A Goal

Out of the blue the other day Cole told me he wanted to learn how to write his name...before school starts (Sept 7).  I was so excited that he would want to learn that but then I panicked because I have no idea how to teach something like writing...there is a reason I became a nurse and not a teacher.  We went to Walmart and bought him a notebook and some pencils (his "school supplies") and went for it!  I have been making my own letters for him to trace and he is getting very good at that.  We have not attempted to write them on his own yet.  Our sweet baby sitter's mom is very committed to homeschooling her 7 children so she has actually given me several websites and ideas to help him.  I mean, could I be any more lucky?!  It is really fun to see him progress and I love that I have a part in his learning. 

Two of a Kind

 Lily Kate 10 1/2 months

Cole 11 months

I guess they are more alike than I realized!

Like Brother, Like Sister

 Lily Kate 10 1/2 months

Cole 9 months

Friday Phone Dump

There is a blog I read...that I love (the kind of blog that makes you think and warms your heart...the kind where you think "I wish I knew her in person")...that features a "phone dump" every Friday of pictures from their week. I thought it was a cute idea and thought I would take a stab at it.

 Cole singing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" to Lily Kate's baby doll

 Cole teaching Lily Kate how to properly go down the slide one beautiful evening this week

 Lily Kate loves to roll the ball around....luckily we have 2 soccer balls so they could play together.  They warmed my heart laughing and laughing over this simple game.

 "On guard!" Cole was playing pirates in the backyard one night after his bath...climbing up and down the playground to "spy" on people and search for treasure.  Always with a drink in his hand...always.

 Having a tea party together one afternoon after naps.  This game of pretend lasted much longer than I ever imagined...I can't wait for more sweet tea parties in our future.

 We met Jacob and Harper at the park to play.  The girls LOVED swinging and loved watching one another on the swings.  It was so sweet.  They laughed and giggled as only girls can do, even baby girls.  I see many more secrets and fun mornings of play time shared together!

 The evening we got home from Destin we played in the backyard forever!  It was almost as if the swing set was brand new.  Both kids played on the swings for about an hour...it was so nice to be outside and out of the car!

 Lily Kate woke up from a nap a little earlier than her big brother so we spent some time playing in her room...a rare but very fun thing to do.  She managed to mess up the entire room in about 5 minutes!  And she never stopped moving or smiling.  It was the cutest mess I have ever seen. 

With both of our hubbies working late one night, Kellie and I met up at Chick Fil A for dinner and some play time.  The kids had a blast...even little Lily.  And they loved their ice cream treat after dinner - thank you Miss Kellie!

The Perfect Vacation

We just got home from a week in Destin, FL and let me tell you it was by far the very best vacation we have ever taken.  It was our 4th time to go there and we finally feel like we have things "figured" out.  I have so many pictures from this trip and so much to tell but I promised myself I would keep it to one post and then move on.  This was first time that we have gone to Florida during "off season" and let me tell you - that is the way to go!  Other than a few couples who appeared to be "empty nesters" we had the section of beach by our house to ourselves.  It was quiet and beautiful!  Another great thing was there the traffic was light and we did not have to wait for seating at restaurants....2 things that are important when you have little ones.  This year we made the trip with my parents which was really nice.  They got to spend a ton of quality time with the kids and we got to have a little more freedom to come and go.  We actually had 3 date nights!!!!  It was really nice because in the morning my mom would stay home and keep Lily while she napped and we were able to take Cole to the beach.  That was priceless one on one time with him and I am so thankful to have those memories.  We would spend most mornings on the beach and then head back for lunch/naps and then swim in the pool at our house in the afternoon.  Lily was not a huge fan of the beach this year...she liked the water but the sand drove her crazy so she stayed home most of the time.  She adored the pool so she was happy with that!  It was really cute to watch Cole try to teach her how to play in the sand....something that he loves with all of his heart.  She just wasn't into it this year.  Cole was so brave in the ocean and was swimming like a champ-even putting his head under the water.  He was not a fan of the waves crashing him down but even that seemed more fun as the days went on.  This year we did something we had never done and ate all of our dinners out.  It was so much fun to try so many different places to eat and not have to cook and clean.  It definitely left more time for fun!  Cole was super excited to hunt for sand crabs at night when we were there.  We talked about it so much beforehand and as soon as it was dark on our first night we headed to the beach.  That night we caught 4 but each night we got better and better.  It really was fun!  Another thing Cole loved was chasing the seagulls.  Since there was basically no one else on the beach we let him go for it.  He would run at them and yell, "Charge!" It was so funny and so darn cute!!!  The biggest blessing to me was that both kiddos slept and napped perfectly so I felt like I really got to enjoy myself since I was not super tired all day long.  We actually had several friends that were in Destin at the same time so the guys all got up one morning to fish together.  That has been a tradition each year and I know they loved it.  They caught Amberjack this year which was different and sounded exciting!  I think they averaged 40 lbs a piece!  It was so incredible to have Rhonald with us for 11 straight days...to read and relax....to play and spend time with family.  We did not follow a schedule (too much) and we just focused one each other and having fun!  All the way home Cole talked about what a fun vacation he had and we both had to agree!  It is so nice to be home but man, I already miss the beach, and more than the beach I miss that uninterrupted time with family.  I guess we'll just have to start saving and planning for next summer!