Best Friends

This is Tim.

Well, actually this is Graham and Tim being Graham and Tim.

If you have talked to Graham in the past few months, you have probably heard about Legos. And Tim. But definitely Legos.

Tim is Graham's best friend, and I am pretty sure the feeling is mutual. Tim also comes with a twin brother, Sam, and although I have actually seen Graham run past Sam with acknowledging him just to get to Tim, I know Sam is part of the reason Graham loves these boys so much.

I can always be assured that if Sam and Tim are there, both of my boys will be exhausted when we get home and probably for the next day as well. The four of them (as they are so sweet to include Evan in all of their adventures) go from the minute we get out of the car until it is time to head home. It is pure boy heaven.

And it is a good think I like their mom a little, too.

And this is sweet Evan P at the children's museum putting on "boots like Daddy."

Spring in the strawberry patch

One of my favorite parts of springtime here is the strawberry patch just a few minutes down the road. There is nothing quite like eating the warm strawberries right off of the plant.

I think my favorite part is watching Grady smile every time he finds another perfect strawberry. the boys and I work quickly for quantity, while Grady wanders through a few rows looking for the most glorious specimens of strawberry goodness he can find.

money well spent...

The boys have been lusting after a baby pool for a while now. And after the hot spell we had a few weeks ago, I had to give in. Probably the best ten bucks I will spend all summer!

And look at this sweet, cold face when the sun started fading!

Did I mention we have a four year old now?

Graham B turned four a few weeks ago. Four. We didn't go through terrible twos with him. We blew right through the threes with a smile. And then we hit four. And I just don't know where this new attitude has come from. He is no longer the very pliable baby of the past few years. But he has opinions. And wants. And a desperate whiny voice.

But he is still our sweet Graham. He is starting to get excited about the new baby, loving on me and my baby belly a couple of times of day. He protects Evan with the fierceness of a lion... don't even let Ev look at the street or Graham will tackle him into the grass. He's helpful and caring and full of energy. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful kid in our lives!

at least he followed the directions...

Yesterday, after the boys got soaked playing in the yard, I told them they had to have at least underwear and shorts on if they were going to keep playing outside.

Evan did just as I asked.

I need to learn to be more specific.

Cherry Blossom Festival

We moved to the east coast in 2004 (has it been six years, already??), and every year since, we have tried to go to see the cherry blossoms in DC. And every year, something has been in the way. You know, things like Graham being born, or Grady being overseas. Little things.

But the stars aligned this year, and we were able to make the trip up. Apparently, however, the stars aligned for everyone else in America as well, and the place was mobbed. (Of course we didn't consider this when planning the trip!) Regardless, we had a great time.

I guess we've kind of started a tradition of taking a long weekend trip with just Grady, the kids and I in the spring and fall, and I'm really loving it. We spend so much of our vacations traveling back home to reconnect with grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousins, it is nice to take a few days and just reconnect with each other. So we go. We eat good food at kid-friendly places. We visit something we've had on our list for a while. And although it is usually only a three day trip, it takes me two weeks to get the bags unpacked and the car unloaded...

We started our weekend at the Air and Space Museum. Graham has been interested in space ships and Star Wars and the such for a while now, and since it was the weekend before his birthday we billed it as part of his birthday celebration. We didn't expect both boys to be so excited. In some ways Evan is so grown up, but in others we still think he might act a little like the one-year-old that he is.

And look at that spike hair. He is constantly putting things in his hair as we get ready in the morning. You know, things like hand lotion, tooth paste, face wash. Anything he can get his grubby little hands on. So this day, we just fixed the greasy, lotioned hair... and he was so proud, looking in the mirror every chance he got!

After a wholesome McDonalds lunch (I told you we eat good on our trips!), we headed outside to the blossoms. As you can see, the boys could hardly contain their excitement.

And they were so excited that we took them out of the stroller and drug them through the crowds to the water. (And yep, Ev still fits, and sleeps, in the sling. The thing is worth it's weight in gold!)

