Farewell To Summer Playdate

Today we celebrated the end of summer with most of our best friends at one of our favorite spots- Morgan Falls Park in Sandy Springs! I was so thrilled that so many of our buddies could get together before school starts next week.

 

While it was a typical HOT August day, the park provides enough shade for a lot of running around and fun. Tuttle pretended to own an ice cream shop and handed out pretend treats. He charged me $60!

 

 

The moms all brought a picnic dish to share, so the kids had a whole table of yummy food to eat for lunch. I made corndog muffins, but I really loved sampling the chicken salad sandwiches, mini blueberry muffins, and carrots with ranch!

 

 

 

After lunch we checked out the dock and fed the geese and ducks. Luckily a couple other moms remembered bread, so Tuttle, Maggie, and Gigi were not left empty handed.

 

 

 

 We love having such sweet friends nearly to play with all the time. Thank you to everyone for spending one last day of summer with us!

 

(This picture is missing Ryan, Elizabeth, Whit, and Polly. They left a little earlier.)

 

 

I cannot believe how quickly summer flew by, and neither can Tuttle! :)

Fall Sports

Yesterday Tuttle started fall soccer at the YMCA. This is his third season with Coach Bobby, and this season he begins playing in games every Saturday. We are excited about this change but a little weary of games at 8am or 9am on the weekend! :)

 

 

His team was changed to all boys this time, but luckily most of the familiar faces returned to play. I think everyone realizes how lucky we have it with the athletic director as our coach!

 

 

Yesterday could only be described as HOT. There is absolutely no shade on the field, so I was dying in my white jeans, but the heat did not seem to phase Tuttle. He had a blast!

 

 

I am looking forward to watching Tuttle develop as a player and a teammate. He is ready to score some goals this season! Go Team France!

 

Maggie started her fall season of gymnastics today. Although we kept up her practice all summer, her class day changed, and she met some new friends and also saw some familiar faces. Coach Todd returned as her Wednesday coach, so that obviously thrilled Maggie. I think it will take a few weeks for her to feel comfortable with her new group. Then she will be ready to show off all her skills.

 

 

After practice Maggie asked Coach Todd if she could go on the big bars. He assisted her, and then she independently showed off her favorite trick of touching her toes to the bar.

 

 

We love Jump Start and cannot wait to cheer Maggie on her way to the Olympics! :)

 

On a side note, Maggie has been accident free in underwear all week. I cannot get over how quickly she grasped potty training, especially when we are on the go. I told her teachers that I might send her in diapers on the first day in case she does not feel comfortable asking new adults to go potty, but she told me tonight that she wants to wear underwear. Whether I am ready or not, she is a big girl who uses the potty all the time!



Welcome Tea

Today Tuttle and Maggie were able to meet their new teachers and investigate their rooms at their preschool welcome tea. It was easy to get them showered and dressed this morning because they were so eager to head to school! :)

 

 

 

We started in Tuttle's Dragon class. He walked right in and immediately started playing with all the new toys. He was lucky to get into a brand new classroom this year, so everything feels nice and new.

 

 

He recognized a lot of faces from his Treefrog class last year, but there were a lot of new friends to meet, too. I am happy that it is a good mix. I am most excited about his new teachers. Ms. Linda and Ms. Rachel both seem very sweet, but most importantly they outlined a curriculum that will challenge Tuttle.

 

 

At 10:30 it was time to head to Maggie's Pound Puppy class. She was practically running down the hall to check out her classroom. I know she is very ready to start preschool.

 

She enjoyed pushing the baby doll strollers and dressing up.

 

 

Her favorite feature of her classroom was a tiny potty. She immediately wanted to use it, and she also requested her privacy, so I shut the door. She is a mess! Maggie's teachers, Ms. Emma and Ms. Jessica, were very welcoming to all the toddlers. I know Maggie is in good hands this school year.

 

 

We spent a while on the playground after the welcome teas along with friends from all the classes. I think everyone is ready for school to start!

 

 

I am sad that summer is almost over because we have made so many memories, but I think we are ready for a school routine. Tuttle and Maggie are extremely excited for OPP!

 

 

Bountiful Harvest

Tuttle announced a few months ago that he wanted to grow flowers and carrots. Jay needed to run to Home Depot for some yard supplies, so he picked up several seed packets for Tuttle to put in a small planter by our front door. Although we did not really care for the seeds, they began to grow. I mentioned to Tuttle that we needed to pull up a carrot to find out if we had any success. Tuttle was very impressed and immediately went inside to wash and eat his carrot.

 

 

I do not think we will be purchasing a farm anytime soon, but Tuttle was thrilled with his harvest this year. :)



Final Weeks of Summer

We are trying to soak up the final time at home before preschool starts. On Monday I helped organize a breakfast for the teachers on their first day back to work. There was a huge response to donate yummy dishes, and it was fun to see everyone back at school. It was somewhat difficult to get Tuttle and Maggie dressed and out of the house on time, but I guess it is something we need to get used to since Tuttle will be in preschool five days a week.

 

 

I tried a new crockpot recipe for the breakfast and prepared cheese grits. Although they were soupy when I left the house, I think they were delicious once it was time to eat.

 

 

Yesterday we planned a trip to the zoo, and last minute my high school best friend and matron of honor Jackie was able to join us with her three kids. While we only see each other once or twice a year, it is very easy to pick up right where we left off. We lead very similar lives, and she definitely keeps me grounded. Since most schools have started, the zoo was not very crowded at all. We were able to run around on the playground, ride the carousel and train, cool off in the splash pad, and check out a few animals before heading home.

