Cotton Topped Tamarin

Grady has been in desperate need of a haircut but has refused to go.  He hates when they spray water in his hair with the squirt bottle.  Today he woke up and I didn't feel like I could take him out in public with the mop he had on his head.  I bribed him with some ice cream and it worked. 

Grady's hair has been so wild lately that I have nicknamed him the "cotton topped tamarin".  Below is a pic of the little monkey.  Can you see the resemblance?

Grady's brother from another mother.

His hair is curly so when I tried to tame his locks this is what happened.

No more flowing locks.  I just wonder what his hair is going to look like in his rebellious teen years??

Reptiles

You wanna make little boys very happy?  Bring home several boxes of reptiles.  That's exactly what I did this week.  The boys preschool asked me if I could to an environmental ed program for the kids.  Of course, I said yes.  I decided to bring a few reptile friends from Chimney Rock.  I picked up the animals on Monday night and returned them on Thursday.  Needless to say, the boys had a blast letting these creepy crawlies scurry around the house. 

G holding the corn snake

The sweet little box turtle enjoying some food.  She even ended up in the boys bed, much to my dismay. 

Wilbur, the hognose snake, got to spend the week with us as well.

The boys did a great job handling the snakes.

People at school asked me if I was concerned that the snakes would bite the boys.  Quite the opposite, I was much more frightened for the snakes.

Grady and his best bud, Wilbur

New Year, New Happenings

2012 is going to bring some big changes to our little family.  Myles is turning three, Grady is heading off to Kindergarten in the Fall and there just might be a new addition to our family.  Josh and I started classes with Buncombe County Foster Care Services last night.  Now, most of you know this is not something we have done on a whim.  I began researching adoption in 2009.  It was something Josh and I have always talked about even before we had the boys.   A "calling", if you will.  It really started on our trip to Costa Rica in 2003.  We fell in love with a beautiful, spunky Costa Rican two year old, Francesca.  We wanted to pack her in our back packs and take her with us.  Thus, starting our adoption discussions. 

 Fast forward to 2010 when I really started to look into adoption.  Josh wanted to check out foster care right away while I was interested in private adoption.  Long story short, foster care is the route we are taking.  I think I have always been somewhat of a “Champion of the Underdog” so this is right up my ally. 

One thing we both agree on is that if this process is detrimental to our boys then we will stop immediately.  We would love to add to our family but not completely disrupt the wonderful family unit we have presently.  It will be a wild ride but hopefully very rewarding in the end. 

We have to complete 10 weeks of classes, CPR, back ground checks, physicals, a home inspection and several other tidbits.  I feel like I’m applying with a law enforcement agency again.  Anyway, after all is said and done, we should get our first foster child in May.  Stay tuned…….

Who would want us to take care of their kids.....

Ours are so normal.....

They are not strange in the least bit. 

The Polar Bear Club

Thank goodness for our gym.  We have been spending tons of time at the pool trying to cure the winter blues.  We've had a lot of rainy, cool days lately and the playground just isn't going to happen.  The boys want to hit the pool everyday.  I'm usually happy to go but not too excited to get into the subarctic water.  Grady is getting really comfortable in the water.  He can swim like a little fish.  Myles is doing well too while wearing his swimming arms.   So, I can pretty much watch from the sidelines, ready to jump in if need be.

Waiting for the water aerobics class to end.

I happily play the photographer while at the pool.  I don't get in unless I have to as it's freezing.

Swimming in the deep end.

Racing Dad.  ....and the winner is, Grady.

Myles likes to bob around with his swimmy arms on. 

Winter Fun

I have been SO lucky to have my Mom sticking around with us these past few weeks.  My Dad and Will took off after Christmas but Mom decided to hand out and fly back on Thursday.  Yipeee for me!!  I have been taking full advantage of Mimi by going to the gym and running errands kid free.  I cannot say how happy I am that she has stayed.  We have enjoyed having Mimi and her creative mind around the house during the last very cold week.  It's hard to come up with fun stuff to do when you are stuck inside yet she manages to do it.

Santa brought the boys Gingerbread houses. 

Poor Mimi ended up doing most of the work while the boys enjoyed the candy.

Like I said....the boys ate the goodies. 

Ahh, the final product.

The boys had a sack race in their stockings.  What else can you do with a giant, empty stocking?

Santa also thought it was a good idea to give a 4 and almost 3 year old slingshots.  Ummm, I'm going to have to make a call to the "man in red" before next Christmas.  Check out the matching "fighter pilot outfits that Papaw picked out.  Thanks, Dad.  They love wearing them!!

They were both surprisingly good with the slingshots

Look how in to it Myles was.

After a long day of playing with Mimi, the boys are ready to pass out.  I just love how they hold hands when sleeping.