Back to School

It's been quiet here on the blog, and for good reason - we've gone back to work!

I've been in my classroom, workshops, and meetings for weeks now.  However, Eli started back to school on Monday.  He's in a new classroom, but one of his teachers is the same and there are several of the same kids in there.  I think he's glad to be back with his friends and everyone there was happy to see him!  His friend Lilly ran up to him as soon as we got there on Monday and screamed, "heyyy Le-li!"  : )

Per Petty family tradition, first day of school pictures on the front porch!  : )

Eli looks terrified here, haha!

Still not so sure....

Beginning to be his usual self...

This one cracks me up.  I think Nana and Puddin' will appreciate it most, and he did this on his own!  My sister and I always insisted on having pictures taken of the back of our outfits as well!  : )

Showing off his shoes...fancy!

Silly Eli!  Headed to the 2 year old class!

Hey...who's the cute baby that snuck in for a picture?!!

 It's Maddie-kins!!!!  More on her later!  : )

23 Months Old

As usual, I'm late posting this, but we've been busy around here!  I can't believe we are just weeks away from turning 2.  I have REALLY enjoyed my summer home with my boy.  He's changing, growing, and developing so many ideas and has such personality!  Mommy and Daddy love you soo, soo much squirmy bug!

News headlines: the Supreme Court upholds Obama's Healthcare, Nora Ephron, Sherman Hemsley (George Jefferson), and Phil Neel (creator of Aubie) all pass away, Aurora, CO, theater tragedy at Batman midnight movie premier

Milestones:  You communicate regularly and easily with speech, you know to kick when you swim, you recognize letters O and E, you can sing parts of the alphabet song (and know/sing phrases in other songs at the appropriate time), you are very familiar with the iphone-you love to post pictures to Instagram!  : )

Measurements:  Size 4 diapers, size 24 mths/2T clothes (some 18 mths in shorts), size 6 shoes, at least 32/33"+ tall

Favorite toys/games:  You LOVE to laugh and be silly, the iPad and the iPhone are still high on your list, and you love to play chase or hide and seek.  You also love just being outside.  Of course anything Elmo or Buzz are favorites!  You also LOVE to read books!

Words:  You will attempt anything.  Last night you said a new word, "opposites" - and it was clear as a bell, and then proceeded to say tall/short, outside/inside (those with a little prompting)!  We thought that was pretty good for someone who's not even 2 yet!

Challenges: Not too many. Those pesky 2 year molars are coming in and giving us some problems.  From time to time you like to test your limits and explore your boundaries.  Time-out is nothing new to you.

Our Days:  Our days are VERY laid back; summer is fantastic!  You go to bed around 10 (yikes, I know), but sleep until 9:30 or 10:00 the next morning-always sleeping through the night (this time last year that never happened).  We all wake up about the same time around here.  We eat a small breakfast and run errands or play.  We try to do the pool or splash pad several times a week.  You take a 2ish hour nap around 2:30 or 3.  We love all being home together!  You and Mommy are getting very spoiled, it's going to be difficult on both of us going back to school!

Funny/Favorite Moments:

Mommy AND Daddy's Favorite:  Watching you play and interact with your cousin, Madelyn!

Upcoming Events: a few visits with Ginny, Nana/Puddin, Tia and Maddie, back to school, and of course turning TWO!

It was hard to choose a picture for this month, they all turned out good!  : )

Weekly Eats and Catching Up

I've been kind of in a blogging funk here lately.  I don't have a whole lot to say.  We haven't been doing too much, just clinging to our last few days of summer.  Actually, I'm at a workshop this week (bleh, at least it's in Auburn though - War Eagle!), so my summer has ended.

I have been trying to cook more this summer though, and thought I'd share our weekly menu.

