Fantastically Fun But Oh So Whiney Saturday. . .

Ok, I'm in the throws of the terrible two's with Chase Parker and I need a light at the end of my tunnel.  I do not know if I will survive.  I have never had this experience before.  Yes, Zachary did turn 2 as well but he skated right on through without a hiccup.  I've been told by many that Chase Parker is my "typical" child. . . Zachary is not.  So, this is definitely a very new experience for me.

The whining, the facial expressions that indicate he feels like he's going to die at any second, the tantrums, the outbursts, the throwing of the body down in the utmost dramatic fashion, etc. . . IT'S ALL GOTTA GO!  WHEN DOES IT GET BETTER?

And what drives me even MORE nuts?  The fact that he's a PERFECT LITTLE ANGEL at his preschool.  I have talked to the preschool director and his teacher and they both tell me the same thing. . . "Oh, he's a model child, never gives us any problems."  I don't get it.  I hope this phase is over soon otherwise I will need to start taking up bad habits to help myself get through my days.  (Mom,  I'm JUST kidding!!!)

His only saving grace is that he is the cutest little 2 year old on the face of the earth.  And, he gives the best hugs to get himself out of trouble.  The boy is my little lover for sure.  I guess I will keep him around a little longer.  ;)

On to other weekend news. . . today we had fun at the park and then Airfest 2012!  For those of you who don't know, the Tallahassee Airport puts this on annually.  Well, not every year but they try to.  Paul's dad has often times had his fighter jet on display and some race cars but this year we took a breather from working the event to just enjoying it.  It was very very very  hot out there but definitely enjoyable.  The boys had a blast!

This morning we had fun at the park. . . the weather was much nicer at 9AM!  The boys had fun with the geese. . .  they were trying to imitate them. . . I should have taken video.

Well, that's my Saturday update. . . now for some FOOTBALL coming on shortly!  GO NOLES!!!

Hip Hip Hooray for the Red White & Blue!

Last Friday I was scheduled to begin my volunteering in Zach's classroom with his teacher, Mrs. Bist.  I've been looking forward to it so much.  I just happened to be starting on the day of their Red, White, & Blue Parade.  All three K-5 classes were set to participate.  Mrs. Bist made my day when she emailed and told me that I could feel free to bring my camera. . . yippeee!!  You know I loved that!

Zachary was so excited all week.  They had been making their necklaces, crowns, etc. to wear in the parade.  He was also excited that I was going to be there for the parade.  He kept reminding me to bring my camera. . . . as if I would ever forget! 

When I arrived at 1:30pm I started immediately on my assignments to help Mrs. Bist.  She asked me to help with organizing all the Friday folders for the kids to take home their week's work.  As I was working I was so impressed with the class.  They were respectful, very well behaved and were having fun.  Mrs. Bist is so kind and gentle with them, yet maintaining perfect control.  I wish she would write a guideline book for me to have here at home for my control skills!  She was awesome!

Around 2pm the kids all got lined up and were ready for the parade.  They had their musical instruments, star crowns, necklaces, flags, etc. and were ready to go!  I hurriedly grabbed my camera and off we went.  Mrs. Bist was at the front of the line playing the patriotic music.  We walked around the entire school with all the classes coming out on the breezeway to cheer everyone on.  Fun! Fun!

I was able to take several cute pictures even though it was in the middle of the afternoon with the harshest of lighting, with moving children waving everywhere, under a dark, shadowy breezeway.  Not perfect conditions for good photography by any means - but, it was tons of fun.  I loved it.  The kids had a blast.  

At the end of the parade I asked if the three classes wanted to gather around their teacher out on the grass for a group picture.  I loved Zach's class picture.  The kids look so festive and, in my opinion, they have the BEST teacher in the whole school!   

Later on that night I asked Zachary what his favorite part about the parade was.   His answer was HILARIOUS.  He said, "I really liked parading around the school for the little kids to see.  It was nice for us to do that for the little kids."  I about died inside but somehow kept my composure and gently reminded him that he and his friends were the youngest kids in the school.  He adamantly denied it, telling me that he was the big kid!  Hilarious.

Enjoy the pictures below. . . 

In other family news. . . DADDY JUST GOT OLDER!!!  Yes, he just celebrated a birthday on September 29th.  He is still TWO years older than me.  Yay!  Hahaha!

We took him out for Krispy Kreme donuts on his birthday morning then had family time at the park.  Treated him to lunch too.  Then, he and I had a date night that evening.  It was a fun day but I cannot handle those days too often.  The amount of junk food we consumed was frightful!

