Griffin

Feel like I'm way behind on blogging about the boys and what they are up to. I'll try to do a little post about each of them over the next several nights.

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I had a little parent-teacher conference with Griffin's teachers a few week ago. I love these kinds of sessions, as its always great to hear little stories about what the boys are like when we're not around. Griffin's teachers said that during the first part of the year (pre-Christmas) he was always 'in the mix', but was always quiet. That changed when he returned from school after Christmas break, and they said he now talks up a storm. Initially, he wasn't interested in art, but now he LOVES it. (I love that he's finally at the age where he does his artwork, verses his teachers. Every day when he hops into the car, he starts yelling, "mommy! my art! look at my art!")


They said he has great fine motor skills and is one of the few kids that can do 'sticker art' all by himself (verses needing help getting the stickers off of the page). This guy loves stickers.


The teachers also did a tracing exercise with the kids. Griffin traced this circle and then made his own eyes and mouth. They are all crunched up on the top of the circle, but they said he did a great job addding them in the right order and used two larger lines as the eyes and the little dot for the nose.


I mentioned to the teachers that Griffin talks a lot about one little boy Isaiah and that he sounds like "the cool guy at school that everyone loves". They laughed and agreed that he is just that. They told me a few funny stories about Isaiah and Griffin getting into (innocent) mischief together. They also said that Isaiah is a big 'funny guy' at school and that he makes all of the kids laugh. They said that Griffin seems to really understand his sense of humor ('get the jokes') verses some other kids laugh from a 'that was so silly' perspective. Too funny and I'm not surprised. Griffin is definitely a jokester in our house and is always trying to say and do things to get a laugh. For example, Miles yelled out "eat more chicken!" the other night, after we sang Happy Birthday to Dana (a common trend with school-age kids is to follow up the H.B. song with the the Chik Filet slogan - who knows why) and Griffin, not missing a beat, yelled out, "No - eat more pepperoni!" and then burst out laughing. He's always cracking himself up with his own jokes. It kills me.

He's growing up fast, trying to keep up with this brothers. We'll still working on potty training (he's got it down, but sometimes with #2 he prefers the hide-in-the-corner routine, instead of rushing to the bathroom). Today he was successful in the bathroom, so I offered him a piece of candy as a treat. He said, "no thanks, mom. I'd rather just play wii as my treat." Well, hello, youngest child! My how things change with the birth order of the family. :)

Griffin still LOVES dogs and has already asked for a "doggy 3rd birthday party". He continues to take a weekly gymnastics class at the Y, with a few of his buddies, Kate, Aston, Mia, and Jack. He loves it so much that he asks to go to "nastics" almost every day. We took a music class for a few months and he really got into it and he also loves to play outside. He has the best time throwing, kicking, and catching balls. I'm already excited to sign him up for sports next year. Overall, he's a fun little guy to have around and we all dig him. So. very. much.

Little Fingers, Little Toes

The word it o-u-t and we couldn't be more excited. Mike is ready to unload our entire attic. I'm ready to snuggle up to a little one for hours on end. CAN NOT WAIT!!! Check it out here.

Rock Star Wedding

On February 27th, my superstar sister married the man of her dreams. "Happiness" does not begin to articulate our excitement about this wedding.

Dana started her festivities off with her bridesmaids' luncheon. She looked amazing.

Love this picture of Dana & my mom. They planned an AMAZING weekend.

It was so great to see so many relatives (back row: Lindsey (VA), Dana (NC), my mom's younger sister, Fran (Germany); front row: Kristen (IL), my mom's older sister, Phyllis (FL), my cousin Marc's wife, Kim (FL), my mom (SC), my mom's mother, Grandma T (FL)

Sister soulmates

My mom, talking to my niece Mason (the flower girl). I think she looks b.e.u.t.i.f.u.l. in this photo.

Dana and Brad's mom, Rachel. Dana is marrying into an amazing family. Rachel is also one of three girls, who have such a strong bond. I adore her.


I love wedding rehearsals. The walk through. The giddy moments. The anticipation. These two pictures of Dana and my dad are the only ones I took the entire night (= no pics from the rehearsal or the fun afterwards = bummer!), but I love them both.



Before the ceremony, Dana and Brad had a "first look". Dana's sweet friend, Neely, and I walked Dana to the location where Brad was meeting her. Brad had called her on a walkie talkie to tell her he & the photographer were ready for her.

