this week…and lots more…{from my phone}

I think it’s been a few weeks since I’ve dumped my phone pictures. I apologize for the overload. It’s a lot, I know.

I’ve officially passed along my love of PEZ dispensers to my kids.We celebrated the start of school with our 4th annual Back To School Breakfast.We took Watson to his first day of Two’s. And in a matter of just seconds of having his brother gone, Boland had already ‘borrowed’ his car seat, sun glasses and coloring book.Boland sported his new bookbag the entire morning Watson was at school. I could tell he was ready to start, too.Emory tried on the dress she picked out fabric for and then waited patiently for me to make. We took Boland to his first day of Nursery Two’s. He was a little hesitant…But then hung his bookbag up in his cubby all by himself. {Then cried lots.}

Watson joined me at the dance studio, and while I worked, his sister dressed him up as a girl. He loved it. Whoops!We picked Boland up and he was so glad to see us and know we hadn’t left him there for good!Emory headed to meet her teacher at Orientation. And inadvertently molested Curious George, apparently.The next morning she put on her uniform, as well as her dolls’, and we loaded the car to drop her off for her first day of Kindergarten.She was excited and a little unsure at the same time. She did great!Day Two of school we reverted back to our carseat {from our booster} because she had weighed in at only 31 pounds at her 5 year old well check the day before. She doesn’t like being  ‘a baby’, but she understands that what Dr. R says, we have to do for our safety.I may or may not have filled my cookie jar with candy, only to eat about half of it just minutes later. Lord help me.Boland found a tiger on a Target aisle and proceeded to drag it around the store. Granddaddy didn’t not like it. Neither did his sister, who promptly scolded, ‘We DO NOT like tigers, Boland!’.Upon leaving Target, my usually sweet boy, tossed my phone out the shopping cart and onto the pavement cracking the screen. I fussed at him and he cried so hard he fell asleep. And then I felt guilty.Everyone was cheered up with a Kids Bop remix of our current most favorite song, Call Me Maybe.Someone was really gettin' into it!This kid can take down some blueberries like nobody’s business. As in he goes through a pint of blueberries every two or three days, and that’s with me rationing them. I shall now call him Boberry. We’re up to our eyeballs in party planning right now. Baby showers and birthday parties galore. But I need something to do while everyone else in the world is watching football, so it’s okay by me.We are nearing the end of the countdown to Baby #4’s arrival. I was beginning to feel a little unprepared, so I sent Aaron out to buy some diapers. Now we have hundreds of diapers and a set of boobs. We’re officially ready.Two of my sisters and I hosted a baby shower for our sister Boo and our soon-to-be nephew Mak. It was lots of fun and she was showered with gifts. I had fun surprising her by making Mak’s crib bedding. Can’t wait to see it all set up in his nursery!’I a doctor boy!’ –WatsonBoland wanted to test out Baby Mak’s new car seat.Watson and his buddy William got a little wrestling outta their systems before heading into class.And then laughed at me when I told them they needed to behave for Ms. Pack.With only a few days to spare until it’s due date, Emory finished her summer workbook for school. I think I was happier than she was about being done with it, especially since we somehow got a rising 1st grade version, when she was actually going into 5K. Telling time and math word problems are difficult for a {newly} five year old to understand!!As hard as I try to grab a quick rest on the couch, there’s always someone who tries their best to keep me from relaxing.Daddy {who is in charge of bath time normally} had to work late and I was left to deal with a son who casually passes gas in the tub.

Me: ‘Watson, did you just toot in the bath??’

Watson: ‘Um, no. My bottom was dus makin’ bubbles.’

Boys are gross!Emory finds a way to look at herself almost anywhere she goes. The tub is no exception.

