Crying Over Spilled Milk

I have only one thing to say: Grant spilled, no...POURED milk on our computer. I'll be out of the loop for a while.

Three Months and Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Little Gray turned three months old this week! I receive weekly emails telling you about the development of your baby. This week the email read, "Ninety percent of three month olds sleep through the night." Well, Grayson was nowhere near sleeping through the night... until I read that email! For the past five nights, he has slept from about 7:30 until 5:00. He eats and then goes back to sleep until about 8:00. I'm loving this new schedule!

Grayson at three months old. Today is Gary's birthday. The boys and I woke up this morning and made him a lunch and some cupcakes. Grant did a great job helping. I measured out the ingredients, Grant poured them in the bowl and then stirred them all together. I think he will make a wonderful pastry chef!

And all pastry chefs must learn how to lick the bowl!

We took our lunch up to Gary's school. I passed out the cupcakes to all the teachers in the lounge and enjoyed a nice, relaxing lunch with my boys. We tried to get Grant to join in for a birthday picture, but he was a little busy...

... doing his homework!

The Lucky Seven

Erica, Jennifer and Melissa came over for a 'reunion' playdate. We used to have fun, exciting evenings filled with great food, fun games and interesting conversation. Four years later, we're having crazy, loud playdates. Oh, how things have changed! However, I don't think any of us would change a thing!

Grant and Elijah were having a great time playing in the train. I've never heard so much giggling. Grayson and Gianna check each other out. I don't think Grayson knew what to think of having someone around his own size!

Gianna.

Presley - shocker... she's smiling!

Miss Maddie.

Our attempt at a group photo. Front row - Grant (almost 2 years), Elijah (3.5 years)

Back row - Presley (9 months), Grayson (3 months), Sadie (almost 1 year), Maddie (2.5 years), Gianna (6 months) Mommy row - Jennifer, me, Erica, Melissa

Spring Has Sprung

Well, it's official. Spring has sprung! The last few days have climbed into the 70s and we have been enjoying every last minute of it. Gary spent the weekend cleaning up the yard and giving Grant's sandbox an overhaul. Fresh new sand and warm temperatures has made this the place to play!

I prop open the back door and let Grant run between the house and the backyard. He spends most of his time in his sandbox. This makes things really easy on me... I'll fold laundry by the back door or wash dishes while watching him out the window. And I don't have to worry about him coming behind me and unfolding the laundry or pulling the dishwasher open. His sandbox has a new location (the old location was taken over by fire ants), but I think it might be too sunny here in the afternoons. I was worried about him getting sunburned, so we might have to find a more appropriate spot.

He was so focused on playing, he didn't even notice I was outside with him. On a side note, Grant came home from MDO yesterday with a mohawk. One of his teachers decided it was the look for him. It was adorable. This picture shows his mohawk after a nap and hours of play. Wish I could have gotten a picture of his new do sooner. If you're wondering why his arms are flailing about, it's because he's dancing to the Thomas theme song.

The Boy With the Red Balloon

Every year, Gary shows The Boy With the Red Balloon to his students. It's a French film with almost no dialogue about a boy and his special relationship with a red balloon. He uses the film to demonstrate the importance of setting, tone and other literary elements. In years past, he has purchased a red helium balloon for each student that they then released. Each balloon had a tag on it asking whoever found it to mail the tag back to Gary's school. The students then mapped where each balloon was found. This year, we decided to release red balloons with Grant.

MY boy with the red balloon. "Ok, guys. Let's do this." They are one in the same. Grant is going to be just like his dad when he grows up. It's a little spooky.

Getting ready to release the balloons...

... and they're off!

I just had to add a picture of Grant watching the train coming. We always go to this park just for this reason. He asks daily to go see the 'tracks.' I sometimes wonder if this childhood obsession will turn into a lifelong interest.

Fun, Friends and Family

Last weekend we met up with Uncle Mike and Aunt Robin. They were taking care of Elliott for the weekend (just turned two), so we thought Grant and Elliott would like some play time. We headed to the Children's Museum where we went grocery shopping, thought about playing vet and finally ended up in Grant's favorite area, Tot Spot.

While this was meant to be a chance for Elliott and Grant to play together, this was the only time they were even within three feet of each other! And I think it was by accident. Nothing like a truck to bring two men together.

Grant is in love with these ramps. He usually spends the majority of his time here...

... unless he discovers the ball pit first. He has perfected the art of emptying it in under three minutes flat!

Since it was such a beautiful day, we had a picnic afterwards. I made sandwiches and brought fruit, chips and drinks. Uncle Mike and Aunt Robin ordered McDonald's. I thought that was so funny! Elliott! This kid is speaking in full sentences, knows all his colors and can count to ten! I had to keep telling myself that Grant is a few months younger, but really I just think Elliott is super smart! Gary spending some quality time with Grayson.

Uncle Mike and Grant. Grant did not want to give up his spot. He was glued to Michael's lap for the duration of the picnic.

My sweet boy enjoys the outdoors! There was a train that went around the park. Since Grant is such a train nut, we decided to splurge and take a train ride. We walked ten minutes to the train depot. We waited in line to purchase tickets. We waited in line to board the train. We board the train and start to move and then... you guessed it! Grant fell asleep. To his credit, it was well past nap time. But I am so bummed that he missed out on something that I know he would have loved.

All Smiles

My boy is precious. That's all I need to say. And I just love this age of cooing and smiling. One of our favorite games is to hide from Grayson while he looks real serious. Then 'pop' into his line of vision and start talking to him. He gets this big grin on his face. I could play that game all day long, but apparently the house doesn't clean itself and there are other errands to run that require more than just cute smiles.

"Look! I'm strong AND I'm smiling!" Ok. I know this is a fuzzy picture, but I couldn't resist. Such a sweet, sweet smile!

Oh, just want to pick him up and squeeze him!

LAX

No, not the airport. LaCrosse. The sport Gary has successfully been coaching for the last three months. The boys and I went to our first game last week. We didn't get to stay long, but (from what I hear) they won the game! Tippi and PawPaw joined us before heading to meet the newest addition to the family.

Gary is the one in gray standing by the orange cone. Way to go, coach!!! I see some Gatorade in your future. Grant and Tippi made the rounds. Who can sit still while in a stadium? Certainly not Grant!

"Put me in, coach. I'm ready to play!"