The Weekend

This has been a very busy weekend! Yesterday was full. We had Austin's parents in. So we all woke up early and cooked a big breakfast. I was wishing I could have slept in a little though. Colby always wakes up earlier when they are here b/c they get up early so he can hear them. Needless to say we were all up by 7. We cooked sausage, biscuits, and eggs though which made it better! Colby ate all that plus a bowl of fruit! I am so thankful my little guy is a breakfast eater! I think it makes for a happier,healthier day when started with a good breakfast.

After we were all dressed we took Colby to the park. We had to stay close b/c of all the parades all over the city. We decided not to do another parade back to back since we had just gone that night. Colby enjoyed the park especially at first but he got bored since he was the only kid out there and wanted to leave. I made him stick it out an hour though. We didn't have much else planned and I knew he needed the time outside and I want him to learn to entertain himself sometimes and know that that is what we had planned today and what we were going to do!

We came up with the idea after about an hour though to go check out a local Farmer's Market. I have been wanting to do this. There are many around our city too. We went to one close by. It was a fun atmosphere...live music, people selling lots of good food, and beautiful weather. Colby enjoyed just walking around exploring. We stayed about 30 min. I would like to go back sometime and stock us with some fresh fruits and veggies!

Once we got home Austin's parents decided to drive back home and get ahead of the parade traffic. So Austin, Colby, and I got lunch then settled in for naptime. I was glad we got some relaxation b/c Friday was a busy, tiring day! After nap we tried to go for a walk but that ended quickly with Colby falling. I decided to bring him home and we just played in our own yard!

Today was church. I was excited about us going as a family. Sunday School went really well. Colby was in the 3 year old room today with Emily. His teacher said he did really well and listened to the story. I am so glad he got to promote early. He had just been with me for two long. He had been in my ss class since he was about 6 months old and we both needed a change. Now that I am in charge of the nursery though I get to check on all the classes which is fun. Jonathan was the only baby and he did really well...another came during church though. Zoe was the only toddler and they took her walking most of the time so she wouldn't scream. We left after Sunday School since there was a big parade close to our house. We ate lunch out with my parents. On the way home (we drove by the parade) Colby got to see the entire parade from our car which was neat. He loved the police cars, firetrucks, and motorcycles! We even got close enough to the horses to roll the window down. When we did a horse stuck his head in our car then the man riding tossed Colby a pink elephant! Only in New Orleans at Mardi Gras would something like that happen! Colby thought it was halarious though!
Sunday night we had church again. Our church only has Sunday night church once a month. Its called the Gathering. Its a more laid back type service where we focus on missions and the family. There is no childcare and I kinda like that. I like that everyone young and old is together in one place working to serve others. Colby usually does pretty well at these events. He started out well this time but it ran longer then usual so he got antsy. He wanted juice, he wanted water, he wanted to get down, and ofcourse he wanted a cupcake....they have desserts each month to celebrate that month's b-days. He remembered that from January! So he kept saying birthday cake. Austin had to take him out a couple times but he did pretty well for his age. I just like that he can get involved in missions already at only 2. He helped us fill bags and throw things into buckets. It was a fun evening!

Parading...

So today was the start of the parade season. We wanted to bring Colby out to the night parade this year. This is actually his 3rd Mardi Gras but last year was his first parade he was just too young and too much on a schedule as a baby to fool with them. Last year he liked it ok but he was still kinda young plus he was getting over a stomach bug. I knew this year he would like it more.

Austin's parents were also coming in to visit us so we thought it would be a good time for us all to get out and go. We have had a very busy day though. Let me start at the beginning. First Colby and I got out this morning and went to Walgreens and got a b-day card and present for our neighbor friend Mrs. Doris. She is like a grandmother to me therefore, like a great-grandmother to Colby. She is always remembering our birthday and giving us stuff so I thought we should do something for her. Colby loves going to visit her. Anytime we take a walk we have to stop in at her house if she's home.

After that we just came home and played in the backyard for awhile. It was a gorgeous day. Soon after we got settled in for lunch and naptime. I didn't get a nap today which always sucks...I knew Austin's parents would be arriving so I couldn't really sleep anyway but they got here after 1. I knew Colby wouldn't take a good nap either b/c they rang the doorbell which usually wakes him up and plus they get in and start visiting and talking loudly and he knows someone is in the house. So ofcourse he came out at like 2:30...on a normal day I would have made him go back to bed but since we had company it would seem rude to do that. He had pooped though which I was glad b/c he hadn't pooped in like 3 days!

So once he got up we all played and even went outside for awhile. I could already tell though he wasn't well rested. We left for my parents house for the parade around 4:30. We had plans to eat dinner with them then walk down to the parade. We got there and ofcourse Colby played but he also was very whiny...he's always like this when he has the attention for 4 grandparents...I am so glad this doesn't happen often b/c he would drive me crazy! He just gets bad...finally I had enough right before we sat down to eat and put him in timeout. I know it probably sounds mean but I am the one that has to deal with him after the grandparents go back home and the hubby goes back to work...if he gets undisciplined for a day or so then it takes me a week or so to get him back! He ended up eating a good dinner though!

