Work Day Switch

Wesley had a conflict come up this Tuesday so we had to switch my day in the office. Since the boys don't have school on Mondays, Wesley was home with them all morning. Here's the picture I got today of them reading together!

Thank you, Mom, for those recorded storybooks.
The boys LOVE them and spent a hour this morning "reading" to each other!

We had already made the work switch when Wesley had another conflict come up for Monday afternoon. Late Sunday, we called Kate and asked for the huge favor of watching the boys for us for 3 hours. She graciously said "Bring them over!"

Jackson was so excited! He loves playing with Sam's toys (Sam does have REALLY cool toys!). Wesley called me from the car and Jackson got on the line. He asked if I could not pick him up for a really long time so he could play with Sam! So sweet!

When I arrived, Kate and I talked for a hour and a half while Philip & Jack and Jackson & Sam continued to play.

What an amazing blessing we have in the Hazlewood family!

I adore Kate and value our friendship so much! It is always so nice just to be around her and talk. Wesley and Ben get along great. Both grew up around Knoxville and are UT fans and both love Kate (Ben for many reasons; Wesley for her cooking :-)

And as the most amazing added bonus - our boys are the same age and get along! Now, it took Sam and Jackson some time to become friends because Jackson had a bad habit of hitting Sam (once we found him on top of Sam. It's a wonder Kate let me back in her house!) but they now have bonded over a mutual love for Cars.

And Jack and Philip are the most fun-loving boys in the world and just enjoy playing and laughing together!

I am so blessed with this friendship and look forward to many years of growing closer to this beautiful family.

Philip, Jack and Sam playing basketball

Sam. Jack and Philip
Look at the smiles on Jack and Philip - they are so cute together.  I can't wait to see the trouble these two find as they get older! 

Photo Stream

As I was going through our I-photo account this morning to pull off some recent pictures, I saw some random pictures. I could tell they were from the Alpharetta YMCA, but when were they taken and who took them??

Ah Ha!
Mystery solved - I see those little legs and Star Wars shoes. I guess Jackson got ahold of Daddy's I-Phone when he was at work with him Saturday night!

IKEA!

Tonight, we took a family trip to IKEA. The boys did really great considering what we asked of them - 2 hours in a furniture store with LOTS of breakable things they couldn't touch!!

I was able to find two lamps I have been eyeing since July. We also picked up a few odds & ends but left without too big of a dent in the wallet.

It was a fun night. I probably won't go back with two youngsters again, but I am glad we went as a family..this once!

Dinner at the Cafe
We had such a hard time convincing Philip to sit in the basket, we didn't dare take him out during dinner! He ate his meatballs and chicken fingers from his throne above us!

I wanted to go back and look at some curtains so Wesley stalled the boys with an after dinner treat.
Jackson and his cinnamon roll...and Philip grabbing for...

Ice Cream!

"Tomato" Warnings

Our friends, the Underwoods, offered to watch Jackson and Philip so Wesley and I could go out last night. We had a gift certificate for the Cheesecake so we enjoyed a delicious, quiet dinner.

As we were leaving the restaurant, Wesley received a phone call from the Executive Director at the Alpharetta YMCA. She wanted to let Wesley know storms were headed our way and asked him to let the group at the Teen Center know what the proper tornado procedures were.

We quickly drove to pick up the boys and headed home to watch the weather. Wesley was in constant contact with the group at the Y but wanted to monitor the storms as well.

As we drove home, we talked about the storms, and I was a little worried. This was the first storm to pass our way since the devastation in Tuscaloosa last year. I was scared. Wesley and I discussed it openly since both boys were asleep in the back seat.

Note to self: Just because it is quiet doesn't mean little ears are asleep.

As we exited the highway, we heard from the back, "Are the 'tomatoes' heading our way?"

It was a serious question from Jackson, but Wesley and I had to chuckle.

Sadly, our reassurance that we were going to be okay, didn't help Jackson. He was freaked out and spent the evening with Wesley and me watching the News for 'Tomato' updates.

For about 15 minutes, Wesley thought it might be best to wake Philip and get in the bathroom.

True to each personality - Jackson kept asking "why?" "what's going on?" "how long" and Philip just wanted to climb on the toilet and read books!

I am not sure why Wesley snapped this picture, but it shows us all squished in the bathroom (Flashers was there too!) waiting on the storms. Thankfully, we were only in there for a few minutes and then we all headed to bed! 

Dandelions and Dirty Hands

Two of the many reasons I love being the Mommy to two little boys!

Freshly picked just for me! 

Jackson - after a long day in the dirt!

Philip - after a long day of doing anything and everything his older brother does!

Star Wars Get Together

Wesley, Rocky, and Todd decided to organize a little Star Wars party at the church building for the kids. I think all the little ones had fun...and the big boys did too!

Tucker, Carter, Camp, Shep, Jackson and Addie

Eating Pizza
Tucker, Addie, Cammie, Shep, Carter, Camp and Jackson

Storm Troopers -
Rocky and Wesley!

Mommy Notes

I know I have said this many times, but these kids crack me up! Here are some Mommy notes of what's been going on:

• Jackson and Wesley were driving around Cumming and Wesley spotted a Lincoln Navigator Limousine (why it was in Cumming we don't know) Wesley showed it to Jackson and he replied "Oh, that's like the one you and Mommy rode in to Disney World!"  Wesley asked him "How did you know that?" Jackson replied" I saw a picture" -- We had recently shown him our wedding album and the last page has Wesley and me in a navigator limousine heading to our Honeymoon (Disney World!) The kid is so stinking observant! 

• We had just left Wesley at Academy Sports and were heading home. Out of nowhere Jackson asked "I wonder who is going to be my mommy when I am as old as Daddy?" I replied "I will always be your mommy just like Grammy is always Daddy's mommy." Jackson answered "No, Mommy, I mean, who will be the mommy in my house." I asked who he wanted to be his Mommy. He asked me to name off his friends. First, Addie to which he replied "No, she will be Tucker's (her brother) mommy." I named off a few more girls he knows and he replied "Yes, she's 'bery beautiful or "Yes, she's cute" Oh my, I thought we had a few more years before this hit home!

• Wesley picked Jackson up from school on Tuesday and asked if he had a good day. Jackson replied yes. Wesley said "Did you get in trouble?" Jackson "No, I didn't get in trouble, but I did pick my nose!" 

And then there is Philip - he's just so cute. He is saying so much now but the funniest is when he starts singing. His favorites:

• Taylor Swift's Mean:  Someday....jibberish.....city...more jibberish....is mean 
• Jake Owen Barefoot BlueJean Night: All gibberish except right on cue - Whoa-oh

Buzz Lightyear!

Wesley found out last night that the teachers at school call Philip "Tank" Wonder why? 

Is it because he is a 2 year old who has the strength of a 25 year old olympic weightlifter? Or because he towers over all his classmates? Or because he puts up a mean fight when he gets his diaper changed, clothes put on or put into/out of the car?

Don't let this face fool you - it's a name that fits him!

PS - "Tank" just said "I love you!" to me as I put him to bed. My heart is melting!