This Stage of Life.

I really enjoyed this quick read.  'This Stage of Life?  It's Hard.  I laughed, 'I LOOK like a mom now, don't I? I totally do.' I cried, 'It's the stage where they can fit their entire selves into your lap to snuggle... and they want to.'  It's such a great stage.

All day, every day, so loud, all up in my ear hole.  This is us waiting for Jackson to get home.  I was trying to get them to watch a freaking show by themselves for 20 minutes so I can stare in the pantry for something to sneakily eat by myself.  Not today.  'I WAN DO PIITTUURRR MOMMY! I WAN SEE IT! I WAN SEE IT! DAT'S MOMMY AND FEO AND NASSTH!'

He's Safe!

Yesterday was gorgeous!  While Theo napped I convinced Nash to be a 'worker' outside with me.  Workers drink Mountain Dew, by the way.  We watered some plants, cleaned the porches, and pulled out the water toys to clean.  After picking up Jackson we stayed outside and broke out the sprinkler, then they found the slip & slide and then it was 6:00 and time for dinner.  I LOVE afternoons outside.

Fun Stuff!

We wrapped up another fun filled weekend over here.  Highlights were meeting our brand new cousin Eleanor, date nights for mom and dad and perfect park weather.

Friday night we went to the 2016 Taste The Event.  It was called All in the Nana's Family Dinner and was sort of an ode to the chef at Nana's Restaurant (Scott Howell), which is one of our favorites.  It did not disappoint.  

Saturday baby Eleanor got to come home from the hospital.  So naturally we bombarded her with snotty hugs and dirty hands and stuffed pacis in her mouth.  She took it like a champ.

Jen Hatmaker!  One of my favorite writers / bloggers spoke at an event for Help One Now in Raleigh.  She was great, it was great, if your interested check it out - Help One Now - One Leader, One Child, One Community.

Handsome Sunday twins.  One has slightly more hair.  

I went to a beautiful baby GIRL shower that afternoon (must have missed the year of the girls).  When I got home I HAD to make cookies for our church small group that night and if you can believe it, everyone decided to come inside to help out.

Baby Eleanor!

Be still my baby girl loving heart.  Eleanor Frederick Winslow finally arrived yesterday afternoon (Aunt Brittni & 'UNC' rock!) as cute and chunky as ever.  Coming in at 9lbs 6oz, she is already showing her big cousins what's up.  Eleanor is going to be one lucky little lady.

Mickey Mouse!

Because they are all looking, and kind of matching, and kind of smiling, and eating goldfish, and love me too good.  My loves!

weekend fun

We had an action packed weekend around here, always fun, but tiring, and what I really needed to do was cut our grass.  But that is kinda boring and there is always tomorrow.

Friday night the Habitat for Humanity Fashion Show Fundraiser was put on by some of my friends.  It was a huge success.  The mother and daughter who are receiving the house were unbelievably grateful.  It was really a blessing to all those involved.  And too many beverages.  Saturday 9am baseball games come quick!

But, it was an early morning victory for the Cards!  Basking in their glory on the playground.

Lunch at Moe's with Brooklyn!  We were trying to get Aunt Brittni some spicy food, no luck.  We are all ready to meet you baby Eleanor!

When dad got home from work, we headed over to the Spring football scrimmage.  Tar heels won. ;)

Saturday night dinner with neighborhood crew at Acme.  My absolute favorite go to restaurant. 

I do miss flag football, but love having our Sunday rituals back.  Do you know the muffin man, the muffin man, the muffin man...

Birthday Boy!

We celebrated our favorite guy yesterday!  Happy 34th Birthday DAD-DAD-DADDY-DAADDDD!! We love everything about you.

Nothing is sweeter than hearing Theo sing 'Daddy! Hap burt-day to uuuu!!' and cookie cake with family at the park!

'conferencing'

Last minute, Charlie decided to attend his Jersey Mike's conference at the Yacht Club Resort in Disney World.  I was back and forth about going, I wanted to go, but wasn't really sure if I could handle kids there while he attended the conference.  I decided I could do two! Sorry Theo, really he is way too young to go and enjoy it.  Then my parents decided they would go and visit with my Aunt Julie and join us for Magic Kingdom.  Score!  It was such a fun time with my 2 big guys.  We kept it simple, and really could have just stayed at the resort the entire time and they would have loved it.  Like I said, it's the little things.

Nash's first flight!  He did great.  Sprite, gum, muffins, and snuggling.  What's not to love?

After lots of trains, planes and automobiles, we arrived!  Our room, the coolest part, a phone in the bathroom. 'MOM! You can talk on the phone while you dookie!'

We headed to Disney Springs the first afternoon.  I had reservations at T-Rex Restaurant.  It was one of the only places that had any.  I thought I was a planner, Disney people are planners, you gotta get on this ish atleast 6 months in advance.  The boys thought it was cool, so cool they passed out in the booth and we ate peacefully.

Lego Store!

 We headed back to the resort, and hit up the boardwalk for a few games and fire works.

Sweet boys and their super cool stuffed monkey winnings...

Magic Kingdom!  When I wasn't sure if my parents were going to be able to make it or not I got matching neon green t-shirts.  Easy to spot mop-heads.

Go Kart racing.  The lines really weren't too bad, but overall, place was packed.

