celebrating!

Nash wanted a Basketball - Pokemon party.  My creative energetic juices aren't flowing these days so that is exactly what he got, a Basketball - Pokemon party.  We rented out half of the community gym where everyone could play some b-ball or whatever else they like and then headed to the adjacent room for subs and a Pokemon cake.  Win-win for all, and the birthday boy had the best time!

Balling, shot calling.

The 5 Year Old!!

Cake Time!

Daddy -Will's birthday was a few days before.  The boys could not fathom that he wasn't having a birthday party.  So we grilled out hotdogs and let him come over and play football with them... 

Holy 5 years old!

He is a crazy, handsome, son of a me - WHO IS 5!!? We love you Nash William!

Nash's 5 year old Favorites

TV Show - Recorded Football and Basketball games and Ninja Warrior

Song - Bicycle Race and the entire Queen Greatest Hits CD.

Foods - Oatmeal, Waffles, PB&J, Hotdog w no bun, Chocolate donuts & ice cream!

Candy - Any and all and GUM

Toy - Football & Basketball, Pokemon Cards

Book - Facts about Sports

Activity - Playing basketball and football in the yard.  Playing Pokemon with the neighbors, helping mom bake dessert

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Chally

My sweet grandmother, 'Chally' passed away early Tuesday morning.  It was a little sudden and we are all heartbroken but I would like to think she would have it no other way.  She was a fierce (ahm, like had 5 kids and 11 hip replacements fierce) 86 years old and a daily blog reader.  I have always admired her style and wittiness and faithfulness and love for life.  May we all continue to pass it on.

Beefmastor!

It was our turn to host our neighborhood Supper Club this past weekend.  We channeled our inner Wilson and went with Ribeyes, Beefmastor Inn style.  Ribeyes, Baked Onion, Baked Taters, and a salad bar to boot were served.  All washed down with ice cold Budweisers as 90's smash hits played over the speakers.  Charlie was in heaven.

Beefmastor Charlie, checking out his ribeye before the crowd arrives.  We went all out, as in checkered table cloths, forks & steak knives, butter, salt & pepper.  

Explaining how this is all about to go down, he take these things very seriously - as steak should be taken.

Alright ladies, what size cut and how do you like your steak cooked.  It was delicious.

Love!

Our church had a free baby-sitting night last weekend.  I can't confirm that we were the first to sign up, but I know we were close.  The boys got to play with friends and we had an Italian date night at Il Palio.  Charlie knows the chef (a regular J. Mike's patron...shhhh) so we were served to the max.  I also just received this sweet picture in my email from when we picked the boys up, and I want to keep it forever, so here you go.

Great Wolf!

The GREAT WOLF LODGE did not disappoint.  We picked up the boys from school on Tuesday and rolled out to Charlotte.  We got all checked in, set up in our 'Cabin Room' and hit the water park!  Jackson could do all the water slides, so he and dad went at it.  Nash loved the basketball area and Theo liked to pretend he was a Ninja Warrior in the kids area.  I waddled myself around in hopes that they would remember me as a 'fun' mom, because it is not that fun being this large of a pregnant woman at a water park.  Afterwards, we had a really good dinner at the restaurant, did a little story time and hit up the arcade.  After an ok evening of sleep we were back at it.  I highly recommend a mini 'get-away' here.

My Valentine Wolfs!

Speaking of 'Woof.'  Proof.  I was there in all my glory and they love me no matter what.

Like father, like son.

The Arcade, probably their favorite part...

Valentines Get Away!

Every day during February I have put up a heart with something I LOVE about my boys.  They enjoy finding the new heart every morning and I enjoy reminding myself of their better qualities after they finally go to bed!  On Valentine's morning they got a surprise heart 'You are going to Great Wolf Lodge!'  We have all been once before and they loved it.  I wouldn't call it a romantic get-away or anything but we did all have a good time.  A Tuesday in February is a good day to head that way because it is pretty empty there and so much cheaper.  I love my Valentines!

Hey girl hey!

We got a sneak peak of this beauty the other day.  I wanted the boys to be able to check out what is going on in this big belly of mine.  They were amused for about 2 minutes and then over it, just as I imagined.  She was mostly snoozing with her hands in front of her face. We did get a few sneaky smirks out of her.  She is doing great, moving and grooving in my belly all the time.  I am feeling large and well, pregnant.  This has definitely been the hardest pregnancy. Headaches have not been as bad lately and I am no longer nauseous.  Heartburn is still going strong, maybe she will have a big head of hair like her bros!  I have had some heart palpitations and one super random episode of seeing stars - blacking out.  I got to wear a sexy heart rate monitor for a few weeks and had an echo done.  Everything is looking pretty normal and the only recommendation was to have a c-section, which is already the plan.  Some days I get frustrated and then remember how awesome it is to be a female who can carry another human being and bring her into this world.  Lucky me!  And she gives me lots of kicks, it is like our own little secret language, my favorite part of being pregnant.  Two months to go!  

Basketball Goal!

My parents got the boys a real basketball goal this past weekend.  The Fisher Price plastic one is still holding on strong - 6 years now - but it was time.  Eight hours of his life later my dad  had assembled the goal, Charlie was super pumped he did not get the goal... and I was super pumped the box would not be sitting in the garage for 3 years...  This week has been gorgeous and these boys have been putting in some serious work!  I love hearing the bouncing of the ball and the arguments that come along with it.  :)  It is usually Tar Heels vs. Globetrotters which makes for some interesting games, but the past few days Tarheels vs. Duke.  Rivalry time has arrived on Tobacco Road.

The first dunk!  Don't be fooled, Theo can make a shot, kind of ridiculous.  He has to keep up with the big dogs.

Teaching them a few things.  'Oh my gosh mom, your baby is popping out of your clothes.' -Nash 'And your butt.' -Jackson 'Your butt!' - Theo

Always encouraging.

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report cards

I am super proud of this first grader!  He got 'Eagle of the Week' at his school and all 3's and C's on his report card (whatever that means?).  But my favorite part, 'Jackson is a joy to have in class.  He is a great leader and is always kind and helpful to his classmates...'  I love his spirit and joy of life.  May he continue to light up the room and may we all be more like him.

He also smashed an entire blue cupcake into his face at our neighbors 2 year old birthday party?! Life of the party. "I asked if they dared me and they all said yes!"  Work hard, play hard.  

Super Bowl

If you stayed up for the fourth quarter last night, because you knew it was the Super Bowl and it was Tom Brady and he is the man, then you were in for some seriously amazing football.  It was nothing compared to the Flag Football game earlier in the day, but maybe that is just me.  ;) We watched the first half and half-time at a friends house where they had a totally random 'buy a square' game.  Nash won $20 after the first quarter and Jackson the $20 after the second!!  Talk about some pumped up boys.  They didn't enjoy the half-time show as much as me but did think all the lit up drones in the sky were awesome and were perplexed by the name Lady Gaga.
'YEAHHH day dancing good mom!' -Theo 
'Wait?! Where is the football game, why are they letting them on the field? Are they going to let this last 15 minutes??'  - Nash  
'I guess she really likes gaga-ball or something?' -Jackson
Perfectly shows their personalities.  Now we can move on to basketball!

Go Patriots! (How appropriate)  And our friend Andy snuck by Nash, but Jackson had his back!

Becoming Real

One of my favorite books has always been The Velveteen Rabbit.  A sweet older mama friend passed this piece along to me, The Velveteen Mother.  I am not even there yet, but it gave me all the feelings.  You should read it, and give yourself and your body a break.  We are being loved oh so good right now.

“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”