"Mama, I Pay Tains"

When X is at preschool I will often run errands with the other two boys. On this morning we were out and about, but I knew I needed to feed E before I picked up Xavier. So, we ducked into the library and I nursed Elliott while Wesley played with the train table they have set up. And wouldn't ya know, it was Wes' lucky day. There were no other kids there so he had the whole thing, all to himself. He was in heaven and very focused on his playing.

The boys are together a lot, and thus forced to share things. I'm glad that once in awhile Wes can have something fun that's just for him :)

(disregard that it's a bad pic with the table in the way. I was multi-tasking at the time!)

Cardigan Cutie {and a photo compare}

I did a quick little photo shoot with Elliott the other day. He's such a ham!!

I got Wes to join in with Elliott (X was at preschool). It only lasted a minute though. Then Wes told me "Mama, I done" and walked off.

The whole reasoning behind taking these pictures was because I have photos of each of the boys at this age, in this cardigan outfit, sitting in the bumbo. And well, you know how I just LOVE a good comparison pic!!

So here they all are. Melt my heart.......

XAVIER - Feb 2008

WESLEY - Feb 2010

ELLIOTT - October 2011



Model T and Pony Rides

I'm trying to catch up on posting stuff from the past month.....

At the beginning of October, Walter's dad, Walter Sr., came in town for 10 days. The boys had a blast with Grandpa Walter. They wore him out with their constant requests to play :)

Me and the boys and Gpa Walter went to Crackle Barrel one morning for breakfast. It was exhausting, as all meals out with 3 small children seem to be. But, I did get to practically eat my weight in those very yummy biscuits they serve.

One of the other fun things we did while Gpa Walter was in town, was go to an old car show. Walter's family has a Model T that's been in the family for over 75 years, and it was going to be part of the show. Our boys were the 5th generation to be sitting in this Model T. Pretty neat!!

(This makes me think of Driving Miss Daisy - ha!)

It was nice having Gpa Walter visit. And he was super excited to meet his newest grandson!

The following weekend we visited with family from Walter's mom's side. I was really bad at taking pictures that day (probably since I'd been up since 4am with Elliott...oy!) The boys got to hang out with their cousins and see a chicken. Xavier perfected his tire swing ability, and Wes almost fell down a flight of stairs (no worries, he's ok).

We went to a little log cabin festival in the nearby town and it was pretty cute. My boys hadn't had a nap, so they were not so cute! The festival was fun and we had kettle corn and homemade ice cream.

(X declined to be part of the photo)

We did convince X to do a pony ride. Walter was calling him "the prince" because he wouldn't ride unless Walter stood next to him and held his hand the entire time. Sean and Cassidy joined in for the pony rides as well. Wes had passed out in the stroller at this point so he missed it.

October has been full of fun and family. And Halloween is still to come!!!

Leavin on a Jet Plane......

This past Thursday I hopped on a plane for the first time in over two years. Elliott and I took a little 3 day trip to Atlanta to visit Aunt Donna, Uncle Chuck, and Uncle Cuzzie. My mom and Walter were kind enough to wrangle Wes and Xavier for a few days while I was gone. I actually couldn't even tell the boys where I was going because they would have wanted to come with me!

I'm not gonna lie.....it felt amazing to only have 1 child to take care of for 3 days. While I did miss the boys, it was a VERY much needed break from my every day routine. Because let's face it, 80% of the time I feel overwhelmed by my life right now.

We had the best time and appreciate the hospitality of my aunt and uncle more than they will ever know. It was so good to relax, catch up with my family - having actual real uninterrupted conversations, and let them meet Elliott. They also have something we don't.....TV! I was completely gluttonous in my TV watching while I was there. I soaked up all the trash TV I could (aka - 2 hour special on Kim Kardashian's wedding). We also watched The Color Purple, which I had never seen. Wonderful movie!

Elliott was a dream child in Atlanta. He was happy all the time and slept a bunch (except at night, but he never sleeps good at night). We went out to eat THREE, yes, THREE times (can you tell I don't get out much) and he slept through the entire meal each time. I was actually able to enjoy my meal and have conversations with other adults. It was crazy I tell ya!! I was also not a slave to the nap schedule of the older boys for 3 days (because E slept on the go) and went out in the middle of the day - a rare treat :) I could tell that E really enjoyed the quiet and continuous attention. It did make me a little sad to see that though because it's just not something I can provide at home. It's loud here with 2 other kids and I can't hold him ALL day long.

I don't need a luxury spa resort to feel great. Just give me a few days of not having to fill sippy cups and asking "are you listening to me" 1000 times and I'm like a changed woman :) Of course reality smacked me across the face the second I got in the car at the airport when I came home. Oh well.

I didn't check a bag for the trip. I took a diaper bag and 1 small carry on that had both of our stuff for 3 days. I had to laugh at myself as I was packing for this trip at how different things are with your 3rd child. When I took Xavier to Atlanta for the first time (he was almost the exact same age) I took a ridiculous amount of stuff, right down to his own hooded towel for a bath - seriously??!! I was also nursing, pumping, and supplementing with Xavier. I had brought my pump, formula, bottles, cold milk, etc. This time around all E's food was...well, on me!

