Strawberry Picking

Brian's parents are visiting for a few days.  Carter had school today but Rylan did not so we wanted to find something fun to do that Carter wouldn't be too upset about missing out on.

We decided to go strawberry picking since Carter would at least get to partake in the eating of what we picked.

We decided to try out Pantall Fruit and Vegetable Farm in Spring Hill.  The farm is just down the road from where we kennel Charlotte when we go out of town.  We were a little skeptical as we drove down the drive but were surprised to find the place packed and a ton of strawberries.

Rylan did a great job picking only ripe berries and being very gentle with them.  The weather was perfect too - mostly cloudy with a good breeze.  We all had fun picking and it was something none of us had done in a very long time (and Rylan had never done).

We ended up with a little under 5 lbs of strawberries (which cost $12).  I thought the boys would finish the strawberries today but luckily they only ate a little more than half (I'm sure they will be gone by tomorrow night though).

Running

Since Carter is officially a runner now, I decided we should go for a jog this afternoon after school since we actually didn't have any commitments.  My plan was to go for a 2 mile jog on the greenway and then play on the playground at Crockett Park for a bit.  I was going to push Rylan and Grayson in the stroller.

However, Rylan decided he wanted to run too.  He ended up doing over a mile of the run (he took some breaks in the stroller).  I was super impressed!

We aren't the fastest as a group, but we did the two miles in 23 minutes.  Not too bad :)

Thighs

Check out those thighs!!!

I get so many comments on Grayson's thighs.  Everyone just wants to pinch them.  And the crazy thing is that they are so much smaller than Rylan's were at this age!!!

Dugout Award

Carter got his second dugout award at his baseball game on Thursday.  Carter cheered for every single player on his team, every time they batted, and for the entire time they batted.  I don't know how he still had a voice left after the game.  As usual, Carter decided he wanted something and he did everything he could to achieve it.  I love this kid's dedication!!!

Apples

Grayson tried his first fruit today - apples.  I know I can buy natural applesauce but I decided to make it today.  I still haven't found anything this boy won't eat!!!

Mother's Day Gifts

Just wanted to share the sweet gifts the boys made at school this year ...

From Rylan:

From Carter:

In case you can't read what Carter wrote (or interpret kindergarten spelling) ...

Let me tell you about my mom.

My mom is    32    years old.

She likes to    work   .

The best thing she cooks is   rice krispie treats   .

Her favorite food is     chicken burgers    .  [This is what Rylan's calls chicken sandwiches.]

Her favorite thing to do to relax is   sit on the couch  .  [I think he's confusing me with Brian!]

We like to    hug and kiss   together.  [Ummmmm :)]

She is really good at    cooking    .  [How come Carter won't eat most things I cook though???]

As you can see, my mom is special because   she is nice    .

Grayson Update

Grayson was official 6 months old on Sunday.  I'm having a tough time keeping up with the blog lately (I may have a problem with committing to too many things) and I can't find the energy at night to write.  Lately, when I finally sit down at my computer in the evening, I wake up with my head on the desk.

So, I'm just going to list out all the stuff Grayson is doing right now before I forget everything and he's already 9 months old.

• Grayson has been wearing size 4 diapers for a few weeks now.  I had over-bought size 3 and had to sell them on Buy, Sell, Trade sites.

• Grayson has been generally eating solids twice a day.  It's hard to get it in though when we are on the go all day.  I'm still making all his food and he eats two frozen ice cube sized portions of food at eat feeding.

• Grayson used to sleep though the night but that ended around 4 months.

• Our typical bedtime routine is for me to get Grayson in his pajamas while Brian reads books to the big boys.  After books, Brian sings to Carter and I sing to Rylan.  Grayson comes with me.  Then I nurse Grayson and he usually falls asleep (yes, I know this is a bad habit).  I put Grayson down in his crib and he may or may not wake up about 30 to 60 minutes later and need a little help falling back to sleep.  Then he usually wakes up between 12 and 2 am.  I nurse him in our bed as I'm half asleep.  If I'm awake enough, I'll move him to his bouncer that's in our room when he's done.  Otherwise he'll just sleep in the bed between us.  If I'm lucky, Grayson won't wake up again until around 5 am.  Lately I've been getting up more though.

• Grayson rolls all over the place.  He can cross a room in no time.  He's not crawling yet but will inch forward a little to get something.  He isn't getting up on his knees yet.

