It's January and it was 73 today ... WHAT?

So this has been an odd Winter in Dallas.  No complaints from me... I used to LOVE the cold, wintry weather BK (before kids).  Now, Winter means more sicknesses, a constant runny nose and red chapped cheeks, too cold for the park or recess, having to dress small children in layers. etc.... yeah, all the things you don't think about being a major PAIN before you have kids.  I do love the occasional snow here... I can't even imagine how it is with kids in the north.  No wonder they need basements and their parents drink... lots.  I kid, kind-of.  I tell you all of this to #1 let you know about an odd year and #2 tell you that we spent a BUNCH of time outside the past few days.  I also have let my picture taking duties lag lately... Cole keeps me on my toes, removing things from his mouth and putting back what gets destroyed as he plows through our house pretty much fills my time - HA!!!  We have also been very busy getting ready for Grady's 5th Birthday... yes, already.  We'll get entirely too sappy talk about that later!

Here are a few pictures from the last week... thanks to my iPhone!

No smile, but LOTS of peas.  

Did you know peas work as an excellent hair gel?

 Mi Cocina... dining with the wolves

 Cole swats at the camera now if I try for a close up

 Family date night...

Corner Bakery and Ben and Jerry's (my BFFs)

Cole's first bite of ice cream - success!

 Cole attempting to play with Grady during time-out

 Bread crusts make an excellent teether

 The carousel at Frisco Mall

 
Cole started babbling/talking today... like overnight.  It is the weirdest thing.  On the way home today he was saying da-da-da-da over and over again and then started saying uh-gra, uh-gra, uh-gra.  Grady's eyes got really big and he said, "Oh my goodness, that's unbelievable!  He is only 10 months and can say my name!"  Such a proud big brother... I LOVE my boys!!!

Kids Say the Darndest Things...

So all kids are funny, they just are.  All ages, all stages, funny in their own way.  (Sometimes with middle schoolers it might be funny looking...I say this because I was one! Ha!)  AND Every parent thinks their kid is the funniest thing on Earth, and I am one of them.  My kids keep me laughing constantly and it truly is what gets me through the day sometimes.  Long story, short:  I like to laugh.  All this being said, some of this might not be funny to you... but it's fuuunnny to me and things I want to remember - forever.  You'll also find that all of these are Grady - sorry Cole, but you don't talk yet.  You are pretty cute though... and you do lots of funny things!

Grady:  When Daddy growds up he should be a fireman.
Me:  Uhm... he is a grown up, right?
Grady:  No, well kinda.  When you are 34 you have to grow up and he should right now.
Me:  Well, what job does Daddy have right now?
Grady:  He works. (in a real duh-mom kind of voice)


Grady:  Is Justin Bieber a girl or a boy?
Me:  He's a boy.
Grady:  Are you sure cause he sounds like a girl?!


Me:  Grady, why are you scratching your legs?  Do they itch?
Grady:  No, it makes me run faster.


Grady:  Mommy, Horse-Juice makes the computer at school work good.  It also has air and cords in it.


Grady:  Mommy, I'm going outside to look for my shadow cause if I have one it's Winter for 5 more days!

Grady:  The Indians were alive a long long time ago and they didn't have washing machines so they had to hang their clothes on a clothes-line. 

Grady:  Mommy, sometimes you are like Darth Vadar in the mornings.

Grady:  Mommy, you should call me "Grady-yu" because you can't hear the y at the end of my name.

Grady:  I don't need a hot-chocolate break, I've got lots of energy in me! (when skiing)

Grady:  "Police Navidad, Police Navidad" - for Feliz Navidad at Christmas time

Grady:  Mommas are better than Daddas.
Me:  Really?  How's that?
Grady:  Well, the lionesses do all the hunting and take care of the cubs
Me:  True...
Grady:  And they can take down a pack and run faster and...etc.

Grady:  Singing the Months of the Year song... January, February, March, April, May, June "DO-YOU-LIKE" (for July) August

Grady:  Mommy, I really like the bark on the outside of the chicken!

Grady:  (really loud and in the bathroom at a restaurant) Why do you pee-pee out of your bottom?

Grady:  Dear Jesus, thank you for T-ball and Pillow Pets.  Amen

Sum It Up Sunday

This week was pretty low-key... and low key is what we like around here.

