Happiness is digging in the dirt

Holten and Grayson could spend hours digging in the dirt. I thought they might be close to outgrowing our small sandbox, but they just seem to get more creative over time. I love overhearing the games and things they make up while building ramps for their monster trucks, burying their feet and digging for pirate treasure.

Trail ride

We've been loving the gorgeous fall weather lately and took advantage of it last Sunday to spend some quality time outdoors. There's a small wilderness area a couple of miles from our house with several small lakes and trails.

Michael loaded up Gray's new halfwheeler bike so they could try out some easy mountain biking before hitting the real trails by Lake Thunderbird. Meanwhile, I hiked around the mile and a half loop.

Our little biker with his cycling gloves and all

All set up and ready to roll

Happy trails

A view of one of the lakes from the trail

There were lots of great sunflowers and wildflowers in bloom

One happy little boy

Can you hear me now?

This week has been full of doctor's visits for Grayson. After having some borderline tests at his five-year check-up, we scheduled some additional testing for his vision and hearing. I'm relieved to share that both exams went well. 

I really thought Gray may have to get tubes in his ears, but his hearing test showed he only missed one pitch in both ears, and it was a really high frequency so the doctor isn't concerned. He told us to come back in two years just to make sure things don't progress as Gray grows and cause any other issues. In the meantime no tubes are needed! 

Gray was more interested in the cool motorized chair and the sucker he got after his hearing test. He also sat really still as the doctor pulled out several globs of earwax which always makes me nervous. 

Next up was the eye doctor. Gray has been complaining that things are blurry in the distance, but his vision checked out okay. There were a couple of things the doctor wants to watch over time, mainly because Michael needed glasses in elementary school and I wear them now too. For now, Gray doesn't need glasses and we just go back for a check-up next year. 

This has all been a big relief for us, but I think Gray secretly wanted to come home with glasses like daddy. I'm sure in good time he will and then he won't want them anymore. 

Can we press pause?

We gave Grayson a new bike for his birthday and he all of a sudden seems like such a big kid. He likes to pedal fast and then slam on the brakes. Afterward he checks for skid marks on the road. When he sees them he says, "Aawwweesome!" Must be a boy thing. 

We've also been practicing reading with some early reader sight word books my mom gave us. He's doing really well and I can see it's starting to click. That gets us both excited and he wants to go get another book and continue reading. Yes!

This little boy is just growing too fast!

The little things in life

Do you ever have a day that seems like it's going to be ordinary and ends up being filled with unexpected moments of joy that make you so thankful? Well, today was one of those days for me. 

The day started like most do. Woke up and went to work, nothing really out of the ordinary. I came home to get Gray from school and Michael decided to take a break and walk with me to get him. It's not everyday you get to take a lovely walk with your husband at 2:30 in the afternoon. Such a blessing. 

Then, we had an impromptu play date with Cora, Liam, Claire and Braham. It's so much fun to see the games these kids make up and soon enough baby Braham will be tagging along behind them. 

Liam insisted that he and Cora were getting married and then they were going to eat pumpkin pie. He asked that I take their picture, but when Grayson butted in the shot, Liam wasn't thrilled. The moms had to think on their feet and managed to convince Liam that Gray could be his best man and stand next to them. Here are a few shots of the happy couple (and best man):

Batman Liam and Princess Cora with best man Grayson the knight

I really couldn't tell you what they are thinking in these pictures. Just being silly kiddos, I guess.

Meanwhile, Claire couldn't get enough of playing "mama" and taking care of baby Braham. He seemed okay going along with the whole charade. 

After our play date, we didn't really have any dinner plans and found out my mom was in town visiting my younger sister and baby Nora who just returned from Thailand. We decided to all have dinner together, and Amy and Holt joined in the fun too. 

Spontaneous family dinner...so much fun and the fact that I didn't have to cook was a bonus! 

Gray wanted to hold Nora (although she prefers standing in your lap these days) and we managed to snap a quick photo of the cute pair.

So many great moments and memories packed into one day. We have a lot to be thankful for!

Cousins and Best Buds

One morning this week we had our nephew Holt over and he and Michael walked Gray to school. After crossing the street, Michael captured this sweet moment while the boys were still holding hands. So adorable! I love the expression on Holt's face and his bed head.

It's just a little slice of everyday life and why I love living close to our family.

A morning jog

Today was Jog-a-thon day at Gray's elementary school. This is their annual fundraiser where the kids run as many laps as possible in 20 minutes. I wasn't able to make it this year, but Michael captured the fun.

He started out excited and strong

 This was after one lap...not so promising

After the second lap, he was tired and ready to walk.

Luckily, daddy wore his running shoes for just such an occasion, so they finished the rest of the 20-minutes jogging together

And just to prove he does have my DNA, his favorite part of the event was spending the dollar bill I sent in his backpack to buy a snack and drink at the PTA concession stand after the run.