cookie dough

He was reluctant at first but Cole tried chocolate chip cookie dough tonight and, just like Mommy & Eli, loved it!

He had to get every single bite and lick off the spoon. My sweet little cookie boy!

what We did

Whew, we survived the weekend - almost, Tim is putting Eli to bed right now. Yesterday was a super rainy day but today was nice enough for us to be outdoors.

Our weekend started with our Friday morning ritual - they get to eat Pop Tarts for breakfast. The boys wake up and ask if it's "Pop Tart Friday". It's a sweet end to the long work and school week. Saturday, we did our normal - I took a spin class at the Y while the boys played in child care. It was an accomplishment to get there as it was raining pretty hard when we went. After I dropped the boys off, I went to the spin room - getting there before class time - only to find all the bikes were taken. I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do and was so bummed after all the effort to get there. Thankfully, the instructor let me have her bike so I was able to take class. Yay! I even managed to hop on the treadmill for a few minutes after. I've signed up for two triathlons this year so testing my fitness level.

On our drive home from the Y, Cole started giving me glazed eyes. Every week he ends up so tired after the Y that he takes an early nap, hopscotching with Eli so we always have a little one awake. While he napped, Eli & I went to Lowe's and picked out some paint samples. I have started down the path of redecorating (or actually really decorating because I never really have) our living room. I found a few things that have kicked my creative brain and make me want to get it done. It's my grown-up project. =) No seriously, I have read enough house blogs and watched enough HGTV that I am ready to have something amazing in here. I'll be sure to post before and after pictures once it's done - my timeline is quite long but I know once I start, I won't be patient and it will happen sooner than I have planned.

Yesterday afternoon, once the rain stopped, we got everyone outside for a walk before Ryan came over to have dinner and spend a few hours with us while his parents went out to dinner for their anniversary. The boys were so good together. All three boys sat at the table, ate dinner and then played their little hearts out. Cole went until he couldn't go any more. Ryan & Eli were going strong when Ryan's parents came back.

Unfortunately, our days have been starting very early lately - as in, the kids have been up at 5:15am. We were hoping with the busy day and playtime last night that they would sleep in this morning. It was not to be. Eli came downstairs about 5:10am so I went upstairs with him to try to get him back to sleep. While I was in his room, Cole woke up. He didn't want to go back in his crib so I took him with me to Eli's bed. We managed to keep the lights off for a bit and I almost kept them in bed until 6am. Not to be. I imagine now that tomorrow's a school day that they'll sleep late!

Today, we just had lots of fun family time. This morning, we went to the fairgrounds flea market. Not too much there but it was nice to walk around and be outside. Then we stopped back at Lowe's for more paint samples. I completely changed my mind on colors so the million samples I got yesterday were useless. Thankfully today we got simultaneous long naps. Eli slept almost 3 hours! Tonight we ran one quick errand and have just been hanging at home. We let the boys watch a little tv and we all chilled out.

Even with the icky weather, it has been a pretty good weekend. The weeks seem to go by so fast. January was a blur and February is shaping up to be the same way! Hope you all had a great weekend as well.

Cole is always happy on Pop Tart Friday

Cole took this picture of Eli - he wasn't quite camera ready that early in the morning. It was seriously 5:30am.

Dinner Saturday night - Eli, Cole & Ryan

Look at these cute boys watching tv - I'm sure it was Mickey Mouse, he seems to be taking up most of the memory in our dvr.

Getting a ride from big brother. Cole is definitely heavier than the last time they were doing this!

Our little sock monkey on the way to the flea market.

Bundled up and ready to find some treasures.

As we were walking in, we HAD to take a look at the huge tractor. Even Daddy wanted to drive it.

The back wheel was taller than Tim!

So Tim found this "vintage" bike at the flea market. Check out that shifter! It looks like it belongs in a car rather than on a bike. Tim has been looking at getting a new bike. Maybe I should surprise him with this - would help me keep up with him!

Eli trying out a tractor at Lowe's- and yes, he's wearing his pj's! He wanted to buy it (all $3k of it) and we told him that he'd have to mow the grass. He decided that he's not ready for that yet.

Our little acrobat - Cole is learning all about what his arms and legs can do.

Take it Outside

Oh my, this weekend was so nice! We spent lots of time outside; we have missed being outside with all the cold and crummy weather.

Saturday morning, as usual, the boys and I headed to the Y for spin class and play time. When we got home, Cole was ready to take a nap so he napped while Eli had some quiet time of his own. After Cole got up, it was lunch time and then time for Eli to nap so while Eli napped, Cole & I ran a few errands. We had SUCH a great outing. Cole was happy and cute and so sweet. I think something happened to him this weekend because he pulled out all the sweetness for us. Once we got back, we had snacks and then decided to go to the School playground to run around. Ryan and his parents also met us there so it was a fun play time for all. Before they got there, Eli & Cole had fun watching these guys run their RC gas powered cars all over the place - they were super fast! We played until it started getting dark and then walked home.

