down to the lake to run around and throw rocks, and washed the golf cart and Cathy's car.  Of everything, I think the kids enjoyed the washing more than anything.  Go figure.  They took their little task very seriously. 

It was the fist time we've hung out in a while with no addenda, and I think we all enjoyed it.  Me more than anyone while Cat watched the trio who didn't nap, while I caught a short snooze on the sofa. 

Dolphin Tales

A few months ago, Hardin noticed the Georgia Aquarium commercial for the Dolphin Tales show.  Ever since then, no matter where he is when it comes on, he stops dead in his tracks and stares quietly until it is over.  Then he loudly proclaims HE wants to see some dolphins. 

A month or so ago we decided it was time to take him, but purchased our tickets for this week to wait until the spring break craziness was over.  Ever since I told him we had tickets, he has eagerly asked to go really soon. 

The Aquarium was fun, our $32 food court lunch was disgusting, but the Dolphin Tales show was nothing short of incredible.  I'm not sure who's heart was more full, Hardin's watching those dolphins, or Jason and I watching him.  At the first sight of those sweet creatures jumping Hardin was squealing with joy.  Literally laughing like crazy he was smiling so much.  My eyes were filled with tears just soaking him in.  I know I say this too much, but he really does get insanely excited about his surroundings.  The thing that has made me the happiest in this season of life is finding ways to elicit that crazy joy.  It's contagious, and it's probably my favorite feeling ever.  Fortunately, he gets nearly as excited for a random fire truck spotting. 

During the show he clapped.  And sang our seating area's parts.  And clapped.  And screamed.  And giggled.  Then he clapped some more through the entire 30 minute show.  It ends rather abruptly and I honestly thought he was going to cry.  And I thought I was going to cry when I had to go to work after, but am so very thankful I took a half day for our little adventure. 

I was far to busy chasing an excited two year old to take many pictures, but I won't soon forget the images in my head from today. 

Anxiously waiting for the show to start.

 

M. A. D. we were leaving.

Game Ranch

Sometimes I am way more confident in my parenting skills than is warranted, and decide to do overly ambitious things like take a VERY active 7-year-old-boy and a very two 2-year-old-boy to the game ranch by myself.  I should have known better when I stopped myself from calling any friends to join us because I thought it'd be better if there were no one to witness the madness. 

Despite my fears and a few crap, where's ______ moments, it went quite well.  The fences helped.  It was Austin's first time there and the boys had a blast.  They loved figuring out what each animal would eat and jumped up and down like monkeys when they figured it out. 

I loved watching them, but was wore slap out by time we dropped Austin at his house and pulled in the garage.  I napped so hard I thought it was Sunday when I woke up.  Seriously.  I know I'm being dramatic and mothers do the two crazy kids thing every day, but it's no joke when you aren't used to it.  They sure do look sweet and peaceful in the pictures though. 

Jason grilled yummy steaks for dinner and we officially decided we're a three steak family now.  Hardin ate much more of my filet than I did.  He's picky about most meat, but the kid can put away a steak. 

Project Swing Set

Before

During

 

 

After

Hardin's swing set project started like this:

Tiffany mentions to Shauna she's thinking about a swing set from Costco.

Shauna says... try Mighty Swings before you buy, they are awesome.

Tiffany drags Jason one Saturday afternoon to look.

We buy, and got free instillation.  Hard part's over right?

WRONG.

My word we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into.  I know it doesn't look like that much, but we cleared a LOT of woods.  And even more briers.  And weeds.  And about 13 small trees and 1 big one had to have hauled off.

Then my totally ir rational fear of head injuries (thanks dad) came into play and I needed cypress playground mulch.  Lots of it.  A dump truck of it.  But because they bring a dump truck they can't drive in your yard so we hauled it from the driveway, shoveling it into one wheelbarrow. 

Then we wanted the mulch to stay put, but didn't want a big wooden frame so we put up a little landscape wall.  We filled the sand box under the little tree house, and spread pine straw along the sod/woods line for the rest of the yard. 

More than two weeks later... we are DONE.  And I guarantee you we will not take on any major yard projects for a very, VERY, long time.  We've also have to drag Hardin in and practically hose him off from being so filthy from playing most days so it was totally worth it. 

Today Jason actually did hose him off, and sent me the last picture while I was working.  Those two sure know how to have fun during daddy day care!

Easter 2013

Easter 2013 was the best yet as a parent.  My memories of Easter with my cousins are by far some of my greatest, and I can't imagine they won't be for Hardin. 

We went to early church and headed straight to Grant Park.  I told Hardin we were going there on Monday, and EVERY morning he woke up saying "I'M GOING TO CAWLEY'S HOUSE?!?!"  I'd tell him how many days and he'd think about it and get a little disappointed.  When it was time to come home, he threw a fit and said "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.  I GONNA SLEEP AT CAWLEY'S HOUSE!"  I'm quite certain he'd leave us to live with Cawley and Lil if we'd let him. 

Jason and I always laugh that he holds Cawley on the pedestal, when in reality he plays with Lillian much more.  They all played, and played, and played some more.  It was the first time we didn't even attempt a nap, but all the excitement and candy kept him running just fine until we hit the car at 5. 

It rained on Jason, Justin and Jerry hiding the eggs, but let up for the kids to hunt them.  After they were on total sugar highs and two hours late for naps, we decided to take a few pictures in the same spot as last year.  After a few minutes of failing miserably, I started asking them what sounds different animals make.  That made for some interesting shots! 

Mom bought him the over-the-top little seersucker suit, his first.  The jacket was a bit much, and a bit big, but we took some pictures for sweet G.