Love these boys

Happy Birthday, Woof woofs!

As a follow up to the conversation about the Woof woofs' birthday, we did make them cupcakes and sing to them! Here's a few shots of the Woof woof's birthday party!

Family

Eli's first trip to Greer was so fun! We were able to see lots of family and friends all in one long weekend!

Banks loves being the big cousin! He did a great job holding both Mac and Eli!

Proud grandparents holding the babies!

Tradd came to visit! Love this picture with all the little boy cousins hanging out. Wow... that's a lot of little boys who are going to be getting into loads of trouble one day!

We also had such a nice visit with "Mom," Jonathan's grandmother and Banks and Eli's great-grandmother. Eli gave her lots of good snuggles!

Eli at 3 months

Dear Eli,

You are getting so big! Where does the time go?! At 3 months, your little personality is really starting to show! You smile with your whole body... you start with a smile, then your eyes light up and your whole body starts to wiggle with excitement! You just love to be noticed and talked to - like you just appreciate the attention!



You respond more now to Banks when he talks to you - and you light up for him too! He really loves you "Baby Bruder Eli!"


You talk and coo all the time - I love to hear your sweet little voice talking to me!


You like to lay on your back and play with your toys on the play mat. Really, sometimes you prefer this to being held. Your daddy and I have noticed that sometimes you just want to be left alone for a while with your toys! Fair enough.

Do you see how proud Banks is to be your big brother!? He loves you so much.


We can't wait to see all the fun you boys have together as you grow!

We love you sweet baby boy...
Mommy and Daddy

My Girls

A few weeks ago I was able to see Missy and Cindy and their beautiful girls! Cindy was down visiting Missy in NC, and we were up visiting Jonathan's family, so we met at Monkey Joe's for a little fun play time with the kids!



I never thought when we girls became BFF so many years ago (middle school... wow!) that this would be us 15-20 years down the road (that makes us sound old!!)!

Bella is the oldest - and she was so excited to hold Eli! And, she did a really great job! Eli wasn't going anywhere under her watch! Isn't she just beautiful?

I love these girls... what a blessing they have been to me for so many years. God was so good to give me these beautiful women in my life!

Green thumb?

Banks has been begging to plant things this spring. We're trying cucumbers and tomatoes. Wish us luck!

Grandparents

We are so glad that Pappy, Nama, Papa, Yaya and Nana could join us for Eli's baby dedication! Love you all!

Banks-isms

Banks: Mommy, I don't want it to be night time. I want it to be morning! Mommy, are my arms big enough to pull the sun back out?
Me: No, baby... not long enough.
Banks: Mommy, are your arms long enough?
Me: No....
Banks: Mommy, well...well...well... are daddy's arms long enough?
Me: No, baby. No one's arms are long enough to pull the sun back out.
Banks: Well...Mommy, are God's arms long enough?

*****

Banks: Mommy! I want cupcakes! So...so...so...well, so it's Woof woof's birthday! And he needs a cake! But Woof woof can't eat a big cake because he needs cupcakes! So, can we make cupcakes tonight?

Note from another Mom

I received the following email from Haley's mom (one of Banks's friends at school) and just had to record this.... He's getting to be such a funny little boy!

"When I picked up Haley, Banks was following us from the potty to the cubby and he was talking, talking to me.

First, he told me that his little brother didn't know how to jump.

BUT THEN!!! He told me just randomly... You know what? Pirates eat bananas so they won't get scurvy!!!! I almost laughed out loud!! He was so serious about it. I told him, Well, I am glad they eat the bananas so they don't get sick!! It was the cutest thing. I thought.. wow, what a big word and to use it in the sentence like that!! "

Eli's Baby Dedication

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6

Sweet baby Eli was dedicated on Sunday morning. What a special time for our family to dedicate our son to the Lord. Both sets of grandparents and Nana came to celebrate Eli's special day!

Banks-isms

The neighbors across the street came over to meet Eli. The grown ups are chatting and Banks is playing. Suddenly, Banks runs up and announces:

Did you know MY daddy is a SUPER HERO!?

Eli's First Day of School

(Nana, here's the pictures you've been looking for! Sorry it took me so long to post... Eli is finally feeling better so I have time to do a few things!)

Eli had his first day of school last week! Sweet baby... he was a champ! Banks was so excited that Eli was finally going to school too!

Don't they just look like they are going to be trouble in a few years??!

Banks's teachers were so sweet on Eli's first day, and took Banks down to Eli's class to check on Eli and give him some snuggles. Eli was so stimulated that he hardly slept at all on his first day, and slept from 6 PM until the next morning (minus a few feedings)!

Eli's first day of school at 9 weeks old

Banks's first day of school at 12 weeks old

Valentine's Day

This was the first year Banks really understood Valentine's Day, so we decided to make it a fun family holiday! I loved spending the day with my three favorite Valentine's!

We started by making some Valentine's for our friends at school! I really thought Banks would enjoy this craft, but only for a few minutes. Silly me! He made 18 Valentine's! And he really did most of the work!

He was really proud of his Valentine's and was excited to give them to his friends!

For Valentine's dinner, we had heart shaped pancakes with strawberries! Yum! It was so fun making a special little kid-friendly meal!

We set a fun Valentine's table complete with table tents with names on them...

Poor Eli.... next year he can join us at the table!

And heart shaped jigglers for dessert! Too bad Banks decided he didn't like jello.... who doesn't like jello?

Happy Valentine's Day to all of my boys!