Rain Delay

This past weekend, David and I along with the boys ventured to Greenville to stay with the Cuttinos and go to the Clemson football game. Well, the weather was not in our favor. So, on Saturday morning when it was pouring down rain in Greenville we sent the adult men to the game with some rain gear and said good luck! Ashley and I stayed with the children at the house all nice and dry. We stayed in our pajamas late, watched Disney, played dress-up, ran around the house chasing each other, etc. (FYI -these were the children doing these things). I didn't take but a few pictures and I think they're going to be blackmail one day - sorry Banks!

Tinkerbell Banks

Sleeping Beauty and Tinkerbell

Thanks for a great weekend, Brad and Ashley. The boys had a blast. Hopefully next year, we won't get rained out!

Charlestowne Landing

We ventured to Charlestowne Landing last week with Elizabeth and Hudson. The boys love Hudson and they always have a great time playing with him. Here a few pictures from our time there.

"I have to love you, you're my cousin"

Auburn vs. Miss St.

I took the boys to the Auburn vs. Miss State game. And when I say "I took", by that I mean, I got in my parents' RV and rode the entire 6 hours watching Little Einsteins while in a recliner, feeding the boys snacks while they lay on the back bed, tailgating with friends and family all day who entertained my children and then taking them to a babysitter so I could go to the football game. It was a night game so don't feel bad for my boys. They were exhausted and wouldn't have made it through the first quarter (especially considering Auburn is on Central time and we run on Eastern). I have a great friend in Auburn, Joanna, who is so nice to let us stay with her every football season. Joanna and Dave have a son, Prather, who is Banks' age and all the boys play so well together. She has a babysitter for every home game lined up so it worked perfectly for me.

My parents' new addition to their tailgate paraphenalia - a huge Aubie! The boys loved it!

Prather and Banks having a photo op with Aubie.

Hughes - Future Tiger (Auburn or Clemson?)

Game Day - We decided that Hughes was big enough to move out of the jonjons and into the jerseys this season. Banks is still sporting the War Eagle jonjon and looking mighty cute!

On a side note, when I got home after the game and was sneaking in my bedroom b/c I didn't want to wake the boys, I heard Hughes say, "mama" very softly. I told him that I was right there and to go back to sleep. He repeated "mama" but this time louder. Again, I told him to go back to sleep. And then Banks chimed in "mama". Anyone who has met Banks knows that he is no quiet child. He's loud. So, again I told the boys that I was right there and to lay back down and go to sleep. A few quiet seconds passed. I take a deep breath. Hughes says, "Banks get out of my bed". Huh? I opened the bedroom door to cast some light into our bedroom and there are both my boys in the pac'n play together! I'm not sure if Hughes' climbed in after the sitter put him to bed or if the sitter put them both in the pac'n play together. All I know is that both my boys were in there together. How they ever feel asleep in the first place is beyond me? Hughes has a toddler-sized air mattress that we travel with and has never had any problem sleeping on it.

Firetruck Tour

Two weeks ago, we met Suzie and Lisa at the James Island Fire Department for a tour. This fire station is right across the street from a playground that the boys and I venture to weekly. We always check the firetrucks out from afar but this day we got to go on a tour. They showed us the truck and all the compartments of the truck, the fire pole, and inside the firehouse and where they sleep. It was a great tour and the fireman were terrific with the kids.

Banks, Hughes, Conley and Firewoman Hannah listening intensely.

Fireman showing the kids what he would look like when he came into their house to rescue them - kinda frightening looking!

Conley and Hannah

Banks and Hughes being silly

Group Shot - Lisa, Hannah, Conley, Chandler, Suzie, Banks, me, and Hughes

Check out the lovebirds eyeing each other!

Thanks for all the emails, phone calls, and other messages. I think this would have all been harder had this been my first pregnancy. But, how can I feel down when I have two healthy, beautiful boys at home that call my name a million gazillion times a day? I can't. So, without further adieu, back to reality and updating my blog.

By the way, I have the best husband a girl could ask for. I wouldn't trade him for the world and I love the way he takes care of me and the boys - thanks sweet!

Very Sad News

We went to the doctor this morning for an ultrasound. We found out that I have what's called an anembryonic pregnancy (gestational sac, no egg). We're very sad. Hopefully, we will get through this and add to our family sooner rather than later. Thanks for all the support.

Dear Banks

What a difference a year can make?

