ice cream!

We can't keep ice cream in our freezer.  Really, it is gone in 2 days flat.  My boys love it as much as I do.  In fact Jackson begs 'please mom, don't eat all the ice cream in the night.'  I should be embarrassed but it is too good to be embarrassed.  Our favorite is Mint Chocolate Chip but any other flavor will do - especially if we have 'the hard black stuff that you have to count to 30 before you can eat it but it is sooooo amazing' - Magic Shell.  Tis the season!

'Please can we have some ice cream?  We won't fight! Your the best mom ever, I love you so much. Pleassseee!'

Will dance for ice cream!

cousins sleep over!

The big guys had their annual (right? yes, please) back-to-school cousins sleepover at Grandmama and Granddaddy's house on Wednesday night.  It was awesome because they have the coolest cousins and there was the pool and pancakes and movies and ice cream. 

Birthday Girl

My mini-me-sista-sista celebrated her birthday on Monday.  This was not just any birthday because she got ENGAGED!  The boys are beyond pumped to have Zack join our family.  If they can't marry Natalie then they will let Zack…

Post limo and fancy dinner we surprised them by having both families at our house for some treats and champagne.  I can't wait to start planning, it's like the daughter I will never have...

CHEERS!  Jackson loves a good glass of sparkling grape juice.

Nephews insisted, a birthday cake was still needed!

Dolly approves!

California!

Our cousins Hannah and Nate live in California.  A long time ago I told Jackson when he turned 5 we could go visit them.  Lucky for me he never forgets anything and I want him to always be able to trust me soooo we did it!  It was such a fun visit.  San Jose was good to us with sunny, breezy weather; good eats; good snuggly sleeps with my boy; lots of parks; maybe even a little bit of shopping!

Fun Aunt Sarah talked with JAKE AND THE NEVER LAND PIRATES, and created a treasure hunt with clues, games and real treasure.  Jackson was all over it.  He did not even know that Jake lived in California!

Morning cinnamon rolls with this girl.  She is as sweet and feisty as she looks.  She rules.  But really she does.

Happy Hollow Park and Zoo!  Coolest little kids park ever.  

We were here all day.  Rides, zoo, shows, jungle gym, cafeteria, etc. and all very walkable.    

Friday night we got picnic food and headed to outdoor music and watched the goof troops dance.  Jackson informed everyone he was from North Carolina and is the oldest and has 2 younger brothers that couldn't come.

Saturday morning Farmer's Market love.  I got flowers and candied nuts and kettle corn.  :)

A NINJA WARRIOR PARK!  Jackson did a lot of obstacle courses and then spotted this guy - 

'Mom, you have to take a picture and send this to Nash.  He is going to be like oh wow that is amazing.   I can't believe Spider Man lives in California too.'

Helped make some of Uncle Kyle's famous chocolate chip cookies.

And had a morning pajama donut date with Hannah and Kyle.  He could have just done that and it would be a good trip.

Sliding with Nate after church.  He is wearing a Farris boys throw-back-vintage onesie.

Missing the Fowler family already!

First Flight!

This past weekend Jackson and I went to California!  It was Jackson's first time on an airplane and just as I suspected he was perfect.  Seriously, flying with one kid who is five is easier than flying with a husband.  He was super pumped and in his true dorky fashion had already read up on flying and watched the TSA video online.  :)  He was pretty much leading me through the airport.  Apparently when you fly with a kid they let you skip the line and bring you warm cookies and gummy bears on the flight!  It was a long but direct flight and took full advantage-  watching way too much Disney Jr., I watched a movie (what what!!) we played games and did some coloring and went to the bathroom a lot.  I have never had a better travel mate.  Sorry Charlie.

Another bonus - only needs a carry-on that he can roll himself.

We got up super early so his first priority was making sure he got breakfast.  He picked out the first cinnamon roll he saw.  It was the size of his head and you can't miss that big ol' head.

Sleepy plane buddies.

Head phones on, skittles opened up, orange juice ready, time for some Paw Patrol ya'll!

Base Run Domination

Sunday we went to the Durham Bulls game with some other families.  It started at 5:00 - score.  Theo and Nash took an afternoon siesta - score.  The game was 'quick' - score.  KIDS RUN THE BASES AFTER THE GAME - SCORE.  I ran too. Nash didn't want to run and then he did and then he didn't and then he wanted me to run with him and Theo wanted me to hold him soooo we all did it.  And Jackson and Nash left me in the dust.  

3rd babe

Poor Theo doesn't get as much individual updates as his older brothers did.  I guess that is what happens when you are the third.  But I don't like it.  One day he will be big like them and I will want to look back to when he was one and innocent and slobbery and loved his mama more than anything in the world.  If I could keep him this age (and blonde and wearing mini fedoras) forever I might just do that - except for the sleeping through the night and wiping your own butt part.  He is so hilarious.  He copies everything, says 'MAAMM' and 'GOO' and 'UHH OHHH' in a deep smokers voice, while always smiling.  He eats all the time.  Every morning he wakes up first, I get him out of his crib, and he hugs my neck - maybe my favorite part of the day.  We head downstairs and he points to the pantry and starts on his first breakfast of a banana and milk, then Jackson comes down and he eats some oatmeal with him, then Nash comes down and he has a waffle with him, then Charlie makes eggs and yep he has some eggs with him.  He has consumed more in the first 30 minutes of his day than most 1 year olds do all day, so I can't complain or worry if he eats anything the rest of the day.   But he does, he always does.  The rest of his day is spent in my arms.  JK - sort of.  He plays tee-ball and walks around the pond and rides in his cozy coupe and splashes at the pool and laughs at his brothers.  He is growing way too fast.  We can't get enough of you 'baby' Theo!

Mom Brain

Saturday we had the usual early morning of 2 long hot hours of tee-ball fun.  Charlie didn't have to work so I thought it would be the perfect day for all of us to go and check out the Greensboro Science Center.  We grabbed a bite to eat at Jersey Mike's  and headed out.  (Really his day off and we couldn't think of anywhere else to go?!)  I plugged Greensboro Kid's Museum into the trusty phone GPS and we were on our way.  The place was great, like a little town for kids with a grocery store, pizza shop, post office, drs. office; big section with real trucks; a train station; outside garden, etc. etc.  After we were there for a good hour I started to wonder where all the animal and aquarium stuff was…  Oh, hey, we went to the wrong freaking museum.  It was pretty funny but kind of not funny at all.  Any how - I recommend the Kid's Museum and I am looking forward to the Science center.  And it was all worth it, because I got this picture of all my boys looking and smiling.  Might just have us a Christmas card on our hands…

L-O-V-E