A Light Lunch & Some Serious Reading

Noah and I spent our free-time this morning hanging out at Dean & Deluca and the library. At D&D, I had an awesome lunch while Noah indulged in gummy octopuses (no, not his lunch - he'd already eaten). Then we selected about 15 books at the library. Much fun, indeed!

Kindergarten - Full Speed Ahead!

I volunteered in Miles' media (library) class today. It was only the second time the kids checked out books but they knew exactly what to do (such independence!). Before the kids were released to select books, the librarian pointed out various book locations to me. She happened to mention that the library only has one Spiderman book. Wouldn't you know that when Miles' name was called, he ran right over to where the book was housed, grabbed it, and said, "yes! I got it!" Good memory, my friend --- score #1 for Miles Brown!



Later on, Noah and I went back to the school for "Thursday's Family Reading Day" (we read Oh The Thinks You Can Think and The Bravest of the Brave). While we waited for the class, Noah and I checked out Miles' artwork. I'm amazed that the class is already writing. The kids are encouraged to write everything based on how it sounds to them. I was not surprised to see that Miles depicted his bear as a "flying super hero".


Here is Miles with some of his classmates on their way back from lunch. Curious about their sizes? The boy in front of Miles is a year+ older and the boy behind him is six months older. Other than that, it all in the genes...

Sunny Day Sillies

While Hope was here taking pictures, the boys got a little silly and started playing with their umbrellas. I think they look mighty cute waiting for the rain.

I Completely Underestimated

'Miles and Noah' are a package deal in my mind. Where one is, the other wants to be. What one plays with, the other wants to play with. What one eats, the other will eat. Sure, they have their scuffles; but all in all, they have allegiance to each other. I totally underestimated how Griffin would fit into this equation. I totally underestimated that with two years age difference, Noah and Griffin might form this same allegiance. We've already watched Miles assume the nurturing and helpful role with Griffin while Noah aims to get down and play. To support this bond between Griffin and Noah, I've flipped Griffin's preschool schedule to Mondays & Wednesdays so that he and Noah can hang out on Tuesday and Thursday mornings while Miles is at school. I can already tell that Noah will enjoy assuming the 'older brother' verses 'middle brother' role for a few hours a week... and that he will have fun showing Griffin the ropes at local museums and parks. It all starts next week.

Another change? This will give me Monday and Wednesday mornings to myself. WOW! Time to dust off that gym schedule...here I come!

Bird!

Yesterday afternoon, Griffin heard a familiar chirping. He looked up and yelled, "Bird!" I was so excited -- you would have thought that he'd just named all of the states and their capitals. Go Griff!

(photo by Hope Bray)

Fun at the Festival

Miles, Noah and I checked out a (free!) festival uptown on Saturday. The boys were really excited for the light rail to pick us up!



As soon as we arrived, we bumped into the Williams.





There were lots of fun activities -- art projects, a ring toss, basketball, a jumpy castle, and this funny inflatable game that Miles did. He was attached to the inflatable with a vest, and whenever he ran 'too far', a bungy cord would pull him back. Hilarious!



There were also lots of instruments to try. Miles loved the brass instruments -- trumpet, trombone, french horn, and Noah dug the violin. There were also drums and wind instruments --- it was great!


The boys played a quick game of 'base' as we waited for the light rail. A fun day at the festival, indeed!

Friday Night Lights

Miles' school hosted a fun family event tonight called 'Friday Night Lights'. It was basically a pep rally to get everyone excited for the subsequent HS football game (we passed on the game, since it didn't start until 7:30). We ate dinner, listened to the marching band and had a great time just hanging out.


Miles and Noah had their hair painted.




The kids enjoyed snow cones. Griffin indulged in a virgin version (aka ice only). He dug it and was none-the-wiser!



Even the adults had fun! Mike sported his version of spirited hair...and our neighbor Shawne danced a jig with none other than Sir Purr (our Carolina Panther mascot) .



Quite possibly the most entertaining part of the evening was when Dana showed up. We haven't seen her in awhile, so she came by to hang out with us. You would have thought that ELVIS was in the building! Dana was mobbed by groups of students and parents professing their love for her. When I prepared to take the first picture, Dana was walking towards us. By the time I snapped the picture, she was surrounded -- and I only caught a snippet of her hand. Notice the girls' hair whipping because they were running to her -- a practical stampede! Let's face it...Dana rocks!

Those Boys!

