Craft Night

Tonight was Center night for Nathan, so Zachy and I got to hang out together. We decided to make some crafts. I painted his foot to make fire trucks and his hand in a special Valentines pattern.

Zachy just had his 2 1/2 year check-up. In 6 months, he's gained 2 1/2 pounds and grown 3 inches! So, he's now in the 75th percentile for his height and weight. He's 32.5 pounds and 37.5 inches tall. Evidently he's been staying healthy and growing up a storm!

Singing Brothers

We've been watching a lot of YouTube videos -- mostly Moana and Let it Go. It's  been fun to see the boys sing along. Tonight they decided that they needed to watch while dinner was getting finished up. It's so cute to hear them sing.

Zachy typically says "More!" If it plays the next song and he doesn't like it, he says "No, no, no!" It's cute. 

Talking to Papa

We normally talk to Papa and Nana on Thursday night, but this past Thursday was crazy. The boys were exhausted and could barely make it through dinner. So we postponed the call to tonight. Nana was out of town with one of her sisters so we had all Papa's attention. Nathan's got his towel on his head after getting out of the bathtub and was chatting when he decided to take a picture.

It's kind of funny how the boys think that talking on the phone means to see the other person. The other night one of my friends called and Zachy was determined he needed to see them (shouting "See! See!").

Counting by 10s

Mrs. Christin is on a roll and has been sending quite a few pictures this week. Here's another with Nathan. They've started practicing counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s although Nathan still needs work with counting by ones. He's been working hard to write and say his numbers.

Tool Time

Our friends gave us a tool bench and the boys have been excitedly trying everything out. The tools make noise and work with the screws and other pieces.

Here, you wanna see?!

Friendship Week

It is Friendship Week at Byars Dowdy. Nathan's teacher sent this picture and shared: "We made signs of friendship and marched throughout our hallways sharing our signs! We also sang our poem as we marched. It was SO sweet! Here they are getting ready to march."

It's been a different week after being out all last week due to snow days. They were studying Martin Luther King this week too even though it was last Monday. 

Yay, Nathan!

Sunday Shenanigans

Can you believe that this picture follows the crazy weather that we had this week? The last two days we've been in the 60s! We found one spot that had a little bit of snow left (they had built a snowman), but other than a standing water, there was nothing much left. We didn't even wear a jacket to church today. (It was funny because Zachy was looking for his coat when we got out of his class.)

 The day was absolutely beautiful!

Zach had picked up the wagon from the garage and then decided he needed it inside. Next thing I know, he's got his grocery cart in it. He saw me get the camera out and said, "Cheese!" What a cutie pie!

Birthday Coundown

We've been counting down since 30 days before, yet I've not gotten a picture of it till now. I think this helps him to realize there are still so many days before his birthday and cuts down on the questions of how many more days.

 He's asked for a couple things for his birthday so we should be set. We're not sure yet how we're going to celebrate.

 18 more... 

[Why he decided to show you the watch, I don't know! :) ]

Look at this flashback... Look how small he was!

1/16/17

Thursday Throwback - Mrs. Jackie's Birthday

Mrs. Jackie's birthday - 8/8

Last year we did a sign in Mrs. Jackie's front yard for her birthday so again we did one this year. The boys helped color the sign.

 [The boys wore their baseball shirts!]

Later that day, we came back and gave her lots of hugs!

We love our Mrs. Jackie!

Second Winter Storm

Sure enough, the next storm came through on Tuesday and both our jobs closed early. The boys and I got home first and were able to shovel some snow in order to go over to our neighbor's to bring her the mail. Then, Wednesday school was cancelled as the temps dropped dramatically and everything froze. Some more snow came Wednesday morning. Then they went ahead and closed school for Thursday as it hadn't gotten warm enough to melt anything.

The boys have been troopers but Nathan has decided he doesn't much care for it. Isn't that funny?! He has been talking for ages that he can't wait for snow. Then when it's here, he gets tired of it!

Nathan's Class

Nathan's class had been doing a unit on senses and one of the days they did sight. His teacher is good about taking pictures and sharing what they've been up to. This was actually from Thursday and the kids missed Friday because of a winter storm that came through. It was supposed to be Nathan's special day and we were going to make cookies, but they'll have to save till another day. Today they're off school for Martin Luther King Day, but with another storm on its way, it's unlikely they'll have school on Tuesday.

