Thanks, really, I mean it...

So, we've been working on being thoughtful and finding ways to show others you care. Not a small task for a 3-year-old. Still, he's a caring little guy and does make sweet attempts to be kind. Like, when I found a rock in my jewelry box. It's from his treasure box, so he knew I'd love it. Or when he feeds the cat himself...then helps me use the dustbuster to clean up the "extra"....and a towel to clean up the water...

Then this morning- I hear him moving around in the bathroom and turning the water on. A few minutes later he comes to me and says this:
"I got this cup from my bathtub toy basket. It had leftover shampoo, so I rinsed it two times. Now you won't be thirsty".
Wow! You shouldn't have - really.
Yes, I pretended to take a drink and expressed my undying gratitude. And, yes, I was proud!

But, just for the record, is shampoo non-toxic?

Happy Birthday Gram!

We wanted to do something special, but different for Gram's (Alan's mom) birthday. So, I decided to "interview" Matthew about her. The results are priceless! Gram, you are much loved. We all hope you have a Happy Birthday!

10 years?!

Our 10 year college reunion was this weekend. College was such a great time for me...some of my closest friendships were started there. I hadn't seen a few of these girls in years, but we had no trouble picking back up! Here we are at dinner:

We spent too much time talking to take any

other pictures. So good to see you guys!!

First Fieldtrip!

Matthew's first fieldtrip was supposed to be to the Pumpkin Patch. We had a huge rainstorm which flooded the pumpkin fields before 9am, so we opted for Kid's Station instead (it's a big indoor playland). Alan had taken the day off to go with Matthew, so he spent the entire day in a room with 50 children under 5 and about a dozen moms and teachers - poor guy!

Matthew and Dad at snack time. Matthew

was so excited Daddy came to his school.

Hanging with his friends.

OK...back to being the only dad. Not only did he get locked in with all of us, he was also asked to help with story time and pumpkin carving for the class. To say he rose to the occasion is an understatement. Here he is entertaining a group of 3-year-olds like he's done this all his life! He even used "teacher words" (I'm so proud).

Everyone wanted to see the pumpkin.

Here's Matthew's class. He's in the top row, 4th from the left.

Whew...now I need to go take some Tylenol.

You Know You're a Gram When....

You take a 3-year-old boy to Olive Garden -

and you think it's fun.

And, especially when...

....you give the same 3-year-old rides on your luggage!

It's good to have grandparents!

Fall

I love Fall! The second it drops below 90, we start celebrating. I have to laugh at us, though. We had a "cold" front come through, dropping the temperatures to the high 60's. Matthew and I went to Target and everyone was in their sweaters and talking about the "cold weather"! I guess it's all perspective...

Our first caramel apples. Yep, I said our "first" because we

make these weekly for the next couple of months.

My grandparents sent these from Georgia. I'm so envious!

Matthew loved them (and so did his mom).

We're making our leaf rubbings

These are his favorites. Happy Fall!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Nana! We'll see you soon!

One more...

The guys requested I add this video:

Go Pirates!!

This was Matthew's first football game and he loved it!! The pictures are blurry, but you can still see how very, very excited he was.

Matthew and Daddy

Matthew loved the Candyland theme
(one of his favorite games)

Here come the football players!

For all you former band people: