How to keep a toddler busy

This is how I keep a busy toddler of off my ankles while I make dinner.

Pictures!

This kid never stops exploring!!


Walk to school day. We are lucky enough to live 1.5 miles roughly from school. Along with most of the neighbors and surrounding neighborhoods we piled the kids in the stroller and walked!! The only thing I would change is the fact I forgot to feed James breakfast!! Oops!!





This would be the point of "no breakfast" melt down!! Luckily he held it together for most of the walk back:)


James has found another friend two doors down to play with. He and Sophie just giggle and play so well together. This morning they set up their own play date at the bus stop! Too cute.


Rocking at the front door while checking out a slide show of old pictures. Kept him busy for a good 5 minutes.


Just chilling on the table writing a story!

Dad's Birthday!

Yes my young dad turned 80. You wouldn't know he is 80 because he still moves and rolls like he is 50!! My mom had been planning this surprise weekend for a year! And to say it was awesome is an understatement!! On Thursday he came back from the Masters to find my sister in from Orlando... 1st surprise!! Then he woke up Friday to one of my nieces coming downstairs for breakfast. My sisters other two kids came in on Friday. From what I heard he was in shock!! On Friday everyone came over for a cookout and to celebrate my niece Katherine's birthday! It was so special to have her in town and to get to celebrate her birthday too!! I haven't had all three of my sisters kids in the same room for at least 9 years! Saturday night we had a surprise birthday party for my dad with all the family and his close friends! Below are some pictures from the weekend. Unfortunately my brother and his family were out of town so that is why we are down 4 people:(





Of course Henry photo bombed the all girls picture!!


My sister and her family!! Beautiful!


My Dads brother is on the right of the picture.


Brothers talking





All the girls getting our nails and toes done.


Wish we could all get together more often like this!!! Love to all who made this such a great weekend.

Art barn and bowling

What a fun day!! We started out with the Art barn. If you know me I live for playing at the Art Barn and so do my kids! I finally had the nerve (and grandma power) to take Henry with us! He loved it! He loved checking out the chickens, donkeys, and just having free space to walk around! James was gone the moment we went through the gate. He friended all the donkeys along with the pony. This was the first time he drew a picture of a chicken in the barn!



Here is Ansley's



I can't say enough of how much fun this farm is! If you haven't been you need to check out Farmer Sue and her animals!



Ansley and Molly checking out the baby chicks!


Henry loved finding Rose. I made him keep a pacey in his mouth for most of the trip because he is getting his last molar in and will not keep his fingers out of his mouth.





Henry checking out the chicken coop with Grandma!


More chickens!! We found 1 egg!



James was all over this tractor in the middle of the field!


Of course brother was right there with him!









Everyone loves Farmer Sue!





After rest time Ansley and James bailed on me to run across the street to play!
As if we didn't do enough we had plans to head to the bowling alley with our neighborhood dinner party!!



















Wouldn't suggest going around dinner time on Wednesdays because there are some hard core bowlers that don't appreciate kid etiquette as much as we do:) Still had a blast.
Unfortunately the twins beat me so we will have to go back in 5 years or 10 and I will have to redeem myself.

Plastic pool time

Day 2 of spring break we pulled out all the fun! Bob took the day off. He had the chance to go see James our fish at swimming lessons. Ansley went bowling with our neighbor. We are so blessed to have 2 kids across the street and 2 diagonal who play so well together. We have at least 10 kids on our street around the same age! This is the place to be!! Ansley and her girlfriend are constantly running back and forth from each others house! It doesn't hurt that the girls get to play with the boys (that are in her grade). Oh dear!!
After rest time we pulled out the plastic pool!!









Anyone see crazy boy in the background driving the car! Yes he has learned where the gas pedal is and takes full advantage of it. Unfortunately he has super human strength so getting him out involves bribery of some kind.

First day of spring break!!

I would call today a success!! We started the day off at the YMCA. The boys love playing in the playroom. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and do a step/ sculpting class. I do boot camp three days a week, however this 1.5 hour of step/ sculpting class nearly put me down! We then headed to the park to play with the Hunters! James loves playing with Cole. While Henry has a thing for Addie!
Below are some pictures of us playing at Thrasher park in downtown Norcross.






Henry could do this all day!








Henry with his girl!


Nothing more fun for a boy than watching construction workers repave the street.





If you are wondering where Ansley is she ditched us to stay at Caroline's to play with her BFF!
After the park we had some good rest time and then planted some veggies! Yes we have our first veggie garden: squash, carrots, tomatoes, and some garnishes! We still have cucumbers left to plant! The kids helped me until they found the hose. Then thy found the neighborhood kids and that was the last of their help! After I finished up we headed out to play t ball with the Hunters and Dills. I just love this neighborhood! We have so many wonderful neighbors to play with. Yesterday, we had kids in and out of our house all day. The best part was they were running back and forth between houses!!! We ended the day with a family walk. Phew!!! What a fun day. Can't wait to see what the rest of the week holds!

Americus, GA

This weekend we headed south to Americus, GA. This is Bob's dads hometown. We love going to this beautiful town. It is nice to get away to a place that goes at a slower pace than Atlanta! We stayed at the beautiful Windsor hotel, visited family, shopped (lucky for Bob most of the boutiques were closed for spring break), played in Plains (hometown to Jimmy Carter), and ate some catfish and hush puppies at Daphne's! The kids all behaved and were flexible to the adults schedule! We haven't taken many trips with the kids so they all loved staying in the hotel. Ansley was taking a bath and informed me that she feels rich in that bath tub. The entire way down to Americus James thought we were going camping. He informed us he did not want to sleep in the tent without the lights on. He also did not want the bears to get him. He was not convinced until we pulled up to the hotel. He was pretty funny to listen to. I am also positive that James talked the entire weekend minus when he was asleep. He is our loud kid and I am pretty sure Henry is right there with him. They only have one voice and that is loud. Ansley is the complete opposite we have to remind her to talk loud!
Henry did well being up way past his bedtime! I have learned that he doesn't get cranky or emotional when he is tired. He becomes a tornado. He will clear any shelf, run as many laps, screams for the fun of it, and all the while with the biggest grin.


James liked checking out the train in Plains after enjoying some peanut butter ice cream.




















Playing the cup game in Plains!


Celebrating Grandad's birthday at Daphne's!


We sat down to eat breakfast at the Windsor (picture below). After Donna served us water and waiting 15 minutes to only see the backside of the waiter we packed it up and headed to Granny's kitchen for breakfast.