A couple of nights ago, Collins entertained Griffin by telling him about all of his trains. Griffin actually laid there and listened intently while Collins told him the names of every train! Mary Blake loves for me to lay Griffin on her bed at night for her to read or sing to him. Mary Blake and Collins will actually fight over whose bed Griffin will get to lay in for bedtime chats. He is quite a novelty right now. . . wonder how long that will last! Gotta love those rubber band wrists. . . Love my little chunky monkey

The sweatband and stuffed star

Collins very carefully planned his outfit last week. The navy blue shorts and blue tshirt were fine, but he topped the outfit off with this yellow sweatband. Yep, he marched himself into class with his sweatband on b/c he said it made him fast. Who knows, he could start a trend. . . Mary Blake won a drawing for this lovely stuffed starfish from Spongebob. I am SOOO glad we have this salmon pink accessory to add to her room. . .

Griffin, 9 weeks photo session

Fun in the Rain

First day of School!!!

Thursday was Collins' first day of kindergarten and Mary Blake's first day of 2nd grade. Both of them were very excited. Mama was the only one that was anxious, sad, excited - you all know how it feels. Thought these first days of school would start getting easier for me. Anyway, they are both adjusting well - It took Collins a few days to warm up to the all day thing. His report today was that he played Star Wars and Power Rangers at recess - which means all is good for Collins! Give him a buddy to play Star Wars with and he is good to go. I don't get a whole lot of details from him - just what he ate and what he played. He also doesn't remember anybody's name. He refers to them as "the boy in the green shirt", or "the boy in the blue shirt". Mary Blake, however, reports a very detailed day along with tons of names of new friends. She LOVES her new teacher and makes up homework when she gets home - just to practice. She certainly did not get her overachiever traits from me!

Lakehouse fun

2 weeks ago we gathered in Alabama with some of Brad's family. Mary Blake and Collins were in the lake 90% of the time, while Griffin and I hung out on the pier and watched. Things were a bit different this year with all of the babies - 7 children ages 7 years and younger!! Never a dull (or quiet) moment - that is for sure! Thanks again to Madelon and Bill for their gracious hospitality and for the awesome lakehouse!

Some pics of Griffin

Griffin loves his puppie lovie and his friends that hang from his swing. He has a love/hate relationship with his passy right now. I am determined that he will love it eventually. . .

Talent Show

Last week our church had it's annual summer talent show. Mary Blake decided to write a poem about Griffin's birth to read!! Thought I would share it. . . The Day of Griffin’s Birth By Mary Blake I got up early I was SO CURLY! What a big day. He’s on his way. We had to pray … and then he came ON A FRIDAY! Daddy brought him down the hall. …then we went to the nursery And pressed our faces on a glass wall. We got some ice cream ON A STICK! …we had to lick, LICK, LICK! We came to the room where Mama was… We got to hold Griffin. His hair was brown FUZZ! I held him THREE times and kissed his face. I’m glad GOD gave him to us in THIS VERY PLACE! THE END…or really…Griffin’s BEGINNING!

3 weeks

Hard to believe 3 weeks has gone by since Griffin was born - It is also hard to imagine life without this sweet bundle. Funny how God allows you to forget the discomfort you felt for months and months. . . :) 1st bath Visit from JJ and Pops Some big brother love Bottle from big sister! Lots of photos!