 

 

Maggie insisted that we find the pandas to sit on for her carousel ride. She LOVES pandas, specially baby pandas. :)

 

Today we ventured to the pool, and Tuttle perfected his cannonball jump! Maggie requested to use the bathroom three times.... I love that she is so excited about potty training, but my idea of pool fun is not spent in the bathroom! :)

 



A Performance and A Party

Tuttle was so proud to show off his new theater skills at his pirate camp performance on Friday. Jay was able to work from home and come to see Tuttle in action. The teachers instructed the campers to dress up as pirates for the last day, and Tuttle was fully prepared with hat, eye patch, shirt, sword, and boots.

 

 

The group showed their families how to warm up in drama and read the book, How I Became a Pirate with several songs. I think Tuttle's favorite part was warming up his voice with tongue twisters and warming up his body with a silly banana song.

 

 

Maggie loved supporting his big brother by cheering him on from the front row.

 

We left straight for Madison after the show to drop Tuttle and Maggie off at Grandmommy and Grandaddy's house for the weekend. They barely noticed when we left. :) Jay and I drove the Granny's house to attend the 9th Annual Chicken and Ribs at the Green's house on Saturday. Friday we were COMPLETELY lazy and both took three hour naps before eating Inoko Express at 9pm for dinner.

 

We always look forward to the "Chicken and Ribs Cookout" every year. It is such a laid back event that all our close friends come to, so it is nice to eat yummy food and catch up with everyone. Jason Green always impresses us on the grill.

 

 

I made Rotel cups to pass out as an appetizer, and they were gobbled up in seconds. It is definitely my go-to recipe for large crowds. Who can turn down  a combination of Rotel, bacon, cheese, and mayonnaise?

 

 

We slept in again (much needed!) and picked up the kids around lunchtime. I swear Tuttle and Maggie grew over the weekend! I am seriously thinking of not allowing food at my house, so my babies do not grow any bigger....Totally kidding. Kind of. :)

 

Have a great week!



Two Year Check-Up and Weekly Line-Up

Maggie went to the pediatrician for her two year check-up yesterday afternoon, and she did so well. She answered all the doctor's questions and let him check her ears/eyes/mouth with no problems. She was so brave during her finger prick that she did not shed one tear! Maggie left with a lollypop, Tinkerbell stickers, and a pink plastic fish from the treasure box. :)

 

Maggie continues to stay TINY. She is 33.5 inches (37%) and 22 pounds, 3 ounces (3%). I love that she is still so little that I can hold her like a baby because she is growing up too fast.

 

 

Tuttle is attending theater camp this week, and they will perform How I Became A Pirate Friday afternoon for the parents. The camp runs from 9am-12pm everyday this week, so it is preparing us for our school routine in a few weeks. Tuttle has hopped out of bed every morning ready to play with his friends at camp, but I am having a harder time adjusting. I just love having my boy home with me. I am going to miss him so much once Pre-K starts. I am definitely having trouble letting him grow up!

 

 

I am enjoying the one-on-one time with Maggie this week. We are getting some things checked off my list, and it is nice to have a little helper with me. She has been a trooper going to the bank, playing at home while the repair guy worked on our dishwasher, and driving back and forth to camp to transport Tuttle, and Gigi.

 

 

Jay and I were able to sneak away last night for a Braves game with our friends while Anne watched Tuttle and Maggie at our house. It was so relaxing to sit and chat with our friends on a random Tuesday night, and the kids always enjoy playing with Anne. Unfortunately the Braves lost, but I never pay attention to the game because I am so busy catching up with our friends. :)

 

 

Have a great week!



Real Life.

Although most of our days are filled with smiles, laughing, and fun....

 

 

We do experience our fair share of fighting, tears, and toddler tantrums.

 

 

Luckily I would not want to spend my days with anyone else. :)



Our Weekend

We stayed busy this weekend, and we accomplished A LOT. Saturday morning I took the kids to a splash pad in Roswell to celebrate Jack and Lily's birthdays. It was so much fun to have all of our best buddies together to play and eat cupcakes! We are very lucky to have this sweet family in our lives. I do not know what I would do without Kristen. We see each other almost everyday!

 

 

After rest time, Tuttle spent some time running errands with me. Although we did not do anything special, I always love having some one-on-one time with my first baby. He keeps me sane during the trying toddler phase with Maggie. :) He brought some perspective to my current frustrations one day when he reminded me that Maggie is just a baby and to not yell so much at her. I needed to hear that from my sweet boy, and I love that he was protecting his sister's feelings.

 

 

This morning Maggie and I got ready to head to her first birthday party alone for a friend in her gymnastics class. Unfortunately after we arrived, I realized that I had written the date incorrectly on the calendar, and the party is NEXT Sunday. Mommy fail. We headed to a nearby park to swing for a few minutes and pet some doggies.

 

 

 

We ran into Daddy and Tuttle on the way home and followed them to Starbucks. It was the perfect day to sit outside, and the kids entertained themselves by running on the sidewalk past the storefronts.

 

 

Jay has to be one of the hardest working husbands and daddies alive. He always pulls LONG hours all week, and he spent this entire weekend finishing the gate on the fence, completely cutting/edging/blowing our yard, and cutting down trees and bushes for our neighbor. We love you!

 

And just because my babies are the CUTEST:

 

 

A lot of public schools start back this week, but we do not begin our preschool year until after Labor Day. I am looking forward to another month of pool time, parks, and friends.