We also headed out to Dulles Airport to the other Air and Space Museum the next day, and if you haven't gone, you should. It is great! So great that I took one whole picture the whole time we were there.


And that was that. On the way home we had to stop and pick up birthday surprise balloons for Graham, but we wanted them to stay a surprise. So while Grady brought them out the the car and stowed them in the back, Graham wore this:

And after his mother's heart, he did it happily so he could have a surprise the next day!

Really, it's been four months??

I was shocked when I uploaded the pictures from the camera and found that I hadn't done it since NOVEMBER. Really? Time is flying right now. Seriously though. I can't even remember what we've done since then. So we'll just skip December through March. We celebrated. We skiied. We visited with plenty of friends. And now we're here.

Technically speaking

We've had some technical difficulties around here lately, and by technical, I mean as both "technical problems with the computer" and that I am "technically lazy." So before I flit off to bed (by way of folding the giant pile of laundry "resting" on my bed), here are some pics of our trip last week (or maybe the week before, but who's counting??)

I think (and hope) that this is one of the ways I will always remember Graham at this age.

At the end of our first hike with the boys. Graham's legs got tired so he stopped walking. Completely stopped. So poor Evan got evicted from the super baby carrier, and back into the [best thing in the world, but not ideal for hiking] sling. Next time, we won't go look for a waterfall in the freezing rain. Rookie mistake.

Each night of vacation ends with ice cream. Always. And Graham reminds us throughout the day that we will have ice cream for dessert. This is a rule.

I'll be back soon with more, I promise.

Happy Halloween!

We are pretty safe around here... especially with two SUPERheros in our house. We've had these costumes for a few weeks, and they are almost worn out!

I have to say, I'm not really into the whole scary Halloween business, but I do love seeing all of these kids dressed up.

Evy runs around singing, "Nananananananana, Batman!" And whenever someone says Batman, even if he isn't in uniform, he looks down and points to his shirt where the bat sign should be.

And watching Graham (and all of his sweet little friends) using their imaginations! I don't know where he has picked it up (because obviously he hasn't seen the spiderman movies at this point), but Graham shoots "webs" out of his hands and runs around the house protecting us. I love it!!


Yes, I also think that the Spiderman mask looks like something someone might wear to rob a bank, and I assure you that the mask is going to disappear by the end of the weekend!

Two pictures I have finally caught on "film"

I have been trying to get a picture of Graham actually smiling for weeks now. Not his cheesy smile, or his "photo" smile (which is really more like a smirk), but his joyful, loving life as a three year old smile.
And Evan P. He leads everything with his eyes, and it makes his face just a great thing to watch. Oh, I love these eyebrows!!

Evan's funny dance

This video will make you laugh... or at least it makes me laugh every time I watch it!

Fall Fun

We headed out the the pumpkin patch on Saturday and as you can see from the pictures, the boys we're a bit out of sorts. It was a beautiful crisp fall day, and I had a hot cup of coffee in my hands, so it really couldn't have been much better.

I promise, Thursday will be the beginning of the alphabet...

Well, I'm already failing...

I went to check my e-mail this morning about a play date that we have today, and when the computer screen lit up, I realized that I had stopped my A post for yesterday, and the boys never napped, so I never got back to it. Hmmmpf. Already behind.

Being already behind, I figure I'll just put some pictures up to take up space. Funny thing. Although I have just committed to getting back into blogging, I have find myself daydreaming about what to write about next...

Back to the play date we have today. Not only am I excited because I adore the ladies who will be there and all of their kids (which is not always the case, indeed), but it is also an impromptu birthday party. Graham loves birthday parties. The sweet sugar deprived child loves any excuse for cake and maybe a little ice cream. We talked about it for most of the day yesterday, and on into the night. It was even the last thing he asked about.

G: "Momma, can I wear my skeleton socks to the birthday party tomorrow?"
M: "Of course. It's time to go to sleep. Good night. I love you."
G: "I will wear my skeleton socks. Does Evan have skeleton socks?"
M: "Nope, only you. It's time to go to sleep. Good night. I love you."
G: "It's ok if Evan doesn't have skeleton socks. Maybe he could just wear clear socks. But he can't wear red socks. No red socks at the party."
Clear socks?? No red socks at the party? Apparently I have missed some of the mores regarding childrens birthday parties.

