What a big boy!

Today was Nolan't last day of school until August . . . First a picture of him on the first day of school last August, then a picture of him this morning . . . 

My sweet little man had to take Pooh with him to school on the first day.

Look at that face!

I didn't actually send him to school in the same outfit since its really too small now, but I put him in it to take a picture just so we could see how much he really has changed.  He is about 5 inches taller and has really come out of his shell! He had a great year at school and is really going to miss it over the summer, but he will be in the same class next year so he has that to look forward to.

The downside is that this means I have to entertain him over the summer.  It's fine with me, but if you come to my house don't expect it to be clean . . .

UGH . . .

I want to post about Nolan's last day of school (today) but can't upload any pictures.  UGH!

Oblivious . . .

Last week the boys and I spent a good bit of the day over at Erin, Gracie and Ellie's house . . .  At one point Erin and I looked over and realized Gracie was giving Parker a makeover . . . He had no idea . . .

Flat ironing his hair . . .

Curling his hair . . .

And the final touch . . .  lipstick . . .

Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of her first step in the makeover process which was to blow dry his hair and brush it at the same time.  A skill I have yet to master . . .  

Nolan doesn't mind getting made over by Gracie, but he puts her curlers on his fingertips and pretends they are puppets . . .  

It's definitely spring!

Something to love about central Florida . . .

Just a few pictures of the sandhill cranes we have walking around our neighborhood and their babies! Adorable . . .  These were taken a few weeks ago, so the babies are much taller now, but still look fluffier than the adults.  Nolan loves the cranes and calls them "big chickens."

Sophie May . . .

Last week I had the honor of being present for the birth of Sophie May, daughter of my friend Susanne.  She came 3 weeks early, but still weighed in at 7 lbs 3 oz and was 19.8 inches long.  What a cutie! I don't have any good photos really.  I took lots of pictures with Chris and Susanne's camera, a few with mine, then scooted out of the room so they could have some bonding time.  I'm going back up to Tallahassee next week for a better visit and will hopefully have some better pictures after that.

Here is Dad, Chris, standing over Sophie just minutes after she was born.

Let me just say, being in the room for the birth of a baby and NOT being the one delivering is really amazing.  Not that its not amazing when you are delivering, but I found myself a little more focused on my own personal issues of pain and exhaustion . . .  and the fact that once you deliver a baby you become chopped liver in about 3 seconds flat.  So it was nice to watch someone else become chopped liver so quickly.

Sophie is a very lucky little girl to have Chris and Susanne as parents and Olivia as a big sister.  I can't wait to watch her grow and watch them all get to enjoy her!

Epcot again!

Several months ago Erin and I planned a character breakfast for Nolan and Gracie for their 3rd birthday.  I didn't realize until later that this would mean we would have three weekends in a row devoted to Nolan turning 3.  Luckily for my sanity, he didn't really associate it with his birthday even though they were wearing 'Happy Birthday' pins and people were telling them 'Happy Birthday.'  If he had I'm pretty sure he would continue to expect more birthday festivities. Who can blame him?

So last Sunday we headed over to the Polynesian resort on Disney property and had breakfast at their restaurant, Ohana.  The food was amazing and the kids had a blast.  We got visits from Mickey, Pluto, Lilo and Stitch, ate Mickey waffles and had a great time. We spent the rest of the day exploring Epcot.  So far living in Central Florida seems to have its perks.

Brent and Ryan with Ellie and Parker before breakfast

Please ignore the fact that I look like I have buck teeth . . .

Gracie and Pluto.  He came to our table twice so that was a treat for the kids!

Nolan hugging Mickey.  He loves Mickey!

Moms, kids and Mickey.  Erin and I are looking at different cameras in all the pictures.

Erin and Ellie

Ryan pushing the big kids.

Parker napping and Ellie chewing on the stroller . . .

We ate at a delicious restaurant in Italy and the kids got gelato.  Gracie clearly enjoyed hers.

As did Nolan . . .

Hugging Parker after dinner.

Behind . . .

Once I get behind with blog posts its all downhill . . .  We've had a busy few weeks so I'm just going to post some pics of recent happenings around here . . .

My mother, Garrett, Linda and Ryan headed out for a run the morning of Nolan's bday.  This was the day after his party with Gracie and all of them (minus Ryan) had been out until 2AM.  For shame.

Nolan's bday breakfast: a Mickey pancake!

Trouble-Maker.  It's all I'm sayin'.

Cailan with Helen and Nolan at their joint party.

My very pregnant friend, Susanne and her step-daughter, Olivia, at Nolan's joint party with his cousin, Helen.

Helen and Nolan chattin' over lunch.

Their bday egg hunt.

Looking at all their goodies.

Parker even got some eggs!

Nolan loves this book.  His favorite story in it is "Duck Feet" (as he calls it.) BUT, it was wrapped in robot paper . . .  and when he opened it and saw that it was NOT a robot he yelled out, "That's not a robot!" You can see how that could be confusing for a 3 year old.

Helen opening gifts.

Easter morning!

Going through their baskets (Toby J was trying to "help.")

Parker got to spend some time with his cousin, Paxton, who he hasn't seen since Christmas.  The boys are much bigger and MUCH more interactive!

He is adorable!

Easter egg hunt (how many egg hunts does one kid need you ask?  Apparently the lucky number is three . . . )

"Showing" his eggs to Baby Parker.

Eating with chopsticks (or stabbing his fruit cocktail with chopsticks.)