'Let's take a picture on Dumbo and send to dad.  He told me he liked it when he was a baby.  He would love it here.'

Splash Mountain!  I made Nash go, mean mom I know.  He did not like it.  Jackson and I did.  Front left, bright green, he looked like that the entire ride.

The Seven Dwarfs roller coaster was awesome. UNTIL we were creaking up the last big hill and it STOPPED.  And we waited, suspended, reassuring little kids this was part of the ride, knowing it was not, until they finally came on the intercom to confirm.  Please stay seated someone will assist you shortly.  They were decently quick in getting us off, and it was a little bit scary and very claustrophobic, but we made it out of the mine.  Thank God, Nash's mom did not make him go on this one.  I had a hard enough time keeping my own mother calm... :) 

Headed back to the resort after a hard days work.

Last day morning dip with dad!

simple pleasures

Some nights we eat frozen pizza on the porch with no plates or utensils or chairs.  'We are pretending like this a real baseball team's dugout! Thanks mom!'  You got it son.  I do what I can.

Opening Day!

Today we had Opening Ceremonies for the start of South Durham Little League Baseball!  The Cardinals were the stud-liest team out there, if I do say so myself.  Looking forward to a few months filled with baseball games!

#1 Coach and his big boys!

A true first baseman, adjusting himself, hard core chill on, and hat game on point.

With the lead off hit for the 2016 season, a line drive up the middle!  Terrible video, but it was documented, and he was pumped.

freak attacks

When you can't find your 1 1/2 year old who was just in the backyard with his brothers because you attempted to sprint inside to go pee because you are a girl and can't go on bushes, don't forget to check under the secured deck before you call the police department.  I didn't actually call, but Jackson was running inside to get my phone for me when Theo, who never stops talking, finally said, 'mom! look!'

When you have a migraine and the fire alarm keeps beeping so you take every single one down, some with uncontrollable force and then get in the shower and hear another beep to finally realize it is the carbon monoxide detector so you replace the battery and it keeps beeping so you think you may die and call the fire department.  I did actually call and they did come and were so nice and did not make me feel like an idiot.  If your CO2 detector is 5-7 years old it is expired, and it will beep and beep and beep, until you throw it in the pond.  FYI.

Remember last week when I was in Miami, ahhhh.  Shout out to all those people who made that possible.  You rock. 

Heart-breaker

The mighty-mighty Tarheels had a nail-biting, last-second shot, game-ending heartbreaker for the National Championship last night.  Talk about emotional.  If you did not see it, turn on ESPN, I can only imagine how long the last 2 shots will be played over and over.  I had to break the news to the boys this morning (they fell asleep, whew, thank-goodness).  Jackson didn't believe me at first and asked if they did a replay.  Then he asked when we got to play Villanova again.  'Hmmm, well second in the whole world is still pretty good.'  Yes it is!  And if we played again, I bet we would win, just saying.  It's a good day to be a Tar Heel.

Jackson.  The Monday after Spring Break is not so bad when your team is playing for the National Championship!

Nash.  I think he is getting some arm muscles already?!

Theo.  No chill.

Pre-gaming.  We had dinner out for a previously scheduled benefit. I loved being around town and all of the tar heel gear!

Ice-cream and home to bed.  Charlie and I 'settled' in on the couch.  I still feel like I was punched in the gut.  For real, it was one for the record books.

Adult Spring Breaking

Welcome to Miami, bienvenidos a Miami!  My youngest sister 'Aunt Nat' and my other younger sister  'Hannah-banana & Nate-da-great's Mom' and I all met in Miami along with some of Natalie's friends for her Batch Party!  I pretended I was 23 like everyone else and just went with it.  I doubt anyone noticed...  But it was so much fun hanging with my sisters and wining and dining and sunning and clubbing and sleeping in as late as I wanted.  I was the first one up every day, by the way.  Also, the first to bed.  Sarah and I called the big comfy King Bed, it was pure bliss.  I am so glad they let me tag along.  I am officially a Miami groupie.

Looking out our 16th floor condo before walking out to the beach.  This view! If you have never used VRBO.com you should give it a shot.  This was my first time and it was everything described and more plus so much cheaper than hotel rooms.

Night one we got fancy and had cocktails and sushi at Blade in the Fountainbleu Hotel.  Our friend got us on the list for LIV.  The hottest club in Miami, according to Jay-Z.  Well he was not there, neither was Beyonce' so our dance off didn't happen as I had envisioned.  Mainly I started to feel a little older.

Spotted someone famous and older! Holla back Scarface.

Ahhh, brunch.  I won't bore you with food pics, but it was all so freaking good.  This is my sister's brunch at Yardbird.  She wasn't able to eat much of it.  I helped everyone out.  You live you learn.

Night two, Cecconi's.  It was Italian food and we sat outside surrounded by beautiful lights and decor and friends.

Finally, night 3, only 5 remained.  The Matador, fancy Spanish Tapas and we might have licked some plates on the sneak.

Cousins!

We were in need of some cousin time this past week.  Everyone was on Spring Break, the sun was shining and everyone (and their cousins) decided it was a good time to meet up at Pullen Park.

Farris and Jackson, no stopping these BFFs.

Nash on the carousel getting 'bizzyyyy.'

A good ol selfie with my BFF Theo.  He is big into the tongue stick out these days.

We are ready for the train ride!