Football and Some Birthdays

 

Friday was the official kick off to this football season and we.... lost. :(  It turned out to be a comedy of errors but the highpoint was I got to meet up with Matt, Olivia and their boys as they  live close to the team we played.

In birthday news, little Ms Esme' turned 1 on Friday!  I can not even believe she is already 1!  She had her party on Saturday and I am so glad the boys and I were able to make the trip to A-ville.  Unfortunately, it meant abandoning Chad on his birthday but after the loss on Friday, I think he was kind of glad to be on his own.

Esme's Birthday

First.... the birthday girl.



Miss Esme'

I cropped Owen and Caelum out of picture, they were looking kind of wild. hahaha... boys

Esme with Queenie

Anna'a mom and Ess

Let her eat cake.

The decorations
I was so proud of my sis in law as she used pinterest to decorate.  Look what she did.  Too cute, right? 

so much pink :)

This is not decoration but could be... GrandmaDean makes a baby quilt for each great grandchild.  Normally, the baby receives the quilt in their first couple months of life but with GrandmaDean having 3 great grandbaby's born last year and Es being the last, hers was a first birthday gift.  I love this quilt so many personal little touches.  For example, the little girl is holding a book about Clemson (where her parents met).  The father/ daughter in the top square.... good job GrandmaDean.

The guests

Uncle Nolan trying out the zipline.

Nolan after ziplining. :)  such a cute little boy

Queenie getting an earful from Owen

Mantis and B

GrandmaDean getting some Bennett luvin'

Some sweet shots of Bennett... totally enjoying the cake...

Love this pic!  :)

And what I am going to start calling my "proof picture."  In other words, the one picture that I have of myself proving that I was indeed at the event. 

 

Chad's Birthday
Thanks to Chad's parents- actually his mom who let the cat out of the bag about his big bday gift- we did his birthday last Saturday.  Just teasing Patsy (though she really did let it slip about his gift).

His new cell phone... since we moved here (over a year ago), Chad's phone has not worked in our house.  DRIVES ME CRAZY!  So, a new phone was long overdue.

 

A busy weekend but so nice to see friends and family.  Happy Birthday Chad!  We love you and are so proud of you (even when you lose) ;)  haha.

First Day of School

Lunch packing and homework doing is back in feel swing as the older two headed out for the first day of school.

 

Growing up

Ashton begins 1st grade.  His K-5 teacher from last year was moved up to 1st grade and Ashton was lucky enough to get again.  We LOVE Mrs. Dover from Clover (as we call her at home.)  She also is apart of one of our church families so we know Smash is in good hands.  He wasn't at all nervous heading off this morning since he has the same teacher and two of his friends from last year are in his class again.


Ashton ready for 1st grade

Hunter starts upper level elementary school in 3rd grade.  Super proud of Hunter.  He was tested for Gifted/ Talented (GT) last year.  They give a 2 part test and if you get a "yes" on one part then you are screened/ tested for a 3rd time.  You need to get "yes" on two of the three sections to be state identified as GT.  We got Hunt's results in June and he missed GT by 1 point on section 3.  He needed 16 points and he got 15.   I debated whether I should ask to have him tested again and decided against it.  I knew that being identified as "GT" means little to nothing in elementary school. 

 

Well, a few weeks later, we get another letter saying that there was room in the GT program due to not enough children qualifying.  The principal has the option to move up borderline kids to the program should they be interested...  calling them locally identified which is only a one year guarentee.  We asked Hunter what he wanted to do and he wanted to attempt the GT program.  So, he will be tested again this year to see if can state qualify.  If he doesn't state qualify, then he will be back in GT only if there are openings next year. 

Hunter 3rd grade

Regardless of where he is, he is excited.  He knows most of the kids in his class.  He also gets to change teachers this year having Mrs. Gadsden for homeroom, GT math, and science and then Mrs. Hodges for GT ELA and history. 

I know 3rd grade is a big year as far as content and I am anxious to see how Hunter steps up the plate.  He loves to learn and I am sure he will have a great year!

All my boys.

And of course the silly picture that makes them stand still for the "normal" picture.

Shepherd starts a 3  morning a week preschool in a couple weeks... I will post pics.  So, we are getting back into the groove and though I am sad to see summer go and will miss the activity during the day, I love watching these little boys grow into little men. 

Shine His light boys.

A late 18 month post

So, Mr Bennett has been 1 1/2 for almost a month now.  And, wow, is all I can say about him.

Fiesty... ball of energy... cuddly... funny... affectionate... hitter... busy... blanket sucker.... mommy lover... wrestler... jumper without leaving the ground... climber... ticklish... and so much more.

18 months... ready to brush his teeth... one of his favorite things to do after watching Elmo songs on youtube.

He still adores me and his blanket beyond all things.  Up until the last few months, he has put up with dogs but now he really loves them. He hugs our dogs all the time and will wrestle around with them on the floor.  He also disciplines Moses with emphatic "na" (no) often. 

