Everett's Solo

Here's a short video of Everett's "solo" this morning at his preschool program. I couldn't get the video to rotate, so sorry you have to tilt your head to view it. I was so proud of him!

Everett's Birthday

Everett's birthday is Monday, but we celebrated today. Even better, my mom was here visiting. We started off the day with Everett's favorite-pancakes. He talked all week about how Nonny was coming and was going to take him to IHOP for pancakes. Hampton enjoyed pancakes as well!

After breakfast, we dropped Hampton and Eric off at home so Hampy could nap. Then we went to this nursery/garden in Weaverville called Thyme in the Garden. I had never been there and it was beautiful! As soon as we walked into the quaint cottage shop a worker spotted Everett and asked if he wanted to go explore the garden with her. He immediately agreed and it gave my mom and I time to shop. When he came back he told me he saw chickens, eggs, picked some flowers, and ate a strawberry. So fun. I peeked at was he was doing from the gift shop (below picture).

Everett and the chicken coop.

He had a lot of fun playing in this water. He had the soaked shoes and clothes to show for it.

In the greenhouse I spotted this butterfly and wanted to show Everett. Unfortunately he loved the butterfly a little too much........

Nonny and Everett.

Isn't it pretty!?

Everett and Mama

When we got home the boys went down for an afternoon nap. I was excited to work on my garden and happy for my mom's help. Eric made me a raised bed for my vegetable garden.

We picked another hanging basket at the nursery. The pink one next to it is from Gigi, celebrating the announcement of Eleanor.

We also worked on potting my herbs.

Our front garden.

That evening we went out for another Everett favorite-pizza! Hampton surprised us today by showing us he can scribble with crayons.

After dinner we went to Antler Hill Village at the Biltmore Estate. Everett loved his cupcake.

Can you tell!?

We also had to visit the petting farm.

We had such a fun day with Everett. I can't believe he is going to be 3. Everyone always advises us to enjoy this time because it goes by so fast and it really does. We are so blessed by him and his personality continues to develop and it is so fun to see.

Hampton's MRI

Hampton had an MRI this morning to further investigate possible options for treatment of the hemangioma on his eye. I was so nervous! I know they do these all the time, on children even younger than Hampton, but this was my child. It was hard because he couldn't have anything to eat or drink since dinner last night, but fortunately it was early in the morning. It was funny though that as soon as we sat down in the waiting room he pointed to the diaper bag and said, "baba?" He had to be sedated and once they put the medication in his IV he was out within 5 seconds. That was also hard to watch and I of course cried and had to sit down quickly in order not to pass out (I blame it on the pregnancy hormones!) He did so great. The scan took about an hour and within 20 minutes he was back to normal, just really hungry and thirsty. We are so blessed by this baby. He was so tough and he is such a sweet baby. Next week Hampton has an appointment to see a specialist to discuss the results and any possible treatment options at this point.

Thankful there was a television in the waiting room to distract him!

Libraries Aren't For Little Boys

At least they aren't for my little boys. Last week I decided to take the boys to the public library. On the way there I explained the "library rules" to Everett-which is really just using an inside voice. In my head Everett would pick out a few books to check-out for the week and we would read quietly for a bit. That didn't happen. The boys were wild-Hampton crawling everywhere and Everett climbing on and under chairs and tables. Just wild. I couldn't help but notice the sweet little girl in the smocked dress and big hair bow reading with her grandma. Sure she was about 6 or 7 but still. I can truly say my children are for the most part well-behaved within reason, especially out in public, but really. Was I expecting too much? I came across an article the past week that was so helpful and encouraging to me. The article was on how parents unknowingly can inhibit their child's play. One way in which I am an offender is by hovering, or helicopter parenting. This is something I am working on: giving more freedom with play, but with reasonable boundaries. Another point was inhibiting play by worrying too much about the mess. I again am an offender of this. Lately I have been trying to let the mess (such as playing with playdough, paint, dirt, sand, etc.) not bother me so much. Truly it has been rewarding. The boys have fun and it is all washable.
Tonight we worked on some landscaping/yard work in our front yard. I wanted to be a part of it and so I brought the boys outside to play. I wasn't sure what they would do exactly, but I put some sidewalk chalk out and had bubbles on standby. Well, the sidewalk chalk was barely touched and we didn't blow bubbles. The boys found plenty to do on their own. Hampton collected twigs and grass and Everett picked dandilions, played in some dirt, and just ran around. Sure they got dirty doing so, but it was a solid hour of fun for them where I was just the facilitator and the one making sure they weren't in danger. And again, a quick bath before bed and they were like new again. Dirt under the fingernails and all. Having children is a continual learning process for me. I realized recently that letting go of some of the stress, the "theories," and just letting them be young boys is so fulfilling and has made life easier.

Pictures from the Playground

Picnic at Biltmore

Yesterday we went to the Biltmore Estate's Antler Hill for a picnic. We met our friends Sally Ann and David there as well. They have a petting farm, which Everett was apprehensive to at first, but did warm up. Here we are with Bert the horse. Everett saying hi the chickens.

Hampton and I with Bert. He kept kicking the stall door and it made Hampton jump each time.

Everett petting the goat Moe.

Picnic! It was such a beautiful day-the perfect weather. We ended our activity there with ice-cream!

First Dentist Trip

This morning I took Everett to his very first dentist visit. My fantastic friend Sally Ann watched Hampton so that I could be there 100% for Ev-I figured he may feel nervous. Here he is waiting to go in. We went to a pediatric dentist and the whole office had a rain forest theme.

Here he is showing the dental assistant how he can brush his teeth.

I need to buy a step stool for his bathroom because he loved watching himself brush his teeth.

He wore sunglasses to protect his eyes from the light. He said, "this so silly!"

Overall he did so great! He did everything that was asked of him. He has no cavities or signs of cavities. He has a bit of crowding in the front-which the dentist warned me may mean he'll need braces one day. Yay! Just another fun part of growing up. We celebrated him being such a big boy by stopping at Chick-fil-A and getting a fresh fruit cup. No sweets! We want to keep up those teeth. Ha!