Milestones x 2

Well, we finally did it!  We put the boys in the same room together in bunk beds!  Thanks to Nanny's generous purchase, Uncle B's hard work in helping Stan with assembly and Aunt Moo's help with manning the boys for the day, we have had the bunk beds up for almost a week now!  Let the nesting begin!

Aunt Moo got up on the top bunk for me and put Landon's new Angry Birds sheets and comforter.  Very nice since I think a pregnant lady on the top bunk would have been a sight.

Moo found Garfield, her little kindred spirit and especially loves that her little nephew, Connorbug, sleeps with him every night.  Anna came and helped me with the boys at the pool, helped me sort toys when I got in a nesting mode, took bags to Goodwill for me and put Landon's sheets and comforter on the bed.  She was such a trooper and we are so thrilled that she and Uncle B live in Durham again!!  Yay!  We even got to go out to eat with them that night to celebrate Stan's birthday.

Big hug for Uncle B!!!

Two happy little boys!  They slept in their bunk beds for 6 nights in a row like champs...and of course, tonight, the night I finally get to BLOG about this big milestone and Stan is out of town, they caused such a ruckus (esp. the elder of the two) that I had to separate them.  I hated it...Landon was furious, starting ramping up as usual.  Connor said, "I sorry, Mommy." My, those two... are SO different...Both precious gifts from God, both creations of God, one simply easier to parents, but both equally loved...

The next milestone was Stan's 33rd Birthday.  Mommy and Landon made a delicious double layered cake that I must say turned out quite well...chocolate fudge for our chocolate loving birthday boy!!

Stan blowing out the candles that were left after Connor and Landon each had taken a turn.

Landon love sweets, so so much, esp. his daddy's birthday cake.  He asked me this Thursday if Daddy's birthday was tomorrow...  :)

 Connor is also a chocolate lover.  I think I let it slide this night that he didn't have a "No Thank You" bite of homemade macaroni and cheese. What?

Landon was thrilled that I gave in to he and Connor's request to get their Daddy a piniata with super heroes on it...I also let them pick their favorite candies.  :)

And, I let him sample his favorite candy...

Very purposefully filling the piniata.

Daddy's spread of totally boy gifts.

Boys will be boys...making wild animals out of tissue paper...and I wonder where the little boys get it!!

Daddy got 3 squirt guns, one for each boy...

Also, an Angry Bird shirt that they said was Daddy- the Angry Bird had ear phones in and they likened that to "Daddy at work".  So cute.

Landon explaining what he drew in Daddy's card.

Time for the piniata...

And, a big candy free for all...

I absolutely LOVE the pure joy on this face.

Well, there is the update on the 2 Milestones from last week.  Hope you enjoy!

Preschool Graduation

Well, we had our very first graduation ceremony of many to come...Landon graduated from preschool at Learning Tots Academy last Friday.  It was the sweetest thing to watch.  Landon was a stitch, of course.  The following is a play by play...

Landon, legs crossed, looking like a little frat boy in his crocs, takes it all in.

"My name is Landon Dow Cole and I am ready for Kindergarten!"

Landon reciting his ABCs with his fellow classmates in their "showoff" time.

Landon received the "Reece's Peanut Butter Cup Award", for getting along with anyone.

Landon signing his ABCs.  I didn't even know he knew how to sign.  I told him, "I didn't even know you knew sign language!!"  He replied, "What is that?"  LOL.

Landon receiving his certificate of completion of Pre-K.

Landon's "favorite teacher so far" Ms. Kellee, helping Landon out with his hat.  A tough hat for a 5 year old to wear!!

Mommy and Daddy helping to adjust the hat as well.

Our little Pre-K graduate!!

Proud mommy, daddy and Landon!!

Our little family, celebrating Landon!!  Yay brother!!

Both grandmothers came to mark the milestone.  It really meant a lot to Landon to have Mommom and Nanny both there!!

Landon and his best friend at school, Christopher.

Cupcakes- a wonderful way to celebrate!!

Connor was delighted he got to be a part of the celebration as well, esp. since it meant sweets for him too!

It is so hard to believe Landon will start Kindergarten in the fall.  I am at peace with it because I really believe he is ready.  He is so excited to learn new things and share them with Stan and I.  It sure is a far cry from this little fella...

Holden Beach 2012: The Rest of the Story

Thursday was "friend day" where we all invited friends.  Above, you can see Connor, Landon and the little friend they made, Peter.  They were staying just down the beach from us and the boys had a blast squirting each other with their water guns.

Connor loved laying on the boogie board and letting the waves carry him- just at the edge where he moved ever so slightly.  He would have laid there for hours.

Kelly, Kevin and Olivia arrived on Thursday evening and you can see above that Stan and Kevin were showing off their "guns" when I tried to get a picture of them being good daddies digging a hole for the kiddos.  Boys...they are the same at any age.

Me and Kel.  What a great precious friendship we share.  It was such a gift to have her there and to be able to catch up to a point where we had told each other everything we could think of.  :) Ice cream, walks, comparing notes on God's plans, child rearing and experiences in the working world of health care were some of our topics...  :)

I love pictures like this.  All the kids just went down to sit beside Kevin.  What a moment.

Landon and Olivia, little soul mates.  I asked Landon what his favorite part of the beach trip was and he grinned and said, "Playing with Olivia".  This boy of mine is one little ladies man!

He may have to fight off his brother for Olivia though...

Landon and Peter got buried in the sand by Peter's dad.  They were loving it!!

Digging in the sand is serious business...

My favorite shot of Kelly and Liv.  What a precious pair.

Landon and Liv trying their best to smile despite the sun being right in their eyes..."Come on Mom!!!"

More fun with the water pool daddy created and then was taking down at this point.  They were impressed.

Nanny's friend, EB, also came for the day and caught this flounder.  The boys were super thrilled to hold this fish and have talked about it since then.  It was super sweet of EB to let them hold the fish and also cook us a delicious meal of steamed shrimp, fried flounder and hush puppies!!  Yummy!

We arrived home on Saturday, just in time to unpack, mow the lawn and get dressed for my dear friend, Crystal's wedding party.  Little Lindsay is making quite an appearance these days!!  I am 28 weeks already. So hard to believe!

We had a wonderful beach trip and I will say, very bonding for Stan and I.  When you are on vacation with children, you fast realize what a self-sacrificing time of your life you are in.  I also very quickly realize how blessed I am to have such a wonderful partner in this journey.  Stan and I traded off time with with kids, giving each other time to exercise and nap, as well as sleep in in the mornings when Connor continued to get up at 6:00am or earlier every day we were there.  When other things in this life just don't seem right, all I have to do is look at this man (who I have been married to for 10 years August 3rd this year!), our healthy boys and girl on the way and know how richly I have been blessed.  Thank you God for my family and the chance to spend such quality time together.