And, lastly, here are a few cute pics from the last couple weeks.  We enjoyed those very few days of cooler weather - wish they would come back.  It was great to be outside!!

Brotherly love!

Love how her belly spots show right after she's had a haircut.  The girl is just CUTE!

In the closet with daddy.  He's just a sweetie pie!

What a precious sight!!!  Love my mama and my boy!!

She sleeps like this constantly.  The equivalent to sucking a thumb I guess - I don't understand it.  I've never seen this before in other doggies!  Strange. . .

Hope everyone is having a fantastic week!!

Buttons, Etc.

Last Friday Zachary came home with a special surprise in his bag. . . . for me. . . from his beloved teacher Mrs. Bist.  Guess what it was. . . buttons. . . TONS of them.  All shapes and sizes and colors and textures.  Some loose, some stapled on cardboard, some strung into bracelets, some sewn together.  She sent a note and tupperware container along with them, asking me to please separate all the buttons and put them in the container.

I must admit my first thought was, "how am I ever going to be able to do this?"  Those who know me know that I do not ever sit still.  I rarely relax.  I always have something to start, something to finish, something to do.  But, then. . . DUH. . . it hit me. . . this would be awesome to do with Zach!  Duh.

He was actually excited to help every time we sat down to do them.  They took quite awhile.  Not because it was strenuous project but rather because of all the conversations that ensued.  That little guy of mine talks and talks and talks.  I loved it.  At first he would talk about his favorite buttons, the colors, the shapes, etc.  Then it would lead into stories about school, about his beloved Mrs. Bist, other teachers, his new friends, etc.  We really had a great time together.  So. . . THANK YOU MRS. BIST!

One of the things I learned from Zach during our buttons time was that he was earning lots and lots of coveted purple tickets.  Apparently these tickets can be saved up and then taken to a school store to purchase toys.  He was SO excited to tell me that he has a mound of purple tickets saved up at school.  Every time you get a happy note you get a ticket.  Every time you get a Citizen of the Week award you get FOUR purple tickets.  And, yes, my walk the straight and narrow path child has received a happy note every single day at school so far.  He is SO proud of that fact.

And, today he came home bursting with pride that he received the Citizen of the Week award!! He couldn't wait to tell me all about it.  Apparently the principal announced it on the TV.  Mrs. Bist pinned a ribbon on him and he wore it with pride to let us and his grandparents see it.  Apparently if you win Citizen of the Week award you also get to bring in a Show & Tell item the following week as well.  He has already decided it's gonna be his helicopter.  It's amazing how a great teacher can motivate their students!  I wonder if my Mom and Dad used any of these tactics when they were teachers way back when?

Moving on. . . we recently enjoyed Open House at Chaires.  Zachary was so excited to show us around his school and around his room.  He excitedly showed off all of their projects they had been working on.  He is having a ball in Kindergarten!

And, Chase Parker is having a ball at Pre-K2 as well.  Every day I pick him up he is a happy little camper.  He's also starting to get VERY interested in the potty.  He's interested at home and at school and is even trying to go now.  I found it hard to believe since he's just 25 months old but I'll take him being closer to out of diapers any day!  That would be nice!!

He's also getting to be a speed demon on the plasma car.  He has always been a dare devil but that little joker is not scared of anything.  I can barely stand to watch him. . . thank God for helmets.

Both boys have been having so much fun especially with Papa lately.  Since Zachary's been in school now, Papa likes to pick him up in the afternoons.  Then he usually swings by to pick up Chase Parker and he takes them for an adventure.  Zachary and Papa have been having Hot Wheel Racing Championships at Papa and Grammy's house lately too.  It's hilarious to see what a grandfather will do for the grandchildren.  Apparently he sits in a chair and they write down all the matchups.  Then, after racing two at a time, the winner gets to go sit under the lamp and the loser has to go to the deep dark basket.  The results are handwritten and recorded too.  Wow.

In other news, I recently purchased these two new canvas wraps of the boys.  I LOVE THEM!!!  They look great in our dining room.

We have been loving the cooler weather in the mornings.  Bella Kate loves walking now and Zachary and Chase Parker love eating at the Birdwell Boyz Cafe each morning.  They are cute to overhear when they are out there eating by themselves.  Like two old men chatting it up.

I can't wait til the Fall weather comes to stay!

Well, I guess it's time to hit the sack!  This mom needs to recharge her batteries.  Have a great weekend everyone!!