Last Weekend

We had a nice weekend last weekend - and I wanted to post a few pictures before it is weekend time again!  Friday, we ended up going out to a friend's family's farm!  So fun - Katie got to swim and run around and see the pigs!  Isn't this scenery amazing??

 Man, those pigs were gross! 

 I didn't plan very well - wearing a white dress to the farm probably wasn't the best idea :)

 And then Saturday my dad and brother came over to eat some BBQ and watch football.  Here are my dad and Jack - both sporting their University of Miami gear!  Miami and Auburn both lost (boo!) but UT won - Brad was definitely pleased (and is already stressed about their game against Florida this weekend)!

 Jack talked to Papa a lot!

 Happy boy in his Miami shirt!  My dad picked this up for him at the bookstore when he was down in Miami for a meeting - makes Jack look like a football player!  So cute.

 And on Sunday, we watched the Titans play - they lost too!  But Jack was ready to cheer them on :) 

That afternoon, we went on a little walk with our neighbors and found a swing on a big tree in our neighborhood.  It was a hit for sure!  Katie and I were about to swing together here.

 And Katie and Stella loved inspecting the swing and figuring it out - along with playing in the dirt under it!  The weather was beautiful and it was great to spend so much time (almost 4 hours!) outside playing and visiting!

I love good, relaxing weekends at home.  It was definitely welcome!

Some Tummy Time

Jack is getting so much better about tummy time - and so are we! Earlier on, he would always fall asleep or we would forget. Now we do better remembering to do it and he lasts liger looking around and playing. He's even starting to push off with his left leg - the precursor to rolling over! But it never fails - he always gets so comfy and falls asleep!

Preschool Gal

This girl is a preschool girl now!  How can it be possible?!  And she is loving it too.  I knew, once I had gone to parent orientation, that she would love it.  The part I knew she'd like? The fact that they take turns being the line leader.  Yes - that was the first big thing she talked about ... for several days.  She says that they take turns and "tomorrow it is someone else and tomorrow it is someone else and then tomorrow it is someone else"....meaning the day after that.  Ha!  I can't even imagine how excited she will be when it is her turn!  She is still going to the same program, but she is going three days a week now.  And the three and five day programs are considered preschool!  On Tuesdays, they have music class...on Wednesdays, they have "Marketplace" (kind of like a specialty devotion time that is age appropriate)...and on Thursdays, they have library day!  She really likes her teacher and I think she is going to have a great year! 

Good grief this child looks like Brad in this picture.  I just had to post it - such a goofball!

And here she is on the first day of school over the years.  It sure is amazing how she changes from year to year.  In that first picture, she still has a baby look.  And then last year, she had a definite toddler look.  And now?  She is just a little girl...

Here she is with her first library book!  She was so proud!  Now we need to go to our local library and get her a library card - she will definitely love that!

 And here she is playing with one of her friends after school! They sure have a good time!

Football Is Here!

Goodness - I miss a few days of blogging and then my motivation goes out the door.  HA!  I am just enjoying time with these kiddos.  There are lots of posts bouncing around in my brain, so stay tuned for lots more!  For now, it is time to recap the first weekend of college football!  We are a house divided - UT and Auburn (in case you were unaware).  Both Brad and I were super excited about the start of football - and our excitement apparently rubbed off onto Katie - she got SO excited!  Both of our teams played in Atlanta last weekend...boy would it have been fun to be there.  Instead, we got our favorite team colors out and hung out with friends.  So fun!  Friday night, UT played, so of course we had our orange on! Here are the kiddos ready to cheer on the Vols!

 And here they are outside with the UT garden flag and their daddy!  We ordered pizza and had some friends over to watch the game.  A relaxed but fun night of watching football!

 Saturday was game day for my Auburn Tigers!  We went over to have a day of football watching with friends (all Auburn fans - my friends from college).  And of course - the kids were sporting their Auburn goodies!  Katie was so excited that she and Jack had matching Aubies!

 And me and the kids with the Auburn garden flag!  I was a hot mess - literally - in this picture.  I had been on a hot walk and showered and just could not cool down.   A picture out in the heat and humidity didn't help matters, but you can't tell that by looking at this, right??

 And then we headed over to our friends' house.  Here are the offspring - the next generation of Auburn kiddos.  It is CRAZY to think we all have kids now!  Olivia is 7 months, Jack is 2 months, Katie is 3, and Avery is almost 18 months.  How fun!

 And a pic of me and Brad - we don't get these very often anymore!

