Whoda thunk it?

My little chicken... I threatened to make Mitch wear a chicken costume for Halloween when he was about Jake's age. The child was afraid of everything! (Well, everything except people.) When he was 2 1/2, he went to two different birthday parties at Pump It Up ("the jumpies" as Mitch call it), and sat on floor looking at a Nashville Parent magazine the whole time. He was afraid of "the jumpies". He was terrified of Tickle Me Elmo, and any toy that he couldn't figure out what made it "talk". When Mimi and Pa bought him his Power Wheels for his 4th Birthday, he was afraid to push the gas.

So...when we took a family trip to Six Flags in Atlanta last month, I didn't really expect a lot from Mitch. Oh...and by "family"...I mean "family". It was me, Gary, Jack, Mitch, one of Jack's friends, (Alex didn't come, and my Mom kept Jake), Gary's Mom, Gary's two sisters, and their kids. We had a great time! I showed him the roller coasters online....they even have videos of some of them. He was soooo excited and kept saying he was going to ride roller coasters. We really talked it up, but I truly thought he would change his mind when he got there and saw them. I couldn't have been more wrong! The first ride he rode was the "Log Ride". He wanted to sit up front and with Jack. What?!? My baby is riding his first ride, and he doesn't want his "Mommy"?!? What is up with this? He got scared for a just a little bit when he went down the first little hill, but after the big hill, he said, "I want to do that again!"

I didn't take my camera to Six Flags, because I was afraid I would lose it or damage it. But...the next day, we went to a kid's park called American Adventures. Jack and his friend, went to White Water (water park) which was right beside it, and Gary, me, Mitch, Lauri and Wyatt went to American Adventures. Mitch rode every ride there a million times! He faster and crazier the ride was, the better! And having his cousin, Wyatt, with him just made it that much better. They are 5 months apart in age, and they have a blast together!

Here they are having chips and Goldfish for breakfast before Six Flags. Wyatt lives in Atlanta, so we stayed with them.

Mitch and Wyatt before American Adventures

This is about the only proof I have that Jack and Jacob (Jack's friend) were even with us. The left us right after this picture was taken, and spent the day at the water park.

Their first ride...listening intently to the instructions...my little rule-follower! :)

Now he's getting too cool in the trucks....he's loving this stuff!

Daddy and Mitch on his first ever roller coaster!

After a couple of rides, they decided they didn't need us anymore...and they wanted to ride together. Gary rode behind them once for reassurance. After that, they didn't care if we rode or not.

Can you see his hands in the air? This is the way he rode EVERY ride at least once!

Wyatt and Mitch on the swings. (Sorry Mimi!)

...On the Crazy Bus

Ahhh...nice, relaxing ride on the wagon ferris wheel. She let them tell her which way to go and where to stop. They loved it!

Gary and Mitch on The Scrambler. This is the one that I thought for sure would do him in...but it was his favorite ride!

Me and Mitch on The Scrambler

Me, Wyatt, Mitch, and Lauri on the Tilt A Whirl. We got on one that spun the ENTIRE time, literally! When it was done, Lauri and I had to take a break, and the kids were begging to ride again!

We definitely got our exercise for day walking up the steps to this slide. Poor Lauri...at least Gary and I could switch off! Lauri had to go every time! Oh...and Gary cheats! He kept pushing Lauri and Wyatt back so he and Mitch could win!

Left to right: Me and Mitch, Lauri and Wyatt, random kid who is in lots of our slide pics

Gary and Mitch

Lauri and Wyatt, Me and Mitch

Gary and Mitch, Lauri and Wyatt

After we rode all of the rides for hours, we went inside and ate lunch. Then we played in the "Foam Factory". It's a 3 story playground, basically, with a ton of foam balls that you can suck up with vacuums, shoot out of guns, send up with pullies, etc. There are climbing ropes, and several slides. The kids had a great time.

Here's Mitch vacuuming up some of the balls

Mitch and Gary shooting people with foam balls. Look at the evil expression on Gary's face!

The kids couldn't reach the guns to shoot them, so here's Gary holding both Mitch and Wyatt while they push the buttons that shoot.

They are 4, so after a while, they got bored with the Foam Factory and wanted to go play games in the arcade. I love this picture of them on the motorcycles. I'm not even sure if there was money in the machine, but Mitch seriously concentrating!

And...HE'S DONE!!!!

Yep...He's 20 Months!

It won't be any time and I will be posting about his 2nd birthday! How did that happen?

He is such a funny little guy! As I type this he is trying to climb into the wine cabinet...where does he get these ideas? He is definitely a high-energy kid! He loves to tackle, wrestle, hit, and throw. But just as much as he loves to be rowdy, he loves to snuggle! What a great combination! He loves to make people laugh, and he loves to laugh! I have no doubt that Jake will be the class-clown when he starts school.

