Boys' Check-ups

This is the only picture I took at the appointment--doesn't C look so big!?

This afternoon I took Rhett & Crosby to the pediatrician for their 7 and 2 year check-ups. Lane was home, and Alexee was still asleep, so she got to skip out on this trip and hang out with her Daddy. (She loves hanging out with him. When we left for the play yesterday she was upset because L was staying home with C. She didn't say it, but I'm pretty sure she wanted me to stay home instead. It didn't boost my self-esteem much when we were driving home from the play and she was watching a DVD and said, "I wish that girl was my mom because she's so pretty.") Thanks, Lex! :)

Anyway, back to the doctor's visit. I completely forgot to get the sheet of paper that said the boys' heights and weights. I remember Rhett was about 82-85% for both. Crosby was around 75% on height and 95% on weight. We've had three big babies, but R & A both started growing taller and slimmer around age 2. Dr. B confirmed that it's nothing to be concerned with at this point. Crosby can switch to 1% milk now (from whole), so that should help with his calorie intake. As the nurse went through the computer's list of questions for Rhett, he stood behind her reading the checklist over her shoulder. She asked if he eats well-balanced meals, and I said "mostly, except for vegetables". Rhett decided to add that he "actually only drinks sodas". I laughed and said, "That's not true--he only drinks an occasional Orange Fanta, and only has caffeine when he's visiting my parents!" ha! Then the nurse asked, "Does he get a good night's rest?" I (truthfully) answered yes, but Rhett again decided to comment...he told her that he "stays up until 11:00 every single night". The nurse just laughed. Hopefully she wasn't making bad notes on my file!?

R was very concerned that he might have to get shots. That was the first thing he asked when I told him about the appointment. He breathed a big sigh of relief when the nurse said he was not due for more shots until age 11. Poor Crosby, however, wasn't so lucky. He did have to get one shot today, but he didn't make a big deal out of it. He doesn't know to be scared yet, so he's the easiest one when it comes to shots.

After the appointment we stopped at Kroger for just a few items. I think I only needed 4 things, but they really really wanted to drive this HUGE car cart. :) They did look cute!

I'm grateful every day for healthy children. What a HUGE blessing to go in for a well-child visit with no concerns!

Spring Break...is over

It has been a fun week! To conclude our Spring Break, I took Rhett & Alexee to see If You Give A Pig A Pancake at the Arts Center this afternoon. Lane kept Crosby at home because we didn't think C would sit still for very long at all. It seemed so calm just being out with R & A. We all liked the play, but I think Rhett liked it the most. This kind of surprised me because he's usually more difficult to entertain than Alexee. :) They both laughed and laughed. Every time the lights would go out R would yell, "Scene change!!!". Before long Alexee was yelling that with him. I think Alexee might have been just a little bit scared of the pig at first, but she got used to him. R liked his accent and thought the funniest scene was the one where he was in the closet throwing clothes out of the doors and drawers. I loved seeing them laugh!

They had a brief Q&A after the play, then they signed autographs.

One of the questions was "What are the costumes made of?" If you're curious and ever want to make a pig costume, the pig's suit is made of bath towel material, dyed the color of a pig. I was also surprised to learn that they only rehearsed for 3 weeks for this production. I've never been in a play, but that didn't seem like much time to me!? The girl explained some things about the making of the decorations--like the pancake box, the syrup, bath bubbles, etc., and I was thinking how much I'd like to work on making/painting the sets.

Rhett wanted an autograph--here he is when it was his turn.

I've enjoyed the extra time with the kids and all the fun activities this week. Back to routine tomorrow though. Hopefully the spring weather will return. It has been COLD here this weekend, and we got rain and even hail this afternoon.

Have a great week!

Happy Birthday, CGG!

Two years ago today we became a family of five!

What a happy happy day!

We've been celebrating Crosby's birthday for a few days. Last night we did the usual b-day dinner at Purple Cow. (Other than two glasses of chocolate milk, I don't think Crosby ate a bite of anything. He's hit that stage where he doesn't want to slow down enough to eat at meal times. Rhett and Alexee both did that--and it bothered me with them too.)What a wonderful two years it has been with this sweet little boy. I know I say it all the time, but he has SUCH a sweet, fun-loving personality. A two-year old's energy, yes, but oh so sweet and precious. At the restaurant, they give the b-day child a scoop of purple ice cream with sprinkles and a candle. We'd never had them (waiters & waitresses) come out and sing though, so we were surprised when a group came out singing Happy Birthday. I don't think C knew what to think! I love the sweet smile on his face here as he's looking at his candle.

He didn't even want to eat his ice cream!?

