Together

Ben only works 2 days this week. We will have lots of family time together. I am really looking forward to that!

Pinterest

Only on that site can you think about how to renovate a kitchen and natural ways to kill fruit flies...in 30 seconds. 

Whew

He had fun!!! He said he hadn't been there in 30 years!!! 

Stone Mountain

In my crazy to take my grandfather who just turned 87 to go to Stone Mountain park for his birthday? I wanted to do something fun and I thought it would be a good idea. We will see after we return today if he likes me still. I am surprising them with this adventure too :)

I researched online of what to do for elderly people for entertainment. The results came back as: birdwatching, bingo, gardening, plays, etc. They have done all of that for crying out loud.  For my grandmother's 80th, we took her to Ireland. Um, we don't do Bingo :) 

So, we will be riding a skylift, train, and possible boat today. 

Through the viewfinder

As I reminisce on my day more, I am even more joyful about my photography. I  purchased a new lens and I have never owned a wide angle lens. It overwhelms me thinking how I have always envisioned my photographs to tell a story, but was limited in my view with my lens. I wanted to jump up and down today because I finally achieved what I wanted to capture in the shot. I had no limits. 

It is hard to describe my joy, but I am looking forward to my upcoming photo opportunities! 

Now, if I can just get my computer cleaned off. 28,000 photos is slowing our laptop down. Ahem....

Toddler free

My parents came down on Tuesday to see all of us, but especially Jackson. We all decided that Jackson would go with them on Wednesday to spend some grandparent time with him. He is having a blast and SO. ARE.WE!  We have been to Atlanta to go shopping, to trivia with friends. We have gone to Callaway Gardens, out to eat, and to a movie! Tomorrow, I get to see my little man and I am excited! I have enjoyed my time with my hubby, but I miss my sweet boy. 

Public restroom

Score! During swimming lessons, Jackson told me he had to go potty! And, he was successful! First time using a public restroom! Yes!!!

G-parents day

My parents are coming to see Jackson swim at his lessons and help around our house. We are moving around a lot of furniture and they are taking a few things back with them, including our son. They are going to take Jackson until I get up there on Friday. I am having a hard time getting all of the organization done during his naptime and they need some "Jackson time" since they were gone on a cruise and haven't seen him in a while.

Plus, we can go to a movie and out to dinner without paying a babysitter! Score!

Off to go get everything ready for their arrival this afternoon! Jackson is still snoozing, so I have a little time left.

Deja vu

Same bowl, same cereal, at my Meemaw's house, 1986. 

My Meemaw  passed when I was 16, but I was able to receive her bowls. Now, my son is eating from them. I wish she could have met my little boy. 

Sorry, Lord

I know it is the day of rest, but wow, I got a lot done this afternoon. It must be these vitamins I am taking. I completely cleaned and organized our laundry room and cleaned out our bathroom. We moved all of Ben's tools out of our laundry room and into our new shed. (along with his golf clubs) And, I accomplished cleaning, sweeping, and mopping the kitchen. I think I will get cleaned up myself and eat some dinner. The boys are out running errands and having fun. I enjoyed myself and feel so accomplished.

Tomorrow's task? Cleaning out our closet to make it Ben's bedroom. He is about to start night shift and we will be putting a twin bed in there. Don't worry, he is not in trouble. :)

Woohoo for checking off our list today!!!

Bye Bye, Friends

Usually, when we pull up to church, Jackson gets a little bit of anxiety because he LOVES being with both of us soo much. However, today, when we brought him to his room, he didn't look back and immediately went in without saying goodbye. No crying, no fussing. He was EXCITED!

When we came to pick him up, he was eating a snack. He was not ready to leave, but didn't fuss about it. When he finished, he calmly walked over to us and then turned around and waved and said "bye bye friends! See you later." All the helpers were giggling and I was proud of how he responded today. When we walked to the car, he was saying "bye bye, church. See you next week."

I am relieved and can't wait to take him back next week.