He has finally started walking places. Yes, he has been walking for a while, but he always wanted to be carried into stores or to the car or basically to any destination. He would walk/run all over the house or outside, but aside from that...he was a "carry me" kid! I tried putting him down and making him walk, but he would sit down and cry in the middle of the parking lot! FINALLY, in the last couple of weeks, he has started walking everywhere. He walks to the dock when we go to the boat, he walks into the grocery store and to Target, and even into the church to take Mitch to VBS this week. It's good timing...I'm not sure how much longer I would be able to carry him...he is already almost 30 pounds!

He has also started talking more. He says Momma, Daddy, Mimi, Jack, Mitch, bye, go, yes, eat, please, up, and a few other things that I just can't understand! He follows instruction amazingly well! He cleans up his messes occasionally. He puts his sippy cup in the sink when he is done with it (that is, when he doesn't put it in the trash can)! He still loves to eat, and isn't picky about what he eats. He loves to show you his belly button. And he has a great time cheering for Mitch during T-ball. He has at least one bruise on his head/face at all times. Probably because he leads with his head in whatever he is doing. He even uses it as an extra limb to help him climb things!

He is constantly suprising me with the things he can do! The other day he opened a bottle of water and started drinking it. He even got almost as much in his mouth as he did down the front of his shirt (thankfully we were outside). He has learned to open the car door. Last week, I left him in the garage while I was running in and out unloading the car. When I went to check on him...I found him in the drivers seat of my car! (Is it wrong that I went to get the camera before I got him out? I mean, it's not like the keys were in it!)
He gets into his carseat on his own and even tries to strap himself in.

He throws his own diapers in the diaper pail, and sometimes even lets me know he when he needs a clean one. He brings me his shoes when he sees us start getting ready to go somewhere (he isn't going to risk being left behind). He climbs all over the playground equipment...up the ladders, down the slides, wherever he wants to go. I have even found him on Alex's top bunk once. Yep, climbed the ladder to hang out up there.

He has slept in a big-boy bed once. Last week while Mitch was a Mimi's he kept pointing and grunting at Mitch's bed. Of course, I'm not completely crazy...I ignored him and put him in his crib. After about an hour of him fussing off and on, I went in to check on him (for about the 3rd time) and this time I picked him up. When I did, he tried to get out of my arms and to Mitch's bed...so, what the heck? I put him in Mitch's bed...and that is where he went to sleep. I moved him back to his crib before I went to bed. He woke up at about 3am and was one ticked off little boy! :) That is first and last time he has slept in a big-boy bed for now. I am NOT ready for him to be out of his crib yet!
He loves the water! Last weekend, while we were on the lake, he started jumping off the boat into the lake (don't worry...he was jumping to his daddy). Mitch was doing it, and he was not about to let someone else have all the fun! He likes to "swim" and blow bubbles, and splash!

Jake is just a pure joy to be around. You can't possibly be around him without smiling! I couldn't be more blessed!

Pickin' N Grinnin'

Mitch, Jake, and I went to pick Strawberries with my mom last month. Amazingly, I am 33 years old and it was the first time I remember ever doing this! We really lucked out, too...In a month of uncommonly HOT June days, we actually had a very nice day to go. Jake had a blast running in the rows with his basket, and Mitch actually got in there and picked some.

Ah...my little city boy, Mitch! We are in the middle of a strawberry field, with baskets full of strawberries, and he complains that he is hungry! So...I told him to eat to some strawberries... Seems obvious, right? Mitch says, "But, Mommy...they aren't washed!" He really needs to get out of the city some! :) After much explanation and consideration, he gave in and started eating...unwashed.

Ahhh...he may be a city boy, but he sure is a CUTE city boy! How can he wear a yellow hoodie, with shorts that are almost too small, hiking boots and white socks...and still look this cute?!

And this one....This picture so completely captures my youngest son! Sippy cup in hand, bruise on head, food on face and shirt! The only thing missing in this picture is his mischevious grin!

After we got two big baskets full of strawberries, we went back to my mom's. Mimi (my mom) played outside with the boys while I made my first attempt at home made jelly...with Mom's direction, of course! Yummy! It turned out great...and was surprisingly easy! This will definitely be a new family tradition for us!

Mr. Mischievous!

And you thought I was talking about Jake! Looks like Mitch isn't as innocent as he usually looks... Check out that look on his face!

And...Mr. Innocent is back...

Chocolate Cupcake? Really?

A few weeks ago, we all (Me, Gary, Mitch and Jake) went to a "Sip N See" for a college sorority sister of mine. The hostess (T-Lynn) had cupcakes that looked delicious, but I wouldn't let my boys eat them. I could only imagine the mess they would make...especially Jake. So, T-Lynn sent a couple home with me for the kids. Looks like I made the right move! I even scraped off all of the icing before I gave it to Jake! He doesn't really love it anyway...and it was green! Can you even imagine?
Mitch, on the other hand, loves his sweets! He ate Jake's icing and licked all of his off. I'm not sure he even ate the actually cupcake!

Monday Morning Playdate #1

Mitch had the greatest group of kids in his class the past year...and the perfect number... only 8! So...before school was out, we coordinated a little playgroup for the summer. Every Monday morning, we get the kids together to play.