The birthday boy started his day at 6:50 this morning. I heard him calling out "Momma, Momma, Momma, Momma..." on the monitor. I took the camera with me when I went to get him out of his bed. Good morning, Sunshine!

He wakes up in a good mood.

We didn't have a big party this year. We spent time with my parents and sister last weekend and with L's parents on Thursday. So we had simple party today, just us five. I think C had fun though. I got cupcakes at the bakery and brought him a balloon. Rhett gave him a bubble machine, Alexee gave him a bug net and a yard rake and Lane and I gave him an Elmo DVD and a book. I'm also going to paint a birthday keepsake plate for him next week.

Happy 2nd Birthday to you!

(C kept singing "Happy to you" all day. We'd ask him "How old are you?", and he'd say "Two!" and try to hold up two fingers.)

I thought this was funny how he ate his cupcake. He just kind of smashed it against his face and ate all that he could from that position.

This was when he was sort-of done eating. A lot of it was just stuck to his cheeks. :)

R & A helped him with his gifts. He seemed to have fun opening things this time!

It was cold today, but they wanted to go outside for just a little while to try out the bubble machine. Crosby really liked it! Bogart and Alexee had fun chasing the bubbles too. Alexee was very serious about trying to catch them here! ha!
Mom had called to tell us to watch for a package she'd mailed for C. The kids were excited when we found it on the front porch! Thanks, Mo & Granddad!

So sweet how C is resting his hand on R's knee, waiting for R to help him open the box. :)

It's open now--let me have that! :)

I wanted to take just a few more pictures tonight to finish documenting C's big day. Here he is washing the shower door--one of his favorite things to do.

He stays entertained for a long time just playing with the cups of water.

This picture is deceiving...it looks like he sits nice and still while I put lotion on him and get him dressed for bed. That's not the case at all. A few seconds after I took this picture he threw the book in the floor and the wresting match began!
Lane and I take turns reading books to him before bed each night. Tonight we read one of his new books. This is one of my favorite things! He is SO sweet sitting there with his football, listening to the story. He will say, "What's that?" and then answer his own question.

I loved holding him tonight...

...and I loved holding him for the first time two years ago! Time goes TOO fast. How I wish I could travel back in time and experience that day again (and R's and A's birth-days, t00).

Bed time! I asked him to give me a kiss, so he blew me a kiss. :)

Crosby, you are such a precious boy. We all love you so very much!

We hope you've had a super day!

Spring Break, Part III

Spring Break is flying by. This morning we met my friend Ali and her kids for donuts before leaving town to go to Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs. We were happy that Lane's Mom met us at the Gardens too. We were just a little late this year...a lot of the tulips had already bloomed and lost petals, but they were still beautiful!

Alexee shares my love for flowers.

Rhett and his friend Lawson

Rhett, Alexee & friends

Grammy & Alexee

Thank you, Grammy, for coming with us!

This was probably my favorite one!

I wish this was my back yard!

Rhett took my picture by the tulips.

Loved these too.

As always, I had big plans to take great pictures of the kids together. I seem to constantly forget how impossible it is to get a picture of all three of them cooperating/looking at the camera. ha!

The children's adventure area was neat

We took turns chasing Crosby and trying to carry him.

All he wanted to do was RUN away from us!

So close--we just almost got everyone to look.

Thankful for these sweet, very active & energetic children!

After touring the gardens, we went to lunch at a new Mexican restaurant in town-yum! Then we went back to Grammy & Bobba's condo for a while. Crosby opened birthday presents and we had cupcakes. Happy (early) Birthday, C!

A new ball and yard tools--perfect for him!

Grammy & Crosby

He liked his balloon!

Rhett helped with the candles

Garner boys blowing out the candles

Bobba had been to a meeting that morning, but got back in time to hang out with us for the afternoon. He took R & A down to the lake where they first wanted to stick a finger in the water. Then a toe. Then just up to their ankles. It wasn't long before they were knee-deep and asking if they could go swimming. Too cold today, but summer will be here soon enough!

Bobba, R & A

We got back into town just in time to drop Lane off at school for a lecture. We needed to find something to do for an hour while L was there, and the kids needed shoes for spring so we went to the shoe store. I should know better. It's never a good idea to take all three shoe shopping at the same time, especially when one of them is Alexee who loves shoes. On the way there I had her repeat after me: "I, Alexee, understand that we are going to the shoe store to look for white OR silver sandals only. I will not ask for other styles of shoes or throw a fit when Mom tells me that we are not getting more than one pair of shoes. I will be polite and have good manners and let the lady measure my feet. The end." She did okay. We found some cute silver sandals that she liked. But she just couldn't resist also asking for that pair of pink, sparkly ballet slippers. :)