Jumping Fun and Exploring the Park!

Last Sunday we attended a friend's 2nd birthday party.  We had a blast jumping and bouncing... the party was for kids young and old!  Both of our boys had a blast and their parents had a pretty awesome time as well!  ;)

Zack finally held his niece for the first time!  Admittedly, Zack is not a "newborn dad" or apparently a "newborn uncle" either!  We have been asking him to hold sweet Emmy for awhile and he finally caved!  I don't think he knows what to do with a girl but he will start to warm up to the idea as she gets older! :)

 On Friday after work, I took both boys to the park to enjoy the almost 80 degree weather in February!  I have decided that it is incredibly hard to watch both my boys at their current ages.... both wanted to explore in opposite directions and there were many people at the park that day.  After mommy struggled for awhile to keep track of both boys who seemed to always be on opposite sides of the playground... we opted to "explore" the park and look at the streams, bridges and rocks along the path.  I think the boys had just as much fun doing this and it was a lot less stressful and more manageable on their mommy!

Finally, I had to include this for future documentation (or as bribery when my son is older!).  We were grocery shopping last night and Zander ran right up to the type of tampons I typically buy and said "Mommy, you need to get these for you for when you run out!" He always loves helping me shop and putting items in the cart.... I just about burst out laughing when Z did this.... I tried to convey my appreciation to him for helping me look out for my personal needs! haha

Superhero Night and Family Fun!

On Friday night, Zander and I attended a mother-child Superhero Night at our church! It was for ages 3 to 5th grade and we had a blast hanging out with other kids and their moms for the evening.  Zander did a great job listening to the guest speaker who talked about how we could be mighty with God's help.... referring specifically to Micah 6:8 ("He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.") and the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  When I leaned over to ask Zander who he thought was the fourth person in the fire with these three guys.... he said "Jesus" enthusiastically.  It was so sweet and while he may be just saying the "Sunday school" answer right now... I can tell he is soaking up a lot of the information he is learning about the amazing God we worship and serve.

On Saturday morning, we loaded up the boys and headed west to spend the day with our family "back home".  Aunt A and Uncle Jay had come home for the weekend so we were able to see them along with Granny V, Paw Paw, Uncle Grant, Grannie and GranDan.  As you can tell from the pictures, the boys had a lot to entertain them and many hugs to show them lots of love!  We are truly blessed by all the family we have close by!

To My Little Valentines

To My Boys,

Every year I try to write a Valentine's Day post to my little ones to highlight some of the things I love about you at your current stage in life.  First of all, I am absolutely blessed to be the mother of two incredibly sweet, loving, energetic boys!  In the last few months, your love for each other has grown immensely which has been one of my favorite things to watch.  Zander, you give the best hugs to your baby brother.  Maddox, you get upset whenever your brother is not around and instantly light up and smile as soon as he returns from Cubbies or wherever he has been.  I can't wait to see the friendship that is starting now between the two of you grow even stronger as you get older.  You might not know it yet but your brother will be your biggest fan and best friend.  Your brother will be the one person that can help you if you have had a hard day, and the one person you want to talk to when things are going exactly how you hoped they would.  I know this because I share this same relationship with your Aunt Lindsey.  This sibling bond is something that can't be replicated in any of your friendships and one that will last the rest of your lives.  Hold onto each other the same way you do now and you will go far having your biggest "cheerleader" close by.  

To My Zander.....I love the excitement you have about just about anything.  Your entire face lights up when you have something you are bursting to tell someone and your energy about life is contagious my dear boy.  I love how you can count to 20 (and you always leave out 13 and 15!).  I love how you know most of the letters of the alphabet in random order but always get tricked on the C and Q (maybe because they have the same sound sometimes in words?!)  I love the way you run and how you put on your shoes all by yourself.  I love how you want to cuddle on a Saturday morning since we have a little more time.  I love how you hold the door open for me at your daycare (and you continue to hold it open for every single person that is dropping off their kids as well- this might cause me to be late at times but you are such a gentleman!).  Zander, I love that I got to be a mommy because of you and you are forgiving enough to allow me to make mistakes as we figure this out together!  

To My Maddox.... I absolutely love your cuddles.  You just nuzzle right into my shoulder and usually grab my hair to play with.  I think it is interesting that I twirled my hair growing up and you have found a fascination with my thick mess of hair!  I love the way you walk!  I love the way you eat food (you act like you might not ever see a meal again and definitely earn the "clean plate" award!)  I love your laugh and smile.  I love how you say "ball" and do hand gestures to No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed (complete with tapping your head for "bumped his head").  I love that you already have an enjoyment toward reading.  I will find you in your room the flipping pages of your books.  I love that you run to get your cup as soon as you see me pick you up in the afternoon and then head toward the door as if to say... ok... its time to go... I know the routine!  Maddox, you are the child that has completed our family and I will forever be thankful of the family we have because you are in it!

Happy Valentine's Day my sweet little Valentines!  Mommy loves you so much!

                                                            With all my love,

                                                            Mommy

The Greatest Show on Earth!

Camels, tigers and clowns.... oh my!  We were able to go to the circus today!  This is the last year of the circus (which has been around for 145 years!)  I had never been so when Grammy and Grandpa mentioned taking our big boy to the greatest show on earth.... I wanted to tag along!  Zack hung out with Maddox for the day while I soaked up some uninterrupted time with my firstborn!  For those of you that have multiple children... I strongly recommend taking time to enjoy each child for a little bit by themselves.  I forgot how easy it is to leave the house with a three year old and what little I had to pack!  Maddox was able to go to the park with Daddy and have a picnic dinner with some friends of ours.  At the circus, we were able to see the animals ahead of time and Grandpa bought Zander a sword that lights up for him to wave around throughout the show.  I think Zander might be a little spoiled!  We were able to grab dinner and dessert on our way home and I made it back in time to snuggle with Maddox before he went to bed!  Each boy has their own unique qualities right now that make them so fun to spend time with (which are easier to notice when you are spending time one on one).  Sometimes they are able to entertain each other and the sibling bonding is just about the cutest thing!  We are trying to plan things that work for our family of four and also outings that are specific to the age of each child.  I will get to hang out with Maddox tomorrow while Zander is at Cubbies.  Next Friday, Zander and I will be going to a mommy-child superhero night at our church!   

 And now to catch up on the last couple weeks..... We have been able to spend time with Baby Cousin (Emmy).  I went to a shower for one of our closest friends that is getting married soon.  All five of us girls (and our moms) have known each other since I was in 4th grade and Linds was in 1st.  We met up with the Shorrs and were able to take a picture of all four Leighs (Leigh Shorr, Lindsey Leigh, Alexander Leigh and Emerson Leigh).  We hung out with the Williams and Kennedys (and I was able to get my "girl fix" since I am outnumbered in my house!)  And we have been able to enjoy the warmer temperatures and get outside a little more.