Grayson Vidoes

Grayson's unique crawl (all of our kids have crawled completely differently) ...

Grayson's new trick that is requiring me to move him across the house every 30 seconds so he can do this again ...

We're Home

We got back this afternoon from a week at Seacrest.  This little man enjoyed his first trip to the beach!

More to come soon!

Big Kid in a Big Carseat

I put Grayson's new carseat in yesterday.  He is usually not happy in the car so I was hoping if he was sitting up more and able to see more that he might be happier.  So far, no luck :(

We bought Grayson a new Britax Marathon.  The older boys also had Marathons but they were about to expire so we had to get a new one.  The new one is super fancy compared to what we had before.  Grayson might not love it but I'm a fan :)

Nashville Sounds Game

Brian's company had their annual summer family day at a Nashville Sounds game this year.  We got to sit on the berm in the outfield to watch the game and dinner was provided.

It was a hot evening - we've been in the mid-90s all week - but it got better once the sun went down.  We love the new stadium and enjoyed getting to hangout at the game.

Smith Park

My dad is staying with us this week.  This morning the boys and I took him for a hike at Marcella Vivrette Smith Park which is the new park just a couple of miles from our house.

We did the black trail this time which was just over 2 miles round trip.  The trail goes up to a ridge line next to a pair of water towers.

The trail was in better shape (drier) than the last time we hiked there.

Grayson took a nap the second half of the hike - he slept hard!

We are so glad we have such a large park so close to the house where we can get out and hike!

Cow Appreciation Day

We'll do anything for free Chick-fil-A chicken :)

Note: the boys are "moo-ing" in this picture - they were really excited, not mad like they look in the picture.

Tie Dye Party

Last Wednesday I hosted a tie dye party for our playdate friends.  In all, we had 20 kids at house (including our own).  Between the inflatable waterslide and lots of tie dying, the kids all had a blast (and nothing got ruined - awesome!).

I only took a couple of pictures because I was busy helping with tie dying or trying to deal with a very cranking Grayson.  Laura's nanny brought her kids and she was a huge help because she was the only one with recent tie dye experience (she has run summer camps and has had lots of practice).

Carter and Chase attempted to dye their shirts the same way and with the same colors ...

Rylan worked on a canvas bag first.

I had enough dye that everyone could do a shirt and anything else they brought along (shorts, onesies, socks, etc).

Suzy brought along brownies so we stuck some candles in them and sang "Happy Birthday" to Rylan, Evie, and Riley who all have birthdays at the end of June and beginning of July.

The birthday kids (Evie, Riley, & Rylan) ...

The party was so much fun and I'm so glad we were able to do it when all our friends were around (summer is so hard with everyone traveling, doing camps, and having odd schedules).

Here are some of the finished products ...

Carter, Grayson, & Rylan:

Will, Ellie, & Luke:

Lewis, Dowden, & Hannah:

Jessie, Riley, Hutch, & Chase:

Swim Team Banquet

Carter's swim team had their end of season banquet last night.  The banquet was at the pavilion near the pool and was catered by Stone Cold Creamery.  After some socializing and ice cream, Coach Christina gave out awards for the season.

The first set of awards were for high points in each age group and gender.  Chase got high points for 6 and under boys.  Carter may have gotten this if he hadn't missed a meet because of Encore since he usually finished ahead of Chase but we were really proud of Chase for getting it!  His sister Riley received the same award for 7-8 year old girls.  The next award was for Most Improved in each age group and gender.  Carter actually received this award last year when he swam on the junior team for the Y.  Last was the Coach's Award.  There were a total of 5 of these given out.  They were for best all around swimmers in each age group (good times, good attitudes, good work ethic, etc).  And look who got this award for 6 and under!!!  Yay, Carter!!!

4th Place

Carter ran his second 5K race yesterday morning.  This time he did the Race Across the Spectrum: 5K for Autism at Crockett Park.  I didn't sign up to run with him this time but since the race wove through the park, I knew it would be easy to run sections with him.  This was his first race mainly for adults (and not just a kids race).

The course was hilly in sections and it was very humid - you started sweating the second you stepped outside.  When Carter and I have run together, we've never really done any hills so I knew this race would be more challenging for him.

But he did amazing!  He did tell me though with about 1/4 mile left that he didn't want to do any more 5Ks :)  However, I think he's already changed his mind now that he's forgotten the pain :)

Carter's time was 34:20 (which is 11:03/mile pace).  His age category was 10 and under and he placed 4th, just missing getting an award (he was 4th in his first 5K too a couple of months ago).  Carter was initially disappointed, but got over it quick enough.  If the age group had been 9 and under, he would have gotten 2nd - oh well :)

We are so proud of our runner!!!  Good job, Carter!!!

The Art Attic

On Friday I dropped the boys off at The Art Attic for a painting class.  The Art Attic is one of those places that usually offers classes for adults where everyone paints the same picture while enjoying a drink with friends.  Occasionally they offer a class for kids (as well as do birthday parties for kids).  I was thinking this would be perfect for Carter's next birthday party since he loves art (he even says he wants to be an artist when he grows up) but wanted to try it out first.  I intended to just drop him off but once I got there, the class was only 2 other boys.  Ms. Shannon said one person pulled out last minute so she had an extra canvas if Rylan would like to stay and paint too.  I misunderstood and took this to mean Rylan would be free or cheap (just the cost of supplies).  I was wrong and ended up paying $25 for each boy when I picked them up 1 1/2 hours later.  Oh well.

Both boys thoroughly enjoyed painting and both said they want their birthday parties there.  Ms. Shannon did a pencil outline of the frog and mushroom on the canvas and the kids did the rest.

Considering Rylan still often scribbles when coloring, I thought he did a great job.

Carter did a great job too!

The paintings are in the boys' rooms.  But Rylan hates when anything is staring at him at night (he hides his Ninja Turtle piggy bank under his bed) so I had to take it out last night.  I'm sure I'll have to do the same tonight :)