Cul-de-sac Crew

We love everything about our new house but I think my favorite part is having awesome neighbors in our little cul-de-sac. Tonight the boys were running back and forth between houses swimming and playing with their water guns. I just keep imagining this crew as teenagers! I hope that we are all here that long.

Will and Clara cruising

Will and Charlotte at Preschool graduation program.

Strawberry Picking after school with Cowles Gals

School Days

Spring Days on the walking trail

Will and Charlotte

Clara and Will
Where is Gaines? Probably sitting with Ms. Amy...

Gaines and Clara
Spring 2014

Flashback Friday

One of my oldest friends Holly Reid Bailey gave birth to her third baby Benjamin last week. We met when we were 5 years old and she was my grandparents next door neighbor in Manchester, KY. She threw me a cookie monster chair over the fence and we sat and colored together. We have been friends and stayed in touch for 28 years! No matter how much time goes by we can just pick up right where we left off. She was cleaning out some old things this summer and she had sent me some of her finds and it made me think of how lucky I am to have met such wonderful girlfriends for moments, seasons, and a lifetime.

This my 4th grade picture she had in her Lisa Frank trapper Keeper.
1989

Christy & Holly
1997

Christy & Holly
Spring 2009
Gaines was around 5 months old and Samuel was almost here.

August is here!

This has been another odd week. We started the week off good, on Monday we picked up good ole' Uncle Rusty to run errands and then played at their house. The boys really could spend all day there exploring, running, throwing stuff, etc. I had book club on Monday night and really love all these women! It is a random group from church, our neighborhood, and MJ in general. Tuesday, we went to the Y and then to Charlie Daniels Park for the Splash Pad, picnic, and playing. Wednesday, we went to the Y and the library. Gaines was on a hunt for scary animal books for the Boo Crew and his puppet show and Will wanted Spider-Man and baseball. Wednesday night Will came into our room around 2am and he had thrown up all over his bed and himself. He spent from 2am to about 7am throwing up every hour almost on the dot but then he was fine and we had a normal day. So far no one has ended up catching it so I'm not sure what was up with that. Needless to say Thursday we stayed at home and waited for the washing machine repairman since the washer broke the same day Gaines peed all over all his bedding and Will threw up everywhere! Friday we spent the day shopping for Mimi's new computer and a few other errands. This weekend was full of activity! Saturday morning the boys had their last Little Sluggers class. Will had another great week. His coach was in shock at how good and accurate he was with his aim and batting. Gaines on the other hand not only does not listen does not care. I have no idea if he could be good at baseball or not because he puts forth no effort. After baseball we went to our friend Hayes's 3rd Birthday party. It was an Alligator Water Fun party and it was POURING down rain but the party went on and the kids did not even seem to notice. I spent Saturday afternoon setting up Mimi's computer. Oh dear goodness this is going top throw her for a loop. It has Windows 8 on it which is totally different if not even backwards from what she has had for the past 3 or 4 years. Pray for my patience! 

Cheesing for Daddy while Mommy was at Book Club and Zumba

Will walking at the farm with his stick. This reminds me so much of Gaines.

My children need new play mates. The men of the Gaines family play criminals, tying up their old family to trees, and guns.

I told these boys do NOT go across the street and this is what I see all three walking on Harkreader Road - a death trap. Then the are "rappelling" down into the ditch.

Relaxing
Gaines says, "Ahhhh This is the Life."

We left orginal ducky that Gaines has had as a lovey since birth at the beach this summer. He never realized it and we picked up the new ducky today. I said to Gaines, "Look what I found!" Gaines said in delight, "Ms. Anita (the house cleaner) must have cleaned it!" There are so many things wrong with this statement...

Another day enjoying the Splash Pad. Gaines lasted about 45 minutes and Will fell twice and decided he was ok with watching. Still was a great activity for after working out and it is close!

Two days this week we decided to "rest" instead of nap. Poor Will falls asleep every time. I don't think Gaines has ever fallen asleep on the couch.

Gaines's new "story" is the Boo Crew where they catch scary creatures. He picked out this outfit to be an official "Boo Crew" member. It had to be down to the tee.

5 minutes later he comes out in this outfit (this is all before 7:30am). I asked him who he was now and he showed me Clark Kent in his Superman book. He wore this to the YMCA and the Library. People would ask why he was dressed up and he would either ignore them completely or say he could not tell them because he was in "disguise."

