Fall is Here...Sort of!!!

Enjoying a birthday party at the park.

Just love this pose!!!

South Carolina has finally cooled off, for a few days anyway!  We're enjoying it anyhow!  The evenings are really cool and the mornings great.  We can finally play outside again without sweating the minute we walk out the door.  The boys and I have enjoyed several walks this week after dinner while Josh studies.  We've gone further than we were able to go when it was so hot!!

With the cooler weather comes new clothes.  The boys have enough clothes for several children I think!!!  Yesterday we just dropped off 3 trash bags of clothes we couldn't even use!!  Monday we went with Oma up to Charlotte.  The one thing we did need was shirts for Jack.  Jack enjoyed helping pick out his new clothes.  He kept saying "Jack's shirt" and wanting to hold them!!  It was so cute.  We nearly wiped out Oma's gift cards.  Oma also got Jack his first set of Legos (well the Duplos) for his birthday.

Wednesday we enjoyed a trip to the park.  We were there for over 3 hours and the boys loved it!  I'm so loving the cooler weather too!!!  Jack, however, is driving me a little nuts.  For some reason he has decided sometimes he doesn't need a nap.  Luckily he will at least stay in his crib for over an hour and be somewhat quiet.  He's also waking up at night sometimes.  Not sure what he is up to?!

Ewan tried climbing up the slide!

Exploring the playground.

Getting ready to slide.

Ewan is growing like a weed.  He looks even older in long sleeves and pants.  Somehow it ages him!!  He still has the cutest smile ever.  We enjoyed some time together while Oma took Jack for his weekly outing.  This week they went for bagels, to the park and shopping at Target.  Jack loves his Oma time.  So do I!!!  This week while they were gone I spent my "alone" time (while Ewan was napping) washing window screens.  How exciting!!!  Then while they both napped in the afternoon I cleaned all the downstairs windows.  We'll call it "fall cleaning"!!  Josh won't let me open the windows until I clean them because of his allergies.  BUMMER!  Still need to clean the upstairs.  Must admit, they sparkle and the view is great.

Leaving with Oma for their special time.

Enjoying some alone time with Mommy.

Jack wants to sleep in his toddler bed...he just won't stay in it.  So he is still in the crib.  We also plan on trying to potty train again very soon.

That pretty much sums up what we've been up to and more!  Not sure where all the time goes!  We've been to several birthday parties lately.  Now we're busy getting ready for the Jack's second birthday party.  He's looking forward to it!  We're practicing his cake and should be getting his bike soon.

Oma Time

Today was Jack's first official "Special Oma Time".  Oma is now going to take Jack one morning a week so they can have special bonding time.  Now that Jack is a little older he understands more and the quality time is great for both of them.  This morning when he woke up I told Jack he was going to see Oma today.  He was excited and also asked about Opa and Daisy...no he wouldn't be seeing them today.

When the door opened he ran over and yelled "Oma".  It was the first time Oma heard him pronounce her name properly and she loved it!!  We've been working on his pronounciation and it finally worked!  It is so sweet to see him call her by name and be excited to see her.

Ewan and I enjoyed our time together.  He slept in the beginning, then played, had lunch and played some more.  Ewan likes having the toys to himself, no older brother to tell him what to do or take away toys!!  I got a few things done...it was wonderful.  We all look forward to this new weekly bonding session.

When Oma left Jack yelled "Oma" and made her come back for a hug and a kiss.  My sweet little boy is just adorable!!!

Terrible Twos

Jack may not yet be two years old.... but he has already entered the "terrible twos"!  His favorite answer to a question is "no", he is in timeout very often (though he doesn't seem to care)...  Let's just say he is definitely defiant.  He is still my sweetheart, he just tests my patience (which was already VERY LOW) every single day.  Today we tried potty training again....that's not going to happen!  It is very emotionally and physically draining dealing with him lately.

Ewan is still a sweetheart.  He gets into most everything and loves it.  He is so close to walking, but has not taken that first step just yet.

So we just keep on going...the boys full of energy and me just surving their adventures!

On the State House steps.

