Summer Lovin'

We were finally in Chapel Hill this past weekend! Summer time always flies by so it was great to have a weekend at home.  Charlie and I had a fun date night a surprise karaoke birthday party and some always entertaining times with these guys.

I know, he is getting a haircut soon, Charlie has threatened to cut it himself, unfortunately we know how that goes.

Two spoons so it doesn't melt!  'It's good but next time I am just doing like Nash and sticking to mint chocolate chip.'

Nash's had his first tee-ball practice on his OWN team!  He loved it.  Theo was proud.

We explored some super secret spots in our neighborhood.  They said it was for boys only but sometimes moms can come.  Yes!

Being very careful.  

And look who we brought along with us! Meet Dolly the Dalmation.  My sisters new puppy.

Cheering on daddy at his softball game.

  Backyard pond fishing - for turtles - without a fishing line - they don't know. 

Staying cool and getting clean with afternoon hose downs.

New matching neon green light up Hulk Smash shoes!  One thing we don't waste any money on is shoes.  They both have one pair of tennis shoes and one pair of flip flops.  They both had quarter size holes in the shoes and neither one wanted to get a new pair.  But then they spotted these beauties.  Who wouldn't want a pair?

Sunday Love

WHAT EVERY MOTHER WANTS,

HER MOST UNSPOKEN NEED

-IS A TRUCKLOAD OF GRACE.

GRACE THAT BURIES HER FEARS

THAT HER FAITH WASN'T

ENOUGH, AND THAT HER

FAULTS WERE TOO MANY.

GRACE THAT SAYS SHE

DOESN'T HAVE TO TRY TO

MEASURE UP TO ANYONE ELSE

BECAUSE JESUS CAME DOWN - 

AND HE MEASURES HER AS GOOD 

ENOUGH, AS WORTHY ENOUGH, AS

LOVED MORE THAN ENOUGH.

-Ann Voskamp

The art of the Oreo

Me - I am headed to the grocery store to get some milk for Theo, anyone need anything?  

Charlie - egg whites 

Nash - watermelon 

Jackson - OREOS.  

Nash - YEAH OREOS!

The everyday joys of motherhood, buying your 'kids' Oreos and teaching them the art of the Oreo dunk.  I'm proud.

Oh yeah this is gonna be a good one.

He is a cream licker.

celebrating grandma

Happy Birthday Grandmama!  We all enjoyed a Lebanese dinner in Raleigh finished with cookie cake and ice cream.  This is after we met our cousins at Marbles Museum.  Best day evaaaa.

Theo had a really great time.  Tons of stuff for busy bodies to push and throw.

Nash, the pizza spot or any cooking area is always a favorite.

Sweet Sophie helping Jackson on some serious wood work.

NO one knocked over the huge sandcastle.  Now that is a Birthday miracle.

Happiest of Birthdays Grandmama!

BASEBALL

Nash is still obsessed with baseball.  If I ever want him to do something I say, this is like what a real baseball player does.  Real baseball players eat ONE vegetable bite before they get dessert, real baseball players get bloody noses from their brothers, real baseball players jump in the pool and swim to their mom, real baseball players even put their clothes in the hamper!  He loves to play baseball in the yard, go to a game, pretend to play it with Legos or watch highlights on TV.  This whole obsession worked out well when playing putt-putt last week.  He started off with a swing and then slowly brought it down and hit the ball.  For a 3 year old this guy is pretty decent.

Like this mom?!

He is a lefty.

Orange ball, every single time.  Jackson's favorite color is orange, so naturally Nash wanted the orange ball.   Jackson let him have it because he can be the nicest brother ever or he doesn't want to hear him scream either.  

Happy 4th!

I love America everyday, especially on the 4th, celebrating with my people, in my 'hood.  We had our annual neighborhood parade and cookout,  relaxed a little while watching the hot dog eaten contest, then headed to the pool with some friends and got home just in time for some fireworks.  USA!

My loyal 4th of July helper.  He did most of the set-up and all of the talking.

Geared up for the parade.

My patriotic crew.

The balloon toss, I am sure you can guess how this went down.

Worn out swimming maniac.

Ghettoworks.

Myrtle Beach!

My grandparents have a condo in Garden City, just south of Myrtle Beach.  It is far enough away that we have never taken all 3 boys.  This Saturday we were in Wilmington for a big reunion and decided it would be the perfect time to head down there for a few nights.  Rarely do we go anywhere without extended family so I wasn't sure if the boys would get bored and I would miss the help.  We really had a great time as a family of five!  FIVE, still so weird.

                                              

The pool is right below the condo.  We did more pool time than beach time.  It is just easier than gearing up for the beach.  And it has been prime time shark attack around here lately!

Another bonus, Theo's monitor reaches the pool.  He can snooze in the peace and QUIET and we can play board games in the sunshine.

During nap time the big guys were also introduced to Putt-Putt.  Big fans. And yes Charlie stayed with Theo, the monitor didn't reach.  ;)

One night we ventured out to eat.  I have given up all hopes of keeping him or myself clean ever again.

This is 'the look.'  I asked, 'Nash can I please have a bite of your ice cream?'  I already had my own.  He gets it from his mama.

Jackson let me lick the edges.  

Day 2 we hit up a water park in the afternoon.  Everyone had a blast in the kids area, Jackson and I did some racing down some pretty tall slides (I would never tell him but I was nervous for him, and me) and they did some tube slides with dad.

Theo took a nap on my chest and I documented it.  This never happens.  We were a big sweaty ball of snuggles. Love.

DIRT

A big pile of dirt in your neighbor's driveway basically means free child care.  It is worth every ounce of dirt they will bring in the house.  Because our house is so clean anyways.