Girls aren’t gross, but they are no doubt wired to be vain.I have a crazy sweet tooth normally. During pregnancy it’s about tenfold. I have a nightly date with my boyfriend, Pretzel Sensation. I think I’ll marry him. He is delicious.My almost three year old was excited to send out his invitations to his upcoming Pirate pARRRRRty!I gifted my husband some beer for his birthday. Then promptly pulled an Indian giver move and took it back. Yes, I believe in moderate drinking during pregnancy. Don’t judge. I may not be a big football fan, but that doesn’t mean the boys are dressed in their jerseys in anticipation of watching the Gamecocks and the Bears!Boland’s current favorites: shades, his baboo {paci} and the Pop the Pig game. First week of full day {8am-3pm} school absolutely knocked my child out. She was still taking three-hour naps this summer and is now only allowed a 3o minutes rest. This will take some adjusting, for sure.Not that it isn’t somewhat common, but seeing all three kids getting along is always refreshing. Emory and Boland were playing on the iPad while Watson scratched their heads and watched cartoons. Watson naps in our bed since the boys share a room, but don’t nap well together. I always love sneaking in and watching him sleep. I’ve most definitely been blessed with babies that love their sleep and often ASK to go to bed.  We made our way to the library this weekend to get Emory her very own library card. We have a family card, and while we don’t go often, Emory has always enjoyed going and picking out books. Now she has her very own card {as requested by her teacher} and she was excited to ‘buy’ some books by herself.After a week of no screen time, we’re all excited to have a little time on the iPad during the weekend. Boland included.With no school on Monday, the kids were treated to a Sunday night movie and dinner on the couch. Monday morning, bright and early, we started Daddy’s birthday off with snuggles in bed!Then moved on to a birthday breakfast, complete with his favorite breakfast casserole, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and a doughnut cake for the kiddos. We sang and blew out his candle and then ate so much we called off our planned morning walk. Whoops!We lounged instead, reading books and just snuggling some more. {And regretting eating so much for the indigestion it caused.}We headed outside to play for a bit, and I decided to finally try and tackle my high chair redo. One layer of spray paint in, and it started raining. Boo.We came back in for naps. The rain stopped and I was able to finish the painting and get the high chair back in the garage before it started up again. We headed out for a birthday dinner with my family. Emory is obsessed with everyone having a birthday theme. The kids bought Aaron and new fishing pole, so Em thought a fishing theme would suit. She cut out paper fish and glued them to party hats. Everyone was required to wear theirs during dinner. Aunt Jo loved hers so much she wanted two!We sang again and blew out candles again. This time with a chocolate ganache cake instead of doughnuts, and it did not disappoint.As relaxing as Monday was, I made up for the lack of stress on Tuesday, when I locked the two boys, my keys and my phone in my car outside of preschool. It required a visit from the firetruck, two police cars, and about eight men in uniform. The boys were finally freed {after over 30 minutes of being in there!}, and although they were scared, they were unharmed and promptly given ice cream for lunch. I felt horrible, but was so thankful for speedy emergency services as well as friends who were there by my side as I totally freaked out. Watson’s sweet teacher is already getting a thumbs up from me, as she posted pictures of the happenings on the board outside their classroom so crazy, helicopter moms like me can know exactly what they do during class. Well learning the pledge is one of those things they are learning, and I think it’s about the cutest thing ever. A couple times a week the boys stay with the babysitter so they can nap while I pick up Emory. When it’s just the two of us, we end up having the craziest conversations. Today’s was no exception, as she voiced her worry about how tired our postman is after using his foot to push the gas all day while he’s driving.  And she declared she was never going to ‘big school’ {college} because she doesn’t ever want to spend the night away from her family. Is five to young to start prescribing anxiety medication?!?!I cheated on my boyfriend, Pretzel Sensation, with leftover birthday cake. Oops.High chair is finally done and cured, and ready to be tested out! We had a little pre-dinner appetizer of blueberries. I think he really enjoyed being up at the big table with the rest of us, and I’m loving the bright and cheery yellow! Win win!

So there was what felt like years of our life in pictures. Crazy as always, but I’m so thankful for the ability to captures these random, everyday moments on my phone. Happy Friday!