House Trained?

Apparently, we have house-trained Banks - not potty trained! This morning while running around the house in the buff with two parents urging him to use the potty, the culprit ran onto the porch. Well, we didn't think much of it except that he was naked and we weren't sure how the neighbors would like that. A few minutes passed and Banks came back in and announced that he has "poopoo'd". And, sure enough, he was telling the truth. He popped right on our pea gravel patio. And then to top it off, he asked for a plastic bag so that he could clean it up just like we do Charlie!

Is this a step in the right direction? Can we count this as a success? Or should we all go to therapy because we have trained our little boy like a dog?

Water Taxi and the Aquarium

I would like to say it was all my idea - but it wasn't. So, I won't. I just got lucky and have some really great friends that are really motivated to do lots of cool adventures with their children. And I tag along!

Tuesday, we took the water taxi from Patriots Point Marina to the aquarium to mix it up a bit. It was $8/adult and kids 5 and under were free roundtrip. The boys had a great time on the water taxi and were thrilled that they were going on a boat. It wasn't crowded. Well, the water taxi wasn't crowded. The aquarium was a different story. One volunteer told me there were 400+ students on field trips to the aquarium that day - I swear they were all middle schoolers! Luckily, it cleared out soon after we arrived.

On our way - Banks, Charles & Hughes

Eloise, Hughes, Lucy, Frances, Banks, Charles & Mary Bec

Checking out the albino alligator - pretty cool if I do say so myself.

On the way back - Hughes and Lucy held hands for a little while. We had a great morning!

Slip 'n Slide Fun

Who needs bathing suits when you look like these studs?

The Holman and Berglind boys had an impromptu backyard water party! We had just gotten the Buzz Lightyear Slip 'n Slide from Big Lots for $10 and, of course, it already is broken. Not to worry though - nothing a little duct tape can't fix!

End of T-Ball

This morning we had our last T-Ball game. Hughes has come a long way this season - from crying and having to be bribed with milkshakes to gladly running out on the field and listening to the coach. He has made us proud! His intensity level is definitely not comparable to some of the other teammates but he is still having a good time and has a smile on his face.

Before the game sitting on the bench with his team.

Banks has been a trooper. As much as he wanted to be out there playing, he was content playing with his daddy.

Hughes running home - check out that stride - maybe we have a track star!

Coach James and Hughes chatting on 3rd.

Trophy Ceremony - Coach Rod giving Hughes his t-ball trophy. Hughes was very excited and very impressed with his trophy. He keeps saying "I won".

A very proud player

Showing it off to Dad - it has his name on it along with a baseball that spins.

The team showing off their trophies!

Coach Rod and Hughes - This coach has made all the difference this t-ball season. Hughes follows him around wherever he is on the field and gladly listens to his directions. I can only hope that all his future coaches are like this.

Botany Bay

We went to the creekhouse for a few days this past week to stay with BecBec. The boys love it there and especially were thrilled with the outside work that is going on. The creekhouse is getting a new extended porch and there were tractors delivering supplies, tractors trying to dig up roots for support posts, and men digging. One morning, we went to the beach to hang out and the other morning we visited Botany Bay. Botany Bay is federally preserved land consisting of private beaches, salt marshes, freshwater marshes, many islands, and remnants of plantation houses, slave quarters, and an ice house. It is pretty amazing. We got out to explore the beach which is known for its shells. You no longer can take shells as souvenirs (if you do the fine is around $450) but the boys had a wonderful time exploring all the conch shells and everything else.

Hughes checking out the shells.

Banks loved it!

BecBec searching with the boys.

In front of a piece of drift wood that has been decorated with conch shells. The boys had a good time adding their shells to this piece of art.

Proof that I was there - Me, Baby Boy #3, Banks and Hughes

We had to walk a 1/2 mile to the beach and back and the boys walked the entire way. It was still early morning but it was hot and I was mighty proud that they walked/ran the whole way!

Nesting and News

Some friends have said that I'm nesting but I just think I'm getting things done! I've redone my backporch (painted the floor, recovered the throw pillows, painted the adirondack chairs, and painted the planters) and recovered the front rocking chair cushions, too. Now, I'm focused on my bathroom. I don't plan on doing anything to the nursery except exchanging the clothes out. It's non-gender (not that that matters) and I like it the way it is. I feel great and am definitely expanding. Banks likes to kiss the baby and look at the baby which requires me to lift my shirt up a lot - this is all done in the privacy of our home.

A funny thing Hughes said the other day - I had Baby William for a short time while Anna went to run some errands baby-free. Well, Hughes did not notice when Baby William arrived so when I walked into the kitchen holding William, Hughes said, " the baby come out already?" It just tickled me that he thought one day I'm just going to walk into the kitchen holding his new brother.

