Worn Out

We completely took advantage of the 80+ temps today - and spent much of the day outside. The day started with a trip to the gym. Next, we headed out to Swim Ranch with Cole and Amanda to sign the boys up for swimming lessons this summer. After that, we all met at the park for lunch and play time. Note: this puts us at about 1:30 in the afternoon - with no nap (Crawford usually goes down around noon).

Cole and Crawford took a time out from playing to have some cookies and milk.

Conlee could have cared less what the boys were up to. She enjoyed playing with her rings.

So, remember how I said, there hadn't been a nap yet??? Below pic shows Cole and Crawford both in time out at the park (Cole is on the left; Crawford on the right). For some reason, these boys can not understand that we do not throw rocks at the playground. Not 2 minutes after this shot, Crawford threw his rocks again - so we headed home.
Turned out that it was a good thing that we had to leave - I believe both of my kids were ready for naps.

Conlee took hers on the couch. Before you ask, yes - I was with her the entire time. I might have dosed off for a minute myself!
Below is how I found Crawford at 4:30. Yes - he napped for almost 3 hours. The weird bumpers were my attempt to keep him in the bed - because last night he fell out of his bed! We heard him whimpering and went in to check and he was on the floor. I'm not even sure he woke up. But, this afternoon I tried to "gate" him in - but as you can see - it was a poor attempt.
Because we napped so late, our afternoon snack was late - which meant Crawford wasn't hungry when Bo got home. So I put the oven on "time cook" and we made a family trip to the park. We weren't the only ones with that idea.
Bo decided to soak up some rays (and catch a little shut-eye I think).

Crawford wanted to play in the volleyball pit. Here's how you can entertain a 2 year old for a solid 30 minutes...

Step 1 - put the ball on the "tee".
Step 2 - approach the ball.
Step 3 - marvel at how far you kicked it.
Step 4 - Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Of course, Crawford made a friend.

So - it's a bad, out of focus shot with my shockingly white legs - but I had to post this pic of Conlee and me enjoying the evening. Look how good she is sitting up.

Crawford drove the train.
Crawford drove the jungle gym.
Can you see a pattern? He told me the other day he wanted to be a buss driver. Hey - at least the kid has goals!

They grow up so fast...

I feel like the kids have grown up so much in only the past two days!!!

Conlee discovered the "bears." This is a toy that a friend gave Crawford and he loved it. Turns out Conlee is a big fan too. She literally has them in both hands and "talks" to them - it sounds like she is having a conversation with them.

Just lounging watching some t.v. together. No - I don't let Con watch t.v. - but it is cute to watch them cuddle.
The BIG news is that Crawford moved to his big boy (aka Toddler bed) last night. He did great. I put books by his bed for him to read when he woke up. I told him not to get out of bed until Mom or Dad came and got him. But, that if he woke up and the sun was up - he could read in bed. Sure enough 6:35 this morning, we watch him (on the monitor) wake up, stretch and grab a book. We let him read for a minute and then went to get him. We were greeted with a happy, "Good Morning! I eat. Eat!" We were so proud of him.
We also discovered that Crawford can help with chores around the house. He loves doing dishes in the sink - especially Conlee's bottles.

Conlee's big news was that she started rice cereal last night - and she LOVED it. She was like a little bird opening for a bite. I may have an "eater" with this one!
How funny is this face? She looks like she is scared he's going to take her food away!

Garon and Allison came for dinner tonight (Bo had a business dinner). It was so fun to watch the boys play. I can't believe I didn't take one picture. I was off my game. Thanks to Garon for his hand-me-down pj's. Crawford loved that I told him he got "big boy pj's" now that he's in his big boy bed. He hand picked the pair he wore tonight.

Have I mentioned how thankful and grateful I am to have such a wonderful family, such amazing friends and a job that I am passionate about? Things are truly good and I feel blessed. Sweet dreams - I am beat and headed for the "covers."

Conlee's discovery

She has toes!!!! And she LOVES them :)

Dinner with old friends

We had company over for dinner last night - the Krauft's came. So hard to believe that both sets of our kids are almost the exact same age (though you won't be able to tell that from the pics - the Kraufts are giants). Conlee had to get dressed up for William and Hudson.We lucked out on the weather and got to play outside for a while. Amer with William - yes he's only 6 months old. He's in the 95 percentile!

Conlee and William loved checking each other out.
The sand table is still a huge hit.

All Crawford has talked about for the past 2 days is that Hudson was going to come eat chicken and they were going to sit at his table. They did sit at the table, but I don't think either of them ate more than 2 bites of chicken. They were too excited.
Crawford wanted to read Hudson a book.
I got a glimpse of just how much fun it's going to be as Conlee gets older. Crawford absolutely LOVED that William could sit up and play. He even went and got his prized guitar for William to play with. Can you see that Crawford has his "excited" face on - his bottom jaw jutted out.You honestly forget that he's only 6 months old.

