1st Day of School

Can not believe it is the start of a new school year. Eli has moved up to 4K1 - and that means getting a school backpack!! Quite the big deal. I made sure to get his name put on it. Cole started EPS1 - and that means potty training is in the very near future. My boys are growing fast. Next year, Eli will be in kindergarten!!

Cole - Mr. EPS1

Cole & Eli - ready for 1st day of new classes

Eli - Mr. 4K ready to go with his backpack on.

the Rest of Labor Day weekend

After a leisurely Sunday morning, Tim & Eli took to the task of repairing a LOT of monster trucks that were "injured" by Monster Eli. Tim jb welded them back together and Eli had to oversee the entire operation. The boys & I went to the Y after lunch so I could take a class and then we had fun outside at home.

Monday morning, we got up and went on a family bike ride around the neighborhood and to the lake to feed the ducks. Cole had fun riding in the trailer still in his pj's. I, unfortunately, had to go to work so after our ride and lunch I headed to the jobsite while the boys napped/rested and had lots of fun time.

Making sure Daddy does the repairs correctly

Daddy's little helper. I imagine there will be many adventures in the garage with Daddy.

Eli has gotten so good on the swings. He starts running,

plops his bottom in the seat

and starts pumping his legs. He can swing on his own. It's so fun to watch. I don't really mind being out of the "push me Mommy" job.

Our future baseball superstar

Then he turned into a dead bug. Or maybe he got hit by a pitch.

Cutie patootie Cole.

He could be quit the baseball star too.

I hit it Mommy!

Eli taking it lazy on the bike ride.

Our duck friends.

Brothers, watching the ducks.

Sunday morning

Started Sunday morning off with a little couch time and cartoons. Life doesn't get any better than that!

Family + bikes = Umstead + fun

Not much has happened around here the past two weeks. We made it through Hurricane Irene with no damage other than limbs and sticks down. The monsoon this past Monday night was much worse in the rain department than the hurricane. Evia has been working an incredibly lot lately thus not much time to take pictures and blogging has been sporadic. Hoping that will chill a bit soon.....hoping!

The weather yesterday was marvelous! We decided to load up the bikes, trailer and family to head to the Art Museum for a bike ride into Umstead. The day started with baking lemon poppy seed muffins - terrible way to start the day right? The boys, as always, were my little helpers. We then loaded up and headed out. Everyone was so excited. This was Eli's first bike ride at Umstead on the trail-a-bike and the first one in his new bike shorts and cool helmet (thanks Aunt Cary - he LOVES them!!). Eli was so excited that he wore his helmet in the truck the entire way there. Tim pulled Eli and I pulled Cole in the trailer. They both did great. We rode to the top of Graveyard Hill, took a little play / snack break and then headed back. We're very much looking forward to cooler temps coming up and many more family bike rides. Fun stuff!!

Mommy's little helpers

Ready to go ride

On our drive - told you he wore it the whole drive over!

Suited up and ready to go. The best U23 rider at Umstead!

Cole - living the life of leisure. In the trailer with snacks while Mommy does all the work.

And we're off

Daddy and Eli - we got lots of comments as we rode on our parent/child caravan.

I absolutely loved watching Tim & Eli ride. It was the first time Eli actually pedaled the entire pedal stroke and they were in sync for a lot of it. This one coasting, look at their feet the same position. I totally see a tandem in our future!!

Hi Mommy, this is fun!

Eli kept pointing to things as we rode. I can only imagine what he was saying to Tim.

Riding by the horses.

Yes buddy, I'm still back here pulling your brother. =)

This was so cute to me. As they were coasting down a hill, Eli kept his arms out like he was flying.

Mommy & Daddy at break time

Great picture of Daddy and his boys

Mommy's sweet boys

Tickling Cole

Mommy's rear view - notice Tim in the red jersey behind us.

Eli got a little lazy on the way back - feet on handlebars, just chilling and having fun.

Post ride happy. =) We were all very happy. Great great family ride!

Mr. 97th percentile

Allow me to introduce you to Mr. 97th percentile. Eli had his 4 year check up yesterday and he continues to be on his own growth curve. And crazy enough, Doc said that based on where he was last year, it looks like we're about to enter a growth spurt - which totally makes sense that Eli has been eating like crazy and talking about his legs hurting. Everything was great with the check up. Eli didn't like when they pricked his finger to check his blood levels, that took a lollipop to get over. He only got the flu mist and we'll go back and get his school shots in the Spring.

Stats:

Height - 43-1/2 inches

Weight - 45 pounds

Our super healthy boy! Funny that I've been tracking him on growth predictors since he was two and it continues to show he'll be somewhere between 6'-2" and 6'-4" at AGE 18!! He'll be bigger than Daddy!

Terrible Two's

Starting to see a lot of this these days. Cole has embraced the terrible two's in all it's glory. Time out, time in the corner and a lot of "no"s occurring here. Hope it is a quick phase!

Eli's Birthday weekend - so much fun!!

We had such a great weekend celebrating Eli and all of his 4-ness. Well, let me start over, the weekend didn't start so great. Tim dropped both boys off at school Friday while I got into full on party prep mode (mainly decorating cookies). A little after 9, school called me to let me know that Cole had thrown up twice and had to come home. School is just a few miles away and he didn't even make it home before it happened again. I had to call for reinforcement (Tim) by early afternoon as Cole was not doing well (he & I both had multiple clothing changes and I had cleaned at least three spots of carpet) and I needed to finish party prep. Thankfully Tim came home and shortly after Grandma & Grandpa N arrived for the weekend.