 And the ladies - hard to believe we have been friends for TEN years!  Katherine (left) was my freshman year roommate at Auburn and we didn't know eachother before that (she is Olivia's momma), and Ashley (middle) was my roommate sophomore and junior year - though we were partners in crime our freshman year (and she is Avery's momma).  

 Thank goodness for the iPad!  Katie got to have quiet time while we were there - and she even shared with Avery!  All these kids are going to be handfuls in just a matter of years!

Welcome back, football!  Now bring on the cooler weather!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I am fairly certain I just did WILW, but here it is time to do it again!  These 4 day work weeks (ha, who am I kidding?? Every day is a "work day" for me!) really throw me off!  Anyway, here is what I'm loving today! And if you want to link up, jump over {here}!

I'm LOVING that Katie's picture is part of a "next big thing" contest!  If we win, we get a free photography session and print credit.  Wanna do me a humongous favor?? Please click HERE and comment on the picture of her.  THANKS!!!  This is what the picture should look like...

 I'm LOVING this cute Christmas dress I found on etsy at a store called Julianne Originals!  I may just have to get this for Katie and see if she can do something coordinating for Jack (longall or shirt and pants or something.  So fun! 

 I'm LOVING this idea as a stocking stuffer (or party favor for a birthday party) for a little boy.  It is a car wallet!  I found it on Pinterest, but the etsy store where you can find them is My Happy Hobbies.  Once I play around with my sewing machine, I bet this is something I could try to make too.  One day... 

 I'm LOVING these printable chore charts!  Again, I found it on Pinterest, but here is the site where they can be found!

 I'm LOVING this Pinterest find as well!  I have to admit I haven't tried it, but I definitely plan to!  Let me know if you've tried it and if it really works!

 I'm LOVING this printable Babysitter Notes page.  There are other printables that can be found on this site here.  I definitely plan to fill out this form and put it on the fridge!

I'm LOVING my deoderant!  After having Jack, I could not find one that actually worked...until I started using this Secret Clinical Strength.  And I am pretty sure everybody around me loves this too :)

Random Thoughts

• First off, didn't you miss me?!  This weekend was my first absence from blogging the entire YEAR!  I was getting a little tired of trying to come up with posts, so I decided to just take a little break!  And I'm back - for now, at least!
• The other day we were on our way to a store to find some shoes for Katie.  We passed a neighborhood where houses are under construction and the side of one was facing the road.  The wood was up with the cutouts where windows would go.  Katie got so excited and said, "Oh.my.gosh.  Mommy, look!  It's a chicken house!"
• Katie is loving playing doctor just like Doc McStuffins.  She even likes to wear the stethoscope just like she sees on the show!
• Grandma and Katie had a slumber party Sunday night and it was SO nice to be able to go back to sleep after feeding Jack!
• When we got home from leaving Katie at Grandma's, Brad and I were watching Dateline and it was a special on Stranger Danger.  They had kids out and had hidden cameras so that the parents could sit in a studio and watch what their child's reaction was when a stranger approached them.  Goodness it is so scary to think that all those crazies out there know just how to use the "right tactic" to kidnap.  It made me wonder what Katie would do and ways I can talk about that issue with Katie.  I don't think you can start talking about that issue too early!  On the show, the guy acted super nice and either had a puppy dog to show the kid or "free" ice cream and neat things on the truck to show them.  Ice cream and puppies - some of Katie's favorites!  AH!  I think if there are good, age-appropriate books to start reading to Katie about this, that may be the best way to approach it at first.  And of course finding teachable moments will be good.
• I discovered the other night that Jack has a sweet little dimple on his left cheek.  Whenever he is falling asleep while eating, he always has sweet smiles.  And the other night I looked down and saw the cutest little dimple!
• Today is Katie's first day of PRESCHOOL!!  It is still the program at our church, but the three and five day a week programs are considered preschool.  This momma is super excited for Katie to have that opportunity, as well as me to have time to get things done and spend time with Jack.
• It is officially football season!  And I have a whole other post coming on that later this week.  We had a great weekend enjoying the first games of the season with friends!
• I have been doing a good job with the exercise goals - the last two weeks I have worked out 6 out of 7 days!  I like it because it makes me feel better - and lets me eat more :)  I use the MyFitnessPal app on my phone - it is amazing!  It definitely holds me accountable with calorie management and all that!
• There is nothing like sweet baby lips - especially on a sweet, SLEEPING baby!! :)

Dentist, Shoes, and Exercise

How's that for a post title?? HA!  Anyways, seems like we have had another busy week!  Katie went to the dentist on Tuesday - and got a clean bill of health!  They really are so nice there...and always so speedy (which I most definitely appreciate).  Here are the two kiddos before we headed out.  I think Katie has figured out that if she just cooperates the first time, then she doesn't have to sit for forever!