Above - Banks 1 year old Below - Banks 2 years old

Dear Turkey Boy,

Today you told me "no turk boy". I then asked, " what are you then" and you said, "choo choo". So, I guess I have to refer to you as "choo choo boy" from now on. WOW, I can't believe you're two (you think you're four!) You are obsessed with "choo choos" right now and can throw a mean spiral with the small football. You adore Hughes and want to do everything he does. Occasionally, you do get mad at him and that is when the hitting starts. I pop your hand but then you just try to hit me. Don't worry, I always win and you will one day learn this. Right now, we're just trying to tame your little 2-year old temper.

You says lots of things:

"sit, go" - which means ready , set, go - sounds a lot like a curse word

"sit, sit" - when you want one of us to sit by you - really sounds like a curse word

"hush" - when you're telling Charlie to be quiet

"up peez" - up please

"ughes" - whenever you're calling Hughes

"dada wurk" - whenever I ask you where Daddy is

"mama hmm" - whenever I ask you where I am - mama home

"uh-huh" - yes, we're working on using the word yes

"noooooo" - you draw it out for a few seconds

You started going to school for two mornings/week with your brother. You're not real sure about drop-off but you're always having a blast when I pick you up at noon. You sleep like a champ at night and still take a 2.5 hour afternoon nap which helps me greatly. You have used the potty twice now before getting into the tub (you are mimicking your brother but actually went).

You typically look like pig-pen by the end of the day. You are a sweaty, dirty-faced boy but I love every speck of dirt on your little body. You crack me up and exhaust me at the same time. You kiss all my booboos (you think freckles/moles are booboos) when I kiss yours. You tan with the best of them (even with 45 SPF) and I think you're going to be a beach boy.

I love you choo-choo boy to the moon and back!

mama

Banks' Tailgating Birthday Party

We celebrated Banks' birthday this year with a backyard football/tailgating party. It was lots of fun. Banks was surrounded by his best friends & family. I didn't get a ton of pictures of Banks b/c he was not in the mood to have his picture taken the majority of the time. In fact, the majority of the time was spent on his Daddy's lap (sound familiar, Hughes' 3rd b-day). Of course, there is not one picture of me but I promise I was there - just behind the camera!

Birthday Boy

The football cake - thanks BecBec

#22 for the Auburn Tigers - Hughes Holman

Emma, BecBec and Chandler enjoying the porch.

Check out our field goal cooler - pretty cool, huh?

Wyatt, Conley & Football Man enjoying a game

Dad and Banks - this was during the "no picture time"

Look at that feast!

Anna Banks and Chandler

Hayden enjoying the swing.

Lucius taking out his aggression on Football Man

Conley with Mr. AU Potato Head

Water Break

Did I mention that we had the cutest cheerleaders there?

Birthday Celebration - York Style

This past weekend, we headed to York to see our newest niece, Charlotte Anne Rogers, and to celebrate Fall birthdays. It was like Christmas seeing as all the Holman grandchildren are Fall birthdays). We had a great time and the boys really enjoyed themselves.

Banks munching on his ice cream cake - YUM!

Everyone checking out Banks' train toy.

"Miss" Pat, GiGi, and Charlotte

Kate and Charlotte

Surprise Surprise

Rosebank Farms Field Trip

Last week, Suzie and I took an impromptu field trip out to Rosebank Farms. I was bored and the kids were going stir-crazy. In situations like this, I call my trusty girlfriend, Suzie, and away we went on an adventure. I love Rosebank. It's only about 15 minutes away, it's has lots of farm animals to see and pet for free, there is an old schoolhouse that has artifacts from the Civil War, and there is fresh produce and seafood to buy. Here are a few pics of the boys and the lone girl:

The Bunny Cage - although, they can get out and quite a few were hopping around the grounds.

A rooster just walking around.

Billly Goat Gruff monopolizing the top of the stairs so that no other billy goats could get a treat! For a treat, you put the food into the white cup and pull a rope to pulley it up.

Here is Conley working on a treat for the goats and Hughes getting more goat treats.

Lazy Cow

Chandler and the Chicken

cutest ducklings you've ever seen!

sleeping bunnies

Petting a horse - He really wanted food but he settled for a nose rub.

Cooking Inspired . . .

by Ashley. She has been blogging lately about cooking two new meals/week and she has been using the Food Network for her source of new recipes. Well, I'm always in a rut with what to cook and I feel like I have the same thing on a two week rotation. Soooooo, with her leading the way I thought I would join her quest. However, I'm on more of a modified quest. I would just like to add a new recipe here and there and not so much two/week.

