Truthful Tuesday (on Thursday)

Back by popular demand (Karen) - this one's for you! I had actually forgotten about "Truthful Tuesday" posts, until I was reminded of this earlier in the week. Can you imagine that - me forgetting something???
So.......here it goes

- I do NOT escape to the bathroom for short, quiet moments at home. Time to think to myself, check my email, facebook, just whatever.

- I did NOT order Tangled from On Demand earlier in the week (when Will was gone) to have a quiet, relaxing night at home with three little boys. Great advice (thanks Hannah)!

- I do NOT secretly LOVE my student teacher, Amanda! While she is teaching reading and math, I am able to spend the one-on-one time with my kiddos that I so miss! I am able to listen to them read, learn to segment words! I love it!

- I have somehow managed to NOT cook one single dinner for my family this week - pathetic! (Monday - home late and Will fed sandwiches. Tuesday - Will cooked. Wednesday - Celebrated Will's birthday at Samurai. Thursday - Nana ordered pizza and Will and I enjoyed our massage! Friday - Grammy's for birthday celebrations! I MUST do better next week!

- I do NOT love feeding Graydon table food, as opposed to baby food because it IS so much easier! Last night, we were able to go out and take Gray a banana for his meal! He feasted on banana chunks and puffs - so easy!!!

- I actually DO have plans for my husband's birthday this year! As opposed to Valentine's, Father's Day, and previous birthdays, where I have totally slacked! Homemade cards from little boys, surprise cake, and couples' massage are at the top of my list! And........I have a babysitter - surprise!!!!

- I actually CAN'T believe my sister is having me tag along to our meeting of MckMama! Yes, we are headed to Nashville on Saturday for Adalyn's baby shoot from this famous Mommy blogger! Maybe Gray will get a couple of shots too!

- I secretly LOVE the crazy amounts of pictures my sister texts to me everyday! I am able to see sweet pictures of my two little boys, Ad, and Mom throughout the day and view all of the adorable moments I'm missing.

Wordless Wednesday - We Celebrate Daddy's Birthday!

Jazz It Up: Two Dip Recipes

I am a huge fan of homemade veggie and fruit dips. My mom makes the yummiest veggie dip and fruit dip, that she has been gracious enough to pass on to me. If you ever stop by my house for a shower or event, you're guaranteed to sample these tasty treats!

First, Fruit Dip:



You will need:
1 oz. package of cream cheese (softened)
1 16 oz. jar of marshmellow creme
1 tbsp. orange juice or lime juice

What to do:
Blend with mixer until smooth (no lumps)

Enjoy!!!

Next, Veggie Dip:



You will need:
1 package of Hidden Valley Ranch Dip Mix
1 8 oz. container cottage cheese (small curd)
1 8 oz. container sour cream
2 tbsp. Ranch salad dressing

What to do:
Stir all ingredients together!

Enjoy!

Super easy, but so worth it!!!

Two Little Friends

One afternoon last week, my sister and I thought we should capture a Graydon and Adalyn photo shoot. It has been a couple of months since my sister last shot our two cuties!



This was sometime mid-January.
Now, my Gray is becoming more of a little boy each day. He is mobile and tries to eat and chew everything in sight, including Adalyn. He has quite the little pinchers and will grab at anything his little fingers will reach - your face, your plate, or even the plugs in the wall!



Here he is grabbing at Adalyn's little toes!



I don't think she knows what to think of her big cousin - though she will learn to fight back soon enough!



She's still checking out this silly Gray!



Both sets of little eyes on the camera - but Adalyn is still unsure. Hopefully they will become great playmates in the years to come. I can't wait to watch them grow into little friends!

Lions, Tigers, and Elephants - Oh My!

Ever since I was a child, I have loved the circus! I still remember my first circus experience, and my dad getting so sick that we had to leave early (I think Mom was even the pregnant one). Oh well.....since then, I try to go to the circus every time they come to town, and today was no different!



Thanks to some great neighbors, we were able to get free circus tickets! However, we still HAD to get yummy snacks and SOUVENIRS! We also were able to tag along my sister and Ad for our circus experience.