 I LOVE this picture of Cole eating black beans...

Doesn't he look so much older?!?

Michelle and I had a lovely girls night Friday, which consisted of catching up(we actually had a conversation with out any interruptions, children yelling , throwing food or needing to go potty- I forgot how that feels), shopping and a yummy dinner at Cheesecake Factory.  Somehow I have no picture of this monumental occasion... we'll get one next time!

I'm throwing this pic in because there is just nothing cuter than a baby wearing jeans!  

This one is because I think he is just so sweet when he is sleeping... 

Saturday Richard went to a Concealed Handgun License class which lasted from 8-8.... it was a long day for him and I had lots of together time with the boys.  Too bad the weather was cold and windy, but we had lots of fun anyway.  It also made me realize that I am going to have my hands full this summer - Ha!

It was also another week of more milestones for Cole-Man!  Little Mister managed to learn how to high-five and is starting to WALK.  Yes, you heard me right... so far it's been just a few steps from one piece of furniture to another.  He's also been using the walker and l.o.v.i.n.g it.  He reminds me of an old lady on a mission at a grocery store (no offense to any old ladies out there).

I also have to add that Big Brother has been a SUPER big help to Cole and is so excited for him to learn to walk.  Grady follows along behind him and redirects the walker when it gets stuck on a corner or something.  It's super cute!

Today we met Grammy at La Hacienda Ranch for some yummy Mexican food.  Everybody was sooooo good so we got to ride the horses afterwards!

Sometimes it's the little things in life that make all the difference.  Actually, it seems like the "little things" in my life are absolutely the BEST!!!

Double Digits - Cole is 10 Months!

Today you are 10 months old Cole - that is BIG stuff around here because you are now into the double digits... sniff, sniff and a gulp...!  

You have changed quite a bit in the last few weeks.  

The biggest milestones this month are that you can now clap and wave hello and goodbye.  

This means you are officially a BIG boy. 

You also say "Om-a" and I think this means Momma and "A-ga" which I have decided means Grady! 

You like anything with wheels.  

When you find a toy with wheels, you will roll them just like you are supposed to... 

and then right to your mouth! 

You LOVE to sit and listen to books, and then stick them in your mouth.  

You even turn the pages!

Cole, you have also been cruising a bit from object to object with a random unsupported step now and then.  You stand up in the middle of the floor unassisted for up to 10 seconds now and when I hold my arms out to you you act like you might walk to me... but then change your mind and crawl over quickly. 

You also show objection when Grady somebody takes a toy away from you... I kid (kinda), you two play really well together!  

You are also obsessed with these two... Molly is your fav but Sumo will do for a wrestle or giggle when Molly isn't around.   

Cole, you have mastered the art of opening the cabinet, crawling in, and throwing everything out!  (Such a guilty face...)

You also really dig the swing.  You laugh and laugh and laugh when I swing you high! 

Last week you ate everything in sight and the last few days you haven't wanted much of a bottle... you are also getting over a cold so this might have something to do with it.  However, nobody would ever have guessed you were under the weather based on your happy face, sweet temperament, and easy going personality!  

I know I've said this 1,000 times, but you are the EASIEST baby!  If all babies were just like you, I'd have a BUNCH more... Yes, I said it! (knock on wood)

Cole, we love you.  Happy 10 months Big Boy!

   

A JANUARY Day at the Park

So it's rare that you get to go to the park in January... and even more rare without coats!  It was a beautiful day here... so we took advantage and headed to the park! (forgive the quality - iphone)

ALWAYS happy, but even happier on the swing! 

 Grady has become quite the playground master!  

He recently learned how to slide down the pole all by himself...

and has started to attempt the monkey bars - my BRAVE boy! 

 Cole really enjoyed watching the other kiddos play, and taking a spin or two around the duck pond!

 Grady has been SUPER into football lately... so when we passed the middle school equipment, he had to give it a go! 

 Dad giving a demo...

 Checking out the ducks

 and getting WAY too close to the edge...

 Cole was happy swinging and with the endless supply of goldfish I gave him...  

Yea, I'm not ashamed to keep him happy with food... 

Who doesn't like goldfish anyway? 

With another beautiful day on the radar for tomorrow... what will we do?  

The possibilities are endless.

I do know that whatever we do, as long as I'm with these sweet boys and a little sunshine...

I'll be happy!