Fun at the farm - a quick trip

So, now the farm story......Friday after lunch I hit the road with both boys, with no help to defend myself against their toddler ways. The drive down was pretty good. They slept for about half of it and we only stopped once, at a rest area, to let Eli potty and stretch our legs. Of yeah, and get a snack too!! We got to my parents before 5pm and we arrived to see Grandpa gathering hay for the animals. I had just read on Pioneer Woman about their hay harvest and I came home to see a mini-version of our own. Eli watched the tractor and truck, even checking on Grandpa to see what he was doing. We ended up riding in the truck with Grandpa to the barn where he would load it in the hay loft. (Side note here: as I've written before, the barn is exactly like the one my Great-Grandparents had across the street while I was growing up. Dad and Billy deconstructed it and rebuilt it on my parents' land. I remember plenty of Thanksgivings playing in the hay loft and pretending to drive the tractor. Hopefully Eli will have some of the same experiences!)

Friday night after dinner, the boys just played outside. Their biggest fun was playing in the garden that my Dad has just tilled under. Dirt, dirt and more dirt! I swear I have never seen Eli so dirty - literally head to toe and every spot on his body. He ran and slid / dove / jumped into mounds of dirt. Happy as could be. Cole walked around in the dirt, even trying a bite but decided it wasn't very good. Bedtime actually went better than I expected - my Mom slept with Cole and I slept with Eli. He even told me he was tired and went upstairs.

Saturday morning we hung out at the farm for a bit and then went to the park to hike and play on the play structures. We didn't get too far hiking before Cole fell asleep in the backpacker and then Eli decided his legs were tired and didn't want to walk. So we cut it short and headed to the swings and playground. That was what he was really interested in. Eli had a great time climbing, swinging and sliding. Cole had fun doing the same with Grandpa & Grandma. We then had lunch and naps before heading to my Grandparents (the boys' Great Grandparents) for a family cookout to celebrate both their birthdays. We had lots of yummy food and homemade ice cream to top it all off. It was great to see everyone. We left there and headed home. I broke out my secret weapon - a headrest dvd player. Eli thought it was the coolest thing ever and both boys enjoyed watching 'Toy Story 2' on the way home. Cole fell asleep after about an hour and Eli fell asleep after the movie was over. It was the happiest drive ever!

Eli tested me quite a lot this weekend by not listening. Cole was getting annoyed because he couldn't do all the things Eli did. So both boys were not their normal happy selves. And being out of their element, I had to watch them extra careful. But in hindsight, the weekend wasn't as bad as I felt it was and the boys had a great time on the farm and we got to see our family. Now I'm happy to be home for a while and put the family traveling on hold.

Gathering hay

Eli checking in with Grandpa

In the truck to deliver the hay

Such a big boy!

And my not-so-big big boy =)

Eli decided that the pump house needed to be cleaned.

The start of Eli's dirt madness.

Running and tumbling and fun oh my!

Cole getting some dirt action

Can you believe how dirty he is?

Not a single clean spot on him.

Where's Cole-man?

Peek-a-boo!

After bath - Eli was sooooo dirty. Probably the dirtiest ever!

Grandpa feeding the animals. Eli decided that he does not like the big bull that moo'd at him.

Ready to go hike.

Love our outdoor adventures.

Swinging high thanks to Grandpa

my little monkey - Eli climbed up and over with no problems.

Climbing high with Grandpa.

a nice summit salute

Cole and Grandma sliding

Cole and Grandpa took a turn and Eli was right behind.

These were fun balance things.

Hanging at the lake, throwing rocks into it and checking out the ducks.

Eli pretending to fish from Grandpa's truck. We had planned to go but it didn't work out.

A great shot of Cole and Grandpa

Eating yummy homemade ice cream (thank you Uncle Tom!)

With my sweet Grandparents.

I love this very playful shot of Eli and Uncle Billy

Catching a quick breath

Whew....the past week has been super busy. I thought that once I made it through Eli's birthday party that I would get to take a break. Well, I was wrong on that one.

