field trip love

Oh boy are we in trouble. We have always joked that our little "munchkin" (middle son) will be quite the heart breaker when he grows up. There is just something behind those blue eyes and that sweet grin.
Let me back up.

Wednesday I was lucky enough to join my munchkin's class on their first field trip. We went to the zoo. Running around with a class full of 4 year olds was quite the adventure to say the least, but it was such a good time! I love getting an "inside" view of my kids in their school environment. It's so fun to watch them interact with the other students and to hear the teachers stories. Not surprisingly there were some pretty good ones when it came to my little guy. He has a way of winning over anyone he meets.

It was while I was observing all this that I noticed M&M (my name for the cute couple).

These two followed each other around the entire zoo, never more than a few feet apart. They ohhed and ahhed over snakes, searched for the tigers, watched tortoises eat some lunch, even enjoyed a post-zoo snack together.


It.was.adorable. Her mom was there as well and we just watched and laughed at the sweetness of it all. Ahh...young love.

rained out

Well, I started this post on Friday - so if part of it sounds off, that would be why. I am sorry to report that there are no soccer pictures, not a one. This would be do to the fact that there was no soccer - so (this time) it wasn't me slacking on the job! It rained.all.weekend. No joke. I don't think it ever stopped on Saturday. And, this weekend has been just the same so far. I feel like we might need to locate an ark!

The kids and I still managed to have a good weekend, even with the downpour going on outside. Here are a few shots, just hanging around the house. Ignore the mess, but they were just so cute all playing - little sister was LOVING being included with big brothers.

I tell you what, this week - last week - seemed to drag on. It hasn't been bad, just long. Monday was an absolutely perfect day - which works out well because it happened to be my birthday. The weather was AMAZING - just imagine the perfect fall day and you would be there. I went to lunch with my beautiful daughter and not only was my sandwich free (rewards points put to good use) BUT it was free brownie day to boot for rewards members...talk about a great birthday lunch. Free always makes it taste better I think! Then we went shopping until it was time to pick up the boys. They were super sweet to mama as well and gave me dozens of birthday hugs and kisses. The only thing that would have made it better was if the hubs was here to celebrate with me. But he did have these delivered - such a thoughtful guy.

The rest of the week was been pretty low key. Sadly the fall weather was just a one day deal, the next day was hot and humid again, and the rain is back. But I sure am thankful for that one day.

Last night I got a sitter for the boys and baby G and I went to have a girls night in with some of the wives from the boat. It was my first time really hanging out with them, so it was nice to get to know them a little better. The ones that were there were real sweet gals. I'm glad I went. Oh, and I took these bad boys...WARNING they are dangerous!! Like you can't eat just one (or five) dangerous. If you check them out, get ready to drool...I'm just saying.

With that I'm off to bed...or at least get myself headed in that direction. Catch ya later.

quick update

What a wonderful day!! We had some cooler weather move in and it was amazing! I took baby girl on a run with the jogger after dropping the boys off, and could have run forever, but we stopped after 4 miles to meet up with a friend for coffee. :)

Sorry I haven't been around much. No real reason for that other than I was just busy soaking up all the family time we could manage in the few moments the hubby was home with us. Well that and going to soccer practices, dr. apts, bible study, play-dates, etc.

So I guess we have been a tad busy, but with (mostly) good stuff. Lots of stuff started this week, and I'm very excited about it. The boys both started soccer - always a good time. They have their first games tomorrow! My bible study started up this week as well. Can I just say how much I LOVE CBS!! If you've never heard of it, it's "Community Bible Study" and they have groups all over the country. Check it out and see if there is one near you, I promise you won't be disappointed. I'm so blessed to be near a group again and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for us this year.

Crazy as it sounds, the boys had their first FULL week of school this week. Between holidays and hurricanes every week has missed a Monday up until this week. I took full advantage of my time while they were at school to get things done, so that when they got home I could have some fun time with them.

My oh-so-big four year old had his check up (complete with 4 shots and a squirt up the nose of flu mist) and did FAN-TAS-TIC!! He was a champ about the shots and he's growing just fine. 75% for height and 50% for weight. He's a healthy happy kiddo. The soon-to-be 7 year old had his check up today, and checked out AOK as well. He's still TALL - 90%. Thankfully no shots today!

They are growing up so fast

Tomorrow is soccer and then I think we are going to settle in early, get the baby off to bed, and then the boys and I are going to have a movie night. Complete with popcorn and "party soda" (that's what the boys call pop). Should be a fabulous time. Hope you all have a mighty fine weekend. I'll try to post some soccer pics before Monday rolls around.

toot toot

Hey folks!! I hope you are all enjoying your Labor Day weekend.

Yesterday was a big day for me. I ran my first post-baby race, a 1/2 marathon no less, and it was fabulous. I ran the VA Beach Rock 'N' Roll Half. I've never ran any of the RNR series before and really enjoyed it. There are bands all along the course, which is thankfully very flat, and a lot of other entertainment from the spectators. We finished up along the boardwalk at the beach. If you ask me, there isn't a better place to run than along the water.

I ran, I finished, I am ecstatic!! I didn't break any PR's, or even come close, but I had such a great time, and finished feeling so blessed! Blessed that I have the ability TO run and blessed that I had my family there to cheer me on.

Family pic after the race. There is one missing...you will see why below. And yes, those are porta-pottys behind us. Scenic photo spot it's not, but a good picture all the same!

