Goin' to Carolina

I have been craving some real fall weather, so I was ecstatic when David suggested we take a last-minute trip to Charlotte!  I made sure to not break the news of our trip too soon to Cohen, in fear he might not ever sleep again or stop asking if it was time to go.  Truth is, I was the one who couldn't contain my excitement the week before.  Cohen and I were like two kids on Christmas Eve the night before we left! 

I could not wipe the smile off my face as we turned onto I-77.  Driving into our old city was surreal, and my eyes immediately filled with tears.  Mostly happy tears, in anticipation of our fun-filled weekend ahead with family and old friends.  But some sad tears too, in the realization that we were now visitors, and our stay was going to be temporary.  We love the beach, but there is something special about North Carolina, and I took in all of its beauty as we drove around our old streets over the weekend.

We had a blast staying with Laura and Mike.  They made the weekend so special for the boys - there was Halloween cookie baking, trips to Dunkin' Donuts, balloons, jumpin' on the bed and lots of treats.  Staying in our old neighborhood was awesome.  We enjoyed morning runs with crisp, fallen leaves under our feet.  We played at Kilgo's pumpkin patch.  We walked to Midwood Park.  We even had a get-together with some of our old neighbors Friday evening.  Seeing our old house brought me to tears again (yes, I cried a handful of times over the weekend).  But watching the boys pick up right where we left off in March was so fun.  I still miss our impromptu late day Club Road play time with friends, and we were all happy to be able to get together again!

Cohen, Henry, Finn

The boys rode bikes and scooters, played basketball, climbed trees and played with toy snakes.

Henry, Whit

Bryce, Whit, Finn, Cohen, Henry (Can you tell Finn and Cohen were happy to see each other?!)

The entire weekend was filled with special times, and watching Cohen play with his oldest friends was one of the biggest highlights.  And I got to see some of my closest friends too.  These people still fill a big part of our hearts, and being far away from them is sad.  But we made the most of our time with play dates at Monkey Joe's and Freedom Park.

Cohen, Brady, Henry, Hunter

Cohen still refuses to smile at the camera for pictures...

And we can announce some REALLY BIG and EXCITING news!

We couldn't be happier for Laura and Mike.  They are going to make amazing parents!

It truly was an amazing weekend, and I am so thankful that we once called Charlotte our home.  We are looking forward to many more trips in the future.  And we are blessed to be able to come back to our current home, Jacksonville, another beautiful place filled with family and friends.

Endless Summer

Fall is here, but it seems like an endless summer in Florida.  The air is a little cooler, but the boys still swim in the ocean.  Here's one last shot taken in the lifeguard chair before the end of the season. 

 

Future lifeguards?  

The Lizard

Cohen has the same affection toward animals as I do.  One day, he was worried about a worm getting back to its home before a rain storm.  After looking at that worm, he told me he loves all kinds of animals.  He said, "I love everything." One day, we were playing with a big beetle outside of Henry's school.  Everyone was afraid of it, but Cohen surrounded it to make sure it was okay.  As I was hurrying the boys to get home, Cohen didn't want to leave the bug behind.  He turned around and saw someone step on the beetle, and he had a complete meltdown in front of the entire school - screaming, "MOM, SOMEONE STEPPED ON THAT BUG!!!"  Poor buddy was so upset all afternoon.  

This morning, Cohen found a new friend in our backyard.  Not sure why, but he named it Canon the Lizard.  

 The Lizard has crawled all over Cohen.

 He is surprisingly very gentle with it.

Cohen tried to feed it pretzels.

The Lizard is now in a bug container on Cohen's dresser.  He has been showing off everything in his room to his new friend.  Hopefully I can convince Cohen to let us release Canon back to his mommy by tonight.

TWO!

We celebrated Henry turning two for a full week.  Here's a picture overload of the birthday boy.

Yes, my son has red toenails.  The boys beg me to paint theirs when I do mine.  Cohen grabbed the red because "red is a boy color, Mom."  I think it's hilarious, and I draw the line at toenails.  Absolutely no red fingernails!  

Love big brother Cohen in the background videotaping the moment.

Cohen loved celebrating his little brother...sharing cupcakes and presents!

For a while, Henry refused to say that he is two.  He always corrected us and said, "No, ONE!" (while laughing).  Now, he insists that he is FIVE when we ask him.  

Last weekend, Henry had a pool party to celebrate with his friends and family.  We had so much fun that we barely captured any pictures...but here are some.

The children loved the cupcakes, especially Caroline!

Aunt Laura flew down for the big day!

Henry loved his HUGE Thomas and Lighting McQueen balloons.

Palmer

Rice and Connor (Millie in background)

Carson

Being two is awesome!

"Henny Boo" is Two!

Our sweet Henry turned two today, and as I think back to this day in 2010, my mind is flooded with memories from the delivery room (it was a long day, filled with ups and downs...and an amazing ending).  It really does seem like last week that David, Cohen and I walked into the hospital to meet the fourth member of our family.  Henry has gone from a baby to little man, and each day is filled with more fun, laughs, and lots of love.  Here's a little look back on Henry the past two years.

Henry, three-months-old

Henry, first birthday

 Henry, Labor Day - Sept. 3, 2012

Henny, we love you to the moon and back.  Thanks for all of your smiles, giggles, "Eskimos," hugs and kisses.  We can't wait to see what TWO holds for you.  Just don't grow up too fast.  

New Beginnings

Yesterday was a big day!  Both Cohen and Henry started at new schools.  We have been looking forward to this day since we sadly left Myers Park Baptist in Charlotte.  Cohen has been missing school so badly.  I have caught him staring at his old class picture about once a week.  He asks me, "Do my friends miss me?"  It would break my heart every time he asked because I know he misses his friends in Charlotte...and they miss him too.  So, I could hardly contain my excitement for Cohen as we walked into his new school, Community Presbyterian Church.

Here are my boys outside the school.  Cohen walked into his classroom like an old pro!  He had a fantastic day and is excited about going back tomorrow!

As for my little Henry, I hadn't planned to send him to preschool until next fall.  Then I thought about it more and realized that this guy has been ready to go to school for a while.  Earlier this year, he would cry every time we dropped Cohen off at school - he never wanted to leave!  So, as soon as we moved to Jacksonville, I quickly called Beaches United Methodist, and I snatched the last spot in the Older One's class for Henry. 

My little boy is growing-up so quickly.  I know he was excited walking into his school and his classroom yesterday.  As we waited for the teachers to open the classroom door, Henry went right up, knocked on the door and jiggled the doorknob.  He was the first one to walk right in and not blink an eye as he turned around to say goodbye.  So proud.

We are looking forward to a memorable school year, filled with fun and new friends!