Banks continues to insist that he also has a baby in his tummy and he likes for me to kiss his tummy like he kisses mine.

I go to the doctor on Wednesday so expect an update then on Baby Boy #3!

Oh Good Grief!

It is only Wednesday. The beginning of the week was rough. Mother's Day was wonderful. In fact, my Saturday was filled with lunch with the girls, shopping alone, pedicure, and grilling out with great friends. Sunday was church, family lunch, quick shopping trip and Lucius' birthday party. The best thing, though, is that nowhere in there was David studying! Exams are over so I now have him for 3 months!

But, I digress, back to the "woe is me" post. Hughes has been quite a handful lately with Banks tagging right behind him.

*On Sunday while in the dressing room with me, Hughes told me that, "mama, your

baby tummy is getting so big". I agreed. Then, Hughes said, "your hiney so big, too".

I look forward to actually getting back into shape after this 3rd bambino is born! My

goal is to run the Cooper River Bridge Run next April and look good doing it!

*Hughes and Banks have become stealth-like snack thieves. Every time I go upstairs,

they immediately hit the kitchen. It's either the fridge for a yogurt or the snack

cabinet for cookies. On Tuesday, they each had a pack of Oreo cookies(6) at 9am. I

then quickly moved the rest of the cookies to the locked cabinet. In the afternoon,

they each had 3 drinkable yogurts. I, then, hid the yogurts in the bottom drawer

underneath the beer. They found those, too!

*I can no longer trust them in the backyard. They have been sneaking out the side

gate and playing in the front yard. Now, I would love to live in my "safe little world"

and think that nothing is ever going to happen to them, but I refused to play stupid. I

know the dangers and I prefer to keep my boys no matter how aggravating they can be

at times.

*Hughes lied directly to my face! The lie hurt me more than what he did. He cut his

hair! Luckily, he cut it on the crown of his head and he didn't go too short. He came

to me while I was on the computer with hair surrounding his mouth. He was trying to

spit it out. I asked him if he cut his hair and he said, "no m'am". Again, I was more

hurt by the lie. I asked him again and again he lied. I have since taken the scissors

away for a nice rest.

The last three events all happened on Tuesday. Let's just say it was not a good day and ended with this mom having a non-alcoholic beer!

Today has been better. The boys had school this morning and I bought the waterpark pass for the summer and signed Hughes up for his first day camp at the Children's Museum during O is for Oceans week.

What I'm looking forward to right now - dinner with a great friend tonight (girls only), lunch with my bible study tomorrow (girls only), and a kid-free weekend (thanks Mom and Dad). I'm in the redecorating mood and have painted my white adirondack chairs today a pool blue. I need some refreshing around here!

T-Ball Update

Hughes is finally enjoying t-ball and I no longer have to bribe him with chicken nuggets and milkshakes. Now, he just asks when he can go home. But, at least he's on the field fielding balls and up at bat when it's his turn. We have found out that if Coach Rod is not there (rarely but sometimes schedules conflict) then Hughes refuses to play. He loves Coach Rod. For a while there, we thought it had to do with David being at the game. Since most of the games are during the week at 6, David has missed a lot of them. And at one particular game where David made it, Coach Rod was absent and Hughes refused to play. Well, I'm happy to report that it has nothing to do with David but all to do with Coach Rod.

Team Photo - I don't know all the kids' names but Hughes is on the front row with the white pants and then Conley and Wyatt are on the end of the same row. On the back row is Coach Rod, Wyatt's dad Jay, and Conley's dad James. These are not the coaches that Hughes has a tough time with. There are some other more intense dads that help out that just don't "get" Hughes.

Team Huddle

Conversing with Sasha

Check out my slugger

He may not be a professional baseball player when he grows up, but he has come a long way, baby!

My Three Sons

We had our 16 wk. appointment this morning. Everything looked great. It appears that David and I can only create boys because arriving in the Fall of 2010 will be Baby Boy #3. We're very excited for this 3rd son and I've always described myself as a "boy mama" so he is going to fit in

perfectly.

I told the boys that they were going to have a brother and Hughes told me "no, maybe a baby iguanadon or baby TRex". That then led us into the conversation of only dinosaurs can have baby dinosaurs and only humans can have baby humans. I don't think he followed my gist but he does realize that I'm not going to have a dinosaur.

Banks is excited and continues to say he has a baby in his tummy, too. He kisses my tummy and then I have to kiss his tummy. Banks is very excited about being a big brother!

Now the fun part begins, deciding on a name worthy of this 3rd son!

Not the best picture of an ultrasound picture, but you get the drift. Apparently, this boy has no modesty!

School Picture

Who are these kids?