Me and one of my biggest fans

I'm proud that I was able to finish 13.1 miles just 5 months after having a baby via c-section with minimal training, the hubs gone for most of it, and only one double digit run. And I'm happy that this morning I'm still able to walk. If this all sounds like I'm tooting my own horn a bit, well you're probably right...TOOT TOOT!!

I also got to spend some time with some of our good friends from GA that were also running the race, and even spent the first 8 miles running with one of them. It's nice to have some company when you're spending 2 hours out of the road.

Me with Johnathan and Marc

And a HUGE THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU to my hubs, parents and kiddos. They are always there for me to support me and I am so thankful. It was an EARLY morning (everyone up before 5am) and they were all troopers and didn't complain one bit. Although there was one that didn't make it to see me cross the finish...

Poor kid...he was just plum worn out. And finally, just because this picture makes me giggle. The little one taking her bottle from Daddy...on the back of a beer truck no less - classy I tell ya!

Sometimes that's just how we roll around here. With that I am off.

5 month-aversary

Can it be?? My little girl is now 5 months old??

Baby Girl: You had a very eventful 4th month of life, but first things first. You are in 6-9/12 month clothes and your size 3 diapers. I don't know how long you are or how much you weigh, but I can tell you have gotten longer because it's time to raise up the seat in your favorite new place...
You LOVE LOVE LOVE to bounce. Especially when your brothers stand next to you and jump while you do it. You laugh and giggle until you give yourself the hiccups. It's adorable.

You have worked through your cereals (rice, barley, and oatmeal) and so far have loved it all. Soon we will start introducing veggies! Yum. You still sleep through the night and are starting to take a (somewhat) predictable nap in the afternoon. Such a blessing for mama!!

You also had not one, but TWO teeth pop through a few weeks ago. They are so cute, but mama has to be careful before she lets you chew on my fingers!

Can you find my teeth??

You are still just the happiest little thing. You are so social and love to be around people. You smile at anyone who talks with you and are just such a joy to us!! You also still love baths, stories, and grabbing your toes! This is your new favorite thing to do, and you work to grab them wherever you are.

Happy Baby

You took another road trip this month, however this one was not planned. There was an earthquake (small - but present all the same) and a hurricane all in the same week!! My oh my. Mama decided to head out of Irene's way, so we packed up the car and drove down to stay with Grams and Papa's until the storm passed. It was a long trip for just a few days, but we had a good time. You went swimming and got lots of sugars from your grams and papa.

That wraps things up for this month. You are just so much fun, we can't get enough. We love you to the moon and back sweet little girl!!

taking a walk

My oh my how time sure does fly. I'm taking a little walk down memory lane today and pulling out some oldies (as far as pictures go). Yesterday (it seems) my boys looked like this.

Just two little boys.

Then I blinked, and now this is what they looked like this morning before going off to school.

My oldest just started first grade, and the middle baby is now in full day pre-k 3 days a week. Every time I look at the picture above, I almost get a tear. How is it he looks so big standing there with his lunch, all ready to go?? They both had a wonderful first day and had lots to talk about on the way home. I just can't believe how fast they are growing up. It seems I can hardly catch my breath before we're at another big milestone.

I had a wonderful day chatting it up with this little one here. Here she is in one of her new favorite places to play.
We had quite the chat this morning, the way she was babblin' on was so sweet. I think she told me everything shes done in her past 4 months - and then some! It's a blessing to get some time to savor with just her while the big kids are in school.

During nap time I even cleaned house. Grams and Papas are coming this weekend (hi mom and dad if you're reading) and so I'm getting things ready for their visit. Of course I can't wait to see them and the kids are super excited as well. I don't much like doing it, but I LOVE the way my house smells after I mop all the floors.

And to keep with the whole "time flying" bit...10 years ago yesterday the hubs and I took a chance and started dating. Some thought we were crazy, but I'm glad we made that call because it seems to be working out pretty well for us so far! So here's to another great 10 years - and many more after that!

10-ish years ago (I think it may be over that but it's hard to find older pictures on this computer so I'm using what I've got.)

And a somewhat more recent one (last year)

Wow is all I can say about that first picture. It just makes the second one look that much better. With that trip down memory lane I'm off to bed. Night all.

Monkey'n around

Hello all! It's late, and I should be in bed. But I'm waiting for laundry to finish up, so to kill time I'm watching "Fried Green Tomatoes" and decided to do some bloggin'.

The other day we finally made it over to our zoo to check it out. The boys had a grand old time and baby G decided it would be a good time for her morning nap. All in all it was the perfect trip.

We all agreed the new tiger exhibit was the coolest. We visited them no less than 5 times.

They had lots of fun cheesing it up for the camera

And of course we ran into some TOTALLY WILD animals that were a kind all of their own.

We're doing all we can to fill up our last few days of summer with FUN! I even packed up the 4 of us and we spent a day at the beach. It was fabulous. The kids ran, splashed, and I think we took home 1/2 of the sand with us. But it was worth it. Sadly, I have no pictures of that. I actually remembered to pack the camera but didn't check to make sure the battery was charged. Oh well. We had such a good time we will be going back again.

School is just around the corner, so close I can taste it. Of course I'll miss the company of the kids during the day, but some things are just so much easier to do with just one in tow - like shopping!! :)

Alright, well I'm off to fold towels. Hope your weeks are off to a great start!!