The first one, we went to a park. Mitch was the only boy from his class that was able to make it, and he thought he was hot stuff! :) Of course, Jake just plays right in there with them, and lots of the kids in Mitch's class have younger sibling that are around Jake's age. Here are some pics of all of the little cuties!

I just love this picture of Jake and his little red cheeks! :)

Mitch and Lily

Jake and Nora (Lily's little sister)

The kids wore themselves out going to the top of this hill and running down...Little House on the Prairie style! :) From left to right...Sadie (Ella O's little sister), Noah (Ella A's little brother), random kid, Lily, Ella O, Ella A, Mitch

Mother's Day and Papa Jack's B-day

Last month we went to Gary's parents for Mother's Day weekend, and to celebrate his dad's 70th Birthday! Since it was Mother's Day weekend, Jack and Alex didn't go with us. Alex was with his mom for Mother's Day, and Jack was actually in New York on a school trip. And Ronnie (my oldest nephew) went to a NASCAR race with his dad...so it was just little ones. They had a really good time and loved playing together. Mitch, Wyatt, and Molly are getting old enough to really enjoy each other, and remember that they like to play together from time to time that they see each other.

That Saturday we celebrated Papa Jack's 70th Birthday! The kids had a great time playing outside ALL DAY!

Papa Jack with his 4 youngest grandkids! Wyatt 4 1/2, Mitch 4, Molly 3 1/2, and Jake 1 1/2

The Birthday Boy with all 4 of his kids! Gary, Tara, Lauri, and Matt (from left to right)...Don't worry...I'll spare the ages! :)

And...a photo I just couldn't pass up...

After a full afternoon of play...we all got ready and went to dinner for a Mother's Day celebration with Gary's mom, grandmother, aunt, and uncle...plus of course, all of the his brothers/sisters, and the little ones. Yep...we were very brave! :)

Gary (um...I mean the kids...) got me a new little camera for Mother's Day. I LOVE my Nikon DSLR camera, but it is not very convenient to carry with me places. So...I wanted another one that I could just toss in my purse. He got me the Nikon Coolpix, but it didn't take good pictures so he ended up taking it back and getting me the Cannon PowerShot Digital Elph...I love it! All that say...please excuse the quality of these next pictures...they were taken with the Nikon Coolpix!

At dinner, Gary gave me, Lauri, and Tara the best Mother's Day gift...He sat with the kids and we got the dinner off! It was great...and Gary is so good with the kids...so patient!

Sunday morning, we got up and went to church with Gary's mom. It wasn't until we got there that I found out they would not be having Childrens Church or the Nursery. WHAT!!??!! You mean Mitch and Jake are going to have to sit still and quiet in church for an hour?!? Okay...Here goes nothing! :) Actually, Mitch did great! It was Jake that was quite the challenge! He wasn't loud, but he sure didn't want to sit still! With Gary and Gran'ma Judy's help...we survived! Sure am glad I don't have to do that often, though!

Okay...one more update down, and only 1/2 a ton more to go! :)

The Little Stinker...

You just gotta love him! Jake has started wanting to stay in the garage when we get home from anywhere. I let him out of his car seat, and he doesn't want to come inside. I have a rocker in the garage that needs to be refinished, and sometimes Gary puts Mitch's booster seat in it when he takes it out of his car. The other day I walked out to the garage to get Jake, and this is what I found!

Like I said...you just gotta love him! You never know what the kid is going to do next!

Mitch's Spring Luncheon and Pre-K Program

A couple of months ago, Mitch had his Spring Luncheon at school. It was such a special treat to get to see him in his classroom and see what they had been doing this year. Then the entire Preschool also sang some songs for us! Mitch was glad to have me there, but absoltely beside himself that his Daddy was there! It was just too cute!

It is so precious to watch Mitch and his buddy, Tyner, together. They are inseparable at school! Aren't they too cute?

This is the class walking in and lining up for the singing performance.

And...Mitch smiling for the camera. He was going make sure that we could get an obstructed picture of him! :) (Yep, that's him on the 3rd row...peeking around the kid's head in front of him!)

How does he do it?

It is amazing to me how Gary gets Jake to sit still long enough to fall asleep on him, but he does! Jake has not fallen asleep on me since he was 4 or 5 months old. Oh...how I miss those days! He would fall asleep on me, and I would sit on the sofa holding him while he slept for 2-3 hours (while Mitch was napping in his bed). I knew there were a million things I needed to be doing in those hours, but nothing was more precious that time. It wasn't an all-the-time-thing, but every now and then, I just couldn't help myself!

Well, not so much anymore. My friend, Lindsay, says he climbs on all over me like a dog...and she's right. He won't sit still in my lap. He climbs up in my lap and then back down and over and over again. It's like he's afraid to sit still. But...not with Gary!

Is there anything more precious than a sleeping baby?

Get Ready!

Okay....Get ready....and check back often! I have tons of pictures to post! We've been so busy for the last couple of months that I haven't been able to stay on top of my pictures or my blog...but I'm motivated...I plan on catching all of you up on what has been going on and lots of pictures will be coming! Consider yourselves warned! :)