We'll Be In Touch

We had an awesome time trick-or-treating with our friends this year! This is the 3rd year we have spent the evening with them - it is funny how things just become traditions without even realizing it!  And because I love some good comparisons photos...

My sweet Ben. You are closing in on 3 now (just 2 more months), but I want to write about your 2nd year before we move on to another! 1. Over the course of the spring and summer, I would say your vocabulary, articulation and emotion really took off. You can express everything you need and talk almost as much as your brother! You are funny and silly and kind. You give big hugs unprompted and just yesterday said to me "Mommy, you are my best friend!" The first child to say that to me, by the way. 2. You love school and had no problem transitioning to a new classroom this year. You are in the Butterflies, but keep telling me it is the "big boy" class. And each day when we pass your old room you say "that's my old class, when I was 2". 3. Over Columbus Day weekend we did the 3-day potty training bootcamp. You rocked it! We told you all week long that we were going to throw away your diapers and you were so excited to get underwear. Armed with juice a...

Canon started Kindergarten. His teachers are Miss Link and Mrs. Morrison Ben started in the Butterflies class in the Montessori classroom.  His teachers are Miss Kay, Ms Jessie and Ms Bernita.  Sam started in Little Lambs. His teachers are Ms Leola, Ms Kristi, Ms Venecia and Ms Janice And I started back full-time, too! 

We took Ben to his 18-month appointment on Wednesday and he was so dang cute. Our doctor said she had a few other 18-month appointments that day and they all cried for her. But not Ben. He looked up at her with those sweet blue eyes inviting her to try and make him smile. He made her work for it, but in the most precious way. He gave her a few of his hearty, deep giggles and I know she was so pleased.  He is really  starting to understand the power of his facial expressions and how they can elicit actions out of people. He has playful ones, but he can also work up a good stubborn face to let you know he does not like whatever you are saying.  His vocabulary is starting to pick up, which is SO MUCH BETTER than it was 2 months ago when he would just fall out and cry. My favorite though right now is when he is trying to say "truck", because y'all, you know it is coming out like a 4-letter word I can't write. And even better when Canon says "Mommy, why ...

  Linking up with April, Christina, Natasha and Darci this afternoon for 5 on Friday! No rules, just pick 5 things and share them! 1. Lent. I'm thinking about this season in two ways. The first by sacrifice or discipline, and to that end I am giving up my snooze button and sweets. The second way I am thinking about the season is by enriching my Spiritual life (also part of my yearly/monthly goals). To that end, I am doing the Naptime Diaries 40 days with Jesus devotional as well as a 40 day reading plan through the book of Concord with two friends from my church. I am hopeful for the growth that can happen in 40 days! 2. Avett Brothers Pandora. I've recently gotten back into the habit of listening to music while cooking and this station has been one the whole family enjoys. Variety includes Of Monsters and Men, Mumford & Sons and Fleet Foxes.  3. Giving up the Pull-Ups. I don't think I posted about it, but we did the 3-day Potty Training boot camp...

From the end of Christmas Break to an epic blizzard, here is what our January 2016 looked like... Big Boys brush their teeth by themselves! This one...climbs up the stairs any chance he gets Happy Birthday MoMo! Super fun 4th birthday party for a classmate wearing our best Clemson gear for the National Championship SNOW!!! ...more snow ....more snow and more. thankful that we were able to get out for a walk those eyes!  dinosaur! clemson tigers!  Other highlights included me going down to Charlottesville to see my sister and the Tigers play basketball, lots of games and puzzles at home during the snow days, some equally epic naps, getting new contacts AND Aaron and I got to get away for a weekend to celebrate our 5 year anniversary ! 2016 is off to a great start!

I am SO LATE with this post, but I did't want it to go undocumented, so here goes! December 22nd we did a little family Christmas, opening presents from Aaron and I, his parents and siblings and my dad. Highlights were: Captain America doll, Firehouse Station, Sit&Learn Chair, Maps book. December 23rd we all went to MoMo's to eat Chinese and exchange gifts with Casey and David. Highlights included a beautiful necklace for me, zip up hoodie for C and a personalized stool for B! December 24th we hung around the house in the morning, then went over to Casey's house to see Santa! Her dad owns his own Santa suit and she invited a few kids over for cookies, playtime and to sit on Santa's lap! I didn't get any pictures with Santa as Ben wouldn't let go of me, but we did get a good one of all the kids! I hope this is a tradition that continues.  I feel like I should stop here and just say that Canon and Cole love each other....and are...

Oh, Ben. I can't believe you have been with us for a whole year now! You have made our family more complete and I can't ever imagine a time when you weren't here! From the beginning you have been a super happy, easy going, laid back baby. Thank you! While its not always easy being the younger brother, you don't ever seem to mind! You love Canon and always want to do whatever it is he is doing! You were our chunky baby and have grow into a big toddler, weighing in at about 25 lbs. You are wearing mostly 18 month clothes and mama has even gotten to buy some new ones since our seasons for hand me downs are off now :) You share a room with Canon and still sleep in your pack n' play (on an extra 3" mattress we bought when you were a baby!). You are also our early riser and recently we can hear you pushing and pulling at the rails at 5:30am. You've started walking a bit and now whenever we try to carry you somewhere you insist on being put down, holding onto one...