We turned on "Yo Gabba Gabba" so the adults could eat in peace (if you call listening to "There's a Party in my Tummy" peace). Hey - they didn't move a muscle. I think it's the strangest show ever - but, whatever works!
We broke out Mack for some fun hide-and-seek.

We had such a good time. It had been way too long since we've all gotten together. Crawford didn't go to bed until 10:00 - so you'd think he'd sleep in. Nope, not my kid. At 6:30 this morning - "Eat! Eat!"

My "big" girl

So - she's only 11.3 1/2 oz. but for just turning 5mths old - she's right on track. I love this age. Almost every day she does something new. Today was the first day that she sat up with the boppy as her support. She actually did it for quite a while. She was very proud of herself - Crawford and I danced and cheered!

I've got bangs!?!?

I tend to exagerate- so for those of you that didn't believe me yesterday when I told you I got bangs (accidentally) - I thought I'd show you the proof. Bo took this pic of me this morning before work. What do you know - bangs! Haven't had them since 7th grade and personally hate them. But, I've gotten so many complimets on my new "do" today at work - I might need to start to like them??? Bo said he actually loved my hair? I feel a little like Heather Locklear circa 92 on Melrose Place! Oh well - they'll grow.

Disclaimer: no I didn't decide to bust out a tank at work today - I wore a jacket over it.

Crawford EATS!!!!

Most of you know by now that Crawford is not much of an eater (besides breakfast). But lately he's been trying everything on his plate and even asked for more green beans on Monday night! This is HUGE progress - because he's been surviving on chicken, pancakes, waffles, cookies and crackers.

About 2 months ago - I made the pledge to follow through on my New Year's resolution: sit down and eat together as a family at least 5-6 nights a week AND only go to the grocery store once a week (we were averaging 4-5 trips a week). I am proud to say that we've done it almost 6 nights a week ever since. I have to say - Crawford loves it and loves helping set the table. He points out who's chair is where and jabbers through much of the meal. He has never said anything about how he's eating what we are eating - but this HAS to be the reason he's venturing out and trying new foods. I guess all of those parenting experts really know what they are talking about!

I will admit that now that I work 3 days a week - it's a challenge to get dinner on the table by 6:00. From the moment Crawford gets home from school - he yells "eat, eat." So - I've gotten really good about doing all of the prep work and some of the cooking the night before. While it's a lot of work - it's fun to think of new menus and I love that I have everything on hand and the pantry is stocked so that I can whip up a meal in no time.

I plan our menus 2 weeks at a time and make the BIG WM trip once every 2 weeks. I also go to SAM's once every 2 weeks and have gotten really good at freezing meats and things so that I can pull them out when I need them. Every other week we make the "quick" shop to replenish the necessities like milk, diapers, etc. - but my 1 big trip really lasts for 2 weeks.

Tonight I was making dinner (with Crawford's help of course) and he asked me if he could have a bite - I almost fainted. We were making mashed potatoes (to go with lemon-butter pork medallions and sauteed zucchini). The kid has NEVER eaten a potato - despite the gazillion times I've tried to get him to eat them and the gazillion ways in which I've cooked them. He stuck a finger in (yes if he was going to eat them - I was going to let it be straight from the bowl) and said "yummy!"

Progress people. Progress.

Picture Day

Today was picture day at Crawford and Conlee's school. We went "casual" because we have so many dressy pics from Easter. They got to get their picture taken together and individually. The teachers said they did great and that Crawford was a real "ham." Here are my pics from this morning.

The cheese face.

The crossed legs - makes me laugh every time.

Happy Easter!

Easter started at 6:35 this morning at the Garmon house. Look what the Easter Bunny left for Crawford and Conlee. Crawford rounded the corner screaming "eat" but when he saw the baskets he said "wow - I want that!"He was excited about his 4th set of clubs (these look a little more sturdy).
He had to take his clubs with him to breakfast.
The aftermath. When Crawford opened an egg - he yelled "der's candy in der."

We had to read the books the bunny brought them.
We then got dressed and braved the rain, wind and 41 degree temps to head to church. It was Conlee's first trip and she did great. It was great to be back - and we are officially now back in our routine. Have I mentioned how great it is to be able to take her out????

Conlee went "vintage" and wore one of my Feltman Brother's dresses that I had when I was little. She looked adorable.
Honestly - not posed. He kissed her all on his own. I love it!
My favorite picture - EVER! Although, I will say I am a tid bit jealous that he got a great pic with the kids and mine turned out so-so.

We had lunch at the Country Club. We had Bo's family and Courtney's family joined us. It was super yummy. Crawford ate so much! We really missed Babe an Pops!
We left before the "indoor" egg hunt and it's a good thing we did...!
We woke Crawford up to show him that the Easter Bunny had also been to Sue-Sue's!

Crawford LOVES his remote control Lightning McQueen.

We had to hunt eggs inside, but that didn't seem to bother Crawford at all.
Good thing I kept the eggs in the fridge, because after a few hunts - it was "I want to eat that."

We had a wonderful day - and I am very thankful that Jesus rose to allow us all to LIVE!