Busy weekend - our first CAMP OUT!

My apologies for so long to post - strep had me by the throat (literally) this week and wiped me out! Thank goodness for modern medicine!!

Last weekend was a super busy fun weekend. Saturday Eli had a full morning scheduled - swim lessons plus a birthday party at Marble's for his friend Nicholas. We also stopped by the library and picked up some new books. While Eli & I did all of that, Cole & Daddy went on a bike ride in Umstead. After naps and a little family hang out time, we pitched our tent in the back yard to camp out as part of the Great American Back Yard Campout. It was our first time camping outside with either of the boys and we had so much fun!! We started by reading books, having milk and cookies and then getting the boys to sleep. We had to separate them to make that happen - Tim & I in the middle with a boy on each side. They were SO excited to be in the tent and loved having their own sleeping bags. Cole did a lot of tossing and turning and Eli woke up once in the middle of the night but for our first time as a family (and mine & Tim's first time in a LONG time), we did great! The unfortunate part was that a nice loud bird decided to bless us with his early morning singing (as in 5:45am on a Sunday morning!!) and it felt like he/she was sitting on top of our tent. We hung out in the tent just playing for a while before coming inside for breakfast. When I tell you that the boys loved it, I am not exaggerating. Eli has been asking to go camp at Umstead now!!

Sunday morning, I did a quick road ride while Tim hung with the boys. Then, while Tim rode, the boys & I made a quick trip to the flea market. It's a little hard to see every little thing when you're pulling a wagon but we enjoyed getting out. The boys loved talking about everything they saw.

We had a great, busy tiring weekend and the week has been no different. I've had a rough week at work and combined with being sick, it has all kicked my butt! Thankfully Tim is an awesome Dad and Husband and had taken care of most everything while I've worked on getting better. Still have a long way to go but getting there!

Next up, holiday weekend and Cole's 2nd birthday!!

Saturday morning Eli lined up all the downstairs trucks and asked me to take a picture. Love our Monster trucks!

We love swim lessons!

New this week was how to get in and out of a raft

and a little ride in the pool.

Eli & his bud Evan at the party

Pizza - yum! Eli cracks me up how he must eat his pizza upside down.

The boys ran

and ran chasing each other

a quick pit stop for Mom to snag a hug and picture

and more running! True boys!

Eli couldn't wait to get out of the room and race cars.

He had a great time shooting the balls into the net.

Is this where we live?

Hang ten

Catching another wave

Neat shot

Ok, this cracked me up. In the pretend area, someone had put a cone on the stuffed pig as well as wrapped it's body in an ace bandage. Such imagination!

Break time on the ride with Daddy.

Testing his balance - Cole is getting so big!

Our tent!

Happy Little Campers

Reading books together - love their close relationship. I hope and pray they'll always be best friends!

Cole trying to "read" to Eli.

Camp Out!!

Snuggled in his sleeping bag

Cole could not be confined to his sleeping bag. He was next to me and was ALL over the place!

Puppy Jim came along for the camp out and protected Eli.

Good morning Cole!

Good morning Eli!

Headed to the flea market with snacks in hand.

Boys night out

Tonight, the little boys enjoyed a night out. Eli, Cole & Ryan met for dinner at Chick-fil-a and then had a blast watching airplanes after dinner and ice cream. They had "help" in their travels but very much enjoyed the fun time together!

Cole LOVES ice cream. He thinks it's fun to eat the bottom of the cone before he finishes the top.

Eli has recently discovered ice cream too. Perfect treat for hot days!

Crazy boys!

Madras Boys

the cuteness kills me

a Whole lot of Celebrating

Busy weekend in our house. Saturday was our 6th wedding anniversary and Sunday, of course, was Father's Day. So how did we celebrate? By living our normal life and spending time with each other and the kiddos.

Friday afternoon, the boys were soooo excited to give Tim his Father's Day gifts that they had made at school. They must have their Mom's lack of patience and gift giving excitement in their blood. Eli made Daddy a special snack bag with a custom made one-of-a-kind koozie where Eli drew a yellow Monster Truck. Cole made Daddy a picture frame with his handprint and lady bug fingerprints. It was so cute and both boys were proud. I mean really, can you ever get too much handmade stuff from your little ones?!

Saturday, Tim & I said "Happy Anniversary" to each other as we started the day. I went on a quick road bike ride while he & the boys watched some cartoons. Then I took Eli to swim lessons while Cole & Tim enjoyed a bike ride at Umstead. Eli did great in swim class and Cole apparently had lots of fun with Daddy. We were supposed to meet Kara & co. at the pool but there was a swim meet so that plan got scrapped. Saturday after naps we took the boys to Moe's for dinner and a few errands - that included scouting out Party City for birthday party supplies and a visit to Barnes & Noble. Cole has become quite the home body lately and doesn't want to go out and about and if he's not happy, he will let you know. He obviously wanted to be home instead of playing trains at Barnes & Noble. Eli, however, was super happy to score a stuffed 'Angry Bird' at the store. Tonight we named him Kabuto.

Sunday, we tried our best to treat Daddy like a King for the Day. I got up with the kiddos and we hung out until Daddy got up. Big homemade breakfast (pancakes, eggs, bacon) and then the boys & I went to get Cole's hair cut and the grocery store, leaving Tim to read the paper and enjoy the quiet. Once we got the boys down for naps, Tim went on a bike ride and I squeezed in a little sewing. I say "squeezed" because Tim wasn't gone 20 minutes before Cole was up. The boys & I hung out until Tim got home. I made a special dinner and we wrapped up Daddy's day. (I'm glad every day isn't Daddy's day because letting Daddy off the hook is exhausting for Mommy!!)

So we celebrated in our own happy way. For the most part, it was a great weekend - other than Cole's tantrums here and there. Guess it's obvious he's about to turn 2!!

Presenting Daddy with his gifts

Cole was super excited

Daddy & his boys - notice Eli was eating Daddy's snacks!

My beautiful anniversary flowers

Mommy & Eli - self portrait before swim class

Kicking away

It's amazing how in just a few lessons he has gotten much more comfortable in the water. I have already signed him up for another session.

Floating

Practicing forward swimming

Kicking to the DEEP end

Hanging out in 10' deep water

"Airplane"

Crazy kicks

Happy swimmer boy - I love it!!

Meanwhile, Cole checking out the park at break time.

Daddy & Cole - self portrait (love iPhones!)

Here's what you do for fun when your Mom is in construction. Eli & I made a board for him to practice hammering and using a screwdriver. He's quite good!

Popsicle treat

Eli showing off Kabuto

He kept trying to attack Cole with it and Cole would just laugh. Kabuto has thrown himself kamikaze style at more than one member of our family.

Happy Father's Day!!

Cole the airplane

Brothers

Post nap and Post ride

Eli picked out some fresh corn at the grocery. I think he just loves using the corn stickers!