Happy 2nd Birthday Gavin!

I can't believe that my baby boy is already 2! Where has the time gone? He is in a new phase of being independent, speaking in 3+ word sentences, singing songs, learning his favorites... He has a new love for motorcycles and has been sleeping with one for several nights. He won't let go of it and if I try to take it away, it causes a major tantrum. He also has an obsession with some Thomas the Train snow boots that he wears almost constantly. He won't even take them off at night which has posed some very stinky feeties. I try to hide them, distract him, etc. And sometimes it works but other times, not so much. I just bought him some Thomas crocs today so maybe that will curb the snowboot thing for a minute. He loves riding his bike, going to the park and going for walks. He also still loves his blankie that he calls "Bebe" and his new favorite tv show is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He had a great birthday party with several family members in the area in attendance. He got some great gifts and loved his Mickey Mouse cake and his Truck Balloon. We were in the dollar store getting paper products for the party and he kept saying "truck boon" over and over, really excited. I couldn't figure it out until I finally realized he wanted a truck balloon. Happy Birthday bud!

Gavin's First Stitches

Life has been crazy and stress levels have been high. We have been trying to figure out the details of our move and pack and keep somewhat sane through the process. Spencer has been working extra to fund it all so it makes me and the kids even crazier. It just so happens that I needed to take my car into the shop and needed a ride so my sweet cousins came to my rescue. Afterwards we went with them to the park to escape for a bit and right as we get there, Gavin tips the bike he's riding and rams his cheek into the exposed metal on the handle bars. So they then have to give me a ride to the hospital and afterwards, a ride home. Gavin was completely brave and sweet through the whole thing and only cried when he was strapped down for the stitches to be done. 6 stitches later and he was good as new (with a possible moon shaped scar on his left cheek in the future.) The moment we got home though he was back on his own bike like nothing had even happened and the only issues we've had since have been him ripping off his bandaids and trying to pull at the stitches. I'm just grateful that he's okay and that we had family available to help us out! :)

Happy Little Homemakers

First Gavin and Issy made cookies together, then took the stroller and shopping cart for a walk around the house. I love how well these 2 play together and don't they make a darling couple?

Making a Mess, then Taking a Rest

Gavin ate an entire chocolate bar in a matter of minutes and made a huge mess with it. It was a rare yet extremely satisfying moment for him. After a thorough wipe down and change of clothes, he spent the rest of his evening chillin' with daddy. Oh what a life!

Naughty Stage Not Over

I thought that Shayla's naughty stage was getting better but have recently found that it is probably getting worse. She is sneakier and more destructive than ever before and has now brought Gavin in on her little plots. The other day I was shocked to find Gavin covered from head to toe in marker. Shayla had even gone to the trouble of coloring his toenails bright pink! Apparently Gavin colored on my comforter while Shayla cut my curtains with scizzors and of course all of this happened within a couple of minutes. It was so ridiculous that I almost laughed when I caught them with markers and scizzors in hand. The looks on their faces were priceless. Luckily I kept my cool, snapped a couple of pics and had a good talk with them. We'll see how long it lasts before something drastic happens again. :)

My Baby Boy!

I love this boy! He is spoiled and crazy and loves to scream but when he lets me hold him, even just for a minute, I melt!

Bikes and Balls

Gavin loves to run himself around on his trike or big wheel. One of his favs is to go down the driveway hill backwards. He doesn't like to peddle yet but he is getting the steering down pretty good. We also recently set up our pool table in the garage and he spends hours out there rolling the balls into the holes. I have come to realize that boys' brains are definitely wired for things like that.

Loves Cars!

Gavin is all boy as he is sure to want to play catch constantly throughout the day. He even insisted on carrying a bouncy ball with him on the playground yesterday but even with the extra difficulty it presented while climbing the ladders, he wouldn't give it up. Lately the same principle has applied to cars. If he's not sneaking into the car to mess with all the gadgets and pretend to steer, he has a car in hand or in this case on his plate during dinner. Just like his daddy! Let's just hope he takes care of the responsibility better than his daddy once did. I cringe to think of him following suit by racing, tipping, crashing, or otherwise being destructive with his cars in the future. Time and hopefully lots of positive influence from mom will tell.
:)

Dashing through the... Snow?

So it's definitely not snowing here in the beautiful sunshine but Gavin and his sweet play date, Issy, are taking a sleigh ride anyway. She is so much fun and I can tell you that I wouldn't mind adding this pic to their wedding video someday! She also loves spending time with Shayla reading stories and playing dress-up. Here is a pic of Shayla playing teacher as she reads to "the class". She has even picked up on the licking her finger before turning the page thing.

Go 49ers!

