Reasons that I smile

Griffin has been cracking us up lately.  Here are a few of my recent faves!

~ He ran into the kitchen last night and said, "I had a great day."  Wow... isn't it amazing how a few spoken words can make your knees weak.

~ We are in the thick of potty training right now.  I was sitting on the bathroom floor as he was trying to #2 on the potty for the first time.  After me trying to "explain" how to #2 (who would have EVER thought that would be a conversation that I would have?) he pointed to his tummy and said, "no poo-poo in dare Mommy."

~I was fixing lunch in the kitchen and heard him alone in the bathroom.  He went in to pee-pee all by his big boy self!  He was all excited and yelled, "wow...  it's WORKING!  Pee-pee is working!"

~ He often adds "Good idea!" to a sentence.  Ex:
me: Hey, Griff let's eat lunch.
Griff: Good idea Mommy!

~ Griff has shortened MiMi to Meme and Pop to Pa.  He is my child and already loves nick names! :)

~My brother, Tio John, was digging a hole to plant a tree.  Griff asked if he was digging for treasures.  Yes! He is a pirate at heart.  :)

~ We went to 2 birthday parties on Saturday and Griff was great!  He ran, played with the other kids, played on the water slide and had a blast!  I can not even begin to tell you how happy this makes me.  It is all about the small victories...

~"What are you do-ing?"  I hear this one no less than 100 times a day.  After the 75th time I'm not sure if I should laugh or cry?

My little man is growing up a little more each and every day.  I am so proud of ALL of his accomplishments.  Go GRIFFIN!!

Airplane

Roman's FAVORITE mode of transportation 

is the Elmo airplane.

(thanks Nona Courtney!)

He pilots the airplane around the house

like a crazy man!

Once on the plane he takes off
and screeches like a kamikaze pilot. 

He has realized that he can get to his desired destination 

on the airplane

VERY QUICKLY!

Funny story.

The other morning I was "trying" to sleep in while Pop and MiMi were over.

Roman was DETERMINED to wake up everyone in the house.

He came into our room 3 times to wake me.

Finally on the 4th attempt of getting me out of bed

he flew in on his airplane.

Gotta love him!

Baby Bear parked his plane in the hall while playing in Griff's room.

Walking=Independence

And he's off... 

Roman has mustered up the courage to take his first steps.  

Mobility AND independence were both gained with that step.

Over the past few days we have watched the transformation of baby to toddler.

These changes have been pretty amazing to watch.

Roman no longer wants to sit in the high chair,

he has learned to open doors in the house,

he goes off on his own and plays independently,

he watches intently EVERYTHING that his big brother does

and then mimics him,

and he points to what he wants.

I am so proud of my baby boy!

Roman brings so much joy to all of our lives.

He is a beautiful and lovable child that you can not HELP by want to cuddle with.

He has a way of bulldozing his way into your life 

and your heart...     

Brothers

As a mother there is nothing more precious than watching your children play together.

I pray that over the years my boys develop an inseparable bond of brothers and a deep friendship.  

Here are a few moments that were recently captured of 2 boys.

2 boys enjoying breakfast together. Gotta love a beach towel table cloth.
Nothing but the finest for my boys!

A certain someone Baby Bear has decided that he is too big for the high chair.
Monkey see monkey do!

2 boys playing together at the indoor playground.

2 boys bonding over a Happy Meal.  This was Griff's reward for a good
week of swimming lessons.  Baby Bear was just along for the ride. :)

2 boys playing.  Baby Bear watches every move that big bro makes
and is only 1/2 a step behind.

2 boys shopping in the playroom.
The shopping cart is the favorite toy of the moment.

2 boys cooking us up a little lunch.

I am excited about the future.  I can't wait to watch these boys grow into men.

2 boys...

All for one and one for all!

"Wimming lessons"

Griffin was in swimming lessons last week. 

When it comes to swimming and parents there are 2 basic schools of thought.

1.  Watching your child inside the fence.

2. Watching your child outside of the fence.

I fall into category 2.  I stayed on the property.  I was within ear range, but was out of sight to him.

I was so proud on the first day.  As I sat in the yard SWEATING buckets due to the 100 degree temps I didn't hear any sort of yelling from him.  I peeked through a crack in the fence once or twice and he seemed to be doing great!.  I was smiling and thinking.... "yeah, that's my boy!"

Once I entered the gate to pick him up after the lesson the instructor said, "I need to talk to you."  

Gulp..... those 6 words instantly busted my bubble.

Apparently he didn't listen very well or follow directions.  That night we had a talk about obedience, listening, and following directions for the 1,000,000th time.

Here is my view through a crack in a gate.  This is where I watched lessons the entire week.

I am proud to report that our Monday night pep talk worked.

He did awesome the rest of the week.

His teacher was very proud of his behavior and also his willingness to participate.

Now THAT's our boy!!

I had to go out of town on Friday so MiMi and Poppa brought Griff for his last day of class.

They went in towards the end and took a few pictures of our little fishie!

Jumping off the side.

Swimming to the side.

Going under water.

Collecting his reward at the end of class for his good behavior.

Good job Griff!  We are so proud of you!!

Father's Day

I am so happy that my boys have 2 strong and positive male role-models.

They are able to witness examples of what a

father and grand-father is.

  

Today we celebrate

Kenton and Big Poppa.

Thank you for all that you do.

Thank you for leading our families in His image.

Thank you for providing for us.

Thank you for loving us in the purest and most unconditional way.

Big Poppa, Stach, Baby Bear and Griff.

Satch and his boys.

Satch and a few of his gifts.

Nothing sweeter...

Print that I made.  The story of us...

Happy Father's Day Satch and Big Poppa.

We love you "big, big, like the sky!"

Father's Day~ Kenton

Father's Day~ Big Poppa

Swim time

No reason to state the obvious, 

but it is

H-O-T

outside right now.

The only way to enjoy some outdoor fun is with

a little splash time!

We put water in the pool

for a little skinny dipping.

Or shall I say chunky dunking this afternoon.

Baby Bear is a tad excited to ditch the diaper for the afternoon.

Griff showing off his swimming skills.

The boys had tons of fun with their water park.
Thanks Emma! We love our birthday present. :)

Playgroup~ Swimming, Sundaes, and Showers

Today I hosted a MOPS play group at our house.

I was really excited about the theme

"Swimming and Sundaes"

and I always enjoy having friends over to play!

This is the cake that inspired the theme.
I saw it a while back and couldn't wait to make it.
White cake, buttercream icing, chocolate ganache filling and topping.

The morning started out exactly as planned.

Lots of kids playing in the back yard.

How many kids can you fit into a small inflatable pool?

Apparently A Lot!

Rain was NOT on my agenda.

Um.... weren't we in the middle of a draught or something?

Okay...

Plan B?

Everyone inside for a movie?

Hold one....

can't exactly find a movie....

Thank you Imagination Movers on demand for saving the day!

Next up.

Ice cream sundae bar.

30 + plus kids holed up in a house need 

LOTS-O-SUGAR,

right?

Send them to the garage to eat ice cream

and burn off some sugar.

Honestly....

The day was WILD!

 Lots of kids, noise, mess, and CHAOS! 

Thanks to some really great Mommas for patrolling the playground.

Tonight I sit here in my house that is totally put back together and smile as I

think back on the day.  

I am so blessed to be surrounded by such strong Mommas

who encourage me make it through another day.