I'm not accusing anyone of drugging them or bribing them, I just want to know how in the world they got both of them to look at the camera and smile. I've been trying ever since Hughes was born to get him to do those two things and then Banks came along and made it that much more difficult. I need to know this school photographer's secret!

Oh, and I've already asked the school director to please schedule Christmas pictures!

Charlestowne Landing

On Tuesday we ventured to Charlestowne Landing. I think the boys had more fun just running loose than looking at the animals. Although, the "pirate ship" is always a huge highlight.

The boys harassing the turkeys - Hughes, Conley, Hudson, & Banks

Proof that Chandler was with us - she is the most relaxed toddler! She hung out in the stroller and was totally content.

Say "Cheez"

Hand-in-Hand

Hughes didn't want to hold Banks' hand so he had to move to the other side. I guess holding your brother's hand IS pretty gross!

Clemson Spring Game

This past weekend we went to Clemson for the day to watch the spring game and let the kids participate in Be A Tiger Day. It was a beautiful day in Clemson and we had a great time. The boys were both sporting their CJ Spiller jerseys and making their dad proud. We started the day at Tiger Town where we had a pretty bad lunch but David got to reminisce about his college days and enjoyed an ice cold beer. From there we headed over to Little John where the Be A Tiger festivities were being held. Each event(tug-o-war, rowing, hurdles, soccer, cheerleaders) was being hosted by a Clemson athlete and you had to get their signature at the completion of each event. When you got your card full, then you turned it in for a t-shirt.

David and the boys before we started our events.

Hughes and Banks dribbling the soccer ball between the orange cones.

David showing Hughes how to jump the hurdles.

Hughes attempting the hurdles - check out that form!

The boys posing with a cheerleader. This was after she painted a tiger paw on their hands. Hughes is saying "Go Tigers".

Banks trying his best at the rowing machine.

Giving the Tiger Cub a high five before the spring game.

Enjoying some cold treats during the 1st quarter. We ran into Brad and Grayson so the kids got a little time to hang out. The boys made it through the first quarter and then the days' activities took their toll and they both fell asleep in the stroller during the 2nd quarter. We left at halftime (we knew we were going to win) and headed back to York. It was a great day and it ended with a fabulous meal made by Mrs. Pat and Dr. Dave! Although it was a short visit, we really enjoyed ourselves and the boys had a great time!

Beach Boys 2010

Yesterday, we hit the beach. It was the first day of preschool spring break and the weather was gorgeous (High of 84). Everyone else had the same idea - the beach was packed! We carved out a little niche for us with plenty of room for digging, sandcastle building, wrestling, shell finding, and the occasional quick dip in the ocean - okay, the latter one only Hughes did. The boys are getting really easy at the beach and as long as I have enough drinks and snacks then they are okay. I do need to restock our beach toys. They are looking pretty ragged and all of our shovels keep breaking.

Sporting their new bathing suits the Easter Bunny brought.

Trying to get a brother picture but instead it started a wrestling match.

Laughing and Wrestling

Looks like we're digging but really we just fell down from wrestling.

Ahhh, spring is here and summer is around the corner!

Easter Day

The Easter Bunny was good to us this year. The boys got books, new bathing suits, dinosaurs, monster trucks, bath bubbles, and sidewalk chalk. He left out the candy but that's okay because the boys had plenty in the egg hunts. We started off with the baskets and then tried to move on to hunting the eggs that the EAster Bunny left. Hughes was upset that the morning dew got the eggs wet, Banks was taking the lead from Hughes, so Charlie decided to hunt some eggs himself. Unfortunately for the boys, this meant that Charlie ate all the candy out of all the eggs. Apparently, Charlie is a big fan of Smarties! Fortunately, the boys didn't seem too disappointed.

Hughes' basket and books

Banks' basket and books

Hughes loves his space book. He even took it to church with him this morning. He's very interested in space. Well, anything science-wise really peaks his interest.

Banks briefly hunting eggs. I think he picked up 3 before calling it quits.

Family Shot after church. Look at my handsome boys! I can't imagine that next Easter there will be 5 of us!

Egg Hunt

We had a great Easter Egg hunt in the neighborhood this morning. We gathered at the stop sign at 10:30. The boys didn't seem too excited but once the "start" was given, they started off in a trot. Hughes racked up and Banks didn't do too shabby, either. We made sure to leave some eggs for the little ones.

Before the egg hunt on our front porch with their empty Easter baskets.

Banks in mid-hunt. Very serious.

Hughes showing his loot! I promise he didn't get all of the eggs!

Group shot of our neighborhood hunters.

Family Picture - more interested in what's inside the eggs!

Best Buds - Banks, Wyatt, Conley and Hughes