AUCSCAOR 2009

We just got back from Stan's family reunion. If you are wondering what AUCSCAOR means...it is Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Second Cousins, And Other Relatives. It was started in 1977 I believe- or the idea was conceived that year. And the family has been getting together every 3-4 years since then. What an awesome legacy the 8 Mabe sisters, which Stan's grandmother was one of, left. What a faithful group of Christian women who really left a legacy of faith for their family. I feel completely honored to be a part of this family and to know that my children are in the blood line of such a wonderful family of prayer warriors.

Above is a Cole family picture plus Ryan, what a silly nut! Below are a few more fun shots for Landon's first AUCSCAOR, he made Stan and I so proud. He learned a little croquet, bonded with relatives and had a blast with all the kiddos! I also loved the picture of Anna and Brandon.

Landon and his cousin Carrie. He was showing her Buzz Light Year- it was a huge toy that all the two year olds had to "take turns" with! :)

Landon's weekend with Pop and Mommom

We just got back from a wonderful weekend with Landon's Pop and Mommom. He was so excited to be able to learn some new tricks...

Just lacks about an inch to make the peddles go on his own with the tricycle...

Needs about 3 inches to go solo on the BIG Wheel...

He also go to ear his first Real Bavarian cream donut all the way from Blacksburg's finest donut shop "Carol Lee's"- he wanted MORE! I have to give my mom props for this treat. I have been craving these very donuts and asked her to pick one up for me- really jokingly. She picked several up, froze them and served them warm with breakfast! Go mom!

He go to see a real Choo-choo...

And feed some real ducks. Only problem with this part was that we weren't really supposed to be feeding the ducks AND Landon decided he wanted to swim in the water with the ducks. I had a hard time explained that we humans can't breathe underwater and that he could not jump in the water. A temper tantrum followed...Ahhhh, 2 year olds...

He also got some nice quality time with Pop playing "Lion", running through the sprinkler, eating popsicles and reading books

Mommom running "around and around and around", watering the flowers, reading books and exploring the choo-choo.

And mommy and daddy...

Couldn't help but share this one...my little plumber...on his way back to Mommom with the hose to fill his dump truck up so his nemos could swim. I tell you Big Boy underwear doesn't help out when you have NO butt to keep up your pants... :) What a joy. What a wonderful weekend.

Landon's Day at Nanny and Pappa's

Landon and I spent the day at Stan's parents' house today. We were greeted within 10 minutes of or arrival with Uncle Butch and his new fire truck. If you look really closely in this picture you can see Landon and I waving from inside the truck. He was calling it "Red" from the movie Cars. It was adorable. I truly don't know who was more excited, Landon or Uncle Butch!

After the fire truck ride, Landon had a great nap followed by some special time with Pappa reading Stand back said the Elephant, I think I'm going to Sneeze! Landon at one point got the book from me after sitting down in Pappa's lap and promptly waved bye bye to me. What a great time he had snuggling with his Pappa. :)

Following book time, we went outside and he enjoyed Nanny's pool with a slide and sprinkler combined! Only a Nanny would think to combine all three!He had a blast and especially liked the part about being able to pee pee on trees - but "only out in the country".

It was a joy to spend the day watching him make memories with his grandparents. I sure treasure all of my memories with my grandparents and really am taken to a place of peace and joy when I see Landon being so loved by his grandparents- makes me realize how much mine loved me. Also makes me realize how special Stan and I's parents are.

Potty Training

Ahhhh the joy of cleaning little pee pee puddles...4 today for our first day with big boy underwear all day long. Landon did really well and I think it started to click by the very end of the day when he asked to go pee pee in the potty twice in a row!! Victory!

I would love to bend the ear of an experienced boy mom- it seems that girls care more about getting wet than little boys...or that is what I have heard. Landon just says, "Uh-oh mommy, pee pee in the floor" and keeps on playing. :)

I do think he wants to please me though- after peeing in the floor the last time of the night, he said, "Mommy happy?" How do you respond to that? I know I am not supposed to discipline and I don't want to be angry... So, I said, "Mommy is not happy, but I am not mad. I would be happy if you would tell me you need to pee pee so I don't have to clean it off the floor." He repeated, "Mommy happy?" This time I said, "Yes".