Quite a Saturday

It was quite a Saturday for the Ladd Family. We went to a sweet little girl's first Birthday party (our neighbor one block over) and enjoyed walking as a family down the street to the festivities. It felt like "home" as a family to walk down the street on a Saturday. We did not have to say, "sorry, we have to work" as we have had to do in the last two years. It is so refreshing to realize that we can join in the celebrations together now. I know there will be times when Ben has to work and he can't join us, but for the majority of the parties, we will be together. We are blessed to have made it through this chapter and are joyful for this next chapter in our lives.

Then, Jack took a nap and I continued on my Operation: Organize the Ladd Casa. 2 years of working at night and being a mommy by day, never allowed time to get our home the way I envisioned it when we moved it. I have some breathing room now to accomplish those goals.

We set up all the pool toys/games/water table, etc and had our next door neighbors over for dinner and fun. Jackson adores his friend, Korra. When she is sad, he will pat her back and read to her. They are getting to the age where they can play together. They are adorable together.

We had a feast of a dinner and played a game when the "babies" went to bed. Now, I am supposed to be reading about how to raise boys, and instead I am reminiscing about the day. I guess I will try to get one page read before I fall asleep. That is normally how it goes.

Good night, moon!

Thank you, swimming!

As we were leaving from swimming, Jackson said, "Bye, bye, swimming! Thank you for having me! See you tomorrow!" No prompting to say that at all. I was laughing and wish I had it on video.

Our sweet boy brings so much joy to our lives.

Berry Pickin

We went berry picking two days in a row. While it was a blast, this mama needs to get some things accomplished and rest today.

I made a Blueberry Pie/cobbler last night from the blueberries we picked that morning. It was a fun experience. It was my first pie to make and I think it went well. Gluten free flour is hard to use, but it worked out okay.

Today, we will complete chores and then go to our fifth day of swimming lessons. We get tomorrow and Saturday off.

Thank you, George!

Jackson has never been one to have meltdowns and completely go crazy. Well, today, I got to witness it. Y'all I can't make this stuff up. Jack is so excited about sitting on the big potty. I can't get him to do his business and get down.  He does his business most of the time, but recently, he wants to hang out on the potty. He proudly sits and talks about being on the big boy potty. When it is time to get down, he has a meltdown. On top of that he didn't want me to take a sticker off his shirt. I didn't want him to eat it during his nap. That made it escalate. I disciplined him and gave him timeout. That boy is stubborn.

The only thing that I could get Jackson to calm down to take his nap was to turn on George Winston's Canon in D and play it on the outside of his door on iPad! He is not crying and has not made a noise! 

Thank you, George!

Saved

Saved another $20 just from couponing and deals and gifts cards! This is awesome to think I have that money to use it for something else!

Jack was very helpful in the store in putting fruits and veggies in bags. This was probably the BEST trip with him to the store. He actually was using the brussel sprouts as a pillow and relaxing on the ride in the cart. It was hilarious!

Water day

We had a spontaneous playdate with our neighbor and our water table. It was a blast and Jackson did not want to come inside and eat lunch. :)

After naptime, we will be getting the inflatable water playground out for the neighbors and Jackson. Then, we have Jackson's FIRST SWIMMING LESSON at 5pm.  I hope the rain holds off. We have swimming lessons M-F this week and next week. However, storms are coming in. :( I hope they go away for our lessons each day.

It is a water kind of day!

Tape resist artwork

Use painter's tape, but we worked with what we had and it was perfect for us! 

Time to clean up

It is no fun coming back from a trip to wake up the next morning and have to get your house back together. Thankfully, I've got a great little helper!!!

Home

We got home around 9:30pm.

Home,sweet,home.

Atlanta

I wished we lived in Atlanta still. I miss all the activities, food, shopping. However, I do not miss the traffic! :)

Movie and more adventures

Wreck-it Ralph was a cute movie. We had a free Redbox code. 

Today, we are going to meet friends back and Catch Air (indoor playground).  Jackson loved it yesterday and so we decided to go back today. We invited my high school best friend, her husband, and her daughter, Autumn,  which is two years old! 

Then, after naptime, we are going to the Atlanta food truck event in downtown Atlanta. It is a Father's Day event and I cannot wait to have my first King of Pops!!!