Jack sharing his peanuts at the State House.

Jack and Daddy helping Ewan walk!

Fun Weekend

The holiday weekend isn't over yet...but thought we'd update now.  Josh is enjoying his guys' weekend up in the mountains while the boys and I are enjoying Uncle Nick's visit here at home.  The boys have been having fun with Uncle Nick, Oma and Opa.  Yesterday we watched some of the Ohio State football game.  Jack is now proficient at saying "go Bucks"!!   Later that afternoon the boys and I headed to a double birthday party and had a blast. 

Today we had fun at the park with Oma, Opa and Uncle Nick.  Jack liked having other people there to chase him and show off all his cool tricks!!  Ewan loves the slides too.  Then we had dinner with Oma and Opa. 

I'm now recovering!!!  It gets to be hectic when Josh isn't here and I've got the boys ALL THE TIME! Luckily we've had plenty to keep us busy.  Tomorrow we look forward to helping Oma and Opa celebrate their 39th anniversary.

Children's Garden

This morning we had a playdate at the Children's Garden. The boys had fun...what's not to like...sand, dirt, pinestraw!! Jack started the fun right in the parking lot with a mouthful of sand. Ewan waited a little while before he started nibbling everything.

Jack had issues being outside...he thinks it is time to do anything he wants. He chooses not to obey and doesn't like being disciplines outdoors. At home he will run into the bushes or garden when I tell him it is time to go inside. Today at the garden he kept running out of sight and got put into a timeout. We have quite a bit of work ahead of us!!!





My handsome "little" man!


Showing off that belly!!



One, Two, Three slide!!!

Mama's New Toy

Jack parked the bike right where Ewan could reach it!!



Everything goes in this boy's mouth!!



Jack trying to put Cosmo's leash on.



Ewan feeling the grass.

Ewan eating grass!!

Mama got a new SLR camera!! Yeah!! So now I've got lots of learning to do. In the meantime enjoy these photos. The weather has been so gorgeous the boys and I are enjoying outside time again! It won't last forever, but will be here to stay soon enough.

Bike Bike Bike Car Car Car

Waiting for more bikes!!


Jack doesn't seem to want to be part of the "guy" photo.



Adventure boy climbing around!

Smiley Ewan!!

Checking things out!

We enjoyed another fun weekend at the Deuce. We arrived Friday night after driving up in some rain and getting stuck behind a car accident. The boys were thrilled to get there and play with Oma and Opa.

Saturday was a relaxing day. The boys, Oma and I ran a few errands in the morning while Daddy took a bike ride. The weather was absolutely beautiful. After their naps that afternoon we all went to the park. The boys loved it. Jack was all over the place as always. This time Daddy was there to help chase him, plus Opa too!! Despite a fall on the bridge and cut lip, Jack had a blast. Ewan likes to swing and watch all the action.

The highlight, though, was when we left the park. Oma and Opa picked up a pizza and took the boys home while Josh and I went out for a grown up dinner! We went to somewhere we hadn't been yet, The Quarry. The atmosphere was great and food wonderful. And better yet, no kids at the table!!! My duck was delicious as was Josh's steak. The wine was great too; need to find that one again somewhere.

Then Sunday after lunch we went to Greenville for a bike race. We knew Jack would love it since he couldn't get enough of the Tour de France. As it happens, we stopped at Publix on the way into town and when I got out the race was just getting ready to go by the parking lot!! So we moved the car and found a good shady spot. Jack got thrilled when the lead VIP cars and motorcycles went by....then the bikes. This was almost too much excitement for him!!! He kept saying "more bike"!!! So after they all went by we headed to downtown and parked on Main Street. We found a nice spot to sit and watch the race. In total we saw the race go by three times. Jack loved it each and every time!!! He would yell "car car car bike bike bike" and get so incredibly excited. He loved clapping as soon as he saw the first bike go by!! We'll have to see it we can post a video clip of him watching the race....it is just so adorable!

Jack slept all the way to Columbia after the race. He woke up shortly before we got home....and he woke up clapping and say "bike bike bike"!!!!