Homecoming 2014

Avery participated {and thoroughly enjoyed} her first spirit week and homecoming at school.  The themes were superhero day, red, white, and blue day, Disney day, color clash day, and blue Friday.

 

 

Friday night before the game there was an alumni dinner and homecoming parade.  The lower school walked around the football field in front of the homecoming court.  It started pouring rain as the parade ended.  We hung out for awhile under the dinner tent but left really early since I had been sick.

The next morning there was a fall festival at school, so we took the kids to play and have lunch.  I sent Ned and the kids home and worked the game for Avery's class for awhile.  Avery and Sam both surprised us by climbing and coming down the big slide.

It was a busy and fun week, so fun that it almost made the sinus infection and pink eye that I started with that weekend more bearable.  Almost...but not quite!

Making Tracks to Great Destinations

Two weeks ago we packed up and left after lunch on Saturday for a little adventure with Thomas and Percy.  We took Avery to ride Thomas when she was three, and it was such a fun time.  Avery's love for Thomas at that age does not hold a candle to Sam's obsession, so we knew we had to go back.  This year they brought Percy along!

We got to Salisbury, NC around 5:00 p.m. after an uneventful trip including an outlet mall stop and naps in the car.  We went right to Olive Garden to eat, as I had been looking forward to that meal for awhile.  Poor Sam though was having bathroom issues that were not resolved until we got to our hotel, so dinner was kind of hectic.  The kids slept well while Ned and I kind of wished for morning.  I had been sick with a cough for several weeks and spent part of the night on the couch so that I wasn't coughing all over Avery.

We made our way to Krispy Kreme the next morning for some breakfast before our big day.

Crowds were much lower than our first trip, but it was early on a Sunday morning and there had been a wreck on 85.  We got pictures with Percy easily then had our pick of which caboose we wanted to ride in.  My family forced me to get over one of my many fears and climb a ladder so that we could ride in the cupola.

After our ride with Percy, we went to meet Sir Topham Hatt.  Everyone was excited until a little girl in front of us lost her mind.  Then Sam lost his when he got in the tent with Topham Hatt.  Even Avery wouldn't stand beside him.  I can't say I blame either of them though.

We did a little shopping and sight seeing after that, and then it was time for our ride with Thomas.

After that fun adventure, it was time for some Panera before heading home.  It was a fun fall trip, and it was sad to think we may be out of the Thomas stage by next year.

Peanut Festival and Pumpkins

We love fall, and our fall weekends always seem to be packed full.  Last weekend was Peanut Festival weekend, and we kicked things off with the parade Saturday morning.

We picked up hot dogs after the parade and brought them home for lunch.  After the kids rested, we braved the carnival and let the kids do two rides.

Ned and I love to do things for our kids, but the carnival was just too much.  The two ride limit got us in and out pretty quickly.  We had ice cream and fried Oreos in the park away from the craziness.

After a brief pit stop, we were on our way to get pumpkins and fall flowers.

All that work worked up an appetite, so a trip to the Mexican restaurant was next on the list.  We came home full, tired, and loaded down with fall decor.  We thoroughly enjoyed our first fall weekend, and since we don't have a free weekend until November, it looks like lots more fun is in store.

2.5

Dear Sam,

You turned 2.5 on September 7!  I am behind because I had big ambitions of getting some good pictures with the big camera.  Since October is coming, I decided it was time to get this done.

You had your checkup last week, and you are 31 pounds and 36 or 37 inches.  You are high in your height percentile and low in your weight.  You're only 3 pounds shy of your sister, though, so you're plenty big.  You wear mostly 2T clothes but some shirts and all longalls are 3T.  You shoe size is an 8.

The biggest news since you turned 2 is that you are well on your way to being potty trained.  Once all the big kids went back to school after Labor Day, Jen-Jen started putting you in underwear during the day.  You had a few accidents before you caught on, but you got the hang of it quickly.  It took you a few more days to potty at home, but I got brave and put you in underwear too.  You've got the easy part of pottying down pat, and you're doing pretty well with the other part too.  You've only had one accident at home, and that was my fault.  Last Saturday we were gone all day, and even though we put a diaper over you underwear, you stayed dry all day.  We are so proud of you.  

Eating and sleeping habits are still basically the same.  We would love to add a few vegetables to your diet and pray that your afternoon nap continues for quiet a while.  You are very mild-mannered and a fairly good listener.  Tears are the main reaction if things aren't going your way.  Our biggest challenge right now is getting you out of the house to run an errand, go to soccer practice, etc. once you have settled in.  You like to go, but I also think you are a homebody like your mama.

Your new love is Thomas.  You always have several trains in your hand, and you want to watch Thomas shows all day long.  You play so nicely at your train table and it's so neat to see you working and thinking quietly.  You still love playing outside, reading books, and joining in on Avery's crazy play ideas.

You still sleep in your crib and have a tight grip on your pacifier.  I have started thinking about your big boy room but hope you will stay in your crib until at least 3 as Avery did.  As for the pacifier, I just have no desire to take it away.  You go all day without it at Jen-Jen's and don't even use it to nap there, so I know you are playing us well.  I'm sure we'll get rid of it by Kindergarten, and it should be noted that it's in your genes to want to keep it that long.

I love to hear you talk.  You have the sweetest voice and put the funniest things together.  You are also quiet the parrot, repeating what any of us say.  Sometimes you voice your opinions a little too clearly.  At a church lunch recently, people sat down at our table and they got a "Shoo, shoo.  Go way."  You like people but you like them on your terms, which involves a little bit of space and a full stomach.

It's so odd to think that you could join Avery and I at school next year.  We are already praying that what you need next year will be very clear to us so that we make the best decision for you.  You have plenty of schooling ahead of you, so I'm in no rush.  I'm also not sure how my mama's boy will do.  Thank goodness we still have time to decide.

 Sam, you are the perfect compliment to our family, always ready with some comic relief or a cuddle.  We are so thankful for the joy and energy you bring into our lives.  We love you to bits and pieces.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Our Sweet Summertime

The official summer season has come to a close, and we are ready for fall.  Our summer was had plenty of big events but also lots of little bits of fun that deserve to be remembered.

Avery had her last day of preschool.

Ned hung shades while I had a panic attack.

Avery enjoyed 4 days of swimming lessons and really wanted to do more.  The great photos are courtesy of my photographer friend, Lexi Jones.

Avery had her 5-year portrait session with a little help from Sam.

Sam was overcome with emotion on Avery's last day of camp.

We celebrated Mommy's last day of summer vacation with a lunch date.

We went to the county fair and spent a lot of money in a little bit of time.

Avery had dress rehearsal for Blue Fridays.

Sam had pool hair.

Avery took her first 4-wheeler ride.

We squeezed in one last trip to the pool Labor Day weekend.  Sam likes to "go up in air." 

 It was the fastest and busiest summer ever, but we had so much fun.  Once we get through my favorite fall-Christmas season I'll be ready to start dreaming about next summer.