Following this exchange was when he told me twice in a row that he had to go to the potty.

It is one of those things- a little frustrating, but also a little of a rite of passage...I can't believe I am putting him in big boy underwear. I can't believe he is sleeping in a big boy bed. I can't believe he is talking and understanding things I say to him. I can't believe he is going to a 3 year old birthday party tomorrow. I can't believe he is going to be a big brother. I can't believe he is understanding emotion so sweetly (he comes up so often and randomly to kiss me on the cheek). I can't believe he sat with me for an hour today an colored and did crafts. My little buddy is growing up. It is just so fast. I am so grateful to be able to work part time and enjoy him. Enjoy the following photos from today- a neat craft - egg carton turtles which he LOVED b/c he is obsessed with ocean life.

Carolina Beach 2009 Memories

We had a great trip to Carolina Beach with Mike, Allison and Caroline. The highlight of the trip was taking Landon to the NC Aquarium. You can see his delight in this picture. He just loves fish of all kinds and names then all fish from the movie Nemo. Let me say that seeing him at the Aquarium was a pure delight- better than chocolate chip cookies. It was one of those times as a parent that I just sat back and thought, this is good. So good. Thank you God for the privilege of being his mother.

We also enjoyed a great time on the beach where Landon and Caroline ran "around and around and around" as Landon describes it. Stan and Mike built a little pool for the two of them that they ran around in, sat and kicked their feet and just had a blast. They even SHARED it with another little boy! That was quite an accomplishment for two 2 year olds (the other boy was quite a bit bigger though...)! We had 4th of July Funnel Cakes (homemade). We went to Landon's first fair with a Ferris Wheel... And had Landon's 2nd full ice cream cone. Let me say that I DID get all of it out of his clothes, possibly my greatest accomplishment in laundry to date. Notice the sign he is pointing at, I hope this is not foreshadowing of our future...

And, try as we might have, I think this is the best picture I have of Landon and Caroline together...What can I say, they are 2. Landon sure does look like he knows he is a rascal in that picture...

Perhaps another highlight of the trip was that I was able to reflect a bit on this challenge of raising a 2 year old who is...let's say..."Spirited". I wouldn't change him for anything, but I have been in need of some quite time, good talks with Stan, good books, time for reflection and prayer and support of my best friends on how best to teach him to be respectful, mindful and disciplined while still being allowed to be a curious 2 year old. I got all that this weekend and...a good cry. You know how, sometimes that can be the most cleansing thing? Well, it was. We are doing great post-vacation with new and consistent discipline techniques in place, Stan and I are on the same page and have once again shown each other that through the challenges, our love only grows stronger. I am so thankful for Stan and to God for our family. I am also grateful that we have had this opportunity to spend some time figuring Landon out before our next little buddy arrives. Make no mistake, I know I have a lot to learn, I just feel a lot better about where we are now than before we left for the weekend. Happy Summer to all.

Firetruck Extravaganza Cont.

Perfect timing for a play date at the fire station in Durham! Landon got to see real BIG TRUCKS and the firemen gave several demonstrations, letting the kids get in the truck, hang on the poles, hear the siren and see the lights, watch them put all their HOT gear on in 90 degree weather and taught us mommies a lot about taking care of Durham as firefighters. Apparently Durham has a lot more fires than Raleigh due to the infrastructure of the buildings. They taught us about the ladder trucks (4 in Durham) and 15 fire stations in Durham. Landon loved this play date and we are very grateful to our friends Meredith and Samuel for inviting us! Enjoy the pictures.

Here Samuel was teaching Landon all about the hoses of a fire truck- wouldn't you have liked to have heard this conversation? Landon does seem to be intently listening... :)