Yesterday, Noah was being too silly/not listening during music, so he didn't get a stamp at the end of class. His teacher said in a sad voice, "Noah, you didn't get a stamp today." Noah said in an upbeat, positive voice, "That's ok. They wash off anyway."

This morning Miles told me in a very proud and excited voice that he is the first one to his classroom every morning (gotta love the bus and gotta notice yet another mini-Mike characteristic -- loves to arrive early! ) I followed that up by saying, "Miles, you have P.E. today!" Miles got a big smile on his face, so I was ready for him to yell out "awesome!". Instead, he giggled (full of delight!) and said, "mommy...you said a potty word."

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This is one of the awesome pictures that Hope Bray (http://www.blinkphotos.blogspot.com/) took of the boys last weekend. I have a disc full of cute pictures that I'll post throughout the coming weeks.

Should I do it?! I'm doing it! Yeah, I did it.

Family is Love

Clothes or PJs?

Dana gave Griffin this cute Patagonia outfit last Christmas. He wore it in January and February and I love it because its the same color as his eyes. For some reason, now that he's older, it all of a sudden looks like pjs (versus clothes). Mike assured me that its daylight worthy, so Griffin donned the outfit last week. We had some neighborhood families over for dinner on Friday night and BOTH remarked separately, "oh, how cute, Griff is ready for bed!" I laughed out loud-- then kicked myself for taking fashion advice from my husband.

Good Eats

I joined Miles for lunch today. The kids are so cute - and as soon as they see a classmate's parent they start begging to join you (kids can invite one friend to eat with them and their parent). The kids literally wave, smile, and say, "can I please eat with you, Miles' mommy?" Its really cute. Miles picked his friend, Alec, and we had ourselves a silly time. Alec told me that he has 100 dogs, 100 cats, 100 birds, and 100 bears as pets. Quite silly indeed!



Afterwards, Mike, Griffin, and I had a feast at the Roasting Company -- a local spot known for their awesome 'home cooking'. Griffin loved it -- and by the end of the meal, he skipped the utensils and went straight for the food. Mike was proud -- and I foresee many father/son lunches at this hot spot!

Its the Little Things

....especially when those little things are purchased at Dunkin' Donuts. Noah and I have been loving our T/Th hang-out time and a pit-stop for donut holes and coffee this morning was an awesome treat.


Noah was so excited to dig in; but, ever-so-thoughtful, he let his 'guy' take the first bite.


Shovin' it in to make room for the next one. Gotta do what 'cha gotta do!


Can't you just taste it?! YUMMERS, indeed!

Miles's Half Birthday!

Over the past week, Miles has been obsessed about his half-birthday. We indulged him tonight and celebrated the event by dining out with two neighborhood families (...I had to draw the line at his request for party hats and favors!).



Notice the "1/2 finger", which gives a shout-out to his new status as a 5 1/2 year old. As you can tell from the picture, he's passionate about it!




There must have been too many chocolate chips in their after-dinner cookie, as the boys were zany before bed. I swear, they weren't jumping off of the top bunk...they just jumped 'up' when they launched off of the ladder. All part of the celebration, I guess!

Our 16-Month-Old Cutie Pie!

Griffin could not be cuter (its awesome how God wires us to think our kids are the absolute cutest, isn't it?). When Miles and Noah were 16 months, I was wrestling with morning sickness and extreme fatique -- so I am truly enjoying it to the fullest this time. At sixteen months, Griffin babbles a ton, seems to understand a lot and has a few choice words:

• Bah! (anytime he sees a ball)
• Moh! (for more and for milk)
• Da! (anytime he sees Mike)
• Mama (every once in awhile)
• Cheese (said it the first time today as he posed for this picture!)
• Choo-choo
  

He throws his passy into his crib as we reach in to take him out...he continues to eat everything (he's our first boy to even try ketchup, bbq sauce, spaghetti sauce)...he loves to run loops around the house with Bodie...he's devoted to a little tigger lovie (too cute!)...he's obsessed with balls... he loves to be outside...he hunts for his shoes (and ours) first thing in the morning so that we can go outside to play...he's a great walker and on the verge of all out running...he loves to play in Bodie's water dish...he loves to grab whatever he can find in the pantry (last week he ate a candy cane from last year with the wrapper still on it)...he periodically waves and blows kisses (which is somehow extra cute because it is so sporadic)...he loves to color (and eat crayons)...he smiles every time we break out the camera...he can point to his nose...he has a mouthful of teeth and the cutest dimple on his cheek...and so much more!

We love you, Griffin!