We brought him in his wagon down to the parade. I think he was very curious about what we were doing. There was a lot of commotion: horses, police cars, sirens, bands. I am not sure he remembered last year. He wasn't scared he was just taking it all in. We were kicking ourselves for not having him a parade ladder this year though. Austin would pick him up for the floats though. As soon as they passed though he wanted to get down. He couldn't really see though when he was on the ground. He finally took to just running in the neutral ground. He caught a lot of stuff though. We left about 2 floats early to get him home. We left at 7:30 because I knew we had the whole walk back to my parents then the drive around the world to get back home then bathing and putting him to bed. He was a handful too from the time we left the parade. It was 9 when we put him to bed and he still wasn't asleep at 10. I finally laid the law down to him at 10...normally I wouldn't be too upset if he had taken a good nap plus with company being here he will probably be up early too. Thank goodness tomorrow though we can get back to normal!

It was a good experience though the parade don't get me wrong. Hope we can make atleast 1 more with just Austin and I and Colby though before the season is over. He's still not old enough to totally get it but he got it more then last year!

WEDNESDAY

Today has been a fun day! It began with Colby and I having a pancake breakfast. Its not often we don't have to rush off anywhere and I can cook a big breakfast for us. Since we had no schedule today I made us blueberry pancakes and they were so yummy! Colby finished off 2 of them! I love making breakfast for my little family! Once we got dressed and ready we went to the park. This is our favorite thing to do when we don't want to go far or stay out too long. I took Colby to Confetti Park. When we got there we were the only ones at first. Colby had a great time playing in the cars. They actually have old children's ride on toys there which is a nice change. Soon a mom came with 2 little boys. The oldest was 2 and the youngest 1. Colby played a lot with the 2 year old. They both had their cars and trucks out there so they took turns playing it was really cute! Colby fell in love with the other boys yellow Hummer...in fact he wanted to take it home! Then another friend joined us with her little girl who is also 2. Colby didn't play much with her I guess he bonded more with the boy today but they did play some. I enjoyed visiting with the other moms as well! Colby had such a fun time we stayed an hour and a half which is rare! He only stays that long when he is having fun with other kids!
Tonight we had church. I had to work childcare again. It was Jonathan (3 months), Zoe (1 year) and Colby (2 1/2 years) in our room. I felt bad b/c I had to get a couple people last minute to show up. My regular workers for this week 1 didn't show up I forgot to call and remind them and the other ran late. I think the older group had about 5 or 6 kids. I felt bad that Colby didn't have anyone to play with though. He's almost too old for that class but too young to go in the other class. Zoe cried half the time then fell asleep and the baby obviously slept most of the time too!
I had wanted to do a bowling activity with them where they bowled for Bible verses but I never got time to go look for a bowling toy from the store. So we might do it Sunday instead. Colby always enjoys church though! He had a good time even though he really didn't have any friends to play with!

The Last 2 Days

Austin has been off these last 2 days...I always enjoy when he is off during the week. Its a great trade off for having to work weekends...we get to do other stuff that most people can't do b/c they are only off weekends. Yesterday I had bootcamp so Austin kept Colby. I think they played outside and then I told them to meet me at a park when I finished bootcamp. We all 3 had a wonderful time! The weather has been great! Colby ran around and had a great time!
Today Colby had school so Austin and I dropped him off at school then went to the mall. We wanted to go ahead and order Colby a "big boy" bed. We had planned to wait until his 3rd b-day but he's already so close to outgrowing it and we weren't sure how long it would take to come in. I love the days when Austin is off and Colby has school its like a free date day for us. We stopped and ate a quick breakfast at the mall then went off shopping. We ordered him bunk beds full on top of twin. It should be here sometime in March. I can't wait to re-do his room. He seems too big now for his nursery furniture. We are probably going with a "car" theme and blues and greens.
Colby seemed to have a great day at school when we picked him up. They apparantly did some shaving cream art and played outside! I am so happy he loves school so much! We don't have much planned the rest of the day probably just staying home and spending time together!

The Weekend

Wheww its been quite a weekend. I am exausted haha. We don't usually have very busy weekends so when we do I feel like I get wiped out from them! Saturday morning Colby and I got out to run some errands. We met Laura and Josh and baby Jonathan at Sam's to pick up cupcakes for Lauren's baby shower today. We shopped also and then sat in the cafe and visited. It was nice to get out but I was exausted when we got home. Usually Colby and I only run errands for like an hour or so but we were gone until noon.

Saturday night we went to my parent's house to celebrate Randall's birthday. Its always nice to hang out with everyone and visit. Austin was late though I always feel bad when he misses out on most of the celebration! We enjoyed eating and talking though and Colby was a total ham! Its fun to see how much he has grown up when I think back on Randall's previous birthday celebrations! This year he was really into it. He is starting to understand the "birthday party" concept so all day he kept reminding me about the party and cake and presents haha.