 And here she is at the dentist.  Doesn't she look so long here?!  She was watching the TV on the ceiling while she got her teeth cleaned.

 And on Wednesday we went to my mom's house to play for a while.  And here are the kiddies before we left.  Katie likes taking the pictures in her dot chair - and it actually works out great.  They both fit in it perfectly!

 And yesterday, we went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast (as a family - pretty fun treat on a Thursday!) and exercised and ran some errands.  Here is little man.  He is 11 weeks old today!  I love this outfit on him.  So cute!  And...he wore shoes for the first time!  That definitely makes him look older I think!  Love this picture!

 And here they are loaded in the stroller before our walk.  Katie looks gigantic in there.  But I'm glad she will sit there for now.  I am looking forward to using a single stroller with the dude while she is at school - that stroller with both of them gets heavy!  I guess that makes it a good workout though :)

I am doing a pretty good job with the exercise.  I have walked 11 out of the last 13 days!  And when I say walk, I mean like crazy hills pushing a stroller that weighs 65 pounds for 30-35 minutes - a good workout for sure!

Brad is off today and Monday, so I am looking forward to some good family time this weekend.  Oh, and college football too :)  I can't wait to get decked out in our UT gear tonight...and our Auburn gear tomorrow night!  I know by October I will be counting down to the end of football season, but for now, I am super excited!  So for now, War Eagle (and Go Vols for Brad)!!

So Much To Do, So Little Time

There are lots of things that I really want to accomplish.  And it frustrates me that I cannot seem to complete any of these projects.  I know, I know...I should cut myself a little slack since I do have a 3 year old and a 2.5 month old.  But I am pretty bad about starting projects and not finishing them.  I have had half-made washii tape coasters on the kitchen island for a couple months.  Oh, and I have all of the supplies to make sponge balls in a bag on the island too.  And I have the fabric and cloth diapers on a table in our bedroom to make into burp cloths.  And a humongous stack of clothes that I need to enter in the online system and tag for an upcoming consignment sale.  Oops.  I.need.to.finish.these.projects.  I need to just get my sewing machine out and give it a go.  But I certainly don't want to do it when Katie is home.  Good news?  She starts preschool on Tuesday!  Do I hear angels singing?? I think so!  She is going to love it I think - music class on Tuesdays, devotion with the other 3 year olds on Wednesday, and library time on Thursdays.  She will be going three days a week (obviously) and I think she is going to really enjoy it.  And it gives me time with little man.  I can either be productive or decide to relax and snuggle! Over the summer we've been somewhat preoccupied and I cannot wait to tackle some organizational and other projects! These include keeping Jack's baby book up to date, putting pictures in frames to display, organizing the art closet, organizing the guest room closet, organizing Jack's room (we have been just tossing things in there since he doesn't use it yet), learning to use my sewing machine, getting back into couponing, decluttering, going through Katie's toys and putting some up/organizing the rest, oh...and and EXERCISING!!!  Seems I've got my work cut out for me, huh!  We shall see how this goes.  For now, I'm looking forward to Brad having a 4 day weekend...and THE FIRST WEEKEND OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL!! So exciting.  War Eagle!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm back into What I'm Loving Wednesday!  Last week was the first time I hadn't linked up in quite some time and it felt weird - so I am glad I am back!  Here's what I am loving today!

I'm LOVING this about a girl's butt.  I remember tearing this out of a magazine years ago and I just came across it again not too long ago!  

I'm LOVING this representation of fans in each state and what teams they root for.  It is better when the picture is larger, so you  may have to click on it.

I'm LOVING this!! HA!  And that is so, so true...

I'm LOVING this quote - and the pink chevron background!  I had seen the "I believe in pink" part but had never seen the whole quote.  So girly!

 I'm LOVING this verse - and the way it is presented here.  May have to have this printed and displayed somewhere.

 I'm LOVING that when I painted Katie's fingernails and toenails most recently, these are the two colors she chose.  A girl after my own heart for sure!  I love pinks on my fingers and fun colors on my toes!

 I'm LOVING these two.  They are just so fun and definitely keep me on my toes!

What are you loving today?  Link up {here}!