Their first look was truly one of the romantic moments I've ever seen. They met each other in a beautiful alley in Charleson. They shared a few amazing/private moments together (ok, there were a few faraway onlookers, like myself) and then when they were ready, their photographer snapped a zillion amazing photos. It was incredible to watch -- to see them bond in private on the wedding day -- and then share the big event with everyone in the ceremony.

Miles was the ring bearer. My niece, Mason, was the flower girl. Clearly, they were stoked about their big jobs!

By the time we got to the church, Miles was a little nervous -- but when the time came, he did awesome.

Noah walked down the aisle with Mason and Miles. I was nervous that he would have a hard time standing still during the ceremony, but he stood still, and smiled through it (literally). He was SO PROUD of himself when it was all over.

Check out how happy/relaxed Dana was just before she walked down the aisle. First look, people. Its the way to go.


Cute Lindsey Loo

Cute shoes. It should be mandatory for boys to wear chucks with their tuxes. That cute.

No more wedding pics - but I have to add that it was the most amazing ceremony. My Uncle John married them. My Uncle Bruce did the readings. My dad sang the doxology from the balcony before everyone walked down the aisle. Brad and Dana wrote their own amazing vows. There was not a dry eye in the church. Even Lindsey - who NEVER cries - was sobbing before Dana even reached the end of the aisle. It was that amazing.

Sweet Griffin hung with a babysitter during the ceremony. By the time we were heading over the reception in the trolley, he was clinging to his turtle, so tired.


Somehow, as obsessed I am with pictures, this is our only family shot of the night (us with Mike's sister Shannon and her daughter Mason). Wondering where Noah was at the time....maybe his 10th stop at the candy table? :)


It was an amazing night! Lindsey posted some reception pictures, too. It was fun for Mike and I to be back at the SC Aquarium almost 10 years after we had our reception there. And their reception was amazing -- best food. best band. amazing touches. Mom - you outdid yourself! (and great work by Dad, Dana, and Brad, too. :)

Our family is complete (except for lots of future little ones, that is)! WAHOO!

I ♥ Faces: Jump For Joy!

The I ♥ Faces theme this week is "Jump For Joy!" I couldn't get any of my guys to pose for me, so I set up the camera on our big city trash can, turned on the self-timer and JUMPED. I can't believe it worked and I can't believe I ended up sporting this 8th grade cheerleading pose. Best part about it all, is that as soon as Mike saw it he laughed and said, "now THAT is why I married you." Its all about the JOY.



Come check out more fun pictures at www.iheartfaces.com.

Another i heart faces SHOUT OUT!

Check out this link! Guest Fan Judge Pam selected this photo of Noah for 3rd place! The very best part of winning was learning of my win from Lindsey. She left me the cutest message, saying "Brooke! You WON! You WON i heart faces!" Loved it. Love her.

I ♥ Faces: Hilarious Outtakes

This week iheartfaces is all about "hilarious outtakes". Everyone can enter 5 photos. I feel like almost every photo I take is an outtake. With three boys, ages 6, 4, and 2, something ridiculous always seems to pop into the frame.

Think Noah expected this when he turned the hose around for a drink of water?

I was hoping for a quick group photo during a snack break at the park, instead I got this. Its a total indication of reality -- 3 boys, inevitably in 3 very different moods at any given moment. Mood #1: hamming it up, looking for a laugh; Mood #2: feeling grumpy; Mood #3: caught up in himself, feeling oh-so-silly.

Another day, another park, ready to snap another group photo. Instead, just as I was taking the picture, one of the boys yelled "dinosaur!" and they all took off running. Hilarious.

Griffin was initially very excited about his gift card from his great aunt and uncle -- that is, until I snapped the picture. Immediately, he forgot what it was (or realized it wasn't yet a toy) and made this pouty face. My how moods change quickly. :)

This picture kills me. Background: I gathered my boys together for "a fun holiday adventure." By the time we arrived, they were cold/ready to thaw out and tired (it was early Saturday morning). I couldn't help but snap a picture of their fierce excitement over this little Christmas concert. I mean really, what else is a mother to do? :)

Come check out more hilarious outtakes at www.iheartfaces.com.

i heart faces SHOUT OUT!

