Easter Sunday

Colby swinging with Mrs. Eva

Exploring her backyard

Colby with Grammy and GrandDaddy on Easter

awww

My little man in his seersucker

Colby opening up his Easter basket!

I just love Easter for many reasons. I love to be reminded of Christ's love for us. I love the springtime and the feeling of rebirth. I love the weather. I love time with family and silly things like Easter Egg hunts.

As all holidays they seem to bring on an even greater meaning when you have a child. Today we began our day with church. I look forward to this family tradition with Colby growing up. I can remember all Easter Sundays growing up dressing up and heading to church and just the special familiy time that that was. I look forward to Colby understanding and learning more about Jesus each year. Last year he had no concept of God/Jesus. This year he understands to say "Thank you God" and fold his hands before every meal. Yes that's simple but that is where it begins. Next year I hope he will have a child like understanding of the real Easter story. We will do the Easter bunny but will try not to make it a huge deal I would rather the focus be on Jesus and going to church as a family.

Colby did start his morning by opening his Easter basket though. And what a priceless moment has he headed into the den and saw it and went "ooohhhh" so sweet! He loved all his goodies. His favorites though were the football and Mickey Ball. I think he also liked the car and truck too! He did really well getting ready for church. He got to were his seersucker suit which was really intended for last Easter but was too big. It was a little snug today but pretty much fit. He looked adorable! Like a true southern gentleman! He got lots of comments at church too! Its just sad that today will probably be the one and only chance he will wear it! Maybe we will have another boy who we can pass it on to!

Sunday School was really fun. We had Colby, Broc, and Cade. Cade is in the process of transitioning up from the baby room. I pretty much hung with him. Mrs. Shirley took care of and played with the 2 bigger boys! Cade did really well and I think we bonded over puffs! I swear those are baby crack! Colby cried when I left him for extended care but his teachers afterwards said he stopped quick and didn't fuss the rest of the time! Glad to hear that! He was in there with Broc and Glenn Paul! Funny how its all boys! They were busy playing with cars and trucks! The service was awesome. I enjoyed worship today. I look forward to when Colby can sit in worship service with us but I am thankful for the nursery right now so I am not distracted with a squirmy toddler.

After church we headed home and changed Colby and fed him a little lunch. I wasn't sure what he would eat over there so I didn't want him to be grumpy. We went over then to Mrs. Eva's house. Colby loved her backyard. He had a blast running around. Then he discovered the ham and had to eat a bunch of that. He was really good though to be running behind on his naptime! Even while we ate he was good. He just ran around and played! He ate some green beans and drank tea. He also enjoyed the brownie dessert! I was so proud he didn't get grumpy at all. Soon after dinner though he started running to the door and pointing. He was ready for his nap. He didn't melt down though. We decided to just bring him home rather then try to make him nap there. I am so glad though that he loves his naps so much! But he hung in there good until about 2:30 so that was about 2 hours behind when he normally naps!

It was a great day...I look forward though when he's really excited about hunting eggs. He didn't want too much of a part of it today though. He played with them and got a couple but wasn't really ready to hunt them. Maybe next year! So now we have all had naps and are waiting on our friends Josh and Laura to get here so we can continue celebrating haha!

A Little Easter Fun

Today being the day for Easter we got to do a few things to get ready. First Colby received his Easter basket from his Grammy and Granddaddy. It was filled with CD's ( he loves his music), puffs, swimsuit, t-shirt, an Elmo stuffed animal, and socks.

We waited until tonight to dye eggs because Austin had to work. Colby didn't get to participate too much because it was late and he's too young to really understand so we let him look and peek at the eggs. Maybe next year we can move the project outside and he can enjoy it! He was very curious and wanted to pick the eggs up but they were still wet so he has to wait until tomorrow!

Austin and I also played Easter bunny. Its fun to do these things for your kids. Although it seems like we just played Santa Clause. I got the idea from some friends next year we will probably leave carrots out for the bunny but this year Colby doesn't even really know so we didn't do that part. The Easter bunny left him all sorts of goodies though, some balls, firetruck and car (before I even know how much he would love the movie "Cars", some Disney pjs so he'll be ready for Disney, candy (ofcourse jelly beans), a book, a CD, and some sunglasses! I think the Easter Bunny must have thought he was very good this year! Can't wait to post pics of tomorrow but here's a few from today!

