Tricks!

The boys had a teacher workday today, so we all got to load up and go to Winnie's 6 month appointment.  She was awesome, they were terrible.  I am not exaggerating.  It was just one of those day before Halloween days.  So they all got tricks instead of treats... a flu shot for YOU and YOU and YOU and YOU.  Boo! Who's laughing now suckers.  (Not me, I wasn't laughing at all, close to crying actually or spankings all around - lucky for them I love their pediatrician and I was trying to impress her.)

Queen Winnie Stats

(she shall wear a big crown)

Weight - 18lbs. 12oz. - 84%

Height - 26.73 in. - 71%

Head - 18.58 in. - 100**%

Fall!

I don't love pumpkin spice, or big sweaters or shorter days or colder weather - but I do love these nuggets and a parking lot pumpkin patch and dressing up for Halloween and all the candy.

Cali!

Charlie got invited to attend the Jersey Mike's Advisory Board meeting in California along with his spouse.  I first said no we can't make it with this little notice and a six month old.  Then he sent me the link to the hotel and said we can't miss this.  We asked if Winnie could come along (she is a cute cheap date) and they said yes.  So off she went on her THIRD flight in 6 months.  This time to Los Angeles and then took a ride down the Pacific Coast to Laguna Beach, and it stayed at the Ritz Carlton!  It was a first for all of us.  Sorry, if I sound like I am bragging, I am.  We all had a great time.  The flight is loonngggg but Winnie was as good as you could expect her to be.  She was loving hanging with just her mom and dad.  I really feel like she grew so much while we were there, maybe it was that I had some serious one on one time and that has really never happened before.  We wined and dined and walked and talked.  If you ever want to meet everyone at a conference then bring a cute baby with you.  Winnie was the star of the show.  

Back to the airport we go.  Five hours, 2 feedings, 2 naps, a few diaper changes and my mom let me suck on one of those cookies!

A trek from our hotel down to the beach.  It was gorgeous and hot! High of 98, but no humidity, so felt good to us.

Omelets by the ocean with dad before his meetings.

So we hit up the pool for a few!  We weren't sad about it.

A gorgeous sunset stroll on the beach.  We tried to get a picture, but our heads are too big for selfies.  Sorry Winnie.  Take my word for it, it was purty.  

Green Athletic Monsters

Fall baseball has come and gone and the Green Athletic Monsters rocked it.  I was super pumped at the beginning of the season when I found out Jackson and Nash could be on the same team, and then Jackson broke his arm so that was that.  He was able to play in the final game and homeboy hit 2 line drives up the middle.  I was pumped for him, don't tell anyone, but he was a little nervous.  Nash also did awesome in his first season in machine pitch!  I am proud of these big goofballs.  Now if we can get Theo on their team, winning!

Presenting, the 2017 Green Athletic Monsters!  They ended the season with a comeback win.  They were having a good time.

#1 Coach Charlie - daddy!

Fishy-fishy

So far so good.  'George' and 'Funnel Cake' are still kicking it.  The boys are pretty proud, haven't forgotten to feed them, think they are best friends and want a bigger tank - nope.  And don't mind Theo.

The Fair!

The fall tradition continues. The boys and I met my parents at the State Fair one afternoon .  The weather was chilly, the fried oreos as good as ever, ride lines not long and this year a bonus, we won 2 fish...

I'm not just any mom...

And this picture was taken before the spin ride even started. 

Yay! ? ! Fish!

This is 10 years.

Charlie and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary on Friday!  We have had a beautiful busy decade together and being high school sweethearts we are really pushing two decades.  The coolest part about it - it gets better and better every year.  Harder, yes - but better.  This year we took our kids to their respective sports practice, scooped up an unsuspecting baby sitter and then had a fancy dinner at The Carolina Inn.  Saturday was a baseball game and we ventured to the Tarheel football game.  Sunday was church, a birthday party, a quick cousins visit and then we went to Sip & Savor with adult friends.  Thankfully we both enjoy sports, food, drinks, and our kids!  Here are some pictures of Winnie to commemorate, she is the current family favorite.

First cooler fall day, seems like a good time for a diaper blow out at soccer practice.  And no extra clothes, because, 4th kid.

First football game!  Better luck next year Tarheels.

My cute little cherub.

6 months!

Happy 6 months to our #1 girl! It feels like it has been 6 weeks.  Which is what the lady beside me at Orange Theory Fitness thought I said today and I didn't correct her...  Ninja warrior here I come! I kid.  You gotta start somewhere or just have another baby, which is what Jackson suggested.  

And he is a pretty charming big brother.

Father time

Time is a funny thing.  In this stage of my life the minutes can creep by.  They are exhausting and stressful and frustrating.  Yet at the exact same time the days are flying by.  Winnie is almost 6 months old.  6 months! I can barely remember a time that I didn't have her with me. She is such a joy.  She likes to be right in the mix of it all, watching and smiling and eating.  Everything goes in her mouth reminding me that I need to do some baby proofing around here.  So far she has enjoyed applesauce and sweet potatoes but eats like her brothers with most of it ending up on her clothes and the ground.  She likes her paci and her mama holding her.  She knows all she has to do is let out a little whimper and I will scoop her right up.  She takes around 3 naps a day depending on what all we have going on.  She gets up once a night but I can nurse her and she goes back to sleep.  Six months is one of my favorite ages.  All the smiles but not yet moving.  I do not know what I am going to do when she can start moving.  Put a helmet and leash on her?  I am only kind of joking.  

tight cut

The damage was done, no turning back, they had to buzz that big ol' head.  The cute devilish look suits him well.   'It's like grand-daddy!  But I can't twirl my hair.'  Exactly.  But I do love rubbing it, the tables have turned.  

Beer & Buzz Cuts

Theo is still a hair twirler - mine and his own.  He pulls his own hair out and now has a bald spot.  We decided to nip that in the butt and just shave his head.  It did not go over too well.  Charlie suggested we tell others that Theo tried to cut his own hair.  Nope, not letting you blame this one on him.  This is not the first time that dad has attempted to cut his hair...

Beers & Buzzcuts.

Breakfast Club

Cereal, waffles, yogurt, granola, eggs, cinnamon rolls, donuts, etc, etc.  Dudes love breakfast around here, and look who got to join them.  My first kid that could actually fit in the bumbo seat!  Maybe she will have her daddy's legs. 

'Look ma! I made it to the breakfast club.  Now, about those cinny rolls.'

Fun Run!

Last week was the Creekside Fun Run!  Both my boys were pumped up about it.  Nash said about 15 times the morning of, 'well, I'll see you soon for Fun Run mom!'  We made sure we were all there, a little late, but what is new.  I am proud of them and this school and Jersey Mike's for sponsoring it!

Nash stayed outside and focused.  ;)  I got one high five and Charlie took him some water, ha.

Compared to this guy.  'Mom, how many have I done?' 'Five.' 'Good - water time!'

And look who snuck in.  Theo, straight sprinting.