Life Lately

It has been a hot minute since I have posted! I hosted a book club at my house Wednesday night for a little neighborhood group, so I spent last week getting ready for that and, well, reading the book!

We read Lilac Girls and ohhhh, it was good. I'll save the review until I do a monthly book report (if that ever happens), but it was a good one. On top of book group, Cal's basketball team had the league playoffs and then the championship game, so we have been watching a lot of basketball! Here's a look at what else is happening right now!

Flag football was supposed to start and then it rained, and then it rained more, and then it rained the day before, but the fields were too wet to play.... so while we waited, Eddie and another dad took these four out to play a little ball. The came home FILTHY. Happy, but really really dirty. 

Valentine's Day was last week, and honestly, it isn't my favorite holiday. I enjoy a chance to tell my loved ones I love them, but I tell them that every day and quite often, so I tried to up my game a little on the actual day. Class Valentine's are not easy- Andy took on the task and fully enjoyed it, and Cal's class didn't exchange them (which I am totally bittersweet about.... he can't be old enough to NOT celebrate it, right?? But it was nice to not have to force him to write each name on the card...in legible handwriting.....

 Bruce loves any attention he gets- and these boys love to love on him.

 My tennis season is kicking off and we had a team camp on Wednesday the 14th- I gave each player on the team one of these wine glasses (we drink as much as we play)... I thought they were super cute and fun.

Andy's teacher is about the greatest person alive and has really helped him with a lot of his issues with his tummy. He was having a lot of anxiety about school and what happens if he has to go while there, etc... and she has just been wonderful. So we wanted to get her something for Valentine's day... I found this heart wreath stand thing and tied a gift certificate to the movies and her favorite candy to it so she could go on a date night with her hubs. He is sweet enough to share his wife with my son, so he deserves a date night! haha

I walked the boys in to help deliver Valentines and saw this writing assignment Andy did.  Skip to the last line: "It' will be a party in the USA." Thanks, Mylie. 

The glasses were a big hit with the team. We immediately went to the bar to have them filled!

The boys had swim Wednesday afternoon. Andy got a medal and two ribbons from his meet the other weekend- how great is that??? We were super proud of him! (please look at his tummy.... struggle town right there. Can you see how distended it was??? sheesh)

Some brotherly support. His tummy was distended because he HAD TO GO so Cal agreed to sit with him while he tried. Bruce wanted to join the party. My Valentines...all sitting around the pot together (just needed Eddie to join them!). Romance is alive!

I was on the stairs in the above picture because I desperately needed a shower. I decided to keep the romance alive by slipping into some leggins from wal mart and Eddie's pull over. I sent this picture to my friend.... allllll dressed up!

 Okay so funny story.... after wearing his pull over, I hung it back up, ready for him to wear. He went to put it on several days later and freaked out at the amount of dog hair on the jacket. I had no clue how it got so much hair on it.... then I started this post and looked back at the pictures. Perhaps this is how.......

 Whoops.

Fast forward to the weekend and Saturday Andy had a basketball game. My parents came and the amazing Corley family came too! I couldn't believe it. Andy couldn't either. He contained his excitement.... I think he was really really proud to have these people there to watch him. 

He spent the night Saturday night with a buddy and when I picked him up on Sunday, he had his hair all styled nicely. They used their gel on him- I think he looks pretty dapper.

Looking good to head to FLAG football! woohoooo, it has finally started! And it was a gorgeous day for it. 

 I say this every season, but Cal Williamson is in his element out there. He loves playing football and is so so so happy on that field. He likes baseball and basketball, but truly LOVES football. It's in his blood, I guess.

I tell ya, Mondays around here are HARD. Bless his heart. He passed out cold on the floor. 

Meanwhile this one was ready to never get up and just snuggle his dog all morning. Can't blame him.

A picture update from the best teacher... once again, we were having tummy saga, so she sent me this to let me know we were doing okay! 

And another of Bruce... just pondering- haha

I mentioned above about Cal's basketball tournament... he had a great little team and they were really fun to watch. Here are some of them during warm ups at the final championship game. Your team is assigned a seed going in to the tournament and it is single elimination, so you are out as soon as you lose. In the semi-final game, we were tired with like 10 seconds left. It was the most intense game of rec ball ever. We all left sweating- hahahahah But they won and advanced to the championship game. 

And here they are surrounding their coach after they won the game! woohoo! I love love love Cal's smile in this one. He was really excited and proud, which made me happy.

The BEARS! 

 They really worked well together and had a lot of fun. We had several strong players and I feel like our coach did a great job utilizing all of the players and find their strengths.

 This season did wonders for Cal's confidence. Last season was not so great, so I am thrilled this was a better experience for him (and us!)

