Monday, Monday

So, I managed to get both boys bathed and in bed at a decent hour (although still about 20 minutes later than I had hoped). And, nevermind, htat he laid awake chattering and talking for at least another 20 minutes. I also got more laundry folded and put away. I got Jack's lunch made for tomorrow. I have his clothes laid out and his bag packed. Tomorrow is Jack's first day of 2-year-old preschool. This year he's a Wiggle Worm. I've been prepping him for a few days about going back to school. I don't anticipate any struggle because he LOVED school so much last year. The only hiccup may be in the mornings...let's just say we've been taking it quite easy this summer. I won't complain too much since his school doesn't even start until 9 a.m., but some mornings this summer he has slept until 8:30! (Not to mention little brother Sam has grown accustomed to a lax schedule sometimes snoozing until 9!) I'm hoping getting them both in bed by 8:30 (even though it was after 8:45, when I tucked Jack in.) Anyway, I'm looking forward to my morning with Sam. We'll get a little date every Tuesday while Jack is at school. I'm afraid it will usually include boring errands like the grocery store or cleaning house. I'm thinking he really won't be excited about tomorrow's date: Six month check-up with Dr. Schulz...which means shots. Ouch!

Thirty-One

Another year older. Maybe it's just me, but 31 just sounds boring. I mean 30 sounds like a big deal and even 32, but one year beyond 30? Nothing fun or flashy. I feel the same way about 36 or 37. Just my ramblings on turning 31.

Josh ordered a few birthday gifts for me early last week. When they arrived this week in boxes, Jack wanted to open them. Josh told him they were for my birthday. Jack said, "It's cccccake!!"

Soaking It In...

Last week seemed like a pretty slow week (especially compared to our long weekend) as thing seem to be winding down as everyone prepares to go back to school. Thankfully, we managed to soak up a little bit more sun and lots more Aunt Emmy time. We got to see Auntie Em not once, not twice, not three...but FOUR times last week. Monday she and Mema came to spend the day with us. The boys had a great time being entertained and spoiled. I was hoping to squeeze one more Splash Zone visit in with my best helper alongside us. So, Em joined us on Tuesday for a cloudy turned sunny day stop at our favorite water hangout. The trip wouldn't be complete without a stop at Chick-fil-A and Target, of course.

Sweet Emmy journeyed back to play on Friday night while Josh & I slipped out to dinner. Our fourth visit was Saturday night when the rest of my family gathered to celebrate my birthday (that is fast approaching). We've enjoyed having you around so much this summer, Emily. I know you will be beyond overjoyed to pick up your husband (with whom you just marked your first anniversary of marriage) on Saturday, but that also means just 13 more days with you here on the mainland. And, so much of that will be spent running around visiting lots of family. Anyway, it seems like just last week I wrote this post, and now, it's almost time for you to leave. We will miss you dearly, but know we'll be planning some video chat dates very soon. Then, not long after that we'll be planning a trip to see you in your new home. Thanks for making so much time for us this summer. We love you!

Words from the Wise?

I've been meaning to update everyone on a few of the things that Jack has been saying these days. Here are a few things Josh & I overhear:

"I saw thunder. I saw light-ting too. I saw it yesy-a-day!"
Yesy-a-day to mean anytime in the recent past (including earlier that same day or a week ago)

"Don't kick, baby Sam. Or get BIG 'pankin!"
'Pankin means spanking. I have no idea where he learned to threaten with spanking

"Let's go get wet car!"
This means he wants to go through the automatic carwash.

"I love motor-mycle. Do you love motor-mycle?"
He's a tad bit obsessed with motorcycles.

"I know two Caro-lions!"
Caro-lion is used interchangably for Caroline. He gets excited when he realizes he knows two people with the same name. It happened again the other day: "I know two Mr. Y-ans! (a.k.a. Ryan)

"Yes, sir."
We've almost broken him of saying, "yeah" all the time, but he doesn't quite have the hang of sir vs. mam. So, everyone is a sir.