So being the NON-sports addict that I am, I have no idea about how good teams are, who they are playing, what sport they even play half the time... But I do remember that my dad used to love the 49ers so when I saw this little outfit handed down to Gavin, I had to get some pics in it since it is already too small. Gavin is quite the ball player and has an amazing arm on him already. He loves to play catch with anyone and even positions himself in a certain stance before he throws the ball and then follows through with a new one after it is thrown. I know that he'll be teaching me the ins and outs of sports in the years to come. Who knows maybe I'll become a sports fanatic in the long run???

Piles of Leaves

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."

-Emily Bronte

"I still get wildly enthusiastic about things... I play with leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind."

-Leo F. Buscaglia

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

-Robert Brault

Eris & Gavin enjoyed building a huge pile of leaves together with the help of daddy and a friend at the park. Of course after the pile reached above their heads, they buried themselves in it, jumping and playing in the mess. Oh the simple pleasures of life!

Future American Idol?

Gavin rocking out with the iCarly microphone. Any time there is any music on, he starts grooving and trying to sing along. He even shows off his unique rhythm as he moves to the beat. Next thing you know, I see him sort through daddy's hats in the closet and put one on backwards, then flashes his signature smile. Maybe we'll see him in all his glory as part of a future American Idol?

Mr. GQ

Gavin showed off some of his handsome clothes today at church! It was so cute to see him in his button-up shirt and tie strutting his stuff.

Handsome Haircuts

The boys got haircuts yesterday and are looking more handsome than ever! Gavin wasn't too thrilled at first but after sitting on daddy's lap and popping a sucker in his mouth, it was mostly smooth sailing from there. This will have been his 5th haircut already. It's amazing how fast his little hair grows!

Practically Perfect Park Weather!

We have all been enjoying the nice high 70s low 80s weather the past couple of weeks. I don't know if I will ever get used to the fact that it is almost mid-November and we are still experiencing what I call "perfect weather." Some of our favorite activities lately have included; walks, bike rides and lots of trips to the park. Sometimes we'll find ourselves visiting 2 or 3 different ones throughout the day. The kids love it and its a nice change from the super hot 120s and the not so hot 50-60s that are coming. We'll live it up while it lasts!

Taking a ride on the dog...

Gavin loves his little dog Kudos and enjoys sitting on top of his back wanting to ride him like a horse. Of course Kudos proceeds by just sitting down until Gavin gets off, but it's quite funny to watch the situation take place. Good thing Kudos has such good temperament. After that fun, I made lunch for the kids and less than a minute later see Gavin on top of the table playing in the mayo. I guess it must be fun to squish your fingers in the white, gooey slime. As you can see, he is already in his 2nd outfit. Two more to go and at least 1 bath is usually in Gavin's routine for the day.

Gav, Our Crazy Man...

You'd think that I would be immuned to the new and crazy things my kids come up with, but they are still full of surprises! Gavin and Shayla find it hilarious to sit up on top of the couch and jump or slide down over and over. Gavin has found the joy of climbing so not only does he get up on top of the trampoline and use the retaining wall as a balance beam but he also stands up on the very top of the toilet. He holds on to the window above and starts screaming. Of course when I come running, he gives me his sly little grin and runs off to cause more mischief somewhere else. He also loves to stand on top of my feet and jump or get on top of my tummy when I'm doing crunches and body slam me. He has a signature look we call, "the face." He tightens up his fists, shows his teeth and tenses up his body and starts to shake. Eris was the one who encouraged that face the moment she saw it. She may have met her match for face-pulling.

Our New Love...Smoothies!

The kids and I have found a new love and appreciation for the goodness of fruit smoothies. I've always been a fan but ever since I started this health craze thing, they are a must-have! The kids love to enjoy them with me, even when they do have traces of spinach or beets included. I have come to find out that hiding the veggies in something delicious are the best way for the kids to eat them. I heard that Jerry Seinfeld's wife, Jessica Seinfeld, even came out with a cookbook "Deceptively Delicious" which includes simple secrets on how to get our kids to eat healthy foods. One of the most popular brownie recipes includes spinach and the kids apparently can't tell the difference. I am eagerly awaiting that book to check out from the library!

Best Buds

Shayla and Gavin are the ultimate brother/sister duo. They are either attached at the hip while laughing, sharing and playing together or they are fighting like cats and dogs. Either way, you can tell how much they love each other!

Shayla, a Prissy Tomboy

Shayla loves to dress up and play princesses or mom to her dollies, usually wearing make-up or jewelry. She loves to carry around her purse and play in my high heels and talk on her little cell phone. You'd think that she was the epitomy of prissy; however, she still has the tomboy attitude that she has always had. Going outside to jump in the mud, riding her bike in the puddles or with daddy on his motorcycle, and helping him in the garage are some of her favs. This particular picture was when she was helping me put together the bike trailor for the first time. I have come to find out that there comes a time in a girl's life when she needs to learn to fix things, and with Shayla's help we did it!