While Gaines is putting on his 5th uniform for the day this is what Will has put on - his Hockey jersey and shorts. Practicing his putt.

The boys at Panera on Friday for breakfast. Seriously, do they not realize it is August! I have thrown in the towel on their attire.

Tax-Free weekend and we are at Best Buy buying Mimi a new computer. Despite the craziness they were pretty good.

Last Day of Little Sluggers
Gaines finally found his place organizing the balls in a line.
He had a couple of good hits when he would pay attention and listen.

Will did great! So glad he finally will particpate. The coach could not believe his arm.

We celebrated Hayes's 3rd Birthday. Thank goodness for the Alligator Water theme since it rained on us the entire time! The kids did not even notice! They have an awesome backyard. Gaines went down the monster slide once but would not go again.

Anna Clare and I worked together at Ch. 4 and love for our babies to play together.

Before the boys and I left for church on Sunday we had to have the Grand Opening to the museum. With everything Gaines does it had to be official so we held a ribbon cutting ceremony and a tour of the art work.

Flashback Friday

This week my childhood friend Dani celebrated her birthday. I try to post an old picture of me and my friends on their birthday on Facebook. I got out my white wicker trunk that I have had since I was 13 and went through pictures trying to find some oldie but goodies for Dan. Dani and I met in 7th grade in the Constellation Mini-School at Mt. Juliet Junior High. We have been lifelong friends since. Dani is terrible at keeping in touch but she is one that will always be there and we just pick up right where we left off. 

GBC Preschool Camp

Best Week Ever in my personal opinion! Gladeville has a PreSchool camp for a week from 9am-3pm and on Friday 9a-12p for $45 a child. Worth every penny! Will was old enough this year to go and i was really worried because of his whole pooping situation. i wasn't sure if I should send him in a pull-up or not. I decided to chance it and thankfully Ms. Jennifer was his teacher and I was at ease. She has loved my boys for the past 3 years and was Gaines's first teacher at Gladeville. That is the other great thing about camp is that many of the PreSchool teachers come back to do the camp so the boys know most of the teachers there even though it is a church ministry. Will ended up not having any accidents all week (he would wait until after school and then poop in his pants!). Will had his friend Hallee in his class and Gaines really only knew one person in his class but still had a great time. I had all these big plans to work out and clean out all week. Instead I did work out everyday but I ended up running errands and throwing in some fun stuff as well. We also spent 3 afternoons at Mimi and Papa's house playing so the boys were truly worn out every night.

Ms. Jennifer would send me pics throughout the day.

So excited for bike day! Will was a little hesitant but Ms. Jennifer said he did great.

Love this pic of Gaines. Love his serious look. My friend Meghan pointed out that all the other kids have their helmets on except mine! Ha! I am just thankful they don't realize yet.

Gaines's class having a picnic lunch

Lily and Will riding bikes. Will having a blast playing with the parachute.

My boy

After camp we went to Chic-fil-a to play with Will's bestie from camp. They love each other so much! Chase kept saying I love him, he is my brother! They better sleep well tonight.

Our crew
Saylor, Hallee, Gaines, & Will

Cell phone pics from Ms. Jennifer

Our ice cream social at Mimi's house today after camp.

Saylor was sick this morning so Will got to ride with Hallee to camp. We have taken so many pics of these kids that they just know what to do!

Will's class

Gaines's Class

Will has never done this before, he actually fell asleep sitting up he was so exhausted!

Short Week

We are heading to Greenville later this week for the 4th and despite only being home 2 days this week, we packed it full! 

Monday, we finally got to spend some time with Hayes, Charlie, and Anna Clare at the Zoo. It ended up being a great day for the zoo. It was not too hot at all. We used to good to spend even 2 hours there now we are there for 3-4 and don't even realize it! I love these pics of watching our boys grow. 

Tuesday we had our church Play group at Sarah-Beth''s house for pool day. We had a great group and the kids had a blast as usual. It was actually really cool out and the pool was freezing. This did not seem to bother the kids at all!

Gaines has pulled out every vehicle we own (which is a lot!) and set them up in his room and has called it his "SQUAD" for emergencies. The best part about it is each time he adds something he wants us to take a picture of it. I can't complain since I'm always making him take pics! We seriously have at least 20 pics on mine and Garrick's phone of the "Squads." 

Watching Gaines build his squad in his room 

He let Will add to it for this picture.

So excited! Will is petting the animals. I really am happy he is getting over the fear of animals!

Zoo with the Blands

PUMC Play group Pool Day