• Grayson is really strong standing in the exersaucer.  I really need to raise it up from the lowest level because he stands up in it without resting his bottom in the seat.  He can also stand for a long time just holding on to my fingers.

• I'd still consider Grayson rather fussy.  He definitely doesn't chill on his own for long.

• Grayson would rather eat a book than listen to it right now.

• Grayson is obsessed with our drinks.  No matter what you have, he really wants to get his hand around it and pull to his mouth.

• Grayson can be super noisy with his happy yells.  He knows how to get everyone's attention even when he's not crying!

• Grayson is too active to cuddle.  He's always trying to see what else is going on.

• Grayson puts up with the Baby Bjorn or Ergo during all the big boys games.  I always do dugout duty for Rylan's games and help with coaching soccer practices.  It's going to be harder when he's too big for those and wants to explore!

• Grayson has no nap schedule right now.  We aren't home enough to develop one.  Right now he naps on the go.  He takes much longer naps in his carseat than at home.  I generally try to put him in his crib at home but also try the bouncer some times.  But he'll never sleep longer than 30 minutes.  He's a cat napper at this age, just like Carter and Rylan were.

• Grayson still has just the two bottom teeth.  Though his gums looks a bit swollen on the top for the two top middle teeth.

Angels Pictures

This year Carter's coach volunteered me to take the team and individual pictures for his baseball team.  I was happy to do it and save $25 (sports pictures are ridiculously expensive and we don't buy them except for first seasons anymore).

Individual pictures turned out pretty good but I didn't get a great team one (it's hard to get 11 kids and 4 adults to all look at you, smile, and not be blinking!).

Back Row (L to R): Coach Brad, Coach Jeff (head), Coach Andrew, Coach Gavin

Middle Row: Max, Jack Henry, Davis, Philip, Jacob, Gavin

Front Row: Hudson, Christopher, Carter, Drew, Hunter

Rylan - End of Soccer

Rylan had his last soccer game of the season today.

We are so proud of how far Rylan has come this season.  He rarely breaks down crying anymore!  YES!!!!  He is extremely aggressive - more so than Carter even now.  He's not scared at all to get in there and challenge another player for the ball.  And he often wins.  Rylan even has some impressive foot skills all of a sudden.  He is definitely one of the better players on his team now.  He scores in almost every game too.

I took this picture right after the game today.  Rylan obviously worked really hard!!!

After the game today we did our usual cupcakes and trophy presentation.  I attempted to make cupcakes that looked like green dragons this time (that's the team name the kids picked at the beginning of last season).

Brian took his time handing out trophies this time around and said a few things about each player.  I thought he did a great job and hopefully it made each kid feel special.  I also took a photo of each player with their trophy and coach :)

This season had flown by.  Usually when there are about 2 or 3 games left, Brian and I can't wait for it to be over.  But we had such great kids and parents this season that we didn't mind coaching at all.  Plus with our crazy hectic schedule, time is just flying by right now.  We are looking forward to coaching again in the fall!

Try Boro Kids 5K

Carter ran his first 5K race tonight!  The race is only for kids up to 14 years old and they have both a 5K and 2.5K race.  The race was in Murfreesboro, which is about 30 minutes away.

Because this was Carter's first time running such a long race, I did it with him.  The course was 2 loops of a lollipop route, but Carter still was a little worried about knowing which way to go.  I loved getting to run with him though and want to do another race with him again soon!

First lap ...

Second lap ...

 

Carter did GREAT!  He finished in 32:04.  He ran the first two miles in under 10 minute pace but got a side stitch that last mile and had to walk a lot more.  But he pushed through and did it (and even sprinted the last 0.2 miles).

Sprinting it in ...

Carter got a very nice finishers medal but he really wanted to get a trophy too.  Unfortunately he finished in 4th place in the 7 and under category.  I told him we'd run another race again soon and try again to place.

Our neighbors (and friends) also ran the race.  Here's Carter with Emory, Cade, and Avery.  The twins are also in kindergarten and did the 2.5K.  Avery is in 4th grade and ran the 5K like Carter (she got 2nd in her age group).

I'm so proud of Carter for not giving up.  The last part of the race was really tough for him, but he still gave it his all.  And I'm proud that he wasn't too disappointed in not getting a trophy.  He's so competitive but still maintains such a good and positive attitude!