And, Thursday morning, I had to get up for work and as I stumbled to the bathroom, I have never been so jealous of a dog. Think he needs a new bed??? sheesh.

Andy sometimes doesn't "get" a concept in class. But when he comes home and has a second to process it, he gets it fairly quickly. He brought home some extra practice for his math and he was SO into it. He asked me to come up with more problems to solve. Loved watching him piece it together. Also- common core is not easy. When adding two digit numbers, you don't carry the one or borrow numbers....you "regroup" them... uhhhh, huh? So we are both learning new things.

 This popped up on insta this week and I just love it. I sent it to my mom. I love that is is a mother daughter, I love that they are baking cookies together (something I love to do with my mom ), and I love that I really do think that about the memories. I totally agree!

(and also, I am hoping when I screamed at my kids today, that isn't a memory that will last a lifetime....)



 

100th and 101st day of school

The boys have survived 1st and 2nd grade for 100 days. woohoooo! To celebrate, they got to dress like 100 year olds. I think they are pretty cute old men, if you ask me.

 Please note the blazer. This is not the same one he wore at Christmas. He got another one. And he insisted on wearing it to school. Because, well, he's always in the spirit. Oh, and he decided his Halloween costume last week. No surprise it is a Christmas themed costume. Again. And, unlike most kids, once he decides on a costume, it sticks. He won't be changing his mind. (watch him change it this year just because I blogged that.....)

Even though the boys started on the same day of school and have gone the same number of days... Andy celebrated his 100th day on Thursday and Cal did on Friday. That's how they were each able to photobomb each other in their pictures. ha. And Bruce... sweet Bruce.... when we go on the front porch for a picture, he goes WILD until we let him be in the pic. What a weirdo. He loves it.



Andy's teacher is a glutton for punishment (her own, not the kids), and she also is a lover of dalmations, so they also celebrate the 101st day of school (how clever is she????).

 I didn't even notice- every other kid's ears are down and normal... not Andy's! Clearly he was excited about the 101st day of school! hahahaha

 

All dressed up

Saturday night we had cotillion- basically an excuse to dress up and act like a grown up for a night.

We had a great time and danced the night away after dinner, which is always fun. Give me a good band and I can't sit still.

And, of course, Sunrise on Sunday morning.....

 

Life lately + Andy update

Here is a random look and this and that going on lately- nothing too exciting!

These pictures are all out of order and I don't have patience to rearrange them.

This note was waiting for me when we got home from Minneapolis- sweet kiddo missed his momma. Good thing. I missed him too.   

Hi, my name is Carrie and I am a puzzle addict. I love a good puzzle. They suck me in though. I got one for Andy last week and wouldn't you know it, I did the whole thing. These two worked on it for a bit together.

While a slew of other kids were in the yard playing an intense football game.

We got Andy this jersey while we were gone and he wore it to school proudly!

That is my shirt.... Bruce LOVES to lay on our clothes. We will leave it in a pile when we shower and he will grab a piece or two and take them to his bed and curl up on them- super sweet...and sneaky.

A few weeks ago, a sweet friend offered to take Nuggie to the UNC game with them: I think it's safe to say they had a big time!!

Some neighborhood friends were moving and they had quite the going away party! A big ol group of kiddos!

After the party we gathered at a friends house to continue the party- such a fun night!

These two have been enjoying swimming together- and I love it too!

Homework time is a STRUGGLE. But he will get it done with the help of his tongue.

And reading it finally starting to CATCH! Phew.... he's all about it now, which is awesome. Thankful to great, patient teachers.

Representing our favorite sandwich shop....with some mud.

Speaking of amazing teachers:

This sweet pea had hat day last week and he aged several years..... Love that sleepy face.

Okay, so Andy's appointment was last week. This is him going in.... looking thrilled, right?

As a recap, the first appointment was a fail because he was so full of poop. So we started a clean out the following Tuesday after school (for a Thursday appointment) and he cleansed all day Wednesday and ended up going to school with me Thursday to be safe.

They were able to complete the testing this time and it was....so so so not great. It was painful and hard for him and awful to witness. I could go on and on but I will refrain. It was just not great. And I was so happy when it was over.

Waiting to hear back from the doctor, but spoke with the nurse yesterday and she doesn't think it is Hirschprung's disease, which I am thankful- I really didn't want my baby to have to have surgery... but that means we don't really know what is causing it. His muscles down there are showing some incoordination, which is something therapy can help...but they typically don't do therapy on that until they are 8 or so. So, we wait to hear from the doctor and see what he thinks.

Thanks for thinking of my buddy. I will keep you posted!

That's life lately!