Friday night we hung out at home for dinner and quality time with the Grandparents. Eli also got to open his birthday presents from them. We've found that it's fun to spread out birthdays over a few days. Once the boys went to bed, I ran some party errands and then finished up the prep. It was a late night, not until almost 1:30am that I got to bed, and Cole was up at 2am crying and asking for Mommy. I ended up there the rest of the night and thankfully got him to sleep a little bit.

Saturday morning - Eli's actual birthday! He woke up to a brand new bike for his birthday present. He was very excited, it's a big boy bike with no training wheels (we took them off). Breakfast was cinnamon rolls on the star plate. The boys hung out and played outside with Grandpa while the rest of us got ready for the party. Grandma & Grandpa C drove up for the party and brought a special surprise - my Grandma, the boys Great Grandma! We had no idea she was coming and it was so wonderful to see her. At 11am promptly, Eli's friends starting arriving. Lots of friends came and I think the party was a success. The theme was 'Cars 2' and I created a game where the kids and parents would guess how many of Lightning McQueen's friends were in a container and the closest of each would win a prize. Well, two kids got one away so they got the prizes and the parents just got recognition for being closest. We enjoyed a pizza picnic and then it was time to play our water game. We had two teams, each with a bucket and two sponges. The kids took turns filling up their sponge and then running to a gallon container with a funnel on top, squeezing out the water. The team that filled their jug up first was the winning team. We played twice and ended in a 1-1 tie of blue team / green team. After the game, we had cupcakes, followed by more play time and then Eli opened up his presents - a big time for all! The kids had a great time with the games and just playing in the yard. I love having lots of Eli and Cole's friends over the play!

After the party, Cole was wiped out. He seemed to get past his tummy bug but was still not 100% so he was in dire need of a nap. Cole enjoyed some quiet time and birthday boy enjoyed some one-on-one time with Daddy & Grandpa. We had a great family dinner and then, for the first time in as long as I can remember, the boys slept ALL NIGHT in their own beds. I seriously cannot remember the last time that happened. It was great!!

Sunday morning, we started the day slowly - the boys enjoyed more outside time with Grandpa. After a yummy breakfast, Tim & I went on a road bike ride together while the boys played hide and seek with Grandma & Grandpa N. We haven't been on a ride together in probably a month so it was nice. After Grandma & Grandpa left, the boys napped and we all relaxed for a bit. Then some errands and getting ready for the week ahead.

I think Eli had a great birthday and he had a lot of fun with family and friends. Thank you to everyone, near and far, who shared in his special day.

Friday morning before school - capturing their cuteness.

Pitiful sick Cole.

My cookie creations - Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, Francesco Bernoulli and #4.

BIG birthday bag from Grandma & Grandpa N.

Love this hat "Dude"

New soccer goal and ball - we've been having fun with it.

Eli was being silly, jacking his shorts up and running around the house. He was cracking himself up - giddy trying to stay awake I'm sure!

Last night of being 3 - growing so fast.

Discovered his new bike

Happy Daddy, Happy Son

a Boy and his Bike

Breakfast on the Special Star plate

The "Count my Friends" game table. BTW, there were 39 in there.

The swingset is definitely a favorite in our backyard.

4 boys - looks like trouble to me!

Cole was feeling better, snagged himself a juice box.

Bounce house madness.

Cole and the cool kids table.

Pizza picnic.

Eli and Ryan started the water game.

All of the kids were excited for a turn and they did much better than anyone expected.

Cole was adamant that he get a turn - he did great!

Cupcake table

Eli's special cake

Birthday boy!

Make a wish

Goodie bags

After his cupcake, Eli went back to his pizza. He must be growing because he is eating a lot these days.

This picture is blurry but I feel it totally depicts the present opening. The kids were all over and very excited.

Eli got excited about each and every present.

And he got a lot of them.

Lots of cars and trucks. I had to stash some away for later.

This cracks me up - Eli gave Grace a super hug. We thought he was going to pick her up.

Cole got all shy when it was time to say bye to Kylie.

Maybe he was scheming to sneak a 2nd juice box!

Eli & Ryan - buds since they were practically born!

the best family shot we got

The boys and their Great Grandma C

Eli with Grandma & Grandpa C - Cole had already gone to nap when I finally took a picture.

Taking his bike on its' first ride.

Eli didn't want Tim to let go. It won't be long and he'll be off and going on his own.

Future cyclist!

At dinner, we had cake. Cole definitely has a sweet tooth.

Making a mean face

and a happy face

How can you not kiss those cheeks?!

We didn't get a group shot when Grandma & Grandpa N left but here is Cole with Grandma.

Daddy tried out Eli's new bike. I think the seat might have been too low. =)

Trying again on Sunday. Tim was barely holding on but it made Eli feel better.

Hey Daddy!

This was Monday morning, best shot I could get of Cole is his new jazzy clothes. He can totally sport plaid! BTW, we are seeing this a lot. The terrible two's are among us. We didn't have any trouble with Eli and I think Cole is making up for it!

Eli loves this hat and it looks so cute on him. What cracks me up the most is how he'll take it off outside, wipe his head and put it back on. Just like a big guy!