Back to today. Birthday party day. Graham woke before everyone else. Ran to sleeping Evan's room, opened the door, peeked in and said something, slammed the door, and ran into our room and said (in a stage whisper), "Mom, it is birthday party today, and I'm wearing skeleton socks! And Evan is looking for you because he is awake."

I love my kids. And now it is after bedtime, and I am finally posting yesterdays post, breaking all of my own rules. And here's some pictures of the boys to win you over. Graham is wearing his skeleton socks above. He also decided that he needed to wear his (blue) sandals with said socks. As one of my friends said, "He just needs a metal detector or something."

And Evan just wanted in on the picture taking.

In the Land of Boy

We are currently in the land of boy, and having so much fun. Bugs, pirates, super heros, dirt, cars crashing, mud puddles, dinosaurs, we've got them all.

Evan has really grown up in the past few months, and I don't know what I was expecting, but I can't hardly believe what good friends he and Graham have become. They are buddies. They are hardly able to wait for the other one to wake up from his nap, and as soon as they are together they hug and roll around for a few minutes before getting back to business. Graham definitely takes his older brother roll seriously, and is constantly herding Evan away from "danger." And Evan playing the perfect little brother, wants to do everything Graham does and have everything Graham has... driving everyone around him crazy, because he really doesn't realize that he is one, not three.

Getting back to it...

I have been thinking about this blog post for months now. Months. And keep vowing over and over to start blogging again, if for no other reason than to have a record of the kiddos growing up.

And I keep putting it off. And putting it off. And putting it off.

Now it is time. I am making the commitment. (Can you hear me talking myself into this?) Mondays and Thursdays. New posts. Every week. From now until the end of time. Ok, let's just see how the next few weeks go. And while I'm at it, I might as well copy Katie's blog and do the ABCs of life as I currently know it. At least that way I'll have something to write about.

See you on Monday!

"Can you say, mustard?"

We love hot dogs in this house. Particularly, Ball Park Beef Franks. Grilled on a charcoal grill. Don't even try to sneak in any other brand past Grady. And we also ignore all of the negative things about hot dogs. It's all about moderation.

So it's not suprising that this morning, when talking about his birthday meal, Evan said (as clear as day), "Hot dog!" and started clapping and running in place. We really love hot dogs.

As this is his first real word, I was pretty excited and called over to Graham. I told him what Evan had said, and Graham, completely unimpressed, looked at Evan and said, "Can you say mustard?"

Happy Birthday, Evan!

Sweet little Evan is one today. I can hardly believe how fast this past year has flown by. He is so grown up, walking and playing and getting into everything with the help of his big brother. But at the same time, he is still a baby, who, even though he doesn't really take a morning nap anymore, crawled up on my lap a few minutes ago and fell asleep.

When I was pregnant with Evan, Grady's sister, Dori, asked, "What if the new baby is as crazy as Graham." I smiled, naively, and said confidently, "God wouldn't do that to me." Well, funny thing. Evan is at least as busy as Graham and definitely more fearless than Graham, so I can definitely classify him as crazier than his big brother. But you know what, God definitely knew what he was doing. Evan fits our family perfectly. He would have been lost in Graham's shadow without his big personality. He is just perfect.

So, here's to Evan. I think one looks pretty good on him.

Brothers

Now that Evan is fully mobile, the boys relationship has really blossomed. It has been so wonderful to watch them become "friends". It has also been pretty busy, thus the lack of blogging. These boys are busy!

New walking video!

I realize that this is long and I am obnoxious in the background. But, hey, I'm actually posting it, so that is something, right

This video is dedicated to Grammy, Evan's great-grandmother, because she said watching Evan walk was "better than TV."

So, without further ado, turn down the volume, exit after the first minute, and enjoy!

Evan is walking!

Here is a video I took of Evan walking earlier today. He started taking a step or two last week, and by today he was really starting to take a few in a row. So sweet.