Last Easter

My little guy has grown so much this past year! I am really excited about his 2nd Easter. This year he should be able to hunt Easter Eggs which will be fun. Not sure if we will let him help dye them this year...we might do like last year and do that when he goes to bed. I just know he would probably make a huge mess! I look forward to the many years of Easter getting him all dressed up and taking him to church as a family.

I always loved Easter as a kid! Last year he wasn't really old enough to understand much. He did like playing with the eggs and sitting in his basket! Wonder if he could still fit in it haha??

Middle of the Week Routine

Well it seems like we are just getting back to our normal weekday routine. Austin was off Sunday-Tuesday. So yesterday (Wednesday) actually felt more like a Monday. Wednesday though is our grocery shopping day so as soon as I was able to get Colby and myself dressed we headed out to the store. Colby does really well at the grocery store and I am so thankful for that. We are usually only in there 40 minutes I pretty much have it down to a science! Poor thing though boohoos everytime this guy helps us with our groceries at the car. The guy is a little strange but you can tell he's maybe just special and that is why he does the job he does. He always wears a big hat and he is always helping us with our groceries. I mean he makes me feel a little strange too but Colby just freaks out when he comes around. I guess he can sense that he is a little off I dunno? Its almost embarassing though...I try to avoid having him help us but it seems like he is always by the door when we come out. I have even thought about shopping somewhere else b/c of this but I love Rouses and its just so conveniant. It only takes us about 10 minutes or less to get there.

After our grocery shopping and putting everything away Colby always wants to playoutside. So we stay out there a good while then I can usually bribe him in though with juice. We usually play for a little while then it is time for his lunch/naptime. I love his naptime its my time of the day where I can relax and put my feet up for awhile too. After his nap Casee and Jax came to walk with us. Colby does so well on these walks too he just sits back and enjoys his snacks. Jax did really good too I am anxious about when Jax is old enough to really interact with Colby. It was quite warm yesterday afternoon after our walk I was sweating...I guess summer time is on its way! By the time we finished walking it was time for me to start making dinnner. I found a recipe for mac n cheese soup and wanted to try making it for Colby. It was really easy but I don't think Colby was as fond of it. I liked it though. Colby ate it but he didn't lap it up like I thought he would. I think I would make it again though just b/c its easy and is healthy I mean its got carrots and broccoli in it. I couldn't even convince Austin to eat it...he is not a fan of broccoli at all! As usual we took our nightly walk after dinner. Colby is now into "walking like a big boy" so it probably takes us twice as long to round the block. He likes to touch every car, truck, flower, dog, flag, yard decor in sight! Its really cute though how the small things just make him so happy! I love this explorer stage he is in! I think I am really gonna miss the toddler phase. I mean it has its downs sometimes with the tantrums and fits but everything is so new and exciting to them I love seeing the world again from his view!

Today was what has become our Thursday routine trip to the park. This is our mommy/son day! I love it because its just about me and him and having fun. No errands to do, I don't worry about chores we just get out and find a park and have a blast! Last week we had the haircut though but we made up for it last Friday. Anyway we always begin by a trip through Starbucks for mommy's coffee fix. I think I have now become an addict to their coffee. I probably have it 3 or 4 times a week! We went to the park in Algiers again. I like this park when its just Colby and I because its in a good neighborhood, its easy to park and walk in, and there are usually other moms there to talk to and kids Colby's age. Today I saw a MOPS mom I saw her the last time too! Her little boy Jackson is about 4 months older then Colby. They play and interact a little its fun to watch! After the park we came home and played outside then had our usual lunch/naptime.

After his nap we almost always go walking. Today it was just us so I decided to drop his swimming application off at his teacher's house. She lives in our neighborhood. Pretty conveniant! It was a good long walk but not too far! I will probably walk most of the time he is in lessons too! I feel like we are being "green" that way and also healthier by walking! After we got in we played outside until austin got home and it was time for dinner!

