Mondays with Crosby and Jane Claire

At 11:24 am, Crosby Fox turned 4 years and 20 weeks old!!!  At 1:03 pm, Jane Claire turned 1 year and 8 weeks old!!!  It has been a busy week for Jane Claire.  So many milestones.  Her top, right tooth popped through on Sunday. Her gums have been swollen for weeks so I have been waiting, and waiting, and waiting for one to finally break through.  Well, it officially happened.  AND my sweet little girl is officially started walking.  No more steps here and there.  She figured out the full fledged walk!  Oh  my heart.  My baby.  My tee tiny baby...

Sigh.

We had a fun play date a the park earlier in the week.  Don't let the shorts fool you.  It was a wee but chilly.  Hence Jane Claire's semi purple lips above!  ;-)  She LOVED watching the big kids run around.  She wants to be a big kid too...

She wanted to climb right up there with Crosby and Annie.  Luckily she was no where close to getting up there.  One thing at a time little bit...

The big kids were kind enough to sit a spell to let me take one picture.  With the sun beaming down in their eyes.  Crosby, Dean and Annie still look pretty cute!

I just LOVE this one of Jane Claire on the slide.  Those baby blue just pop off the red background...

Then I sat her down in the grass...

Watching her attempt to pick "flowers" was pretty precious...

Crosby wanted to take a selfie with me.  I will gladly agree to take a picture when he is willing!!  

And here is proof that I am still wearing the fleece in MAY!!!  SO ready for permanent warm weather!  I am thinking we are super close to saying it is here to stay.  Fingers crossed.

So.  Blake and I have a trip planned for our upcoming anniversary.  We will drive to Knoxville and stay one night there.  The next day we will head to Highlands, North Carolina and spend 2 nights there.  The children are...how do I put it....not invited.  Sounds nice for and anniversary trip, no?!?  Yet, there is a small problem with this plan.  Jane Claire has never spent a night away from me.  I sort of feed her.  She doesn't take bottles which kinda makes distance impossible.  The good news is she now takes whole milk from a cup!  That is progress!  Of course she still likes for me to feed her too.  Wonder how this trip going to work??  

I thought it might be best to do a trial run before we head off to another state for a few days.  My parents gladly offered to have the kids down for a night this weekend.  My heart hurt all week just thinking about my baby spending the night away from me.  I knew it needed to happen though. So, we loaded up the car on Saturday and headed to meet my parents.  Crosby is an old pro so I knew he would be just fine. (although I don't think HE has spent the night away since right after she was born!!!)  Here they are right before they drove away...

Then they drove away...

Break my heart!!!  It did for a second or so.  Then I realized the anticipation was far worse than the actual parting of ways.  I wish I could write about some fabulous date Blake and I went on.  And post a picture of us all dressed up, looking cute.  Umm.  Yea.  No.  No date.  No pictures.  Blake was sick.  Of all times!!!  Of course it wasn't about me and Blake anyway. It was a trial run for my parents and the kids.  And that went perfectly!  I cannot tell you what a relief that was.  And of course it was thrilling to pick them up after church and see their sweet faces again.  It is true that absence makes the heart grow fonder I guess!

On Sunday evening , we had small group.  Blake wasn't 100% so he stayed home.   I snapped a few pictures of the kiddos that were too cute.  Ainsley and Crosby were having a little tea party...

Jane Claire was very interested to see what they were doing...

She managed to scoot Crosby right out of the chair and take his place!!  She looked so big sitting in that chair...

Then she did this...

And her What a little doll, that girl.  She melts my heart.  So do these two...

Blake promised Crosby they could go camping.  When we got back from small group, he had the tent set up in the bonus room and was ready to "camp".  What a trooper considering he had not felt good most of the weekend!!  Crosby loved sleeping in the tent.  Maybe one day they will take it outdoors!!

A little funny story about Jane Claire and kissing Blake...  You may or may not have noticed that Blake has been keeping a beard.  He hates to shave and it is easier not to.  (Sure wish I could get away with that excuse!!!)  Anyway, recently Jane Claire has been giving good night kisses to everyone before bed.  But when it is Blake's turn, she leans in like she is going to kiss him right on the lips and then turns her head at the last second and starts laughing!!!  It is soooo funny.  Apparently she is not a fan of his beard!!  

Today Crosby had all of his sharks lined up on the swing set.  I had him give me his best shark face and this is what I got...

Hilarious.  Tonight we made a run to Sweet CeCe's for dessert.  My little bit looked so cute sitting in the tiny adirondack chairs...

"Look!!!"

"Mommy.  Stop taking pictures and LOOK."

Guess I am going to have to start putting shoes on my baby girl...

Mondays with Crosby and Jane Claire

At 11:24 am, Crosby Fox turned 4 years and 19 weeks old!!!  At 1:03 pm, Jane Claire turned 1 year and 7 weeks old!!!  Crosby's age hit hard this week.  Almost to the 4 and HALF year point.  Crazy.  Thursday was his last day of school at Otter Creek.  Another year behind us.  Only one left to go.  I must stop here for now and take break or I might drown in a puddle of tears just thinking about that last statement...

