TGFG - Thank God for Grandmas

Grandma C came up for the weekend and the boys had a GREAT time. I'm not sure who is more tired from her visits - the boys or her! Grandma arrived Friday night before bed and the boys were happy to see her.

Saturday morning, Tim & I went on a bike ride early before Grandma & I took the boys to the Y for Eli's swim lesson. After the Y, we came home, Cole took an early nap and Eli, Grandma & I made a quick visit to the library. We decided to go by Food Lion to get some ice cream and Eli loved pushing their kid carts around. He has never been in there with me and it was fun for him. He actually wanted to keep shopping! Once Cole woke up from his nap, we took his crib apart. Mr. "Big Bed" is done with the crib. When Eli asked why we were taking it apart, I told him that there are no more babies in our house. Ever since, he has been walking around the house announcing that there are "No more babies in this house". We also managed to clean the garage some and sell a few things on Craigslist (but still have a few more to post). Saturday night was another special treat for Tim & I - we went out to dinner by ourselves! Next weekend is our anniversary so we took advantage of Grandma being here to do our bike rides and an early dinner out. It has been a LONG time since we went to dinner by ourselves.

Sunday morning, we started the same way. Tim & I went on a bike ride together and then the boys played outside with their bikes when we got home. We had a quick visit with Faye, Owen and Kara to give Faye her birthday presents and then we headed to the airport for some airplane watching and a picnic. Cole loves going to the airport and looking for planes. Eli had a great time running around and playing with other kids. When we got home, it was time for naps and to say goodbye to Grandma. The boys knew she wouldn't be here when they got up but they were looking for her anyway. I swear Grandma plays her heart out when she's here and the boys love getting all of her love and attention. And we love getting a little break - Thank you Grandma!!

After naps, we hung out at the house - inside and out - and just took it easy. I did some more crafting (this time cutting squares for another baby blanket) so that was really nice. It was a great weekend and we crammed a lot in. And now for the pictures......

Eli was so much happier this week at swim lessons.

Getting much more comfortable in the water on his front

and on his back.

Here the boys kicked their way to the deep end (10'!) holding onto a noodle.

Rescuing the stranded duck in the water.

Ice cream time!

Outside with Grandma. We're spending a lot of time on the back porch these days.

Trying to throw frisbie - Eli found this is our garage and Grandma tried to teach him how to throw it. He chose to do it his own way.

Grandma & her boys

Cole had his ice cream time a little late - look at those baby blues!

He was so funny sucking the ice cream out the bottom after it cracked.

My big boy

Mommy & Daddy - going out alone!

Bike ride Sunday morning

Our cute little riders - Cole is getting better about wearing a helmet. Eli is wearing MY helmet!

Future racing team

The cuteness kills me

The puddle in front of our house is a little boy magnet

and a big boy magnet. Eli is really good on his Strider bike.

Then it was time to run through the puddle.

Eli presenting Faye with her birthday blanket.

Looks like it was a hit. She wrapped up her baby in it.

Grandma & her boys at the airport park.

Watching and waiting for airplanes

We waited and watched for a long time

Cole just loves the airport

I love how they're both pointing at the plane on the runway in this shot.

Eli had fun playing with a borrowed dump truck (note to self: bring more toys next time)

Picnic time

On the observation platform

Found Eli sleeping like this tonight and had to take a picture

And found Cole sleeping like this - he grows every hour!

Way behind - catching up

The past week has been so crazy that I haven't been able to post. Good thing I take a lot of pictures to remember what we've been doing!

Saturday morning Eli had his first swim lesson at the Y. He has been talking about taking lessons and how he wants to swim in the deep end of the pool. Well, his first lesson didn't start out too well. He was upset, crying and wanted me. I, of course being super tough Mom, told him he had to stay with his group and listen. There was no way I wanted a repeat of karate and Tim and I both feel that water safety is important. So after about 15 minutes, Eli miraculously loved it and had a lot of fun. I hope that he remembers that when we go back tomorrow!

Happy and ready for class

Waiting to get in the pool with their cute "turtle shells" on.

Edging onto the lower side of the pool

Learning to turn around properly to enter the water

and here's where it started going South - see Eli's face?

The instructor, Jim, was great. He was very patient with Eli and took him out even when Eli was a little upset.

"Mom, why aren't you saving me?"

How things change!! Eli ended up having so much fun. They kicked while on their fronts

and on their backs.

Yay! Swim class was a success.

After Eli's class, Tim and Cole met us at the Y outdoor pool for some play time. We hung out in the kiddie pool (the water was cold enough there!). Cole was pretty funny not wanting to get in the cold water but eventually he finally put both feet on the ground in the pool. We only stayed about an hour until lunch but it was enough to wear our little boys out to get good naps!

Suited up but not ready to get in.

Water boy

Eli looks so big here

I tried to get a picture with both my boys.

Daddy and his boy - really, Cole is Daddy's boy.

Cute!

Eli showed Daddy some of the stuff he learned in swim class.

I ended up having to wake Cole up from his nap early because he had to go to a birthday party - his first one without big brother!! We went to Gymboree to celebrate his classmate and buddy Will's 2nd birthday. It was so dang cute watching all the 2 year olds play together.

There were a lot of structures and slides.

Cole climbing up the wall with his best buddy Wyatt. Cole looks for him every day at school.

Hey cute stuff!

Cole and Will rolling the big "candle".

Fun slide

This was hilarious. They started some music and Cole just stared at the speaker on the wall where the music was coming from. Then he started dancing away.

My sweet Fishy face

Cole loved the inflatable donuts.

On top of the mountain

Bubbles!!

Cole absolutely loved me putting the donuts around him and he would tip himself over.

Wheeeeeee!

Playing with his buds

Here they are: Will (bday boy, green shirt), Wyatt in the middle and Cole-man

Cole had a blast at Will's birthday party.

Sunday we pretty much just hung out around the house and had a low key day. Eli & I ran a few errands while Cole napped and I did some more sewing during their tv time. It's nice to have low key days!

Sunday night Cole decided that he wanted to sleep in his "big bed" and he has all week! Bye bye crib this weekend!!

You never know what you'll find around our house. I came home to Eli's clothes on the curtain rod where he had created his own game to throw them / land them up there.

On Wednesday night, we loaded up (illegally) in the back of my truck and drove through the neighborhood to the lake to feed the ducks.

He gets bigger every night!

This swan adopted Eli - and vice versa. Eli would only feed it and the swan stayed right there.

Brothers

I love this shot. Daddy and his boys. They could be walking anywhere, talking about anything.

The rest of our week was pretty good. Summer Camp has started at school so the boys are pretty busy. This week included Bounce House, Water Play and a Fiesta with a pinata. Lots of fun stuff! Grandma C is staying with us this weekend so we'll have more fun to share.

My Mom Loves Me

There's absolutely nothing else I'd rather he say!

Very Proud

This is the Happy Gram that Eli brought home from school today. Actually his teacher made sure to give it plus his daily sheet to me and tell me how awesome of a day he had. Reading this Happy Gram made me so proud of Eli. He's an amazing little boy!