My parents spent the rest of Eli's birthday weekend with us. It was great having them here and Tim & I actually stole away for a few hours to go on a mountain bike ride Sunday morning. That was really nice and we need to work on doing it more often. (I say that a lot!) Our week started with Cole continuing to have poop issues and staying home from school on Monday. Tim stayed with him while I tried to get as much done at work as possible. Cole seemed to be doing better so we sent him to school Tuesday, only for me to get a call from school just as I was leaving to pick him up. So Cole & I hung out together on Wednesday, including a visit to the jobsite so I could sign some things. He really enjoyed walking around the trailer and seeing everyone. Tim came home early Wednesday so I could head to Greenville, SC for a work meeting. I drove down Wednesday and the meeting was Thursday morning. Tim did great with the boys alone Wed night, it sounded like he did better than when we're both home! I drove back from Greenville Thursday and went straight to school to pick up the boys. Even though it was only one night, I really missed my three boys. Eli & Cole both seemed happy to see me as well. (It made me so sad to hear that Eli asked Tim if I was coming back Wed night. He was worried about me.) Friday was a teacher work day at school so I had the boys for the day. We went to the Y and then the park to play with some friends before packing up the truck and heading down to my parents' farm. My first solo trip with the boys - I'll post stories and pictures in another post (hopefully tomorrow). Let's just say, it was exhausting - mentally and physically.

Sunday we had a family day and stayed close to home - Eli got a hair cut and the entire family went to the grocery store. I will say that bedtime was a magical time for us. The weekend was exhausting and the boys were "off" - full of defiance (Eli), not listening at all (Eli) and just unhappy and not able to be pacified (Cole). We were happy to have survived and have a little quiet in the house. I look back on the weekend and feel guilty for letting some things get to me and not having patience - I'm sure I lost my "Mother of the Year" award again. Fortunately, I can learn from the things that got to me and figure out how to handle them better the next time. That's the good news about being a parent and a human being....you get a chance to be better and do better every day.

Now pictures!!

Cole had fun looking for mail with Grandpa. If he's anything like me, he will LOVE getting mail.

Eli had fun showing Grandma & Grandpa his bike.

Working on his slap wheelies - he's a BMX-er in the making!

Grandma & Grandpa C love their grandboys

Cole super cute in his raincoat last week before school.

Eli has had so much fun playing with Buzz Lightyear. I love this picture because you can see his expression and that he is making sounds to fly Buzz.

Cole at the jobsite, checking out the construction.

He was so funny trying to pick up all the water bottles - finally finding an empty one to carry.

Sitting in Mommy's chair at work - "Mom, I can totally do this."

Eli found a worm at home Sunday. He had fun showing me & Cole. He ended up "breaking" the worm and asked me to tape it together. Poor worm.

Lawn mower races on the back porch. They'll get plenty of chances to practice with a real lawnmower when they get old enough!

New classes at school

The new school year has started and both of my sweet boys have officially moved up classes at school - this picture was before school this morning. Eli is now in Preschool 1, back with all of his buddies and Cole has moved from Older Infants to Young Toddlers. It feels so different, they're both getting big!! I must admit that I cried a little bit in the car on the way to work after taking them to school. Eli was a little nervous about going to a new class and he has new teachers that we don't really know yet (but have heard wonderful things about!). I can't believe Cole has moved to the toddler room. He is going to have so much fun in there. They both had a great first day in their classes and Cole especially was extra tired tonight. He gave Tim & I both a run for our money trying to get him to bed. This will be tough as he adjusts to more going on and a more structured environment. We look forward to all the new things they'll learn and new stores to tell!

Eli's Monster Jam 3.0

Today was toddler madness - Eli's Monster Jam party to celebrate his 3rd birthday. My oh my, it was SO much fun and totally worth all the sleep I lost this week worrying / trying to get things ready. What started as a simple idea because of Eli's love of Monster Trucks turned into such a fun party.

