Fall fun!

We had  such a great time at West Farm today!  What a way to start off our Fall fun!I have about a million pictures from the fun day, so much more to come!

These brothers

These brothers sure can be mischievous (and I’m going to have to realize that they will wrestle each other), but wow do they love each other!We like to tell the boys three things we love about them, so the other night I asked Jack three things he loves about Mark, Sam, and me.  Sam’s were: “1. That he follows me 2. That he do’s what I do. and 3. That he plays with my toys.  That’s three!”  Be still, my heart!

Playing after nap

It was time to wake up from nap, and as I headed upstairs, I heard the boys already playing.  Naturally, I grabbed my camera and watched through the crack in the door!I love to watch when they don’t know I’m watching!

I’ve been spotted!

Thumbs up! Knuckles!

These two have many ways to say, “We’re doin’ good!”

‘Until next time’ playdate at the park

Our sweet friends Anne Carter and Cate are moving to Asheville very soon, so we all got together for one last big group playdate before they go.  We’re going to miss those sweet girls-and their mommy and daddy, too!Clark and Jeri brought cupcakes, and Sam was more than pleased!  See him licking those icing covered fingers?  Gross, I know.Mary Mac and Will!Rhys and Caroline (and I just missed Drennon!) were climbing, so Elizabeth wanted in on the fun!Wham climbing high and Danner smiling big!Elizabeth, Mary Mac, and Katherine sure made Anne Carter feel loved!Of course the swings were a big hit.  Here’s Walker,Oliver, and Sam just enjoying the breeze!Patrick-he’s a little flirt!  So happy with his momma!Everyone loves the see-saw, sweet Charlotte and Danner,and the fire truck.Sweet Alston!  She’s only six days younger than Sam.  Hey Grace, should we talk about an arranged marriage? :)Hillis was so sweet with the little ones!Mac and Jack digging for treasure (and finding a crayon!) and ordering some ice cream from the Reed girls.Kaki and John-yumm, cupcakes!!Part of the crew!As I was saying my good-byes, the boys thought they needed a few more minutes.And then they found the barely-on splashpad sprinkler and got really dirty.  Sand, icing, and now wet.  Boys.  Love ‘em.Anne Carter and Cate, we know you’ll make some wonderful new friends in Asheville!  They’ll be so lucky to have you!  We’ll miss you-until next time!

These boys…

Wow, they do my heart such good.  So thankful to be their mommy.The faces in this one, ha!  S: “Momma, you sure take a lot of pictures.  You’re kinda wearing me out.” J:  “Get used to it, brother!  Just smile, mkay?!”

Three-and-a-HALF!

Jackie boy, you turned three-and-a-half last month-no way, NO WAY!  You are just so much fun and so silly!  Some things I don’t want to forget about this age:

1.  Your imagination is running WILD!  Your favorite thing to do is pretend anything.  At bed time, you like to play mommy/daddy and baby lion/puppy/gamecock (switching it up where I’m the mommy, you’re the baby and I’m the baby, you’re the daddy), but you say that’s only a game for you and me.  Ok!  You also love to play the teacher game.  I’ll have to say this is my favorite.  When I get you from school, you always say you didn’t do anything and you didn’t play with anyone, but when we play this game, I learn everything about your day!  We go from circle time (even saying the Pledge!  LOVE IT!) to lunch time to nap and centers pretending all along the way.  Oh, it’s so fun!

2.  Speaking of school, you are LOVING it!  Most often you don’t want to leave when I get there.  I’m so happy that you love school (may it always be so!), but there is also a bit of me that’s sad that you’re not running to me with the big monkey hug anymore!

3.  You’re a good listener most of the time, but you can definitely test your limits, too.  1, 2, 3 works great for you.  We rarely get to three, or sometimes go straight to three!, but when we do, time-out works.  You do NOT like to be away from us.  When you don’t have your listening ears on, I sometimes lose my patience with you and I’m sorry.  I know you can see that I make mistakes, too, and I hope to teach you to be quick to apologize.  Thanks for helping me learn how to be a mommy! 4.  It’s so funny to watch your mannerisms and see daddy or me in them.  You pick up so much of what we do and say.  Sometimes I catch you mothering Sam and I try to watch without you noticing.  It’s so cute how you two interact-most of the time.  That Sam loves you SO much!! 

5.  You constantly melt my heart.  Just this morning-you came in our room a bit earlier than normal and snuggled up with me (LOVE THAT!!!!).  You were still for a few minutes and I pretended to still be sleeping.  You took my face in your hands, kissed me big, and then whispered, “You’re beautiful.  So beautiful.”  Wow.  I got the biggest smile on my face and opened my eyes to see you doing the same.  You’re amazing!

Daddy and I love you more than words can say, sweet boy, and we’re so thankful that you’re our three-and-a-half year old!  God is so good!