Typical?

As I was turning off the lights to go to bed last night I realized that this was the scene on my kitchen island. It looks like to me that unless the tractor can save the day, Mickey is going to get it. This is what everyone's kitchen counters look like, no?

 Call me if you would like my boys to stage your home!

A Rainy Day

Generally, as a mom of preschoolers, I dread rainy days. Yesterday, however, we needed the rain so desperately that there was joy instead of dread. Apparently joy leads to a small amount of creativity on my part, and we had a fun day!

The boys put on rain boots and splashed in puddles- soaking themselves and having a blast.

I would like to take this moment to pledge my undying love to Oxi Clean!

After nap/rest time we popped popcorn. I don't know why I don't do this more often. Such a easy snack.

Jerel has been traveling most of this week. Whenever he has a rental car Nolan asks if he can "try it out". They would stay in there for hours if we would let them. Great rainy day activity, if you ask me! :)

While I was getting dinner ready Elliott watched some Disney...

Good thing it's just an old wives tale that you shouldn't let your children sit too close to the tv! ;)

And Nolan took a flying leap!

Yes- I am grieved that Nolan is wearing a Clemson t-shirt. He is a traitor! Aunt Amanda- we need to commission you to pick up a few shirts for us the next time you're in Tallahassee!! :)

Touch a Truck

This morning we went downtown for breakfast- FROZE (it's a little too cold for September in my opinion)- and went to a "Touch a Truck". I am pretty sure my boys could have stayed all day but all those cute little kids insisted on continuously honking the horns on the large rigs. I felt like I was back in China!! Thankfully there was a playground near by and I was able to convince my clan that was a much better option! :)

Sheer bliss!

Almost cute enough to be a Christmas card picture! ;)- why and I already thinking about this???

Nolan's dream job!

We loaded E up in a UPS truck!

Sweet Boys in a Box

Insert 1960's family sitcom music where everyone is perfect and siblings play happily...
"I'm so thankful that all my boys need to keep them happy is a big box!!"

Ok, here is the real story. 20 seconds after I turned off my camera they started kicking and hitting each other. Elliott jumped on the box while Nolan was in it- splitting the box open- Nolan started punching Elliott- I yelled at them and took the box away. Just keeping it real people- just keeping it real! :)

Our Ham

Elliott is such a funny, sweet, sneaky boy! He constantly makes us laugh and has proven that he's difficult to discipline. Somehow he manages to make disobedience cute! T-R-O-U-B-L-E!!! I don't want to worry too much about what all of this will mean for us in the future and just enjoy our crafty almost two year old!

This is how he was running around the house before school this week. I'm wondering if I will one day see him on the "Hunky Firemen of 2031" calendar. ;)

 Then later that day he was running around the house with this oven mitt on and when it was time for dinner he climbed up in his chair, with said oven mitt, picked up his fork, and ate his entire meal with that huge thing on his hand. Whatever, dude!!

Speaking of ham, this is Nolan eating, well...ham! He is becoming quite the carnivore and we couldn't be prouder!!

Duck, Duck, Goose!

Last week Jerel has the entire week off, which we love!! We did little projects around the house and tried to do a few "special" things with the boys. They love when we go down to the river to feed the ducks. This day we found mostly geese. They are apparently very use to children feeding them stale bread and are a bit aggressive. About 5 seconds after I took this picture a goose bit Nolan because he wasn't feeding it fast enough. We decided to move up river to find less aggressive ducks. Sadly the pigeons were onto us and followed along. We did find six very sweet and appreciative ducks, were happily feeding them, and I was just about to take a picture when a pigeon landed on Elliott's head. I screamed, Jerel knocked it off with his hand, Elliott cried, and we left. I am sure there is a lesson to be learned in all of this- I'm just not sure what it is! :)

First Days

It finally happened- the boys started school. Nolan's first day was on Wednesday and he had a great day. It was so funny- Jerel was off this week and so we all loaded up the family truckster and drove him to school. This is our first year for the car line and it's a totally different experience. I had talked him through exactly what would happen and how he would get to his room. We crept up to the front of the line, I reached back and got him unbuckled, a teacher came and got him out of the car, and the darnedest thing happened- I started to cry!! Did you just read that correctly? I.STARTED.CRYING! I never cry! I was so excited about him going to school, HE was so excited about going to school, this is his THIRD year at this school!! What the heck? I just think there was something very maternal about watching my first born walk into school all grown up without me! I didn't know I had it in me!! :) Then Elliott started shouting "Nowen, Nowen, Nowen!" and crying. Apparently it was a very emotional morning!

Anyway- he did just fine, didn't shed a single tear and had a blast. I really pray that it's a great year for him. Elliott is only going on Fridays and I was nervous that he would wrap himself around my leg and not let me leave his class room. Not quite what happened. He never knew I left (I didn't cry at all btw) and when I came to pick him up he pitched an all out fit because he didn't want to leave. There you have it! Jerel and I went out for a breakfast date while they were at school and did a little shopping. I found a super cute dress for $20. Sending them to school is actually going to save me money! ;)

Nolan's First Day

 

Elliott's First Day

Apparently he had enough of the picture taking! :)

Sweet brothers!

Arrr Matie!

My friend Emily invited us to join their family at Chick-Fil-A for Princess and Pirate night. Since they have two girls we thought it would be a great evening for our families. Lets just say- that up to this point of my boys' lives, we have not been that adventurous. This was our very first experience dressing up for anything other than Halloween. They were so into it and loved dressing up. Nolan kept saying "Arr Mate!" and I asked him if he was a Australian pirate. Elliott continues to growl like a lion with a "matie" on the end of it. Cute!! We headed there early because I had a feeling it may get a little packed. OH.MY.CRAZINESS!!! They had a princess and pirate there to take pictures with the kids and there were kids everywhere!! I sat down with our food and did not move until we left. That is how introverts deal with mass chaos! :) The boys did great eating- which is huge- and had a blast. I am so glad we braved the evening- thanks Emily and Paul for braving it with us!!

Elliott's "scruff" was better earlier in the evening!

creapy pirate dude

Princess Annie and Emma Kate