The Past Four Months, Part 1 of ?

Each day that passes, it's harder to think about going back in the recesses of my mind to find thoughts from the past four months.  So much happens in one third of a year in the life of two little ones.  It's my goal to end 2014 up to date, and keep it up in 2015.  I love looking back from time to time at our shenanigans with MP2 over the years, and I want to keep it up for NC as well.

That said, let's pick up where we left off...NC was turning one!  

Look at the little chunk waking up on birthday morning!  

 Sweet siblings..

 Thank goodness for a brother to "help" you with your gifts :)

 Getting ready for cake!

 With cousin Jen and Aunt Sandy!

Our next big milestone came with MP2 starting PreK.  Four and a half days per week, he spends in a school, with two teachers and 17 friends.  My excitement (and trepidation) were palpable on the day we started.  I was so proud of sending my big boy off to school and wondering if the jump from five hours, two days per week to almost full time school (8:15-2:30/3:00) was going to be okay.  Lucky for you, my being behind on blogging will save you the suspense.  It's been GREAT.  We love Ross Early Learning Center (one of Nashville Public Schools' three new play-based curriculum preK centers opening this school year).  It's been a delight to see MP2 grow and change there.

 In front of the door.

 Walking into Ms. Tabitha & Ms. Dale's room 4

 Ice Cream after school!

A short first installment - we must ease into these things, right?  Look soon for late summer, big family trip and fall updates!

Amma & Grandpa Come to Music City

We are always so happy to see Amma & Grandpa...and their most recent visit was no exception.  They arrived on Friday afternoon the day before Max's birthday party.  (It's always fun to have them join his birthday celebration, and we hope it's a long-lived tradition that they've started!)  We started out our restaurant tour of East Nashville dining al fresco (NC's favorite!).  

Next up was a trip to Jeni's.  NC loved the ice cream.

Since it was Friday night, and it had been awhile...we even did a Friday Night Selfie at Jeni's with our special guests.

When we got home, MP2 had a BUNCH of wonderful gifts to open.  NC watched and took notes for her upcoming first birthday.

During MP2's party, NC got to have some quality time with Grandpa and with Amma.  The last time they visited, she wasn't much for being held, and the last time we were up there, she was a little under the weather, so it was nice to get all that out of the way and let A+G see what a big fun girl she's becoming.

Amma loving on her two favorite Nashvillian grand children.

We also were able to fit in two visits to the pool where MP2 could show off his love of the water and how confident he is around the pool.   

During this visit, I spent a lot of time at home with a napping NC, so I missed out on photographing all of the fun at the Adventure Science Center, Cumberland Park and more.  Maybe MP will start a blog to chronicle his outings with the kiddos??  Ha.  Probably not, huh...

We had so much fun, and it was such a treat to spend time with family.  We can't wait for Amma & Grandpa's next visit this fall.

Max is F-O-U-R!

Will it always feel simultaneously like MP2 was just born and that he's always been a part of our lives?  I look at this little dude and cannot believe he is four years old.  He is so funny, wild, smart, handsome, sweet, and imaginative.  

Hopefully, MP2 had as much fun celebrating his birthday as we had planning and executing it!  The day began with a ride with MP out to the suburban train station and a ride into downtown on the Music City Star.

 Next, NC and I met up with MPs at the Arcade downtown for a birthday donut and presents!

 Riding home with his new trucks, ready to play!

The afternoon found MPs taking the train back out to the 'burbs to get the car. 

Then home for dinner and, at MP2's request, raspberry cake.

It was a great day celebrating our favorite little dude!

Summer Fun!

Well, we have been busy over this summer.  I can't believe how quickly the time flies by.  Recently, we celebrated one special fourth birthday, and I cannot believe in just over two short weeks we will be celebrating a special first birthday!!  Whew, a whirlwind, I tell you.

So, what have we been up to over the past six or so weeks, you wonder?  First up, is something we thought would be a hit, but turned out to be a little more of a dud...we took MP2 down to the honky tonks on lower broadway.  Don't worry - it was a harmless Saturday afternoon.  Unfortunately, due to the fact that he only likes bro-country and we like actual country, we did not find the same honky tonks to be appealing.  He liked the weird dude singing current country singles at the giant three story bar that looks like it should be in Hendersonville, and we like Roberts.  Regardless, it wasn't a complete bust...we did have fun walking around and I think it was nice to expose him to some real country tunes!!

Now, for this one...man, does she ever love to eat.  I think you could put an old shoe on her tray and she would nosh on the sole all day long.  Seems like she should be growing with all that food, but she's still a teensy peanut.  I almost can't wait to hear how much she weighs at her one year appointment just so I can spend some time wondering how one can literally eat butter, yet not rapidly gain weight.  Goodness knows, she didn't get that from me :)

Our other activities have included the splash park (more splashing for MP2 than NC)

Mall indoor playground

Getting up to speed on her cooking skills

Getting around (on her 10month birthday no less)

Bath time

Summer parties

Being cute

Yoga at the farmers market with a friend

Grocery shopping

 Whew, all this excitement will wear a girl out!

More indoor playgrounds to escape the oppressive heat!

Looking cute at 11 months old

Pool time

Fun with dad

Can you tell there was a three or more day wait between when I first started this post and finishing it up?!?!  Really though, the last three months with NC have been so wonderful.  She has turned into such a happy baby.  As with each of us, she still has some quirks and can change moods in a hurry and is pretty skeptical of folks other than family, but she has done such a 180.

Also, our country music loving, wild and crazy little MP2 is not so little.  I can't believe what an opinionated, negotiating, talkative and smart boy he is becoming.  I love having fun with him, he brings so much joy to our lives.

Look forward to a post about my baby turning four and a visit from Ama + Grandpa for Max's birthday party.  Need to get those done in advance of my teensy peanut turning one in TWO WEEKS...what just happened!!??