Fun day ahead!!!

B-I-N-G-O

The song for our wake up this morning!

2 days

After two days by ourselves at my parents' house for housesitting, Daddy is coming back to their home. He had to work back home.

He should be here in an hour. We are so thrilled! While I love hanging out with my boy and relaxing, it will be nice to have our entire family back together. And, there are some storms coming in tonight and I feel more comfortable with my hubs with us.

It is going to be a lovely Father's Day weekend. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend as well!

New song

This morning it is "no more monkeys jumping on the bed."

Water day

We enjoyed going to the Cumming Aquatic Center and going to what we call the "Splash Pad." We ate lunch there and then went to Dairy Queen afterwards. We enjoyed our ice cream at the park and played on the slides. Jack was so disappointed when we had to leave "more water" and "more slide," but we have more water fun this weekend.

He is also asking about NeNe and G everytime we come back to their house. He is concerned as to where they are. We just tell him they are on a big boat and change the subject. He wants to see them so bad since we are at their home.

Maybe we will skype with them when they get back to the US. :)

Good Morning Singing

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Water Park

We are going here today. The session is from 10-2. If we are having a lot of fun, we might stay the whole time. We have taken Jack there when he was a baby. I can't wait to see his reaction today!

Naptime snack

I thought Jackson was completely past eating tags. I allowed him to nap with a stuffed animal we found at NeNe and G's house. Um, guess not.

Great day

We had a wonderful day visiting Ben's old co-workers in the morning, eating fabulous subs for lunch, and visiting with my grandparents for the afternoon and evening. We ate dinner and watched Wheel of Fortune with them. Jack calls it "ABCs." We all love that show!

Now, Jack is sleeping and we are about to watch a Redbox movie.

Great day!

Water playground

So, we totally forgot about our inflatable water playground. When we get back home we will be getting that out and having a neighborhood fun time!

Enjoying our new books! Love these boys!

Rainy Sunday

Braves Game on TV

Fish and Chips for dinner

Reading books and playing cars with my son

Perfect rainy afternoon with my loves.

 

Party time

Baby shower at 10:30 for me

Ben and Jack are partying with a two 

year old girl at her bday party at 10am

Thirty-one party at noon: all my bags are packed and ready to show :)

One year old princess birthday party at 5 which all three of us are attending and I will be photographing. 

Big day for the Ladd family! We are blessed to celebrate with all the families!

Splendid afternoon/evening

We had an enjoyable day! I am so excited to have my boys together until next Wednesday. Oh, what fun we will have!

Either sick or very tired

Little man wanted to go to bed at 11:30a for nap time. I hope that means we won't have a rough afternoon. I am praying for a happy toddler when he wakes up.

Excuse me

Jack just tooted and said "excuse me!" I am sooo pleased! Hahaha

Painting with brush

Success! 

Hydrangeas

Who needs to spend money at the florist? I am in love with hydrangeas and love to see them every summer outside our door. My helper arranged these with me this morning and enjoyed smelling them too!

Party Time

Ben just got off of work. It is time to party!

Big Day!!!!!!

Ben passed his boards and it is our Anniversary of getting engaged!

We are going to celebrate tonight!!!!! :)

Grandparent visit

My parents are coming to visit today! :)

No nap= 7pm bedtime

Silence in the house. Ahhhh! Now, to cleaning up our bedroom and a movie! :)

Thunder

Every time it thunders Jackson says "uh oh!" It is going to be a long night. 

And, just call him Wilson!

Oh yeah!

No more fever!

No nap

I guess all that rest and sleep yesterday made Jack one wired dude. He decided to not take a nap today after a two hour attempt. This doesn't happen often, but when it does, it throws us off. :)

101.5

My little heater makes me sad. Good thing that is his only symptom. Sadly, there is not a lot I can do to help him. I hope he sleeps off the fever tonight.

Busy Bee

I think he is back. He is soooo chatty. 

Tylenol and Disney Movies

That is what our day has consisted of. Sleep, Tylenol, snuggling and Disney Movies.
I hope he is back to his spunky self. I feel bad for the little guy. Fevers are no fun!