Rice "tailgate"

Because I was pleasantly surprised about how well John Cole did at the game last night--he really wasn't THAT fussy when we left in the middle of the 4th quarter--I may attempt a long tailgate day when the weather cools some.  Today, however, because of the HEAT and my boys' nap schedules my sweet family came over to "tailgate" at our house before the home opener.  Thanks fam for coming over and for watching boys/taking them to the game so Jeff and I could go to Dr. Reneau's house :)  Off to get ready for church....

P.S.--John Cole still snoozing at 8am :)

Five Senses Day

Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged!  I was having issues with the pictures from my phone from the Houston game, so I just gave up.  We had a great time last weekend, though, made all the better by the WIN for the Bulldogs.  Just wanted to document that Preston made it through the WHOLE game and even walked to the hotel on campus BY HIMSELF at 11:30 at night.  His Daddy and I told him how proud we were of him.  Such a fun weekend with family.  Missed my sweet John Cole because he stayed at Resa's house but I think they had some good bonding time :)

So, on to today.  I was excited to finally get to spend some time at Preston's school and with his classmates today at "Five Senses Day."  They spilt the school up into groups and this morning at 8 Mrs. Donna's class and four others made our way to the gym for a PowerPoint and 5 centers set up for each of the senses.  I didn't get the best pics in the world because I was trying to help Mrs. Donna and Mrs. Catherine gather up stamps, put on marker tops, etc.  But at least you get the idea.  Here were the centers:

Taste :  taste pretzel(salty), chocolate chip(sweet), grapefruit(bitter) and pickle (sour) and stamp on chart
Touch: investigate the "mystery boxes" then touch the shaving cream
Smell:  color a picture of the nose and smell the colored marker
Sound:  listen to a recording and pick out sound to identify "bingo" style
Sight: decorate a coffee filter with different food colorings

It was a good time and I am grateful to Gran-Gran for keeping John Cole so I could attend. Hope you all have a good weekend and GO DAWGS!

Grandparents Breakfast

It seems like ages ago that I posted about Preston's first day at LPECC, but really it has only been a few days.  We've been pretty busy. I've worked a good bit, Hurricane Issac came through and we are settling into a Fall routine.

And even though it's only been a few days, I can definitely say Preston LOVES his new school!  He literally jumps out of the car in the morning...skips the running board entirely.  I walked him in the first few days to make sure he knew his way--which of course he did--and by I think day 4 he told me, "Mommy, you can just drop me off."  WOW!  So independent...

Today they had donuts and juice with Grandparents and he was SO excited to have his Nana, Resa, Gran-Gran and Grandfather there.  Pop, there will be PLENTY more Grandparents Days for you to attend :)

More later.....

Preston's First Day

I am about to go pick P up from his first day of Pre-K 4 at LPECC and I literally can't wait to see him and hope he is in a talkative mood.  He was a champ this morning when I dropped him off--already making new friends--and I could tell the kids were going to have a great time!  I don't have a picture of his teacher, though, as her mother is gravely ill and she was out today :(

Enjoy the pics and happy back to school!

9 Months Old!

You are 9 months old today John Cole!  You are growing up so fast right before my eyes so I just wanted to post a little about you and your precious personality.

I do not take you for your check-up until Friday, and since you have been so well all Summer I have no idea how much you weigh.  You were looking like you were slimming up--but now that your tastebuds have changed I think you've put on a few :)  Yes, John Cole, you will eat baby food if it is your only option but it is NOT your favorite.  You will literally eat ANYTHING if Mommy puts a small enough piece in your mouth.  You eat : bread, lunchmeat, cheese, avocado, tomato, watermelon, mashed potatoes, cooked spinach, roast beef, canteloupe, bananas, french fries, you had some of brothers cake/ice cream....I could list all day but basically you like it ALL!  I have always heard of kids that will "eat anything" and truth be told I thought the parents were just exaggerating or something because as picky as Preston is I just thought that was NOT POSSIBLE but you may prove to be like that.  I SURE HOPE SO!

You are still on Enfamil and take 4 (8 ounce) bottles a day.  Also, unlike your brother, you know when to say when.  Sometimes you suck the bottle dry and sometimes you want to play and just take half of it.  Fine by me as I can certainly tell you are growing.  I am really excited about the formula countdown.....three more months....hooray!

You still just have the two bottom teeth showing but you are cutting FOUR at the top right now.  I am not an expert, but I have spent some time looking in your mouth, and I predict that they are all gonna come in right together.  You have been showing some of the classic teething signs--but even on your bad day you are a doll :)

Which brings me to your demeanor....you are a dream!  You are doing better in the carseat since the beach so I don't know what was wrong.  Maybe your little runny nose was making you congested and you couldn't breathe?  Who knows.  Mommy has bought brother a new booster and has cleaned up/bought new covers for P's old carseats so I plan to put you backwards in a big seat this week or next.  I digress.  YOU ARE SUCH A GREAT BABY!  You love to chase your brother and do your best to participate in what he is doing.  You pant when you are really excited about something.  You still love your little blue car and will sit outside and watch your brother for literally an hour just smiling and walking along.  Your main exercise consists of climbing the stairs--and you are quite good at it.  You can do "patty cake" all by yourself when asked.  You do not say any words really....but babble all the time.

Your family loves you so much John Cole!  Happy 3/4 Birthday!

The party must go on....

It has really not rained much here ALL SUMMER--especially in the morning hours--so I did not think one thing about scheduling a pool party for Preston in August from 10-12.  Did not even give it a second thought......maybe I should have.

We woke up Saturday morning to some clouds but I was still optimistic. Sure enough at 9:50 it started sprinkling.  By the time all of the kids arrived the BOTTOM FELL OUT and the wind was blowing the rain in torrents.  At 11:50, as the children were leaving, the sun came out.  Go figure.  But the party went on!!  Thankfully Squire Creeks toy closet was amply supplied with things to do that the kids could play with inside.  Not what I envisioned....but it had to do :)

Not sure what P will remember about this birthday party.  The marker sword wars?  The hula hoop competition?  His birthday kiss from Ally?  I guess I might never know.  What I will remember is how old he looks to me in these pictures, and that it really does feel like he is growing up.

Have a great week!

***HUGE thanks to the extremely talented Sarah Jeffords for capturing these images.  I have 238 if any of you family types are interested in seeing them all :)

Happy 4th Birthday Preston!

Happy Birthday to you, Preston!  My, it's hard to believe it was 4 years ago that I was hooked up to the pitocin drip in the wee hours of the morning watching Olympic beach volleyball awaiting your arrival.  You are VERY MUCH loved by your parents and your brother--even when you are tired. (HA!)  Can't wait to watch you continue to grow...thus far it has been such a wonderful journey.....