Grant Paints

Grant and I decided to break out a painting kit that his Mimi gave him for Easter yesterday afternoon.  This was the first time Grant had ever painted and he loved it!  He painted two ceramic animal magnets and did a great job.

He concentrated very hard on dipping the paint brush in the paint

He also worked very hard at holding the paint brush just right.

He squealed with delight several times during our art session!  His new favorite expression is "silly."  Several times he would paint a streak and say, "That's silly!"

It didn't take long for him to figure out that he could paint himself as well and he started with his arms and then moved his way down to his hands...

The finished product.  I'm very proud of my little Picasso.  I've got two magnets, who wants one?  Wink Wink.

The Rundown

Ron and I helped celebrate our neighbors, Lindsay and Laurie's Birthdays Thursday night with an impromptu gathering at our place.  I got an itch to bake late Thursday afternoon and made them a birthday cake.  They came over around 8:30 Thursday night with their hubbies, which is practically bedtime in all of our households and we enjoyed cake and ice cream and catching up in the middle of the work week!

The cake was yummy and I loved these Happy Birthday candles Ron grabbed for me on his way home from work.  They sure didn't last long as you can see from the photo!

I'm happy to report that all is well in Grant and Luke's lives as well.  Grant has calmed down on the pushing and shoving, (to some extent) and they are playing very well again

until... Momma breaks out balloons that is and then the tears come out.

Why is it, they all want what the other one has even if they are holding the exact same thing in their hands?

I closed on my very first home on Friday!  I represented these buyers, The Phillips in this transaction and the closing went very smoothly.  They are ecstatic to have purchased a home in Daphne and are moving here from Evergreen, AL.

The Real Deal

My sweet, loving little boy has suddenly had an unexpected change in personality.  Grant has become quite the bully and I'm praying to God that this is just a phase.  Recently, Luke came over to play on a rainy day and this is the sequence of events...

The play date started out great as usual, the boys got along wonderfully.

They both love running up and down the length of the sofa.

Then they tumble onto the pillows

All of a sudden, Grant becomes very teritorial with his toys.  This is him coveting his baseball glove and saying, "Mine!"

The next series of events is beyond me, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

Luke surrenders and wonders, "What Next?!"

Poor Luke, Grant got the best of him!

After the drama, Luke decides he wants to play Grant's keyboard.  Grant had another idea.

and this is Grant after learning he has to share his toys...

Oh boy.  I need advice, help, etc.  Timeout and telling him NO will only do so much!  Here's hoping he grows out of this soon!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Last Sunday we took advantage of being in St. Louis and attended the St. Louis Cardinals vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball Game.  This was Grant's second Cardinals game but the difference between the two experiences are tremendous.  He was completely aware of where he was, what was going on and thoroughly enjoyed dancing to the music between innings.  Check out Grant's first Cardinals game by clicking HERE.  Unlike last year's game which was cold and rainy, this particular day was HOT.  Luckily, Poppy was able to score us some unbelieveable seats in the shade!

This baseball stadium has the most beautiful views of the St. Louis skyline and Arch, this was the view from our seats, ah-mazing, we were right behind the home plate.

The only thing that made this game bearable was first, to be in the shaded area and secondly, Grant was able to roam around our little boxed seating area and was not restricted by sitting in the small seats!  Here's a shot of the gang, Mimi, Poppy, Ron, Grandma Yaeger, Uncle David and Grant.

Go Cardinals!

Standing up with Dada during the Star Spangled Banner, afterwards they set off fireworks, Grant was terrified of the explosion!

Grant loved the game, he constantly pointed and said, "Baseball, baseball!"

Grant with Mimi and Poppy

Unfortunately for Grant, the game was at 1pm, his naptime.  He was able to catch a 45 minute nap in the car beforehand but as you can tell here the afternoon wore on him.  He was exhausted by the end of the game!

                        In the end, The Cardinals won the game and we all had a grand time celebrating!



Celebrating Tony

Last Friday, Ron, Grant and I flew to St. Louis for his Great Uncle Tony's funeral.  Tony was loved by many and had a lot of loved ones travel from great distances to honor his memory.  We met his parents there and spent the weekend in Calhoun County with Grandma and Grandpa.  We all gathered at Tony's grave site on Saturday morning and said our final farewells.

Grant, still too young to understand had a great time exploring and was fascinated by the cornstalks.  He kept pointing and saying, "What's this?  What's this?"

Grandpa, Grant and I after the service

Grant was able to meet some of his second cousins for the first time.  Calypso, on the left is three and lives in Cambridge, England and has the most unexpected adorable accent.  Aria, in the middle is six and lives in Connecticut.  Calypso and Aria's Grandfather, Taylor is Grant's Great Grandma Betty's Brother.

More family including Grandpa, Norma, Jody, cousin Tad and Ron and I

Grant spent the whole weekend playing on Great Grandpa's John Deere Tractor.  Grandpa parked it right outside the house so it was the first thing Grant saw every morning.

We spent Saturday afternoon playing in the creek up the street from Grandma and Grandpa's House...

Grant loved throwing rocks in the creek, he learned very quickly the bigger the rock, the bigger the splash!

We had fun exploring and found apples that had washed down the creek from an apple tree, crawfish, believe it or not and "creek glass."  Glass from broken bottles whose surface had been softened and smoothed over time.

Poppy and Dada took Grant for a dip in the chilly water!

It's not often this group is reunited and we had a wonderful time getting reacquainted!

Grant spent more time riding on Grandpa's tractor

and loves his Great Grandparents!

Even under the unfortunate circumstances, we still managed to have a great time and great trip and enjoyed hearing wonderful stories of Tony's life!

Thanks for hosting us! 



4th at Ono

or... my longest post yet in terms of pictures.  I'm just going to go ahead and apologize.  Honestly I couldn't contain myself.  When you combine three adorable kids, the beach, a holiday weekend and Kimmy's fabulous camera, there's no way I could narrow it down. So enjoy the abundance of photos and shorter than usual descriptions.

We arrived at Orange Beach's, Ono Island on Friday evening and Savannah and Grant were thrilled to be in eachother's company and on vacation!

Ron and I awoke each morning early and enjoyed this view while sipping on coffee.

We were graciously invited to spend the weekend here with the Cox Clan.

Saturday morning we went to a Patriotic Parade.

Grant and Savannah were dead ringers for lots of loot.

They loved the suckers they caught.

We took the boat to an island, swam and built sandcastles.

Dug in the sand,

and laughed at eachother because we looked silly in shades.

Washed the sand off and read books before naps.

Got dressed up in matching patriotic outfits because our Mommies said so and went to dinner

Refused to really smile for the camera because we were more interested in the neighbors.

Pointed at the "woof woofs"

Only family photo from the weekend.

We ran into newly married, Ashley at the restaurant.  Remember, Ron and I went to their reception at that fabulous house in Fairhope?

Sunday was the same scenario... Grant loves the beach!

and his goldfish.

Savannah and Grant played their little hearts out and we enjoyed them taking three hour naps each day!

Kimmy and I with our pal, Melanie

The highlight of Sunday evening for the kids was the Ice Cream Boat.  They both had cotton candy Popsicles.

Sad to see the Ice Cream Boat go.

Grant devoured his and made a huge mess.

Savannah loved hers as well.

Perfect ending to a great day.

or so we thought... couldn't go to bed without playing Mardi Gras which consisted of Nathan throwing beads down to the kids to catch

Thanks for a great weekend Kimmy and Nathan!

and if you still have some time to kill, check out our fourth of july with the Cox family last year.  It's amazing how much our babies have grown in one year!  CLICK HERE.