Zoo fun!

We hit the zoo twice this past week for a little fun in the sun!  First, we visited with our small group/playgroup and played on the splash pad.  The kids had a blast.  I thought it was funny that at one point there were probably 10-11 little boys out there playing and Emerson.  She's a trooper!  She is gonna hang with her tough-love bro just fine!  Here are some pics of our recent adventures.

If you are looking for us this summer, we will probably be here:

 A peaceful sibling moment.  Sadly, they are more rare these days :(

 My sweet girl wanting to be just like her big bro.  It's funny how sassy she can be one minute and how tomboyish the next!

 GG and Emerson at the Dinosaur exhibit at the zoo.

 Love these two.

 Griffin wanted to take a picture of Aunt Janet, Emerson and I at the zoo.  Although it is a bit far away, I thought he did a pretty good job!

 Worms, lizards, frogs... this kid has no fear of the slimy.  That's just gross.

We had a fun weekend this weekend at GG and Pop's house while daddy had some friends in from out of town for the Men's conference at our church.  We visited the farmer's market, went to the zoo and played outside a ton.  These kids are exhausted so I think our Monday will be spent at home re-grouping. 

In other news, Emerson pooped on the potty for the 3rd time today.  (FYI - This is not her third consecutive time... the 3 random events have happened over a period of about 2 weeks.)  I am not really sure what to think of this.  I do not by any means think that she is ready to potty train, but I do like the idea that she is not afraid of the potty and do not want to discourage her from going to the potty.  So, I am kinda stuck.  Got any advice??

Griffin has some serious skills.  Watch him run across the yard to catch this toy.

That's what is going on in our world.  I am heading out of town to a girls weekend next weekend and cannot wait!!  It will be a good chance to get away and enjoy a little R&R while daddy and the kiddos play.  Who knows, maybe Blake will make a post of their adventures... don't hold your breath :)

Have an excellent week!

sk

3.5 and 1.5

How about that?  Another blog post already and it hasn't even been a month!  I guess it is your lucky day, my friend! 

The weather is starting to turn a little bit here in Birmingham, which has made me totally crave a trip to the beach or really anywhere that we could spend more time outside.  Bring on the sunshine! 

Griffin is exactly 3.5 today and Emerson's half birthday will be on Monday.  Time is Fah-lying!!  Here are some recent shots of the little boogers.

A little late, but I just have to show ya'll this.  How cute were these Halloween costumes??  Real cute.  (That's your answer.)

 Griffin had his first dental appointment.  It went well and he did exactly as he was told.  He even told the nurse that "My mommy uses floss."  Thank you very much!

 Daddy puts the kids to work on the weekends.  And they love it!

 Emerson is a bit confused about how all of this works.  I find her in this position often.  It's pretty crazy to think that we will be here in a few short months... I am tired just thinking about it!

 Future's so bright, we've got to wear shades!

 We couldn't resist a little water play when the temps rose to 70+ last weekend!

 Oh yeah, even got a little slide action in.

 I mean, really?  How cute is my precious angel girl??

 These two wear me out on a daily basis.  They can drive me nuts one minute and cause me to melt into a puddle on the floor the very next. 
Griffin is so stinking smart that it is crazy.  I often look at him and think, "where did my baby go?"  He likes cereal for breakfast (and will sometimes eat 3 bowls full!!), asks for snacks all day long, goes potty solo, loves sword fighting with daddy, loves the zoo and McWane and story time at the library.  He wants to walk beside the cart at the grocery store and swipe my card at check-out.  He can do almost any apparatus at the playground and can pump his legs when he swings.  His favorite movie right now is Tangled and Winnie the Pooh Heffalump Movie (although I think he thinks Poo when he hears Pooh).  This kid is just cute.  That's all there is to it.  I love to catch him singing or dancing or just being silly. 

 This one is learning like a sponge!!!  Yesterday she repeated after Griffin when he said, "train tracks."  And today she said, "Griffin, where are you??"  Her vocabulary is in full bloom and she will repeat just about anything that you say.  She loves to play ring around the rosy and have dance parties.  She loves to play with her baby dolls, but she goes crazy if she sees a real baby out and about.   She will pose for the camera and say "cheese" and she asks for "monkey" whenever she sees my phone.  Her hair really has started to thicken up a good bit, but we are LONG way from pig tails.  She is just a little beauty and just the sweetest little cuddler when it comes to bedtime.  I love you Emerson Camille!!

Hope you enjoyed this teeny tiny update.  Just trying to get back into the blogging habit... bear with me!

Playing catch up

Thanksgiving in Macon:

This is a perfect picture demonstrating the joy of decorating a Christmas tree with a 3 year old and a toddler.  Holy Moly.

Santa brought Griffin a brand new Power Wheel!!  And I am not sure who loves it more!

Griffin in his first starring role: a shepherd in his MDO Christmas program.  What a cutie!

January brought a lot of firsts, including: 

Griffin's first Monster Truck Rally

And Emerson's first snow! 

I realize that I have been neglecting the blog for quite some time now and that I need to do better.  But, I'll be honest for the past several months, I have felt a little scattered.  Blame it on the move, blame it on my kids being the ages they are, blame it on whatever.  It just didn't get done. 

But, these little ones won't be little for long and I should really try to do a better job of documenting these moments before they are gone.  So, in an attempt to hold on to these days as long as possible, here's a quick list of 10 things that these kiddos are doing now that blow me away and make me even more crazy about them:

10.  Griffin's vocabulary continues to amaze me.  He has used the words reflection, enormous and familiar correctly within the last few weeks.  The kid is smart, ya'll!

9.  Speaking of vocabulary, Emerson said "Thanks, Mommy" today after I made her a cup of juice.  She will be 18 months old on the 25th of this month.  Not bad.

8.  Lately when I am scolding Griffin, just when I am really driving home a really important lesson that I need him to concentrate on, he will gently blow in my face so that he can see my hair move. Usually the lesson does not end well.  But later when I have time to reflect, I can't help but laugh.

7.  Emerson will go into the bathroom, attempting to communnicate to me that she needs to potty and will stand in front of the toilet with her shirt up just like Griffin.  I think she's a bit confused.

6.  During one of our regular dance parties this morning I introduced the kids to Blues Travelers and  Stevie Wonder.  I think they love them.

5.  Emerson is obsessed with shoes.  She especially seems to love wearing Crocs (hers or Griffin's) on the wrong feet.

4.  Griffin will watch a movie one hundred times in a row until he can quote it.  Lately, Peter Pan and the Winnie the Pooh Huffalump movies have been our viewing choices.

3.  Both of my kids are excellent snugglers when they want to be.  However, both children could wake up from naps less grumpy.

2.  Having the stomach bug twice in 2 months is for the birds.  Here's hoping that these kiddos' immune systems grow stronger quickly.  Mama can't take it anymore.

1.  When we don't have the stomach bug, these kids are snacking machines!  I don't know how I am going to keep up with their consumption.  It is quite impressive.

All this to say... life is crazy right now.  After the fastest move in history, a short stint living with the Greenes, another quick move into our new house, holidays, stomach bugs and such... I am finally to a point where life is relaxing just a bit.  So, hopefully, you will see a little more of me on here.