Callaway Gardens

We took a mini-vacation this weekend to the closest location possible. At 35 weeks pregnant, I am not up for a long car ride, no thank you. We went to Callaway Gardens, about an hour away from home. We've wanted to go for a while now and after living in GA for 6 years, figured it was about time. We did the complete tour -- butterfly house, birds of prey show, walking trails, and lake swimming -- including a floating obstacle course that I attempted to climb in order to help Jason with the kids; let's just say that it didn't work out so well. We all had a blast -- it was a perfect little get-away.

Macro shots at the butterfly garden.

The boys meeting a "bird of prey" -- doesn't he look like a vicious little owl? Not sure what Evan's pose is all about.

Loving the hotel room.

 Grant has a broken wing.

4th of July '11

In true Peachtree City style, we overdid it for the 4th. Parade in the a.m., pool for lunch and fireworks late into the evening. It was an exhausting day, but since the 4th is one of my favorite holidays, it's exactly what I would have wanted.

 Evan was yelling, "Happy 4th of July!" Grant was yelling, "Happy Father's Day!"

Nursery makeover

By the third child, it was time for our nursery to have a makeover. We transitioned Grant into Evan's room about a month ago, which works out nicely -- most days. In the nursery, I threw on a new coat of paint, switched out the curtains and changed out some of the furniture. Not much of a theme really other than a classic, antique-ish look.

Blast from the past

Evan wearing pajamas that once belonged to Jason.

Catching up & summer life

A month and-a-half into summer and I'm thinking it's time to update the blog. Let's see, our weekly summer activities look something like this: pool, golf cart rides, naps, pool, bike rides around the pond with Bullit in tow (ps: to clarify, only the children are riding bikes these days), library story and craft events, more pool, playdates with friends, field trips into Atlanta, and more and more and still more pool. We have our good days and the really, really tough days. The days that make me SO happy that I do not have a newborn to add to the mix during these dog days of summer. Nice that I planned the due date within a week of school starting.

The most exciting part of spending so much time at the pool is that we now have two boys who can swim! Grant, who wouldn't even go beyond the first step at the beginning of summer, is now swimming with his face in the water, kicking his legs and using his arms.

I have taken exactly -0- pictures of the boys in the pool, but here's what I do have.

The jump party

For his 5th birthday, we gave Evan a party at the jumping place. It won't be an every-year kind of deal, but I have to say, it was once of the best ways to endure enjoy a kids' party. Aside from making the cake, all Jason & I had to do was show up. No mess to clean up, no serving of drinks, no entertaining -- we even had a party attendant to supervise the kids. Easiest birthday we've had so far. And this year, we decided that instead of carting home a closet full of gifts, we would encourage Evan to ask the kids for a donation for to take the Atlanta Children's Shelter (baby/kids item or outfit). It was so nice to come home bringing bags full of things to give away rather than find a new place in our home. I'm so excited to go with Evan to make the donation -- I'm hoping it's a lesson that will stay with him.

Happy 5th Birthday, Evan!

Evan is finally 5. He's only been asking me about his birthday (and planning his party) since before Christmas. This year's celebration will span 3 days -- we had a special birthday meal last night (ribs & corn on the cob, per birthday boy's request) since Jason is gone tonight; today was a birthday pancake breakfast & presents followed by cupcakes and friends at the pool; and tomorrow will be the big party at the jumping place with all of Evan's friends. Whew! Turning 5 is a lot of work. Next year will be more low key, you can bet!

28 weeks

It's only taken 10 weeks to post another belly pic. Cut me some slack -- it's the third kid, life is busy! I'm feeling really good, still sleeping well and so enjoying this pregnancy.

Grant

Our "quiet one" has really broken out of his shell. He's not quite the social butterfly that Evan is (hard to top that), but he definitely holds his own in a crowd of kids. Grant is also very much three years old. He's active, has to touch everything in sight and likes to test, test, test. Ah, the joys of being three! The picture below was taken this afternoon at a Memorial Day barbecue. He's swinging with his friend (and near twin look-alike if you ask me), Skye.

The sandbox

Mother's Day

I had a fun Mother's Day this year... I was treated to a gourmet homemade breakfast, the kids painted birdhouses, we had a picnic, went fishing, and then I had the afternoon to myself for some shopping.

First Braves Game

Evan went to his first-ever pro baseball game (like, a month ago--I'm way behind on posting) as part of his t-ball team. He even paraded around the field with hundreds of other little league and t-ball teams from around Atlanta. He had a great day-- complete with a foot-long hot dog-- and made it all the way to the 7th inning before asking to go home.

Easter 2011

We spent Easter again this year in Hilton Head and as always, had a great time soaking up the sun and enjoying time with grandparents. Evan rekindled his love of the water both at the pool and in the ocean -- he got really good at riding the boogie board. Our camera was on the fritz, so we have but just one picture from our trip.

An evening out

A few weeks ago, I tagged along to an evening event with Jason for the AAAE conference at the Aquarium in Atlanta. The kids stayed with a friend for the night while Jason & I shook hands, mingled, ate and answered the same set of questions to every person we encountered: 1) How far along are you? 2) Is this your first? 3) Do you know what you're having? 4) You must be hoping for a girl? We had a fun night (in spite of my pregnant self walking in heels ALL night long)-- I was especially thrilled when we ran into a "Death by Chocolate" after-party. It was like they planned it just for me!

Summer Notes 2011

Summer Break 2011 is here and this summer, for the first time, the kids are both home with me 100% of the time. No camps, no summer school -- just mom. I've decided to try and capture some of the goings-on and things overheard during the weeks.

5/23 - Busy, fun first day! Jumping place, nature walk & lunch, trip to buy new books and suckers at the bank. A great way to start the summer.

5/24 - Pool party with school friends. At lunch, Evan yells, "Mom, I lost another tooth!" I didn't believe him-- it wasn't even loose! But sure enough, while eating a piece of watermelon, his other bottom tooth fell out into his hand.

5/25 - At breakfast, Evan asks if Grant was in my tummy when he was a baby. I tell him that no, Grant didn't exist when Evan was a baby, to which he responds, "And now we have him." I made a couple of paper fans for the kids-- requested by Evan because he was "sooo hot." He's so thrilled by these simple little fans. Later in the afternoon Evan got his first bee sting.

5/26 - While wearing a homemade crown, Evan said, "I look like a minja."

Are we here already?

Evan has had a wiggly bottom tooth now for about 3 weeks. And tonight, finally, with a little help from Dad, it came out. Evan was beside himself with excitement. For months, he was convinced that the Tooth Fairy left a new toothbrush for lost teeth. While Jason & I loved that idea, we did eventually tell him that she brings money. I can't believe we've hit this point already -- where did the time go?! 

A proud moment for any parent

Happy 3rd Birthday Grant!

Today was Grant's 3rd birthday... and what a whirlwind day it was! Prepping for his 3rd birthday was more work than his birth day! He celebrated first with cupcakes at school and then we had a mini-party at home with our friends. The theme this year was Wonder Pets... a Nickelodeon show that was created to drive parents nuts, I'm convinced. The hit present was a toss up between a Matchbox airport set and a garbage truck. The toughest part of the day was explaining to a certain older brother about birthdays and how they work. ie, you don't get to help open half of the presents; you don't get to play with the present first; and you don't get to stick fingers in the cake.

No caption necessary

[it's hard to tell, but this is Grant coming out from the far corners of one of our cabinets]

Best part about baking a cake

The help!

And voila....



Note from a dad who needs a break