Preschool!!!

 Ellis is three and half and such a big guy! He was pumped to go off to school.

 Mom got a cute backpack and Dad got a cool lunch box...we compromised.

 Ellis and his teacher, Mrs. Pigg!

 Mom putting up a happy front....a non hormonal front.

 Will pulled over and took pictures of me balling my eyes out...I came home and deleted them...he un-deleted and told me me they were not to be deleted again...that it is part of the first day experience.  So here are my ugly cry pictures so you get the full experience:)

Round 3

IT'S A ....

BOY!!!!

That's right 3 boys total!  God is good!

God must think highly of me, to think I can handle three boys:)

We are so happy he is healthy, and can't wait to meet him in November right before Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile we are stocking up on Clorox Wipes and Superhero Costumes.

Sleeping Beauty

Last week Thad had a hard time falling a sleep and when he finally did, I told William to go grab the camera. Nevermind all the bug bites (poor guy)...I just wanted to remember his quirky little ways. He knew if he got off the bed he would get a spanking....so he stopped mid way when I flashed him the look and he acted like he was meaning to get in that position to sleep better...turns out he finally gave up and went to bed!

Santa Baby

All the Santa hype has sure been fun this Christmas. We realized early in the season that it is really getting fun with Ellis being three now. Don't worry with all the magic of Santa we are doing our best to bring it back to Jesus...we are by no means leaving him out of Christmas. We have made a tradition of reading by the Christmas tree almost every night this December. It has been sweet at times and other times we wonder why we are trying to read to a crazy one year old and an energetic three year old...but still we are fighting to keep the tradition going. Marmee (Judy) give us a Christmas book each year so we have a reason to read....otherwise what a waste.We made a visit to good ol' Peachtree Mall to see Santa...the four of us along with Ra Ra (Robin) along to see the cuteness. Cuteness did in fact occur:) Ellis had mentioned that Santa can be a little scary mainly because of his beard. However he was a champ, he got right up and talked with Santa. He told him he wanted, "a truck with a dog in the back" to which William and I are a little nervous....I have debated taking everything back and getting this random request several several times. Thad crawled/walked around viewing Santa from a distance...he stayed happy that way so we didn't force him to sit on his lap.Love it.....Christmas is getting better and better thanks to these two boys!

Indoors During the Fall?

I never realized how much taking a walk, playing at the park, riding bikes, and going on a hike was an awesome source of family entertainment until William had his surgery. We are being forced to slow down and stop doing activities that require walking:) Here are some indoor projects we have come up with...

We have made play-dough with cornstarch and salt.

We now go to the library and we recently checked out this wonderful book.
After we read the book, we made our own version of Octopus Soup

We also built a big fort...before and after shots!

We have made shrinky dinks...so fun!I made a necklace....mom jewelry-anniversary and birthdays...So those are some of the things we have been doing to make the most of this challenging season of life. Six weeks in a cast and six weeks in a boot is a long time, but we are trying to stay positive and stay busy....I have decided that when William can walk again we will just have to bundle up and tough through the cold this winter.

OH MY!

Today I was working on two emails...the house was calm, but active...William was a napping (in pain from his recent surgery), Ellis was playing, and Thad was playing in his crib i.e. safe and contained!
The first email was an email about CrossPointe's playgroup... completed it, then ran to check on the boys...all was well.
Second email...an email to a new teacher in Kids' Church, she had lots of questions so I was going through answering them when it hit me...the low rumble in my house went to silence.

Anyone who has a toddler knows that quiet is awesome...a gift from God, but too quiet is very bad. Well it was too quiet.

I called out, "Ellis what are you doing?" I got up, turned around and heard him say as he ran out of their room, "I paintin Thad!"

This is what I discovered-
(I took pictures before I allowed myself to freak out because I knew I would want to remember this "funny" act....it is not funny today though...one day I am sure it will be a "cute toddler" memory....but today the repeated baths, wiping down most of the house, and calling poison control is still too fresh. Oh and Thad was happy with it...it was after the scrubbing he became very unhappy)

Oh What A Summer!

We have had a blessed summer this year. Here are the highlights...
William completed his first seminary class(complete with an A+ and a fun time in Atl)Picking Blueberries
Thad's First Hair Cut (too soon, too soon...he was only 8 months)Picking Up Aunt Emily and Jon Petter from the Airport (lots of airplane spotting..along with Aunt Emily)Braves Game (complete with running the bases in the kid section)Beach Vacation (never a bad idea)Callaway Trip (circus, picnic,sweat,farmers market,and a run through the sprinklers in the garden)Fourth of July (thanks Fort Benning the free fun and fireworks were awesome)Spending Sweet Time with the Crazy Aunts(look mom, oh wait it is better if you look away)

Happy Da Da Day

Here are some reasons we love our Da Da...

1. He takes his walk with the Lord seriously.
2. He gets out of bed to get us water, tissue, medicine, etc. every night...multiple times.
3. He brings intensity and excitement to EVERYTHING he does. Whether it is tying shoes, cutting tiny fingernails, sword fighting.....pretty much anything.
4. He is a wonderful preacher. True to scripture, doesn't negate the Holy Spirit, and our favorite:not boring!
   
5. We love that he hangs out with teenagers and will reply to late night texts so selflessly.
6. He changes diapers, cooks, and does laundry regularly. In other words he is not afraid of going beyond cutting the grass.
7. He is the ultimate handy man...he can fix almost anything.
8. He knows tons of action heroes and what their claim to fame is, he also knows about dinosaurs and space.
9. He apologizes.
10. He can pack a car amazingly....how does he fit it all?
11. He is not afraid of sweat, dirt, or germs. Exactly what little boys need to counteract their Momma.
12. He is funny and smart.
    
13. He works hard, makes us money, and then is smart with that money.
14. He is a techie...in ways that count....example: he got Toy Story on Mom's phone.
15. He recognizes his weaknesses....he is humble about them as well as tries to improve them.
16. He makes cool noises...noises that only men can make....helicopter, kung fu, race car, spider webs shooting from your wrist, etc.