Speaking of love, he really loves his brothers too.  Ashton and Shepherd can make him furious though.  However, he is all about getting in the middle of the wrestling matches.  Recently he started getting mad at Hunter when he got in the tub with him. 

 

Cheesin' it up.

I love his wide smile and the way his eyes squint up and his little dimple on his right cheek. 

He is still soooo skinny.  He had his 18 month appt and has almost dropped to his 9 month percentage lows.
Weight 21.5 lb (11%)
Height 32.25" (36%)

This is the smile he gives me when I ask him to smile.  So cool he is.  ;)

He hasn't started putting words together but is adding words every week to his vocab.
His favorite words are "mama,"  "dada", "tractor", "momo" (Elmo), "dog", "bud" (bird), "juice", "nak" (snack).   He has a word that he uses for brothers but I don't know how to sound it out.  :)

He is cutting his canine teeth now which made for a rough couple sleeping nights a few weeks back, but he has since started sleeping great again.

I am still so amazed and thankful that I get to raise not just one, but four amazing little boys.  Bennett is such a God-wink!

I love you "little blessed one."  Happy 1/2 birthday. 

An Asheville Run

All summer I have been telling the boys that we would go up to see their cousins (my brother's family) in Asheville. 

And all of sudden, summer is about over and we still wanted/ needed to go visit the Asheville crew.

Last Friday, the boys and I took the 2 hour drive and stayed with Zach and his family until Saturday.

The boys had a blast and I really enjoyed time with Anna and Zach.  Their house looks great and they have done some MAJOR work in their yard/ deck... ie, zipline and tree fort.  Obviously, a little boys paradise.

I didn't take many pictures but here are the ones I did manage to snap.  My camera was not on auto focus thus the blurry pics... I apologize.

Here is the zipline... each boy had their own method.

Caelum, though only 3, hopped right on but made sure someone was their to slow him down.

Shep did it the same way at first and then decided he could collide with the tree to stop.

Hunter flew down on the thing and would slam his feet into the tree to stop.

Ashton attempted a couple methods before finally settling on just jumping off right before colliding with the tree.

And Owen... dear, cautious Owen.  We does not even use the seat but quickly walks (you might call it a jog) down while holding onto the handlebars.

And another example.... hahaha... too funny

The babes enjoyed some swinging action

Esme'... notice Ashton about to dismount off the back

Bennett trying out the tree fort. 

 

All the boys.

 I just need to give my Esme' some props... this girl can EAT!  I am not talking about eating good for a baby, but EAT good for an adult.  After she had a banana, a cheese stick, tons of grapes, chicken, rice, carrots, and other stuff for dinner, she then proceeded to get on the floor and clean up the rice and chicken that the boys dropped from dinner.  The next morning she ate...3, yes 3 pancakes (I ate 1 1/2). 

Happy as a pig in mud while on clean up duty.

Thanks for having us guys!  Drop in on us anytime.

Some Carowinds Fun

For the most part, we have been able to hit Carowinds once a week this summer... and the boys have LOVED it!  And honestly, I have too. 

We have our little routine down pat.  Normally, we get there about 10:30 and stay 4 or 5 hours.  Bennett is such a trooper though his nap time is totally bested up.  

Boomerang Bay, the water park, is right in the middle of the park.  We normally just do the splash park and the smaller water slide because I get a bit nervous with the water... 4 boys (3 who cant swim)... and one adult. 

Here is the small water slide.

Bennett's first water slide... 

...he loved it.




Unfortunately, I couldn't get to the bottom fast enough to get Ashton and Shepherd's picture... but you get the idea.

The highlight of this trip was that Ashton was officially measured at 48", which makes him tall enough to ride the next level of roller coasters.  So, he and Hunter rode Carolina Cyclone and Carolina Copra (see pic below)

 

Just look for the little blonde(4 rows from the back.)

In addition to Ashton hitting 48", Shep officially measured at 46" which meant he could ride the two water rides in Carowinds (outside of the water park).

2nd from the back... Shepherd gives a death grip around the waist of whoever he is riding with.  I have never been tempted to buy one of the pictures that are taken during a ride.  But, the wooden roller coaster that the boys rode together was the best.  I totally regret not buying it... classic

cant see the boys (except for Ashton's head)

Bennett's reaction of getting splashed from the boat.... he looks quite malnourished in this picture, and though he is super skinny, he is sucking in from the water hitting him.  :)

Stopped for a quick snack.

 

The silly pic I always bribe them with

 Bennett and I killing time while the others ride the bigger rides.

Hog heaven. 

Jumping in the picture.

 

Though I debated whether I wanted to spend $450 on season passes, I can say I have no regrets... except for paying for Chad a season pass as he has only gone once.  Lesson learned. 

So, if any of you guys are up around Carowinds, let us know.