Birthdays were always a big deal for us while growing up. I remember how special my parents made me feel each birthday, and that is definitely one of those things I want to pass down to the boys, SOOOO with that being said, last week was Chris's birthday - and we tried to celebrate him in STYLE :-) Let's just say both Jake and Cole were bouncing off the walls on Daddy's birthday - and they pretty much got to pick everything out. We went to Publix first thing that morning ... and they got to pick out the plates, napkins, balloons, etc. (and just as a side note, everyone in Publix - all 12 people - knew that it was THEIR Daddy's birthday that day) :-) They picked out Woody and Buzz plates (Toy Story), Lightning McQueen napkins (Cars), and then Jake picked out a Yogi Bear balloon and Cole picked out a Mickey Mouse balloon .... love the personal touch of that :-)
Here is Jake helping me bake Daddy's cake while Cole napped. Jake did a fantastic job!!
Cole stealing some icing off the cake when he thought I wasn't looking (or he probably knew I was and just didn't care) :-) We wrapped all of Daddy's gifts (shirts and books) individually and set up a scavenger hunt.... We decorated our own paper table cloth (Macaroni Grill style) ..... Showing Daddy his balloons when he got home from work ....
Birthday song :-)
WE LOVE US SOME DADDY! We are all so lucky to have him in our lives!!!
We found a new playground/park!! Love Love Love it, too .... so, we've been heading out there EARLY these days before it gets too hot - and spending a little time in the fresh, hot, humid morning air :-)
Cole had his 18-month check up last Friday. He is in the 90% for height and 20% for weight (weighing a whopping 23lbs). Everything seemed to look fine. He is being referred to an ENT to look at his tongue. He's been a little "tongue-tied" since birth, so they want us to get that checked out. I can't believe that he's going to be 19 months in just a few short days. I hate to use the phrase "where does that time go" but really .... WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?! :-)
I know I've been slacking on blogging pictures lately. I've been distracted by well, life .... but also tiredness .... and also the Casey Anthony trial (that has now ended, which I'm sure everyone knows), and ALSO Chris and I have started watching the series Friday Night Lights (so addicting ... we love it). Anyway, with all those distractions, I haven't been keeping up with blogging as much, so here is a little catch up for you on this Saturday night.
My "soon to be starting preschool in 10 days" son. Yes, preschool. 2 days a week. We registered last week - and are going to pick out a backpack with Gram and Poppy tomorrow (who are in town - yay)! I'm really excited for Jake about preschool ... and I know he is going to love the structure and the friendships - and just THRIVE, but please pray it's a smooth transition for him. He loves play groups and playing with friends, etc., but I'm just ALWAYS there, so.... things like Sunday School, etc., aren't always the easiest - so I'm just praying he will have few tears - and just really love it from the first day on (i have a feeling I'll be promising him ice cream from the chick-fil-a across from his school at the end of the day on his first day).
Speaking of Chick-fil-A ice cream, the boys and I met one of my closest friends, Taniya, and her sister and their kids near Atlanta a couple of weekends ago for Chick-Fil-A as they were passing through on their way to Mississippi. The kids all played in the playground for about 3 hours - and we actually were able to have some conversation :-) Jake had his first ice cream CONE (no, he is not a deprived child ... he normally just gets it in the cup, but he LOVED this newfound secret of the ice cream CONE). :-) Jake and Gracie ... The boys doing Jillian Michael's 30-day shred work out video with me one morning :-) On the 2nd Tuesday of every month here in Columbus, the Moe's has $2 burritos. Ah-may-zing
So, it was obviously cheaper than a kids meal, and I asked Jake if he wanted to try it out. Goodbye Quesadillas and HELLO Burritos. He ate the whole entire thing. Every last bite. Yummmmmy! Happy plate. Happy face. Playing some baseball .... Jake sliding into home - SAFE. Cole swinging the bat :-)
The boys took me to the Island of Sodor one morning a couple of weeks ago. I was just glad the island had wi-fi! :-) These are the cutest trains ever!