Snow!

The boys were super excited for snow today! Zachy would stand on his chair by the front window and say "Wook!" (translate: Look!) It had mostly stopped by 8am but we waited a little longer before getting all decked out with layers of clothing.

The snow wasn't good for packing so we didn't get a snowman made, but we did throw a few handfuls of snow at each other. We walked all around the yard and went over and said hi to our neighbor. Then once the car was warmed up some and cleaned off, we headed to the grocery store. We came back home and Nathan and I cleared a bit of snow off the patio. Although it didn't get warm enough to melt it all away, the roads were clear and we had no problems.

Flashback Friday - First Day of School

Nathan's first day of school was August 1. I think previous to the long gap of silence, I had done a post on registration, but after a long wait, the day was finally here! We didn't know who his teacher would be, but that didn't stop us from celebrating the first day to the elementary school.

 Of course, Mr. Early Bird was up with the sun (or maybe before it) and was super psyched for the day.

 Zach wasn't quite that awake, but wanted in on the fun.

 It's as if Zach is saying, "Really? I haven't even had my coffee yet!"

Our daycare director snapped this picture as Nathan got on the bus at the end of that first day. He made it!

After two days of testing, we went for Kindergarten Night and got to see what class he'd be in as well as meet his teacher, Mrs. Christin. He struggled that first night with so many new things and people, but she was gracious and has taken such a great job of him. It's amazing how far he's come these 5 months.

Terrific Kid

Nathan got a good report sent home today - Perfect Attendance and a bumper sticker that says we have a terrific kid at Byars Dowdy Elementary. While this has been a bumpy week for him (several days with not so great reports), a good report with his teacher, and his loss of his first tooth, it was good to end the week (no school tomorrow) with this good news.

Maybe we'll have some snow pictures tomorrow!

Buddy Shirts

"There's no buddy like a brother"

Aunt Katherine made these cool shirts for the boys for Christmas and it was actually warm enough that they could wear them today. 

Then, tonight, we had bath night. As I was getting Zachy ready, we were trying to clean out his nose and do saline spray (it's a two person job!). He started crying for Brother. "Need Brother," he cried. Isn't that so sweet?! As we were getting ready for bed, Zachy also wanted hugs. It was cute.

First Lost Tooth

Yes, he was crying as we took the picture and in fact he cried for quite a bit as he was trying to figure out how to work through the emotions of losing it. He was brushing his teeth and out it popped. We've talked for a little bit about it coming out because the adult tooth had been coming in already. He knew it was coming, yet it was still a surprise when it came out tonight.

He says that he doesn't believe in the Tooth Fairy and since neither Barry nor I did it growing up, we didn't press the issue. Our little guy is growing up!

Showing off Boots

Since the boys both wore their boots to church today, we took a picture as we came home to show them off. Nathan has particularly been in love with them (which is good because we thought he'd have the hardest time with them). Since they've been back at school and daycare, there hasn't been as much opportunity to wear them.

Obviously, there wasn't much cooperation...

 Nathan was adamant that he couldn't put the boot back on and he didn't want you to see the other one. Zach? I'm not sure why he suddenly squatted when I took the picture.

We tried again, but.... 

Crazy boys!

Flashback Friday

This is a flashback to my birthday. I turned a monumental age. 

My office got me a week or so before the actual day and did a huge surprise. It was very touching as they collected 40 (plus) gifts and also 40 (plus) kind words that were clipped around a birthday cake. After the date, the boys and I picked out some beautiful roses and took pictures together with them.

 Isn't this the most hilarious picture of Zach?!

Here's what I posted on facebook....

Wrestling Brothers

Ever since Nathan could be near Zach on the floor, he has tried to lay on him. We have tried to correct him and tell him that one day his brother would be bigger than him. Of course, he still doesn't believe that so he continues to wrestle with Zach. For some reason the boys were all over each other tonight. Silly boys!

Thank You Cards

We worked on these cards last week before the end of our break, but waited to share so people could get them in the mail first.

The red hands inside message says: We couldn't wait to get our hands on the gifts you gave us.

The reindeer inside message says: You are such a deer!

The boys did great with their hands being painted and both signed the inside. We had a great Christmas and the boys are continuing to enjoy what they received. We were blessed for sure.