Kings of the Castle

When Rhonald's parents came to see us this weekend they brought with them a castle! It has been a big hit with Cole. Last night he made Rhonald crawl in it with him and build things with his blocks and play hide and seek. He pretends to go camping in his "tent" (which is really funny since we have never really talked to him about camping). He likes to have snacks and read books in his castle. It is so cute to watch him go into his own little world. This castle came at the perfect time as he is really developing his imagination and enjoys pretend play so much. I think, if we let him, he would stay in his castle for hours!

My Little Fish

If there is one thing that I have learned about Cole this summer it is that he loves to swim!!! I know he has loved it the past few summers too but this summer it is the only thing that he wants to do. Whenever I ask him what we should do that day he immediately says "Swim!" He has gotten a lot more confident in the water as well. He insists on wearing his life jacket so that he can swim "alone." Last week when we were swimming at my friend, Kellie's, he even hopped off of the diving board into my friend, Marla's, arms. He can blow bubbles in the water and does not mind putting his face in the water. Cole laughs and laughs the whole time we are swimming and hates to leave. It is so much fun to see him enjoy this so much...especially when it is over 90 degrees and I am pregnant. Swimming is the only thing I feel like doing too. It will be fun to spend so much time in the water this year and luckily we have a few friends who are nice enough to share their pools with us. Maybe one day we will have one of our own....one day!

Bliss

There is nothing better on a hot summer day than a sandbox, a baby pool and a Popsicle!

Choo Choo

As you know Cole loves trains! I mean, loves them! One thing we have been wanting to get for Cole for a long time is a train set but we did not have the room for one in our old house. When we decided to move we also decided that we would have Santa bring a train set to Cole this year. Well, we were all shocked when my parents asked us if they could get Cole a train set to help celebrate the new home (and give him a great play space all his own when Lily Kate gets here). The night we moved in my parents took Cole to the mall for dinner (he loves the Japanese restaurant there) and Rhonald and I stayed behind to set up the train set. We were on pins and needles waiting for him to get home. We went ahead and gave him a bath and got him ready for bed and then told him to go look in his play room. His reaction did not disappoint! He screamed when he saw the table and train set and then asked over and over "Is this mine? Is this for me?" He went right to work playing and reorganizing his new things. It was torture to get him to bed that night but we made it. I think he has played with the train every second of every day that we have been in the house. The only time we can get him away from it is when we go outside to play. We are so thankful for such a generous gift. I think we have all enjoyed playing with it and watching Cole enjoy it so much!

One Step Closer To Being A Grown Up

What would a new room be without a new big boy bed??? Cole has been talking about getting a big boy bed for a little while - he has seen his friends move from cribs to big beds and been a little curious as to why he had not made the move. We have promised him that he would get one once we moved. Let me just say he was totally thrilled when he woke up from his nap to find he had a big boy bed and a whole big boy room waiting for him! Cole has a beautiful room filled with firetrucks and, my favorite part, a book case filled with books. He loves his bed so much. Cole has never been the best sleeper but he has really been doing much better since moving out of his crib. He enjoys being in his room so much. I cannot wait to see him grow up in there!!! And the sweetest part is that he is so proud of his room. Whenever someone stops by he wants to show them his room and he points out every little aspect of it. Rhonald and I are so happy for him and are just as excited as he is with this new "step" in life.

Moving Day

Pardon me for not being around....things have been crazy around here to say the least! Last Monday we said good bye to our first house...the house we spent 5 years in and brought Cole home to, the house we made so many memories in....and said a big "hello" to our new home! Although leaving our old home was hard we are so excited to be here. I have not had my camera with me very much lately so I don't have any new pictures of our new home but I will share them soon. Rhonald was not able to take any time off for the move so my parents were nice enough to come here for a week to help us get settled. After a week of unpacking, painting, picture hanging and a million odd jobs we are almost settled. We are thrilled to call this place home and to make new memories here. I promise to share pictures very soon!

Boys Will Be Boys

A week or so ago Cole and I got to have Ben spend the day with us as Emily and Jim were busy moving back into their home (they had to redo the entire house after pipes burst during an ice storm this winter). We were so happy to have him with us all day but boy...by the end of the day I was so tired! God knew what he was doing when he gave us one baby at a time! We did have so much fun playing in the dirt, playing in the water, and playing with Play Doh. As the day continued the boys learned new ways to get into things while I was not looking. For example, I took a 30 second bathroom break and when I was gone I heard banging and laughing. I quickly finished up and came out to see what was so funny. Well, those 2 had figured out how to open our freezer and get out the Popsicles! When they saw me they burst out laughing and hid the Popsicles behind their backs. Another time, right in front of me but too quickly for me to stop them, they jumped into the water table with their clothes on. Not a big deal until they quickly jumped out, ran to the dirt and rolled around in it...laughing so hard the entire time! I was proud to get them both to take a nap at the same time - I never thought that would happen. I will admit, as exhausting as it was I loved watching them play all day together and enjoy each other so much.

Summer Fun of All Kinds

We have really been enjoying our summer and this hot, hot weather! Cole and I have been blessed with many different play dates which has helped us both cope with the hot weather (90's in May/June). Some of our recent favorites include going to Miss Keisha's house to play in her backyard-splash pool, roller coaster, sand table and lots of new children to become friends with. We have both loved getting to know Keisha and Jackson and are so thankful for their friendship. Another outing that started out scary and horrible for Cole but turned fun was going to the Splash Park with Ben, Audrie and Annie. Cole hated the Splash Park last year simply because he does not like getting in sprinklers. Lately he has been playing in a sprinkler in our back yard so I thought...hey! We'll give it another try. Well, guess what? He hated it once again. Luckily Audrie did too so I took the 2 of them to a nearby playground where they played their hearts out while Ben thoroughly enjoyed every second of the Splash Park. We already have several swimming dates scheduled for next week (thank goodness - it is all you can do in this heat) and are looking so forward to this summer. It is so hard to believe that this is our last summer with just 1 little one to chase after. Rhonald, Cole and I plan to enjoy it to the fullest!

Life Lesson #101

As I walked out on the deck on this fine Memorial Day evening this is what I saw. And this is what I heard, "Cole, Daddy is going to start teaching you how to grill so when you are big you can make hot dogs for your little kids!" Ugh-I just love them so much!!!!

21 weeks

Disclaimer - we worked hard to get a picture Sunday morning before church after a weekend of cleaning, sorting and little sleep and this was the best we could do :)

We are over half way done with this pregnancy! Wow! I don't know if I have officially told everyone that our sweet little girl's name is Lily Kate Searcy. I think we will call her Lily and Lily Kate...it is so cute don't you think? Things are still going so very well and we are so thankful for that. As it gets hotter I do notice that I get tired a little easier and carrying Cole is getting harder by the second. He is getting much better about understanding that there are times when Mommy simply needs a break. Lily is becoming more predictable with her awake times. She is very active first thing in the morning, around 3 pm and before bed. I am busy getting this house ready to move and planning her room is all apart of that process! It is going to be so cute!!! There is something about pink that makes a girl want to shop!!!! We say all of the time that we just can't wait to meet her and look at her sweet face! Just a few more months....