Weeks 3 & 4: Down Goes January!

Well, I can't believe it, but the first month of the year is already almost over--that seemed REALLY fast to me--anyone else??  We kept quite busy in Week 3, but I must say Week 4 was a bit of a bore as all of us were sick for at least half of the week.  As I write this, the boys are chomping at the bit to get out of the house tonight!  Grandma is going to watch them tonight instead of Wednesday so Davey and I can get some rest and hopefully start to feel better.  I also feel bad because I know Tommy had some of his classic one-liners over the past two weeks, and I can't for the life of me think of what they were :(  I guess I might need to go back to trying to do a weekly blog if I can so I can actually remember those things!  

Anyway, the highlight of the week was the Raleigh Hot Stove Baseball Banquet, at which my Dad was honored as the "Love of the Game" recipient.  There were several hundred people there, including several Major League baseball scouts, Matt Harrison (pitcher for the Texas Rangers), and the head coaches from NC State, Duke, and UNC--not to mention future star (and pupil of my Dad's!), Carlos Rodon!  We were so thankful to be able to attend with the rest of my family--thank you SO MUCH to Papa and Granny for coming over to babysit for us!  It was quite an honor for my Dad, and I know he appreciated his high school coach, several formal players, and several other coaching colleagues who came out to show their support and gratitude for him.  We all had a lovely time, and we are so proud of Dad!

Mom and Dad before we went in :)

Who is that sharp looking guy?!

My Dad with two of his favorite colleagues

Laura, Nolan, and Dad :)

Me and Lo at the table!

My Dad giving his acceptance speech--he did a really nice job--way to go Dad!

Mom and Nolan yuckin' it up!

You need to zoom in on this one to see Nolan's classic "big brother being annoyed by little sister" face--LOVE IT!

There we are all looking like our normal cheery selves :)

Laura and Nolan posing for the paparazzi!

One relieved couple right there--the night was a huge success!

It was so nice to see that big smile on both of my parents' faces!  And, it was also wonderful to come home to Granny and Papa gushing over how adorable the boys were :)  Speaking of my adorable boys, they will be both be starting preschool in the fall!  Tommy and I had a nice little mommy/son date on Wednesday, and we went to tour Fellowship Preschool in Cary.  I was so very impressed with them that I asked if they had any remaining spots open for 2 days/week for the remainder of the school year.  They didn't have any spots available, but the teachers in the 3-year old class loved Tommy so much that they asked the parents of the other kids in the class if they would mind if one more student joined them!  So, Tommy will actually be going on Mondays and Fridays beginning next Monday--eeeeppp!!!  Then, starting in September, both boys will be going all five mornings from 9:15-12:15.  I have to admit, it caused some very unexpected and mixed emotions once it was all decided.  On the one hand, I really felt excited for the boys--I just know they're going to have such a fun time, and I know it's going to be so good for them.  On the other hand, I truly was a bit sad.  I'm not just saying that, it really hit home that they are indeed growing up and that I won't have them at the house in the mornings anymore starting in September.  It was a bit like how Tommy acted the whole time we were there--he asked to hold my hand in every classroom and wouldn't let it go, but when it was time to leave, he warmed the Director's heart by sadly saying, "Awww, I want to go to school Mommy."

The 3-year old class that Tommy will be starting on Monday (Ethan will be in this class in the fall)

This is the 4 year old classroom--Tommy's room for the fall :)

Afterwards, we were supposed to meet Eleanor and Caleb for lunch, but poor Eleanor got sick, so we just continued our date at Chick-fil-A!

Didn't my boy look "smart" for his date with Mommy!

"MOMMY!!!  Look at me, look at me!"

"Thanks--CHEESE!!!"

We also were fortunate to have another grilled steak dinner at my parents' house before the weather turned FREEZING!  We all played outside with the boys before coming on in to watch the Harbaugh brothers get it done to meet each other in the Super Bowl.

It's funny, but I think the boys prefer swinging the metal bats to the obviously much lighter plastic ones!

He managed to hit the ball as you can see, although I'm not sure how looking back at Granddaddy grilling!

Ethan bounced around on "Bullseye" the majority of the time :)

 

Nolan and Laura keeping warm <3

Tommy gave Uncle NoNo a run for his money!

Get it Tommy!!

This is such a sweet picture--they're both having such a good time playing around <3

 

Aunt LoLo was happy to help Tommy out during his iPad time :)

Aunt LoLo loves a good snuggle-bug!

"Hmmmmm....let me see hurrrr"

We did manage to have a little fun at the house too though :)  OH YEAH--I can't believe I almost forgot to mention this, but Tommy has been doing a great job going poopy in the potty--WOOOHOOOO!!!  Now, mind you, he still isn't 100%, but just the shear fact that he's going in the potty daily is a HUGE success in our opinion.  So, keep up the good work big guy!

Ethan hasn't quite grasped the concept of removing clothing before using the potty--we'll wait for summer with him I think!

 

He's a happy camper--even without any clothes on!

Tommy:  "Daddy, open your mouth and say 'neighhhh!!'"

"Giddy up Daddy!!"

Hahahaha--Daddy's turn--"Ride like the wind Tommy!"

Ethan's not so sure about this!

Mommy and Ethan having a little fun too :)

Here were are special books for the past 2 weeks.  I think we've gotten two new family favorites out of this group--"Bear Snores On" and, the new favorite by far--"Turtle's Race with Beaver"!  The boys go around the house chanting, "TURTLE, BEAVER, TURTLE, BEAVER!".

This was a very popular trio--hibernation week :)

The top 2 are really good moms out there--forest animals week :)

As I've been writing, I was able to remember one "Tommy-ism" from these past couple of weeks that I'll leave you with.  Although, in truth, this particular Tommy-ism came directly from his dorky parents!  Those of you who know Davey and I well might have heard the occasional made-up word before between the two of us.  We have been joking since before Tommy was even born that someday our kids would go to school and have a whole other set of vocabulary words that no one else would understand!  Well, my friends, that glorious time has finally arrived :)  The other day when Ethan was crying about something, Tommy looked up and me and nonchalantly remarked, "Mommy, Ethan is such a bubb rubb", before going about his business.  For those of you who don't know, the term "bubb rubb" is used much in the same way as "noob"--proud parents here :)