Check out this link! Amy & Angie from i heart faces selected my picture of Griffin's hands as one of their favorites! First I got this fun news and then I spent the day celebrating Dana & Brad at their wedding & reception. Talk about the perfect Saturday! :)

I ♥ Faces: Hands on Fun

The I ♥ Faces theme this week is "hands on fun". This picture was taken of Griffin; but, easily could have been taken of Noah or Miles back in the day. In our house, little hands + little trains = much fun.



Come join in the fun/check out all of the amazing "hands on fun" photos at I ♥ Faces.

Funny Valentine

We had a laid back Valentine's Day this year. Griffin woke up feeling really sick, so he and I stayed in our pjs all day. The upside to hanging out at home was that Griffin finally went "#2" in the potty (I know, too much info for those of you without kids; those with kids - yes, I did a major potty dance). He's now been 2 days without an accident - including at night. Wowza. Major. Potty. Dance.

During the afternoon, Mike took Miles and Noah to the indoor pool at the Y. Mike said it was p-a-c-k-e-d and fun. And, to top it off, Noah passed a big swim test and earned a yellow swim necklace (had to float on his stomach, float on his back, and swim 15 feet without assistance) which allows him to swim in certain pools without a parent being in the water and allows him to use certain slides (he used them immediately!). We're so proud of him!

For history's sake, Miles earned his green necklace last summer, which required him to jump into water that was over his head, swim 25 yards, and tread water for one minute. He's allowed to be in any Y pool without a parent in the water and can use all of the water slides (which he LOVES). Between my older guys with necklaces and my little guy without diapers (some Y pools are diaper-free), I am insanely excited for summer!

Snowy Saturday

Several inches of snow fell in Charlotte last night. I went out early this morning to take some pictures. It was so quiet. I felt like the I was the only person in the world outside -- while at the same time envisioning everyone else in the world doing the same thing as me. It was too beautiful not to be snapping!

The boys spent all day playing with our neighbors Evan & Sydney. It wasn't the best sledding snow -- but with Mike's help the kids made an awesome snowman. Best part? Its pretty much all melted and the streets are clear. Fun...without the mess!

Dana's Weekend

What FUN it was to celebrate Dana B over Martin Luther King weekend! A long weekend in Blowing Rock -- tubing, playing games, showering Dana with girlie gifts, dancing up a storm, and just hanging out. One of those weekends when you laugh hysterically with brand new friends and those you've known for ions. Love those.

(and isn't Dana the all-time-cutest bachelorette?! here are a few more pics on Lindsey's blog.)

Mountains

We spent a fun family weekend in the mountains a few weeks ago with our friends the Williams and the Hulls. We tubed the first night under the lights at HawksNest. What FUN! Everyone had a blast. With rain for the next two days, we spent the rest of the weekend watching movies, playing games, and just hanging out. It was awesome. 

There was a little snow while we were there -- but not much. It was amazing how many tree branches were broken/had snapped from the ice storm a few days before we arrived.  

The seven kids had such a great time together.  They are such buds.  They had a zillion-and-one sword/light saber fights and were in heaven all sleeping in ONE room (except Griff...next year).  Had to include a photo of the guys, crowded around the computer, playing some music quiz/game.  If you look closely, Mike is using his middle finger to point - something we always tease Noah about doing incessantly.  Mike, maybe he gets it from you afterall?  :)

After pouring for days, a huge chunk of the driveway eroded away. It took serious effort to get across the driveway, including driving over an old Christmas tree. An adventure till the very end. :) You can see a few more pictures on the Williams' blog.

Valentines Fun

We're doing everything Valentines this week.  Last night the boys took a Valentine's bath (thank you, red food coloring). They loved it - thought it was super silly.  I ended up thinking that it was vampire-ish (and will much prefer a green bath for St Patty's Day).  :)

Today we started making the kids' friends' Valentines. I had suggested that we run to the store to buy some fun character cards and Miles and Noah looked at me like I was crazy. Miles said, "Mom, we should MAKE them!" So making them we are. Turned out to be really fun. Griffin loved the glue stick and went wild with a monkey stamp. Noah loved picking out different colored papers and fell in love with an owl stamp.  Miles loved it all and took him time adding tons of special touches with markers.  Each one was clearly made 100% by kid hands. :)