The main idea of the party was that the kids would decorate boxes designed to be their own monster truck and we'd have a toddler Monster Jam in the back yard. They all worked in the pit area (with their moms and dads) to get the boxes decorated. We broke after decorating for lunch - the pit crew had to finish putting wheels and ropes on the trucks. Everyone got something to eat and was fueled up for the big Monster Truck races. The kids were so incredibly cute dressing up in their boxes and lining up for the start. I originally thought we'd have a freestyle and the kids would do tricks but it worked out better to do a big race. We had two race Heats. I walked down the yard and then yelled "Ready, Set, Go". It was so darn cute watching all those kids run dressed up in their boxes. It was priceless. I think everyone enjoyed watching them and got a good laugh. I found it humorous watching them walk back down the yard to get ready for Heat 2. Two races was all we got out of them but it was great. After the races, it was time for CAKE!

Ok cupcakes really.......we gathered onto the screen porch and Eli was standing in front of the cupcake table with everyone ready to sing and announced to me, in front of everyone, that he had pooped in his pants. Priceless, right?! We went ahead with the singing and let the cupcake distribution begin while Eli got cleaned up. He didn't want to miss a single second of his party so going to the bathroom was not high on his list of things to remember. (I know he will hate me one day for posting that but it was one of those moments you will never forget.) We also had some monster truck and tire cookies - the cookies were so cool that they deserve their own post - I'll have to work on that! The kids enjoyed playing outside more and then we rounded everyone up to cool off inside and watch Eli open his gifts. And my oh my, did he get lots of gifts. We have such generous friends and family. Eli had fun opening all his gifts and I think the kids enjoyed watching him - of course, they all wanted to help too! Eli said goodbye to all of his friends and sweetly thanked them for coming to his party.

After everyone left, we spent time with our families. Both sets of Grandparents stayed for a while so that was great. Cole took a monster nap - over 3 hours! - and Eli enjoyed the undivided attention he got from everyone. He showed them his bike and how to ride it. Also lots of swinging and Eli gave us a Monster Jam Freestyle show with the truck boxes that were left. I finally got Eli down for a nap about 3pm and I actually took a little snooze with him. =)

It was a wonderful day and I think Eli & his friends had a great time. I was very happy with how it all turned out. Some times I wonder if I'm the kid here!! Now I get to take a little break from all the party planning and relax a bit. I'm sure I will find something else to plan soon but I'm going to try not to!

The kids in the Pit Area ready to decorate their monster trucks.

Decorating in progress.

the Pit Area

Eli & Matthew checking out a party crasher - they named him 'Thomas the Turtle'

Cole had fun playing with the big kids.

Party set up

Cole driving Grave Digger. This cut out was awesome - I got a picture of each child at the party.

The parking lot - trucks ready to go while the kids ate lunch.

Lunch - the kids were well behaved.

Grace and Matthew - making their way to the start line. Isn't Grace such a cutie?

Ryan, Carl & Owen heading to the start line.

Getting ready for Heat 1 of the monster truck races.

and they're off!!!

Heading back for Heat 2.

Evan & Eli decided it was faster to run without their Monster trucks on.

Can I have a cupcake pleeeaassseeee....

Holding his "3" cupcake while his friends sang Happy Birthday to him.

Cole loves a good cupcake too!

Present time

was insane. Eli got SO many amazingly generous gifts. I think I'm going to tell Santa to pass our house this year. =)

Owen gave Eli two great books and they totally stopped the present opening. Eli had to look at each book page by page. It was so cute. He was happy in the moment with those two books and didn't care that there were other presents to open.

Cole & Mommy

After all the chaos, the swing was still a major attraction. Eli, Ryan & Grace swinging.

After everyone left, Eli put his truck back on and treated us to some Freestyle.

C-R-A-S-H. (Eli might be a stunt man one day!)

A different truck, more crashing.

It's madness!!

Celebrating 3 years!

We were so glad that Grandma & Grandpa N came to the party. They made a day trip - wow!

Eli got two great boxes of books from his cousins in Florida. We looked at every book and are looking forward to reading them all.

Boxes are always fun - can be made into monster trucks or a place to relax and read.