We had a fun-filled circus expereince of tons of magic tricks, jumping dogs and cats, gymnasts, motorcycle riders, lion tamers, ladies swinging, and birds flying! It was one awesome show! Clayton's favorite part of the circus was the "karate guys who jumped through the fire hoop" and Hudson loved the lions and the elephants. Big C was also able to convince us that he needed a tiger souvenir, while Hudson claimed a sword!
Gray and Adalyn were two sweet circus babies. Graydon played with Daddy for the first part of the circus and slept through the second half. Adalyn fell asleep as soon as the circus started and then ate and slept the second half.



After the circus, we decided to try Stackz (the newest yogurt place in town). This was one pretty yummy treat! Our boys loved creating and eating their own yogurt creations! and I have to say, my strawberry dessert was pretty amazing! We will definitely be visiting that place more often.
Well,.......here's a great start to one wonderful weekend!

Friday's Fab 5 - Best Cartoons Ever!

With three little boys, I find myself watching quite a bit of cartoons. I have to admit, I am NOT a fan of new cartoons (Pokemon, Yu-gi-oh, and Sponge Bob)! I love the funny, old-fashioned cartoons that I grew up watching - and it just so happens that my little boys do too! So here they are.......in no particular order.....



1. Scooby-Doo - Big C loves Scooby! and it's a good thing, because Mommy and Daddy love it too. The Boomerang Channel shows episode after episode of this funny, mystery cartoon.



2. The Flintstones - This is probably my absolute favorite! Who doesn't love Fred and Barney??? I remember watching countless hours of this show as a kid.



3. The Jetsons - I do like this show, but as a kid, my dad loved this cartoon! It still remains one of my all-time-favorites!



4. The Berenstein Bears - These were my favorite books as a small child! And now, they have their own cartoon. The Sprout Channel shows these episodes each night! We all love them!

5. Baby Trinket of the Week - The Bumbo Seat!


We got this seat from a friend (thanks Sarah) after we had Hudson and we have loved it! Before Hudson and Gray were able to sit up on their own, we were able to place them in this seat. As young as 3 months, Gray was able to sit in this seat, hold toys, and play alongside his big brothers! We also use this seat for snacks meal times for Graydon! We love it!



This was a picture of Gray this past Christmas - sitting in his Bumbo, getting read to open his Christmas presents.

Surprise - It's Mommy's Birthday!

I have to admit - I did NOT want to turn 30! 30 just seems like some great milestone in life that I was not ready to pass.
Looking back, I guess my 20's were pretty busy! Crazy, busy, fun, and filled with joyous moments and blessings beyond measure! I married the man of my dreams and best friend - we have now been married almost 9 years. We brought three wild and crazy little boys into our home. Clayton - who shocked us into parenthood and brings us laughter each day. Hudson - our rambunctious toddler, who we longed for. And.....Graydon - our loveable, chunky baby who brings us smiles and a little sense of chaos! Wow - we've been busy!
So.......today, when Aunt Shannie (toting Adalyn) and Hudson showed up at school, cake in tow - I was ecstatic! And, my kindergarten kiddos were just as excited!



Hudson walked into my classroom a little shy at first, but it didn't take him long to warm up. Shannie (with Ad) had a yummy German chocolate cake in tow - made my Shannon and Mom.



To my surprise, all my school kiddos loved this cake. Hudson had two pieces of his own that he seemed to enjoy for breakfast. After Shannon led my class in "Happy Birthday to Mrs. Daniels", somehow Hudson managed to blow out my candles before I did (guess I was too slow).



Even though he is so mischievous, he is so cute! So all was forgiven!
After our short breakfast, mini-party, we headed back to learning. Shannie, Hudson, and Adalyn were able to stay through part reading instruction. Hudson sat on the carpet like a "big boy" and soaked up all the new attention!



Ad had fun being passed around, from my assistant to my student teacher!





A perfect beginning to a Happy Birthday!

Wordless Wednesday - Up, Up, and Away

Bedtime Stories

Big C and I have started something new. He recently had his school book fair, and was able to purchase a few books of his choosing. Accompanied by Poppy and Aunt Shannie, Clayton chose the typical boy books - Snakeophobia, two Goosebumps books, Dinosaur Bones, and Buzz Boy and Fly Guy. The Goosebumps books have become our favorites!