I just love these simple days though! Since I am not working I love weekdays! I love when Austin is off too but there is just something special about these days being home and watching Colby grow up and it just being the 2 of us sometimes! I recall fondly days like this spent with my mom when I was little too! I love weekends but sometimes I am just grateful for the weekly routine!

Another Great Afternoon

We have been using our backyard so much lately! Way more then last year! 1) Because Colby is older now and wants to play outside a lot and 2) Because we did some work in our yard this winter that keeps it from being wet and muddy all the time.

The weather has been great and we are enjoying the longer days. We pretty much stay outside from the time Colby wakes from his nap until dinner time then we either go back out or take a walk! I am loving it!

ZOO day!

Today was yet again another gorgeous day! Gosh am I loving this spring weather! I feel like God has really blessed us this spring. Its so wonderful I think I appreciate it even more with a young child. Colby loves the outdoors so it has been great to soak up all this great weather. We had a really cold and wet winter so I think God is blessing us after dealing with that! The flowers and plants have been blooming so pretty this year after our unusually cold winter.

Anyways back to today. Well Austin was not orginally supossed to be off today but he said work was slow so he decided to take advantage of it and take another day off. Ofcourse Colby and I would not object! Once again we wanted to take advantage of the pretty day and go do something fun! We ended up picking the zoo. We figured it would be really quiet today. We were wrong but thats ok we still had fun! There were a lot of school groups there so we couldn't let Colby walk around the way I had hoped. I think he enjoyed himself though! He got a kick out of the elephants and giraffes again. He also enjoyed the birds and jaguar. He recognized the jaguar as a large kitty! He got to walk and climb some but it was too crowded to really let him go as he pleased. After the zoo we ate at McAlister's and once again he did really well! It was a great morning. Ofcourse again we plan to enjoy some more nice weather this afternoon in our yard and by taking a walk! Again can I say how much I love spring??? I mean I loved winter and cold weather too but I am just really enjoying our spring this year! I guess last year Colby wasn't old enough to do all these fun things so this year its so fun to take him places and let him explore and learn! The springtime is such a fun time to have a toddler I must say!

A little tough love

So tonight at dinner we had to show Colby a little tough love. I'm sure some people would think we were being too mean or strict with him but I want Colby to be a good eater and not turn into a kid who has to eat the same thing at every meal.
So tonight we cooked grilled chicken, sweet potato fries, corn, and green beans. These are all things Colby loves! He was also starving by dinner time so I gave him a piece of cheese before dinner was ready which was probably a mistake. So I made him a plate first of green beans and corn b/c they were ready first. He did eat a lot of the green beans and a few bites of corn. Well then when we sat down to eat I figured he would eat the chicken b/c I gave him ketchup to dip it in and some sweet potato fries which he previously loved. Well he turned his nose up at all of it. I tried not to pressure him b/c usually if you just leave him alone he does better. He gets mad when you try to feed him or force him so I tried to ignore him but most of dinner he just sat there playing and such. So by the time we were finishing up we were both getting annoyed b/c he was throwing his cup and begging for more to drink after he had already guzzled his juice. I told Austin he was going to stay in his highchair for extra time then while we cleaned up. I didn't want to fight with him or spank him b/c I don't believe in turning mealtime into a fight b/c then it does truly become a power struggle. So my idea was ignore him and let him stay in there with no distractions for a little while. He fussed a little but I couldn't really see if he ate anything else. He might have eaten a couple bites but not enough to make a big difference but atleast he kinda saw that hey I played at dinner and refused to eat so I'm not going to be rewarded by playing right now. After about 10 minutes I did go in there and feed him his yogurt b/c I wanted him to have something in his tummy. He also slugged down his milk too. But I didn't even offer any other treat. Usually he gets vanilla wafers but not tonight. Its not like he even asked for any though.
So we aren't sure what actually is the source of tonight. It could be he was just wanting to play a toddler game or trying to be in control, or his teeth could be sore b/c he is working on a canine, or his throat might be a little sore b/c I think all 3 of us have a small cold. So anyways hope he enjoys his meals better tomorrow b/c he has been eating soo good this week! I guess thats just all part of it though! He was also probably really tired b/c I think he only napped about an hour today!