Ponies at Preschool & 21 months

Simms' preschool had a fun morning riding ponies, making their own trail mix and smores, playing with baby goats and learning to rope {simms tried acting like a pro with that one}. It was all so cute.

ready to go in her western attire

and so was I and Simms really wanted a picture of us

after dropping cope off with my mom, I went back to the preschool and was able to see simms in action singing her songs

and Bennett too. He was so kind as to give me a thumbs up

she was loving this

and so was he, as he is a roper in training {he wants Dru to teach him to rope so he can be in the Lil' Boots rodeo in Montgomery..adorable}

can't believe she will be 4 in less than a month

each student had a poster..now if only I could get that reward money

the snack table where they made their own trail mix in their own cute personalized jars, made smores and could drink cactus juice

Simms, Addison and Bennett..these 3 love each other

running to ride the ponies

and having so much fun

strangely I think she feels more comfortable on a big horse and not a pony

playing teacher's pet and having snacks with her teacher :)

another fun morning at preschool

21 months
My sweet baby is 21 months old as of Friday. I can't believe he is so close to turning 2. With the exception of his speech, he seems less and less of a baby everytime I think about it. I am getting just as frustrated as he is with his speech. Frustrated for him, not at him. He wants so badly for us to understand him..we just can't. Except for a handful of words. He even has the tunes to nursery rhymes down, and gets the tune right, but with his own version of the words. I truly believe it is what is fueling the aggression that we've seen increase with him. I actually got an email from babycenter the other day about toddler aggression, and one of the main causes is wanting to communicate, but not being able to. Breaks my heart. We will evaluate all of that at his next checkup though. He is otherwise a healthy, happy boy, so I don't want to worry too much over this!

big boy!

I think back over the past 21 months of my life as his mommy, and just get overcome with emotion. I have some hard, hard moments as his mommy that can involve tears or letting my fuse get too short as I try to figure out what he wants or is saying..but it is all worth it.

typical of him..lining cars up

I am still learning to parent him just as he is learning to be a toddler. It's hard. But I am so grateful for him. And I know his daddy and sister are too! Our days together are so precious to me. I am so glad I get to spend all day, everyday with him!

And just so I don't forget what his dimply hands and feet look like once they lose that baby fat..

Love this sweet boy so very much!!

It's Gone!

The Bottle was thrown away on Sunday. Our one and only bottle that remained. I made Dru do it. Cope had chewed through the nipple and I wouldn't have put it past myself to try to use glue to fix it. I have been holding out until today to officially declare that no bottle has made its way back into our house, but we are bottle FREE!! And doing well with sippys. And all of the crankiness we've experienced before when we attempted this has been almost non-existent. He has acted a little peculiar at times though..evidence below..his new face that he makes constantly.

Glad that's under our belt. As it should be. He is almost 21 months old.

Grandparents Day & The Game

Grandparents Day
Starting with Simms' preschool program today...it was in honor of Grandparents Day, and so precious. From the centerpieces at our family's table, to the adorable songs they sang, I am so happy Simms is a part of this preschool. Not just for the cute programs, but also for what she is already doing academically. She is already working on sight words, has learned the pledge and basically her preschool has already far exceeded my expectations! The program was this morning and Simms was so happy Minnie and Ninnie were there, and even though she was missing Gigi and Papa, she had a great time at the game with them this weekend!

cute tents set up in front and out back with adorable centerpieces and delicious food

singing a cute song

saying the blessing..I spy open eyes

I love this pictures..not only are Simms and Lanier's mamas old friends, but so are their grandaddies..I even heard them referring to each other by their old nicknames..one of the reasons I love raising Simms here..never thought I'd say it, but now that we have kids, I love raising them in the small town where I was raised

Cope had a fun time himself on the playground

Adorable keepsake centerpiece wiht Simms' name painted on the base. Simms put it here, lining it up so meticulously just like her Daddy. I love it, but I love the bowl too and we all know what Cope would do to both of them, so it has been moved. :)
I hate that I didn't get a picture of Simms with Minnie and Ninnie, but it was a little chaotic keeping up with Cope and giving Simms attention too..

The Game
We had a lot of fun in Auburn Saturday and are so thankful for that win! It was a long day tailgating. Fun but long. Becca and I kept 4 kiddos 4 and under at the bus during the game, and energized doesn't even come close to describing that foursome! They had so much fun together. From Tiger Walk, to tailgating, to the BIG WIN, and then walking to Toomer's Corner {well Dru walked Simms, Cope and Adeline..by himself..with no stroller..I happily let them go while I stayed at the bus :)} we were so glad we went!

Charlie, Lilla and Simms at Tiger Walk

Cope enjoying Tiger Walk..I guess

A rare photo opportunity

Cope loved Mr. Bucky's hat, but it obviously didn't fit him..so..

Papa got him his own from the bookstore

Fun memories being made with Simms, Adeline and Lilla..and

with Merrill

Getting pumped up before the game

And celebrating the win after

These 3 even rolled Dru

And I can't imagine what was going through his head, as he attempts this kind of behavior at home on a daily basis!
WAR EAGLE!!

Ballet Begins!!

Simms had her very first ballet lesson today! It was precious. We were able to watch today but next week we aren't supposed to stay until the parent's day in October! I loved helping Simms get into her ballet outfit. All of the little girls were so excited.

Waiting on ballet to begin

Seeing what it is all about

Simms with her teacher Miss Sara

Simms and Lanier {so cute..Lanier's mommy and I took dance together at this same age}

We are so excited about Simms getting to do this. And the fact that it is with a great teacher and for only 45 minutes after preschool and AT her preschool is GREAT for us and our schedule! They will be doing a Christmas program and a big Spring recital, so that is very exciting!

Closing out Summer & Starting Ballet

We spent our last weekend of the summer at the lake for Labor Day. It was a relaxing, long weekend which was great. We took our friends the Parhams, the Coopers, the Kirks and Miles and Katy with us. Although the weather was far from exceptional, we had a great time and spent most of Sunday on the boat! The guys took themselves to Auburn early Saturday morning {WAR EAGLE} while we enjoyed the only true sunshine of the weekend! And Simms and Cope had so much fun with Mitchell, Bennett and Mae Mae being there.





Our children enjoyed sand island in their undies. Sometimes they just end up that way.

Cope enjoyed assisting Mitchell with his blueberries. Too bad he didn't try one. Picky, Picky boy!

And in school news...Ballet starts tomorrow after preschool. Simms is so excited. All of her ballet attire came in and she received it at school in a little goody bag. Of course we HAD to try it on when we got home. She is so precious. I can't wait to watch her tomorrow!

{I spy Caillou...ugh..}

She loved twirling..over and over again. And here is her "decorated Me" cutout for school. Hilarious..

And once again I am gonna ask who my readers are! I keep seeing so many readers from places that I don't think we know anyone..so it has me curious. Of course, if I know you read..don't worry about it..but I'd LOVE to know who is keeping up with us!