Each night after bath and our family Bible time, we head upstairs to Clayton's room. We snuggle under the covers and read at least two chapters (they're small chapters) in his Goosebumps books. Now, these books may be controversial for a 6-year-old, but as long as he's loving to read and have stories read to - I'm all for that! And.....I love this sweet time with my big boy! We do talk about how all of this is "sooooooo make believe! - this stuff could never really happen!" He just smiles and shakes his head - "I know Mom!" My Clayton is getting so big! - growing up right before my very eyes.



But, it's moments like this....I will always cherish!

Little H In Style!

After 2.5 years, our Little H has become a BIG boy! He prances around in his "big boy" underwear. Sporting Thomas the Train or SpiderMan are among his favorites!
When he has to use the potty, he says "I go pee pee in the potty!" or "I go poop in the potty!" and dashes off to our bathroom.



Here he is showing off his Nemo undies - totally adorable!




After Big C was so easy to potty-train - I did think this day with Little H would never come! It doesn't take much to make this Mommy proud!

We are so proud of you, my Big H!

Scrub-a-Dub-Dub: 3 Boys in the Tub

I have mentioned before that one way we save time is by doing "family baths". Some time between 6:30-7:30 each night, our boys have their nighttime bath routine.
Baby G has recently transitioned from his baby bath into the regular tub with big bro. Usually, Big C and Baby G take a bath in the big jacuzzi tub, while Little H takes a shower by himself. It seems to work for all 3 and it gets the job done in 1/3 the time!



Our sweet Gray playing with his duckies in the tub!



Reaching for his toys and playing in bubbles......



Big Brother C - he is getting sooooo big!!!!



Little H "Ham Hudson" smiles in the shower



Brothers - Best Buds!

I have to admit - Gray loves these brothers! He sits, smiles, and stares at them as they play. It won't be long......

I am opting out of my Fab 5 Friday for a few Spring moments with our boys! I absolutely love bright, sunny days outside with my three boys + hubby!
We spend our time hitting baseballs, shooting basketball, playing on the swing set, and relaxing in the sun. This afternoon, we planted our first flowers and trimmed the landscape. This sun is spoiling me - I can't wait until summer!

Graydon enjoying time outdoors - relaxing in the sun........



watching his big brothers.........



Huds plays on the swing set - (he's learning to smile at the camera - finally! only took 2 1/2 years)



such a determined hitter!

covered in sand.........



Where is Big C in this Spring pictures? Who knows - somehow he's escaped the photo shoot!

When Daddy's Gone

Will left for a work trip on Tuesday afternoon - that has left me home alone with 3 little boys! So, what do we do when Daddy's gone?



We wear our pajamas all day and all night! The truth is - Mommy hates clothes! I put on my pajamas as soon as I walk in the door! At least Little H has taken after me - many days when I get home, he is still in his pj's!
We take long naps on the couch. This is especially true for Big C, who is recovering from the dreaded stomach virus. He loves the couch - takes after his Mommy! He has snuggled up in his blankets and taken naps on our comfy couch, several days and nights!



We play games in the house! I found this adorable Pottery Barn bowling set at a consignment sale last week and the boys absolutely love it! We sit the bowling pins up in the hallway and start bowling! Clayton's favorite is "human bowling" where you roll yourself into the pins to knock them over! I haven't tried that yet!



We play dress-up and look super adorable! Little H loves his Spiderman costume! Even today (after he has caught the stomach virus) - he is sporting this suit!



We lay in the floor and roll around! - Baby G loves the floor more than any other baby we've had! Better than being held or cuddled - he loves to roll, kick, and explore the carpet. In this picture, it looks as if he's found one of the big boy's trucks.



We bake brownies - in our underwear! Little H is officially potty-trained!!!! Hallelujah! Last night Huds helped me in the kitchen as we baked a batch of brownies. Here he is cracking eggs for the mix - he does need a little practice.

Will came home tonight - we were so excited! He came bearing gifts for the boys and to rescue me for single-parenthood! Now that Big C is cured for this awful stomach bug, Little H and Baby G are on the mend, and Daddy is home - our life can get back to normal CHAOS!

Wordless Wednesday - 18 Snapshots Later