Road Trip

As is routine lately, I am behind on the blog.  But the boys in my life would tell you that we have been having sooo much fun lately!  A while back, we took a 2 hour road trip (yeah, I know, we live on the edge) to Greenville / Spartanburg, South Carolina.  There is a great Children's Museum and a just the right size zoo in Greenville that we thought would be fun for the boys.  We were surprised by the very cool park next to the zoo.  

My three monkeys in the zoo:

Lunch on the river in Greenville:

Another cool surprise was the park along the river:

And, the buddies really had fun at the Children's Museum.

Then, we rode off into the Sunset on a bear...

As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, all the boys in my life have had fun recently.  Brian and I were able to get away for a long weekend to Vegas.  It was nice to get away (thanks Papaw for watching the boys) but I was glad to get back.  And, you will notice - there are no pictures from Vegas -- remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!

Strawberries Anyone?

A few weeks ago the boys and I went to a local strawberry patch.  We go at least once a "picking season."  This time, we picked a few gallons and came home with many sweet ones!  The boys had a few "samples" while we were there.  It was hard to stop them from eating them all!

Maybe the next time we go, I will make a strawberry pie!  Until then, we will just eat them plain.

A Red Carpet Event

Last weekend we went to a Red Carpet Birthday Celebration for Ms. Sharon. The boys were so excited in the days approaching the party. They kept asking what kind of goodie bags they would get! (And, for the first time ever, neither one of the boys complained about wearing a "collared shirt!")

Papaw and Ms. Sharon looking stunning for the party:

As soon as Papaw and Ms. Sharon arrived, Ethan asked them to dance with him. (He must get his moves from Papaw!)

Ms. Sharon had a wardrobe change so that she could dance better!

Look at the dapper Wilcox Family!

Uncles Evan spent time entertaining the boys at the party -- thanks for your help Uncle Evan!

We loved having an excuse to dress up! Thanks Ms. Sharon for including us in the party and Happy Birthday Sharon!

Easter 2012

In an effort to be more timely in my posts, here is how we spent Easter weekend! (Oh, what I left out was the 24 hour stomach bug that Benjamin and Ethan caught. We were up all night with the boys on Friday night. The boys spent most of Saturday laying around and we got some small projects done at home).

Everyone felt well enough to color Easter eggs Saturday night.

We awoke this morning to see that the Easter Bunny had left footprints from the deck door to the fireplace. Ethan was trying to catch a look at the Easter Bunny - boy that bunny hops fast! Ethan did see that the Easter Bunny left behind some eggs in the yard.

The Easter baskets:

Ethan had so much fun looking for eggs on the eggs hunt!

Benjamin was more into who had more eggs -- a little friendly competition!

Then, we ventured ITP (inside the perimeter) for brunch at Evan's. Evan made an amazing 6 course meal. The only thing he asked that we bring was a few toys for children who were in the hospital on Easter. We stopped at the local children's hospital to drop off the Easter goodies.

Papaw and Ms. Sharon met us at Evan's condo.

Evan not only prepared a great meal, but set such a pretty Spring table. Thanks Evan for hosting such a wild bunch for brunch!

After a great meal, we were off to Piedmont Park. The adults had as much fun as the kids!

See, the adults did have fun!!!

We got home and pulled out the kites that the Easter Bunny left us this morning.

In addition to Easter and all the fun we had this weekend, Brian and I celebrated our 6th anniversary today. (We are headed to Las Vegas in a few weeks to really celebrate our 6 years.) Love you babe!

Happy 4th Birthday Ethan!

Wow! A year flies by so fast! It seems like just yesterday we brought you home from the hospital. And, now it is 4 years later. It also seems like you have been in our lives forever.

This year you have become more independent and want to do everything for yourself. You can dress yourself and put on your own shoes. You can also buckle yourself in your car seat.

Ethan, you add so much joy to our family and can provide levity to any situation. Your sense of humor and animated facial expressions can make anyone smile. You love to be the center of attention -- you have been known to say "OK, everyone listen to me" on more then one occasion! You are outgoing and love to talk to anyone who will listen. This year, we have been amazed at how clearly you speak -- people often thing you are older the you are!

You are willing to be a helper both at home and at schools. Your teacher talks about how you help all the girls put their mats away after nap -- you tell the girls that you have muscles and are strong! Your willingness to help spills over at home too! You love to help make dinner and jump at the chance to load the washer. You also love to help with cooking dinner. Oh, and speak of food -- you are an adventurous little boy. You have tried and love many things that most kids have never had (smoked salmon is a favorite of yours)! You seem to want to eat exactly what we are eating.

You are doing very well at school and we have been so excited listen to you spell words. You can spell about 15 words and recognize them in books. You understand about 60 Spanish words and you are quick to help translate for people who do not know Spanish. Your love of books has continued to grow -- you also love to help read books!

You are an active boy, who would much rather be outside then anywhere. You also loved the beach and wanted to go back just as soon as we got home! We moved to a new house this year (and you did not miss a beat) and you riding on the level driveway as well as down the hill to the backyard. Last fall, you played t-ball and this season you have started baseball. You can sure hold your own -- you are the youngest on the team but have shown that you can run with the big boys. You have also made new friends at our new house and again, you have no problem being the youngest one!

36 Months:

37 Months:

38 Months:

39 Months:

40 Months:

41 Months:

42 Months:

43 Months:

44 Months:

45 Months:

46 Months:

47 Months:

Ethan, we have seen you grow into a independent, outgoing leader this year. We loved to watch you grow before our eyes and are so excited to see what the coming year holds for you! We love you Ethan-pie!

It was at this moment (8:12 am), 4 years ago that we met you for the first time!

Opening Day -- Play Ball!

Benjamin and Ethan are playing again on the same baseball team this season. The difference this season -- no more t-ball! The boys have move up to coach-pitch baseball. Benjamin and Ethan have done so well in practice and are hitting from the coach! Brian and I spent some time explaining to the boys basic rules of the game and what the umpire does. I am not sure it all clicked until the end of the first game.

Ethan and Benjamin - part of the Mudhens!

There was no discussion of positions prior to the first game; and, each child on the team will rotate to all positions. Benjamin started the first inning as catcher -- and made his mama proud (growing up, I played softball and spent most of my time as catcher)!

Ethan is "baseball ready."

Benjamin on deck -- he did a great job but told me later he was a little nervous at bat!

Ethan up to bat -- as the smallest kid on the team, he really held his own!

We are so excited that the boys are playing baseball and they love being on the same team -- even if they are "Mudhens!"