Walking a mile in Daddy's shoes. Building a fort one morning for/with the boys. With Cole always trying to dive on top of it, I wasn't able to really get it perfected. We'll keep working on it. Cole bringing Jake toys to put inside the fort. Cole still LOVING to read. PASSED OUT during lunch. Preciousness. Jake Adam. When we were leaving Old Navy one day, Jake asked me to take a picture - and I said, "Of what, Jake?" He said, "Take a picture of me with all of these people." So, here you have it. He cracks me up!!! This is Jake SOUND ASLEEP one afternoon. We were talking ... and next thing I know, he was out. I thought he was faking - and then realized this was for real - ha! Pretending to drive a Harley.
Cole and Jake at the Pirate Playground on base. This place is awesome ... and this particular slide is super fast! Jake always wants me to take pictures and video, so he can watch them later - haha!
Singing "I'm in the Lord's Army" and marching around the kitchen.
If you have ever done/seen/heard of Jillian Michael's 30-day Shred work-out DVD, you will especially appreciate this video. The boys have been doing 30-day shred with me in the mornings (with their play weights). It is even to the point where I didn't do it the other morning, and Jake out of nowhere said, "Mommy, we need to do 30-day shred" :-) Nothing like having your 3-year old hold you accountable. Along with all of his other talents (yes, this is his Mom typing), Jake should lead a work-out DVD, because he loves to show off all of the exercises from 30-day shred ... and thankfully, he was willing to put it on video for all of us to view :-) Enjoy. It's a riot!
This past Saturday, we spent the day in Hotlanta - except we lucked out and it wasn't that HOT! It actually was pretty nice, comparatively speaking :-) We met our friends, the Thompsons, downtown for a day of fun. We had a great time in Atlanta - and since it's only a little over an hour away, I foresee several trips there in the next 3 months.
We started out at the CNN center for lunch. Amazing food court!
and even a Starbucks - score! (believe it or not, though, I didn't get any coffee) Then, we walked to Centennial Park. Great times there! So much to do .... playgrounds, lots of running space, spray fountains, etc. We headed over to the aquarium, but unfortunately, it was about a 2 hour wait to get in, so we ended up skipping out on that and playing on the playground in Centennial Park for a little while before heading to Stone Mountain for the evening festivities.
Jake LOVED this "bumpity" slide!! Cole and Elise :-) Our daredevil :-) This slide was pretty fast, actually! Jake was mixing it up .... There goes Elise ... Chris as the "spotter" :-) Cole LOVES it! GA Tech ... Olympic Torch .... After downtown, we headed to Stone Mountain Park (if you have a chance, visit! Way cool)!! Jake was so excited to see Elise .... he was so excited to see a familiar friend!! I think it made me realize how much he has really missed his friends we were so used to seeing on a regular basis! Heading up Stone Mountain! Jake was all about riding the red car :-) Carved on the side of the mountain: Stonewall Jackson, Jefferson Davis, and Robert E. Lee Jake and Daddy on the tram ... trying to figure it all out :-) Beautiful views.... Trying for a family picture (Cole getting funny face ideas) .... Jake is definitely at "that age" :-) Much better :-) I'll take it! Atlanta skyline Steven and Chris with the kids .... Sweet thing! Trying for a group picture .... Take #1 Take #2 Take #3 Setting up our blanket for our picnic and light show once dark (sooooo cool)!! Our family ... on the train. The Thompsons Getting more and more crowded. Bubbles while waiting for dark .... Reading .... Killing time until dark. The light show with fireworks was SO cool!! We'd love to even see it again. It was great!! Fun, Fun, Fun weekend!!!
Cole stealing some icing off the cake when he thought I wasn't looking (or he probably knew I was and just didn't care) :-)
We wrapped all of Daddy's gifts (shirts and books) individually and set up a scavenger hunt....
We decorated our own paper table cloth (Macaroni Grill style) .....
Showing Daddy his balloons when he got home from work ....
