Finger Licking Good

What better way than to welcome in Summer than with a bar-be-que?  Okay, so really it is only Spring, but with temperatures over 80, it may as well be summer!

You love to help Daddy grill.  But more than helping Daddy grill, sitting in a big boy chair, hitting golf balls, or lifting weights while the meat grills, you love the end result the most! 

 

I don't do too much cutting your food into small bites anymore!  You want the whole "wib."  

Our Little Helper and other Randomness

Oh gosh, I'm so not disciplined enough to blog!  Wait, I take that back.  I AM disciplined enough.  There is just not enough hours in the day.  But in an effort to redeem myself, I have been keeping a handwritten journal of all the cute things you've been doing.  Recently I found some handwritten notes and things from Maw-Mawr and Matt, and there was something extra special about seeing their handwriting!  It was real. 

Anyway.  You're getting to be such a big boy!  I love how you like to follow commands; you're such a big helper!  Don't ever stop wanting to help and do housework!  Please!  And Daddy has always said he couldn't wait to "put you on task."  You come in really handy when Daddy is in the recliner and the channel is across the room.  And he's taught you well.  Anytime the channel is lying around, you pick it up and say, "Daddy!" 

Speaking of channel.  You know what it does, but you haven't grasped the tv programming guide yet.  You crack me up giving me the channel and saying "Calliou on!"  Buddy, Calliou isn't on all the time! 

You love to help Daddy take out the trash!

Just remember, you're doing me no favors if you don't replace the bag. ;)

 

Thank you for helping clean the kitchen too!  We had to teach you the plates weren't balls that could be thrown (literally) into the sink.  And it took a while to get you to understand we were loading (not UNloading the dishwasher) and that clothes and cell phones don't go in the dishwasher, but still, thanks for the help.  And thank you for "sweeping" your mess up each night.  Sweet boy! 

 

 

I don't think it counts as a whole sentence, but I'm continually amazed at your string of words.  I think my favorite is "Carter do it."  My Mister Independent!  But if you're feeling lazy or frustrated, it's "Momma do it!"  

 



And "bye bye baths" as we let the water out, and "bye bye tee tee" when we flush always makes me smile. 

 

Can I just stop time for a while? 

There's a First Time for Everything!

In the past 19 months we've experienced lots of firsts.  And I'm sure many more firsts are to come!

I remember the first time you visisted me at work!  January 4, 2013.  I didn't want to "hit a lick" that Friday, and when I saw Grandma's van pull up, first I panicked, then grinned from ear to ear!   All my co-workers were so happy to meet you! 

January 4, 2013 was a big day for you!  You tee-teed in the potty for the first time!  I think we scared you more than encouraged you with our cheers and claps! 

 

I love to make you "wink" at me.  Except it looks like a severe, uncontrollable twitch! 

 

And you're such a smart boy!  During our nightly routine we watch The Goodnight Show.  Each night Nina tells Hush the Fish goodnight....in sign language.  It took me a minute to figure out what you were doing ,but you were "signing!"  My smart boy!

 

And then a not so good first....our first trip to the ER.  Carter, Carter, Carter! 

 

Ok, so now that I look at this picture...wound all cleaned up....it doesn't look so bad.  But with blood gushing and dripping, and all in your hair, I panicked! 

 

Hours and hours and one MAD boy later, you're all stitched up! 

 

Silly Boy!  Your first battle wound is healing pretty nicely! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D is for Daddy

What's better than a day with Daddy?

M&Ms.  "Tannie" as you say.  The breakfast of champions!

Daddy can't wait until you take a real interest in the game.

But for now, you're only interested in throwing the golf balls...or golf clubs.

But at Dick's Sporting Goods, you knew exactly what to do here! 

I shot Daddy down on a "real" motorcycle.  (What is he thinking?!)  Daddy is such a handyman! 

This is just your speed! 

The Small Things

Some days....some days it is all I can do to get home and get dinner on the table without collapsing from exhaustion.  I'm really too young to feel this old.  And some nights I want to throw away all the uneaten food and paper plates - no dishes to wash, and just crawl in the bed.  Some nights I try to get out of giving you a bath.  Gross, I know.  I try to justify "no bath night" by saying, "it was cold today, you didn't play outside, you didn't sweat.  You don't have to have a bath tonight."  Oh, but you love bathtime so much.

And I wearily prep you for bathtime and get you in the bath.  Even when I am really tired or just want a break....

 I remember these smiles and giggles.  And I remember why I always say "yes" to bath time.

I love how you play so intently. 

And I love how you think if you hide behind the curtain that I can't see you and you won't have to get out.

 I love you Carter Boy!

Sunday Funday!

I wouldn't usually encourage "laying out" of church for no reason.  But sometimes, we just need a little down time.  After such a busy holiday season, I thought we needed a day of rest.  So we stayed home and enjoyed an unseasonably warm January Sunday. 

And my first flower from you! 

It's Christmas Vacation!

It's that time, Christmas time is here
Everybody knows there's not a better time of year
Hear that sleigh, Santa's on his way
Hip, Hip Hooray, for Christamas  vacation!

Jing-a-ling-a-ling!

 

 

Ok, so I am way behind!  But I promise to try to do better this year (2013).  However, I DID finish your photo album, and I am thrilled with how it turned out.  Let's see how many years I can keep that up. 

  

So, since I'm so behind, I'll give you the short version of our holiday adventures.  From Thanksgiving until Christmas, it really IS the most wonderful time of the year! 

You are the cutest turkey I know!

And with all the good food we had at Thanksgiving dinner, you wanted to eat acorns!

After Thanksgiving dinner, in true Griswold fashion, we loaded up the car and took off for a family vacation!  Nana and Papa in tow.  I had this great idea of taking pictures all along the way.  But wouldn't you know, the camera was packed in the back...somewhere...under suitcases and bags galore.

And just when I thought I hadn't forgotten a single thing.....Carter gets carsick!  I may have forgotten Dramamine, but I DID have Lysol, Febreeze, and a roll of paper towels.  A quick pitstop at the Flyin' J, an overpriced pack of Dramamine, a makeshift carseat upholstry cleaning, and we're on the road again!  No more sickness.  

A relaxing week in the Smoky Mountains is just what we needed - a table full of delicious eats at every meal, lots of shopping, and a little entertainment!  One of my favorite activites was the arcade.  I was afraid you were a little young...too small....but not at all!

You ran around the place like you'd been there hundreds of times.

And Daddy taught you how to duck hunt!

And play Skee Ball. 

 

You didn't like when the game was over.  You MEANT you wanted more balls!

You weren't quite tall enough to reach the pedals, but you Daddy made a great duo!

 

Thank the Lord for a week of fun, family, and relaxation!  But like all good things, vacation must come to an end. 

And it is officially the Christmas Season!  Much to Daddy's chagrin, I had the Christmas tree up well before Thanksgiving.  And now that Thanksgiving is over, we can turn on the lights!

I'm sorry!  It was pure torture for you. 



You didn't understand the ornaments weren't "bawls" you could play with.  And regardless of what the manufacturer promises, these ornaments aren't shatterproof.

 

 

 

And you're so stinking cute in your Christmas jammies!

You were so excited Christmas morning, you were physically shaking!  You wanted so badly to touch and play with your new toys, but you didn't know which toy to grab first!  Santa was really good to you! 

The Elefun was a huge hit.

And you couldn't wait to ride your "dawgee." (Where did you get that Southern drawl?)

 

Merry Christmas My Biscuit!  I love you!