Monday - homemade BBQ pizza (lunch), and OMG Chicken with green beans and biscuits (dinner)

Tuesday - taco night

Wednesday - chicken pot pie, white rice, and salad

Thursday - *Bible Study* (we eat there)

Friday - It's All-American night, we're having hot dogs and french fries and having our own little Olympics party while watching the Opening Ceremonies

Saturday - sausage/pancake bites (breakfast),  hamburger steak, potato medallions, peas, and corn (dinner)

Sunday - No Peek Chicken with brown rice, green beans, crescent rolls

Monday - spaghetti night

 *My husband has a very strong sweet tooth, and would prefer having dessert often, but I have weak will-power, ha!  So I try to limit our sweets and save it just for special occasions.

It's not gourmet, but it's not Chick fil A either (my favorite and highly frequented go-to meal).  Here's to hoping I can keep things up once school really gets going!  What's a good recipe I need to try?

Happy Birthday Maddie!!!

Last Sunday was our niece Madelyn's first birthday!  She had a sunshine party!

Big cuz and little cuz prior to the party!

It's not easy getting two kids to look and smile in the same direction at the same time!

My sister and her sweet family!

Maddie had birthday cupcakes.  She loved everyone singing too her, and loved the cupcake too!

Maddie's daddy built her a sandbox mansion for her birthday.  Maddie and Eli enjoyed playing in it all week!

The family

...including my cousin, Justin, his wife Rachel, and their two girls Megan and Jenna---they also live in Texas, and we hadn't seen them since Maddie was born last year!

We played a few rounds of Bananagrams a couple of nights.  I had never played before, but it's a lot of fun!  It's kind of like playing Scrabble with yourself.

Happy 1st Birthday Maddie-cakes!  We love you so, so much and are looking forward to seeing you again soon!

Ft. Worth Zoo

Hello from Texas!!!

We're in the Dallas area visiting with my sister and her family.  In fact, our whole family is here - it's the first time we've all been together since Christmas!

Before everyone got here, my sister, husband, and I took the kids to the zoo in Ft. Worth!

Maddie and Eli, formerly known as big cuz and little cuz, now they're about the same size!  : )

I love this one....

I may or may not have sung, When I was a young warthog...

Eli loved watching "momma and baby!"

This happened to be the only picture we got of Wesley and I this day.  Happy 3 year anniversary to us!

We didn't make it to the penguins (I know...penguins in Texas?).  The babies were in need of naps, so we called it a day!  We sure do love getting to play all day with Maddie-cakes!

Destin Beach Trip

After our PCB getaway, we headed to Destin, Florida...tough life I know, leaving one beach for another!  We had a great few days, and enjoyed getting to see family!

It seems the only time I took pictures was when we were on the beach.  We enjoyed getting lots of play time with Aunt KT in!

Uncle Brian also came down.  He and Eli had a great time playing in the sand and surf!

Happy Birthday Wesley!

Today my husband, Wesley, turned 26!  I've reminded him that that means he's now more than halfway to 50; he then reminds me that I'm closer to 50 than he is.  : )

We had a very low-key day today since we just got back from vacation and are preparing to leave again in a few days.  Eli and I skipped play group this morning and spent some quality time with dad.  We ate bbq for lunch and pizza for dinner, and had a nice little shopping spree in Dick's.

My husband is one of the most awesome people I know....as Wesley would say, "good thing!" - since I'm married to him and all.  : )

*He is one the most self-less person I know.  He always puts my needs and desires above his own.  And he's happy to do.  I don't mean that in a selfish, bratty way either.  He's love in action and is very much a picture of the love Christ has for his bride.

*Wesley is such a good daddy!  He loves spending time with Eli, and isn't afraid to do the gross stuff either.  He never complains about changing diapers or anything else that Eli needs.  I love to watch Wesley and Eli play together.  Wesley can make Eli laugh and do things like no one else can.

*Wesley is always dedicated to the tasks he takes on.  He's a great teacher and coach.  He genuinely cares for his students and players.  In fact, he recently turned down the Varsity Boys soccer coach (and head of the program) to stay with the Varsity Girls.  He's made a lot of progress with them, and they have some great talent coming up.  He really believes in these girls!  I think the choice was absolutely the right one and I'm proud of him for doing the right thing there (and of course, proud of what his team has accomplished!).

I love you my Wesley, and I hope 26 is wonderful for you!