Unfortunately I was so relaxed on this trip that I didn't even get out my camera. But I did snap this cute pic of Elliott and Aunt Donna with my phone (sorry, it's grainy).

Thank you Donna and Chuck for opening your home to us. It was quite a trip to remember!

Pretend Birthday

Xavier and Wesley have birthdays smack dab in the middle of winter. That makes for no fun outdoor birthday parties. And I really don't need a bunch of kids running through my house (I have enough of my own running through on a daily basis, thank you!) So, we decided this year to buck the system and throw our kids a "friends" birthday party early (we'll celebrate with more family closer to their actual birthdays). Way early. Like October early. Because really, why not??? It was sooo much fun!

This was the first time we'd ever really had a birthday party for our kids with their friends. We did it at a local park with cake and pizza and a Curious George pinata. How can you go wrong with that trifecta??  It was a BEAUTIFUL day and I think the boys enjoyed their "pretend birthday". We were adamant on the invitation that it was "no gifts please". I'm really happy we did this. It kept the focus on all the kids just having a good time. The boys don't associate bdays with gifts anyway -- they know bdays as a cake and candle event! Plus, our kids don't really need anything and I didn't want our friends feeling like they had to show up with not only 1, but 2 gifts.

Wes and I had a blast getting decorations one morning while X was at preschool. The Curious George pinata was almost as tall as him. Wes drug it around by the head in the store saying "Come on George!" Xavier picked out a balloon cake at Costco (which by the way is the BEST cake and such a great deal $$).  At the last minute (9:30pm the night before the party) I decided to make the boys some birthday shirts. They turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself.



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We had a great turnout at the party and the kids all loved the pinata. I'm purposely not really posting pics of other people's kiddos though. I'm not sure how everyone feels about their kids being on the internet so it's just easier this way.

While at the park we tried to get a family photo. We hadn't taken one since the hospital when E was born. I really wanted a good one to update on the blog too. Of course it didn't happen. Out of 7 photos this was the "best" we got. X would not leave E's head alone and Wes wouldn't look at the camera.

At least this one is pretty cute!

Happy Pretend Birthday Xavier and Wesley!!!

Family Stuff - Dad's Bday

I'm backed up on my pictures, so get ready for several extended family posts the next few days in my effort to catch up on the events of the past several weeks. Here goes....

At the end of September we celebrated my dad's bday with a little BBQ Rib dinner. Yum! My children of course tried to dominate the cake and candles so the pics look more like it was their birthday rather than my dad's. But he was kind enough to let them share the spotlight on that!

We Love Preschool

I thought I'd do a little preschool update on Xavier. Basically he LOVES it. And I couldn't be happier about that!

He cried at drop off the first two days. Since then it's been smooth sailing. X is really excited on preschool days. He's usually asking me "Is it time to go yet?"  Nowadays X gives us all (me, Wes, and E) a kiss, then walks right in the classroom to greet his teachers.

Speaking of teachers, we saw one of X's teachers at a church event this past weekend. She came up to say hi to X and he froze. He had this look on his face that was like his worlds were colliding. It was as if he didn't know his teacher could exist like a real person outside of the classroom at a different event. Too funny!

X is learning a lot. It is so fun to hear bits and pieces of his day. He's still not too good at communicating all that's gone on, but I manage to pull a little out of him here and there. He's told me he raises his hand for snack. Apparently he likes the girls in the class because he can tell me almost all of their names :) X is really into saying the Pledge and LOVES talking about the calendar. They have a weather bear in the classroom that they dress according to what's going on outside that day. He told me he learned to bear walk during fitness time today. I also love hearing him recite the prayers they say at school in the morning, before snack, and before dismissal.

Preschool has been great all around. It's good for X to have something of his own to do and get to spend time with kids that are just his age. He's learning some independence and how to follow instruction from other adults. For me it's been nice to have a little break from handling all 3 kids at once. It's also helped me with giving him that independence and trusting others with his care. Wes has enjoyed having a little time to himself to be the big kid as well:)

We got X's proofs back from picture day. They are SO adorable. The photographer captured him smiling really well (which is hard to do lately). Walter commented that he can't believe we already have a child old enough to have "school pictures".

Next week I'm helping with a fall party in X's class. I'm sooooo excited. I want to see how he interacts in the classroom.

Last but not least, 2 cute videos. The first is X saying the Pledge. The second is X singing the "days of the week" song.

Real Life - Lunch on the porch

I took this quick video the other day. When I watched it, I realized it is a good representation of our hap hazard, real, life.

• Xavier is in pajamas (seriously, when will he not think he's Hugh Heffner and actually want to get dressed??), Wesley's in a random mis-match outfit with wild hair.
• The boys are rowdy at the table, and don't stay seated. Wes comes sooo close to falling off the picnic table after standing.
• They call themselves the "bubble brothers" (which I have no idea where that came from or what it means)
• Wes is talking in the third person and always wants what I have (in this case, the camera).

Just another day at our house!!

[Almost] Wordless Wednesday - Little Levi

I found this shirt in the basement and thought it was perfect considering Elliott's middle name is Levi :)

And....he's done!!!