The abbreviated version

Whew! After dealing with a terrible stomach bug this week, I'm back in the land of the living. Let me catch you up a bit...

Last week was Bingo Night at Gray's elementary school. It was quite an experience. They had an official light up bingo screen, number caller and everything. We didn't have any winning cards, but it was fun to give it a try. I also got to meet some of Gray's "book buddies" who come read with him from the fifth grade. It's so cute to see him interact with the "big kids."

This little sign of hope sprouted up overnight last weekend in our front courtyard. We had such gorgeous weather even though another cold snap came back a few days later. Nana and Popper were here visiting so we enjoyed lots of time outdoors (and I may have even roped them into some yard work...sorry about that!). 

We also met up with some friends on OU's south oval to let the kiddos ride the car-free bike paths. Here's sweet Claire snapping a selfie with me.

We also brought the slackline along, little did we know a "slackline club" would also be there walking a line about four times as long as ours. You can see the guy in the background on the right side of the photo. The line he was on was ridiculously long and it was fun to watch their skills. 

Liam and Michelle doing some bounces on the slack line

Gray contemplating life in his reflection

On Sunday, we met up with my mom to see one of the OKC Philharmonic kids' concerts. This one was sports themed and they had all kinds of games and activities in the lobby before the concert. Here's Gray doing the bean bag toss -- he made it!

Gray and Grandmama

Gray was really excited to spin this prize wheel and he landed on a blue OKC Thunder sweatband. Just what he was hoping for! He wore it the rest of the concert.

After the concert we headed over to cousin Luke's Star Wars-themed 7th birthday party. I somehow didn't take a single picture at the party or of Gray with Nana and Popper. What is my deal? I really need to get better about that.

Sunny days are here again

We have spent the last several days soaking up the sun and replenishing our Vitamin D supplies. While I know that spring is still several weeks away, I'd rather focus on the more immediate seven-day forecast, full of sunshine and temps in the 60s and 70s.

We've been so busy playing outdoors that I haven't been great about snapping pictures. Here's a random sampling I just ran across on my phone:

The mini-conehead Braham hanging with the moms while the big kids play at the park. He just turned nine months and is very close to crawling. 

Big brother Liam taking a break from a bike ride with Gray. His little cycling jersey is just the cutest. I love how this kid embraces athletic gear.

Speaking of cute, here's Miss Cora in her gymnastics/dance leotard getting ready for a bike ride too. She also has a mind of her own when it comes to dressing herself and I love seeing her wardrobe creations. 

While the moms and kiddos were playing at the park, Michael helped Rob plan and install some pavers to create three new steps leading up to a front porch. Sometimes it takes a village (and not just when it comes to raising kids). 

After playing at the park for hours, Gray came home and took a two-hour nap. He would have slept longer, but I woke him up so he would sleep again that night. Plus it was time for milk and chocolate chip cookies. We have a schedule to keep people!

On Sunday, we went to see the Lego movie with Liam and his parents. Braham stayed with his grandparents for a bit and the boys thought they were so big getting to go to the theater. 

Fast forward to Monday and I decided we hadn't had enough outdoor time so Gray and I hit the tennis courts after work/school. We then came home and rode bikes around the neighborhood. Gray is learning a new "trick" where he pedals fast and then coasts with both feet sticking straight out off the pedals. He thinks it's the coolest thing ever. I'm sure this trick will come to an X Games competition soon.

What lies ahead

We recently attended another OU men's gymnastics meet and I had a flash of what Gray will be like as a teenager. He was all about hanging with his buddy Liam a few rows away from their moms.

Two girls from Gray's kindergarten class also stopped by to say hello and give several hugs. I later asked more questions about the girls, Jenna and Linley, and learned that while they were just his friends, he was planning to marry Stella.

I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Stella, but he did make a point to show me which valentine she gave him out of his bag full of random store-bought junk from their school party. Ahh, my baby is evolving into a boy and I know if I blink he'll be a hormone-filled tween. Can't we just hit pause?!

Boomer, Gray and Liam hanging out at the meet

Snow days: Round 2

Our latest round of snow is now melted, but Gray enjoyed many hours of playing in and eating it. I'm just thankful that the upcoming seven-day forecast calls for highs in the 60s! Here are a few pictures from our snow day photo album:

All dressed up and ready to play!

He LOVED eating snow off any surface he could find

Daddy got a workout pulling Gray around on his small sled

A few minutes before he would come inside, Gray would open the door and ask that I get some hot chocolate ready. He would meticulously count out the mini-marshmallows once he came in and shed his many cold and wet layers. 

Even with a runny nose this kid is pretty darn cute!

My funny valentine

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day celebrating with their family and friends. We are still working through a pile of sugary treats, but I guess everyone has a cross to bear!

As most of you know, I'm not really a fan of hearts and all the frilly, commercial stuff that goes along with Valentine's Day. That said, there's one little valentine that can make me appreciate all these cheesy displays of affection.

Gray is up for any holiday celebration and enjoyed picking out some Turbo-themed valentines for his class. He randomly busted out singing a Christmas carol while we were standing in the valentine aisle at Target, which of course led to some laughs by all the folks crammed into the aisle with us.

His other favorite part was getting valentines in the mail from our family. Daddy's favorite part was getting some baked valentine treats from our parents. I enjoyed receiving another pair of love-themed "fun socks" from my mom...our annual tradition.

Here's Gray with a Lego brownie from Susu and Pappa

Since our house was torn up during the Christmas holidays due to our home improvement projects, I never did any of my usual baking. We took advantage of Valentine's Day to share some love with our neighbors. 

Can you believe I baked heart-shaped cookies!? Something must have taken over my body!

We packaged them up in some paper plates that Gray painted with watercolors for a personal touch.

Daddy even got in on the action threading ribbon between the two plates to hold them together. 

Tada...a portable, disposable valentine cookie carrier. 

After everything was baked and packaged up, our kitchen looked like a bomb went off. Every surface seemed to be piled with valentine's remnants, but we had fun and made some memories, so the mess was worth it. Happy Valentine's Day!

Sprouting Up

Grayson is having a growth spurt which has caused all of the pants I bought him in the fall to now be high waters. We finally took a moment to measure him on his growth chart and he's grown nearly two inches in six months! He's currently just under 46 inches.

I was hoping to use all our 5T pants through the winter, but with 4+ months left until shorts weather, I don't think we're going to make it. I guess you know what I'll be shopping for this weekend.