Today was ofcourse church day but a busy day it was! We first had our usual "nursery duries" during Sunday School. Now that Colby has promoted up to the 3 year old class it frees me up to help out at the desk checking kids in. I like it from the point of view I also get to see what's going on during Sunday School in all the classes. Jonathan was in the baby room so I got to love on him some and hold him. It was so wierd taking care of a baby that small it seems like forever ago since Colby was a baby! There was only Zoe in the toddler room and then Colby and Emily were in the 3 year old room. Colby got a special treat again today in his Sunday School class. One of his teacher's brought cupcakes for Broc's 3rd birthday...well figure he wasn't there today so Colby and Emily go to enjoy. Last week it was Emily's birthday and they had cake. Well today the cupcakes were nice and blue...Colby enjoyed his and when I went in his room to get him he was covered in blue...blue mouth, blue hands, blue on his shirt. I don't think he was really aware of how he looked. I took him to the potty in the meantime and he freaked out when he saw himself. My child is a total neat freak so this was not good. He immediately wanted to cleaned off! I had extended care duty today with the toddlers. For that time Colby goes back with the toddlers. Emily is 4 now so she feels comfortable with the 4 year old class but they are just WAYY too big for Colby. Since Zoe was there I just put him in a room with her. They both did fine...we took them outside and they both loved that.

After church and lunch out my parents brought Colby home. I had a baby shower I was helping out with so I had to go back up to church. The baby shower was really nice and it was great to get to hang out with other ladies and just visit and enjoy the shower but man was I tired when I left. Sundays are long days anyway but I didn't get home until after 5 today. I left the house at 8:30 this morning and by the time I picked Colby up and brought him home it was about 5:30...that's like a full days work! Austin is off the next 2 days though so that's exciting!

The Rest of the Week

We have had a great week....MUCH better then last. We are all well and enjoying the beautiful weather, sunny, 60s and 70s. I think spring has arrived! Wednesday Austin was off again so we went to the park that morning. Colby always has a blast and now that the weather is getting nice again I hope we can go even more often! After we had to go grocery shopping. That was the first time in awhile all 3 of us went to the store. It was actually fun. Colby did great and it was nice having Austin for some company I am so used to doing it by myself!
We came home and took naps and ate lunch then headed off to church that afternoon. We ate dinner up there which was nice. Its very rare that the 3 of us get to eat dinner there on Wednesday night....I am not even sure that last time that happened. Anyway we got to visit with the pastor too which was nice. I think he got a kick out of Colby. I worked in the nursery during church. We have started a new rotation and set up for the Mission Friends. We have one class that is babies-2 year olds then we have another class that is for the 3-5 year olds. There was actually a pretty good group of kids in each. We had Colby (2 1/2), Zoe (1) and Jonathan (3 months) in our class. I planned a simple art activity for them and we talked about talking to God. I think Colby got it but the other 2 were too young. Zoe might have enjoyed it more but she was crying most of the time.
Thursday Colby and I had our busy morning. He had school and I had MOPS. I was so glad he could get back to school this week. I think he was too! His teacher even posted a picture of him and her little girl playing on the playground! He loves school and I am so glad! MOPS was good as always. We learned ways to entertain our kids without screens or batteries. I loved this...I try to keep Colby from this stuff. We try to go outside and go places so that he does not spend a lot of time in front of the tv. Don't get me wrong I don't think tv is evil and won't allow him to watch it...we do spend a fair share of time watching PBS especially in the mornings when I am trying to cook breakfast, get dressed, and get the house in order. I just don't think its something that should be used to entertain kids all the time! When I picked Colby up from school he had his registration papers for next year. He came running out the gate and handed me that along with a picture he made and said "parents" it was the cutest thing! I guess his teacher told them to make sure and give that to their parents and he took that very seriously!
Now that the weather is warming up and the days are getting longer we have gotton to go out every day after his nap too which is nice! Today (Friday) Colby had a fun day planned. I have a hair appointment at noon so my parents were going to be keeping him most of the afternoon. Well my mom suggested that they just come get him early and would take him to the park and the mall for lunch. They have been wanting to do this for awhile. I know they will all have fun! I am looking forward to a little bit of quiet time as well!

Valentine's Date

Today Austin and I chose to celebrate Valentine's. We figured since he was off and Colby was in school we would go ahead and go out for breakfast. First of all I was so glad Colby could return to school today. It was hard though getting back in that "school routine" this morning. He was even a little unsure when we dropped him off but I think its b/c Austin and I were both there. He was probably afraid he was going to miss out on something.
We went to eat breakfast at a place called Stanley's. It was so good! It was also so nice to eat in peace and be able to visit. Afterwards we were right by the Louisiana State Museum so we decided to go in and see the Katrina exhibit. It was really good. I was so glad we got to see it. It brought back a flood of memories though of how horrible things were. It many ways that now seems like a lifetime ago. So many things have changed since then. Anyway the museum presented it very well.
By the time we finished there it was time to go back and pick Colby up. We got him...he looked like he had a great day in school...he was covered in dirt. I am glad he got to enjoy the beautiful weather we are having. We are planning on some outside activities this afternoon after his nap! Loving this "spring" like weather!