Tonight, I made Poblano Stuffed Peppers from Cooking Light. Like the Food Network, they also have a list of 5-ingredient meals . No, I'm not turning into a vegetarian but sometimes I just want something quick & easy that I can make without breaking the bank. Here is Cooking Light's picture of the Poblano Stuffed Peppers:

Here is mine in comparison:

Okay, so my presentation is a little rough but in my defense I was more interested in taste than looks. Out of a 10, I would give this an 8.5. I would recommend to others if they A)like mexican food and B) like refried beans. I omitted the rice b/c I don't like rice in my mexican food. Also, because it came from Cooking Light, the recipe was relatively healthy and had a lot of protein and fiber in it. It took me less than 10 minutes from start to finish - now, that's a quick meal! I think I would make this again but maybe as a side item to enchiladas or tacos.

David has yet to taste the peppers because he is in class right now. That's another reason why there are times I want something quick and easy - because Monday - Thursday it is just me and the boys eating dinner. Granted, David does take leftovers for lunch/dinner the next day if there are any (meaning, if I cooked.)

Cowboy Banks

As my Bigmama use to say, this little booger (isn't that kind of gross that she used to call us this?) is definitely got me on my toes lately. Not to be outdone by his older brother and his tee tee antics, oh no, Banks has got an entirely different MO. He wants to be held constantly (up peeze), demands "choc mik", and has got the throwing tantrums down pat. He new thing is to help me clean up - awww, isn't that cute? Well, only the good lord knows how many articles of clothing I've thrown away because today while "helping" me I noticed him putting his pajama top in the TRASH CAN! I showed him the hamper and he "insisted" (i.e. devil possessing scream) that the top go in the trash can.

I love this little giraffe-riding-cowboy but mama needs a break - when are BecBec and PopPop getting back from Hawaii? They may have two little packages waiting on their doorstep upon their arrival home!

And then there was one. . .

**Read At Your Own Risk**

Maybe I'm not cut out to be a "boy mama" after all! Here I've thought for the past almost 4 years that God gave me boys for a reason - I like to hunt bugs, catch frogs, be outside, play sports, etc. I thought I was meant to have boys and be just like "Miss" Jane. Well, then Hughes through me for a loop and now I'm second guessing my "boy mama" self.

Meet one of my topiarys - I have one on each side of my fireplace. Years ago when I babysat for this wonderful family in Mt. P, the wife was getting rid of these. I loved them so I asked if I could have them. This was 6 years ago. They have been with us since that day and I think I love now more than I did then.

Have you figured out the story yet?

It's match is now on my back porch with the base of the topiary soaking in a water/clorox solution. Now, have you figured out the story? Let me start from the beginning . . .

Last week, David moved the couch to get something that had fallen behind there and told me that it smelled like tee tee. Surprise, Shock and Disgust are things that filled my head. I gave him some cleaning stuff and sent him behind the couch. He never found the source but was confident that it just had to be a mishap by Hughes. Well, fast forward to today. I'm upstairs while Banks is napping doing things that a wonderful, dutiful housewife does (clean bathrooms, fold laundry, watch a little tv, laying down etc). I come downstairs to play with Hughes - we do puzzles, we dance. Then I go over to the corner to pick up his cup to get him some juice. I notice the urine smell again. Charlie is sniffing one of my topiarys. I look and the base of my topiary tree has been soaked with tee tee! I asked Hughes if he did that (secretly praying that Charlie has done this but knowing deep down that Charlie is house trained) and he said no. Then, I asked him "who did it" and he said "I did". Surprise, Shock and Disgust once again enter my head.

How and why would my beautiful 3 year old tee tee on my fake topiary? I mean, I know I let him tee tee on bushes outside but I didn't think he would do it inside on my fake plants. I guess I learned my lesson and there will be no more tee teeing outside on bushes unless absolutely necessary.

Let me tell you something else I learned - tee tee smells really bad but clorox/tee tee combo is stomach-wrenching.

I can handle a lot. I mean, remember, I did make it through the "stool stool" but come on! Hopefully, this will be the last of Hughes' potty experiments. Who knows what Banks is going to put me through?????

Family Photo

Here's one of the better pictures from our amateur photo shoot while at Harbor Island this summer. Of course, my boys were not in the mood to have their pictures made (but then, are they ever in the mood?) Here is the best one of our family -

Classes started back for David so I'm back to being a single mom during the week. It's not too terrible for me and the boys because we have such a terrific neighborhood and great friends that live all around us. There's always somebody to pass the late afternoon time with. It really stinks for David because he goes to work from 9-5, class from 6-9, and then home to read for the next night's classes. He usually comes to bed around midnight. I don't know how he does it but he does. I'm very thankful that I have such a hard-working husband and also one that is very attentive to me and our boys!