Saturday morning - book explosion. The boys LOVE "reading" books.

When Cole napped, Eli told Daddy to leave him alone that he didn't want to play. Then he settled himself "reading" a book.

Actually, looking at it now, he was reviewing the 'Cars' characters in his sticker book.

Looking like a pirate comanding his ship.

Ahoy, what do I see over yonder?

Cole was brave enough this time to try the wobbly bridge. He was tentative at first but before we left, he was going over it without holding on to the railing.

Big (little) boy Cole

Cole has gotten better at climbing ladders - he just needed a little safety support from Daddy.

Oh my cutie!

On Sunday, Ms. Katie came to stay with the boys while Tim & I went on a bike ride at Umstead. It was nice (and odd!) to go ride without them. It has been a very long time. The bike ride was tough since I had done a hard spin class Saturday but we made it through! I don't think the boys missed us a bit. They went to the park, Quizno's for lunch and were both asleep when we got home. Sunday afternoon, Ryan came over to play. It was great to let all the boys run around in the back yard. We all loved the warmer weather and sunshine - too bad it was just a tease!

Cole's new favorite hiding place - my exercise clothes in the closet.

Peek-a-boo!

Speaking of climbing ladders, Cole can climb into the swingset treehouse all by himself now. Can't turn our backs on him!

Running, chasing, having fun.

Eli & Ryan - buds! They played this game where they threw the ball over the fence and then went looking for it. It kept them busy for quite a while.

"Hi Mommy. Want to see what I can do?"

"Ta-daaaa!!"

"Rock"ing horse.

Cole ran all over the yard with the dump truck and kept being silly with the swings. I told you he was happy and silly this weekend.

I wish I knew what they were talking about.

Eli decided to dump out this huge trash can of pine cones - that HE helped pick up!

Swinging friends. Everyone loves a swing.

Amazing what tv can do. They were actually still for a few minutes.

Hello Hollywood!

Eli saw steam rising from the pot on the stove Sunday night so he got the fire truck, put on his fire hat and put the "fire" out with the water hose

and as I was taking pictures of Eli, Cole kept saying "cheese" wanting me to take his picture.

My little camera boys. They love to take pictures using my camera and, if they're in the right mood, love having their picture taken.

Weekend with Grandma

Grandma came to visit this weekend - yay!! The boys were so excited for her to be here and to have someone to give them attention other than me & Tim.

Grandma C arrived Friday night and, after dinner, Tim & I escaped for some shopping and Barnes & Noble time while Grandma played with both boys and put them to bed. It was weird that neither of us put them to bed, but a nice break! Saturday morning, Tim & I headed to the Y early and did a spin class. It was fun to do a class together and get it over early in the morning to have the rest of the day to do whatever. And whatever is exactly what we did - so much that I don't really remember. I did chores and cleaned up, managing to start the week off with laundry caught up. Tim did guy stuff - car maintenance, outside chores. Saturday night, we had a great hamburger dinner using fresh meat we had gotten the week before. (We got a lot of beef from the processor and have been eating yummy food. I made pot roast in the crock pot yesterday and Tim was in heaven.)

Sunday, we went to look at a big boy bed for Eli. He has been sleeping on a mattress and box spring for almost 2 years now and it was time to put him up higher. I found a Captain's bed on Craigslist and we ended up getting it on Sunday. The boys were so excited about it. We put it together, had lunch and then had to say bye to Grandma. The boys had SO much fun with her and loved the attention. Grandmas sure do know how to play! I bet she was ready for a nap when she got home. =)

Play-doh fun
Grandma, Cole, Monkey Jim and a Mickey Mouse book (Cole LOVES Mickey Mouse)
Lovely little tantrum - seeing lots of these lately
Grandma & Eli fixed puzzles upstairs. Eli has gotten really good at puzzles.
My big boy - quick snuggly hug while setting up his bed
Making sure Daddy did it right
Cole & Eli -hanging in the new bed
Check it out!! It's HUGE. So far (knock on wood) Eli hasn't fallen out. I had a moment when we put it together b/c it was all ok when Eli was just on the floor but moving him into a real bed......wow! I was also worried that the boys were going to push one another and hit their head or fall off. Worrisome Mommy I know.
Sunday it was nice enough to catch a little bit of outside time.
Eli acted like he was flying on the swings so Cole had to try it too.
Swings make everyone happy (and silly!)
Eli helped me make banana bread. It's our new favorite thing - I found a marvelous recipe.
Last night, Cole discovered the door that lets you under Eli's bed. Now it's their favorite hiding space.
Exploring
Cole loving on Monkey Jim at bed time - my little stinker!