Happy 9th Birthday, Grady

Grady actually got a party this year, unlike last year.  He hasn't let me live that one down.  Last May, we sold our house, moved, adopted Emma and I graduated from my masters program.  All of this happened in the span of 2 week and I just couldn't get it together to have a birthday party for Grady.  Huge parenting fail.

This year, Grady and his good buddy Jacob opted for a joint birthday party.  Their birthday's are two day apart and they share a lot of the same friends.  So, it worked out perfectly.  We had the campout party at Jacob's house as I don't think 15 boys would fit in the tiny house.  It was exactly what you would expect from that many boys, crazy, running, yelling, shooting, getting hurt, rambunctious, and insane.  I can only handle that once a year.  Josh stayed over with Jacob's Dad and helped with the campout.  I (fortunately) had to leave and put Emma to bed.  We came back in the morning to a full report and lots of cleaning.  The party was a success.

Both boys are into Star Wars

It rained for most of the campout but that didn't stop these fools from playing in the cold.  Shirts were off and squirt guns were out.

Legos were played

Grady, Myles and Will did some booty shaking while the rest of the boys calmed down and watched a movie.

The newest Star Wars move was on the big screen

Grady's birthday cards from Gramma and Grandpa and Mimi and Papaw.  Great minds think a like!

The next day, Grady's actually birthday, he asked for root beer floats.

The following Monday, Grady asked me bring a treat to school.  I obliged and came for the "compliment circle".  Each kid said something nice about Grady and passed a candle.  Here are a few things that were said the most: Grady is, funny, smart, talks a lot, kind to everyone, a good friend, sticks up for people, "funny at the appropriate times", knows a lot about nature and animals, a good big brother, and friendly.

His teachers said, "I like Grady because he is a wolf not a sheep.  He is a leader in the best way possible".  "Grady's positive energy is infectious and helps the other students".  "Grady knows a little about everything". 

Pops Visits

Josh's Dad, aka Pops, came to visit last weekend.  He wanted to help Josh with the house and hang with the kids.  Josh and his Dad got a lot of work done and the kids loved seeing him.

Josh and Ron hung all of the kitchen cabinets

The kids used the cardboard boxes to make a village

It was Mother's Day that Sunday and we went out to lunch.  

Grady put a lot of thought into my Mother's Day card.  He said he was too busy talking with his friends.

We took Pops on a hike off the Blue Ridge Parkway

It was also our 10th wedding anniversary.  We went out to eat at our favorite restaurant, Limones.  Check out the Lobster Nachos.

The best brussel sprouts in the world

Spicy Margarita 

More fun with cardboard.

It went from a village to a slide

Emma checking out her new room.

The kitchen is almost finished.  It just needs granite and appliances.

Shower tile (looks like barn wood)

Kitchen island.  Josh and Ron really did a lot of work in a short time.  Thank you, Ron, for all of your help with the house.  

Around the house (both tiny and big)

Here are a few photos from our recent days.

Drywall is up

Emma made me walk around the neighborhood with an umbrella and rain jacket.  She insisted that it was raining.

We even had to jump in "muddy puddles".  

Princess Myles

I took the kids to the Biltmore on a sunny day while Josh was working on the house.

She was in trouble.

Construction site play

She still LOVES her cat

My running partner the other night

I had an entire entourage.  

Emma reading to Caesar

It was bring your pet to school day for Grady.  I brought Caesar and he hasn't forgiven me yet.

One mom was a vet and she brought a box full of kittens.  Emma was in heaven. 

Em had her 6 month cardiology appt and all looked good.

It was even better than last visit so we don't have to go back for another year.  Yea!!