"Daddy go hoppa-pital and help sick people?"
Right up there with his obsession with fire trucks, ambulances and airplanes are hospitals. Somehow he can pick them out when we are in other cities, too!

"Thank you God for my teddy bear cookies. Thank you God for my cookies. Thank you God for my chocolate cookies with candy. Amen"
You really never know where bedtime prayers are going to take you each night. Sometimes they are sweet, other times hilarious, but always honest! When's the last time you thanked God for Teddy Grahams?

After being rewarded for pooping in the potty with a new DVD, a recent bedtime prayer went like this. Jack: "Thank you God for baby Sam. Thank you God for Daddy. Thank you God for my movies." Josh: "And thank you God for Mommy." Jack: "No, my MOVIES!"

"No, I do it my by self."
He likes to exercise his independence.

When being prepped before entering a friend's house who just had a new baby, I reminded him that we don't touch babies. Jack: "We just touch baby Sam?" Me:"Yes we can touch baby Sam gently." Jack: "And...Miss Meh-a-dif's baby?" Me: "Yes, sometimes you do touch baby Ellie."

"Pssst...baby Sam, wake up! Look for Thomas." This was said in a whisper on the way to Bryson City last Friday.

What About Sam?

A dear friend of mine recently asked if Sam joined us on our journey to meet Thomas. I then realized I had left him out of the pictures I posted on the blog. I guess such is the life of an easy-going, well-behaved, good-natured second child. I again did my Baby Wise techniques and know they have a good deal to do with his good-nature and flexibility, but we also know that we've been blessed by a fantastic little one. Because he goes with the flow so easily and joins in the fun, he rarely gets mentioned in my posts. Poor guy...I guess he if threw a fit or caused a hiccup in our plans, he'd be more likely to get a nod. Anyway, here's what our precious little Sam has been up to...

Enjoying some TLC from Gracie during a recent playdate.

Getting kisses from Mommy while enduring the Thomas train ride.

Trying to get someone to give me some REAL food. "Man those goldfish look yummy!"

Using big brother as my tackling dummy

Catching some Zzzzs at the ball park in the suite. "What ball game?"

Play Ball

Sunday afternoon we had the wonderful opportunity to take Jack & Sam to the Gwinnett Braves game. Thanks to a kind invitation, we were able to enjoy the game in the shade and cool air. It was the perfect setting to take in a game with two small children in tow. Jack was in heaven with his popcorn and baseball cap. He also enjoyed greeting Chopper. The suite was the perfect spot for Sam to snooze and then relax while eating.

The G. Braves didn't pull out a victory, but we had a great time. We took Jack to 3 Atlanta Braves games last year, which he enjoyed. After this outing, I'm thinking it's going to be a rude awakening when he has to endure his next game back among the cheap* seats again! :)

*I use the term relatively, since we actually paid nothing for the really great seats/experience and there are not many tickets to any baseball game that are actually cheap.

All Aboard!

Friday was our "Day Out with Thomas" on the Great Smokey Railroad station in Bryson City, NC. And what a day out it was. The weather started out overcast so we had a little relief from the sun. It eventually warmed up pretty good, but overall it was a wonderful day to board the train.

Jack was super excited to see Thomas, but a bit overwhelmed. Josh & I kind of thought it was silly how short the train rides were (boarding, departing, returning, etc. every 45 minutes), but when it was our turn we realized it was exactly the perfect length. Jack would have been bored with a train ride any longer than 20 minutes. Jack really enjoyed exploring the train tables and loved the bubble blowers. We got there early enough to do most of our exploring before our ride, including a visit with Sir Topham Hatt. Then after our ride, Jack got up close with Thomas.

We finished our busy day with lunch at The Station restaurant just across the street from the depot. Jack was asleep just after we pulled out of the parking lot. Josh & I keep talking about what a fun day it was.