Ahhh.  There is this picture that will melt anyone's heart...

I snapped this picture and the one above with my phone.  So the top one may not be the cutest of Jane Claire but it is sweet of them together.  And Crosby looks pretty precious.  Then I got this one of little bit.  Oh my goodness she is such a little doll.  Right?  Her and her new, TINY, size 2 Sea Wee sandals.  Presh.

So we are back to this topic a lot faster than I was hoping.  His last day of school...

Sigh.  Is it just me or does the school year go by faster each year?  It took forever when I was growing up.  Summer was the slowest season to come around.  How is it that time keeps speeding up.  You blink and a year is over.  It is just not fair!!!  I need these little years to drag on a bit.  Sigh.  

Here he is at drop off.  Walking through those red doors one last time...

Headed in to great all of his favorite teachers!

And I say "ALL" because apparently he makes stops along the way to say hello to every teacher!!  Even the ones he has never had!  Too funny.  He is definitely a social butterfly.  My child for sure.  The school had a popsicle party for the kiddos and parents.  Blake was working so I was flying solo.  I didn't any pictures of the actual popsicle part because it was just too hectic with little bit on my hip but I managed to snap a few in his class room.  Jane Claire is still a favorite show and tell object for his classmates.  Most of them just love babies!  Gracie, Addy and Crosby stopped to pose with her.  She looks less than thrilled...

Sitting in his spot on the bench, listening to Mrs. Fisher talk...

Loving on his best little buddy, Sweet Addy...

Little Bit just hanging out on the floor while I attempt to snap pictures...

Crosby and Miss Fisher...

Standing in front of the red doors...

The before and after.  Why do I do these things to myself???

One of Crosby's classmates was sweet to throw a end of school swim party at his house.  So we headed to our very first swim date of the year.  Again, I was solo so I knew it would be interesting with both kiddos. As you can guess, pictures were virtually impossible!!!  But I managed to get a cute one of this little bathing beauty...

And one of the fish swimming away with Gracie!!!  

We were invited to a surprise party on Sunday night and were asked to submit video or pictures for a video that was planned.  That was easy...

He is so funny.  Loves looking at himself in the phone.  Me on the other hand, not so much.  I had to submit  one of myself talking.  That was horrific and has been deleted.  I am pretty sure it took me at least 10 times to take one I was remotely okay with.  And I shot one in just about every angle of every room so I could get just the right lighting to minimize the fine lines and zits I am sporting these days.  What is this I am hearing about the FaceTime facelift???  Hmmm... ;-)

On Saturday I made a trip to Louisville to shower a sweet friend and her baby with lots of love!  My dear friend from OT school, Elizabeth, is expecting her first baby.  A sweet little boy!  It was so fun to see her face when I walked in the door.  Maybe I didn't exactly let her know I was coming!!  ;-)

My OT gals:  Me, Elizabeth (and JMS ;-) ), and Kellie...

Me and Elizabeth...

Meanwhile, Blake was holding down the fort back home.  Or should I say his entire family held the fort down.  It was a rather nutty day.  And Blake got off rather easy!!  ;-) Originally he was off this Saturday.  But that got switched around after I made plans to go to Kentucky.  So, Lulu and GranBuddy came up to watch the kiddos as I was leaving town.  They took Crosby to his soccer game and Blake met them there.  THEN, Blake had a soccer game (which he sort of failed to mention until the last second!!) and the Malones got to keep the kids at Anne Claire's house a little longer!  What would we do with out family!?!  

Crosby had a soccer party scheduled but it was cancelled due to a rain threat.  That allowed me a little more time in Kentucky with Kellie.  I was thinking I had plenty of time to visit because I didn't have to rush home to his party.  Except I forgot about Blake and Crosby's date to the Avett Brother's concert.  Luckily, I just happened to jump in the car when I did because I made it back just in time to meet them in downtown Nashville for dinner!!!  Yikes.  Told you it was a hectic day! How could I forgot the concert?!?  No worries!  We stuffed our bellies at Cori's Dog house (relish) and headed our separate ways.  I got these pictures on my phone throughout the night...

Crosby standing in front of the stage..

Crosby took this picture while sitting on Bake's shoulders!  I cannot believe they were down on the floor!!!

When he took this picture!!  I know Blake looks like he was in pain but he says he wasn't! ;-)

Okay.  Could they be any cuter?!?  Love these boys...

Believe it or not, they stayed for the entire concert!!!  He and Blake got a little tired of standing so they found seats about half way through and enjoyed the rest of the show from their bums.  What a fun and jammed pack Saturday for our crew.  And sweet Jane Claire was just along for the ride all day.  Good thing she is a super easy and flexible baby!!!

Crosby had a makeup soccer game on Sunday afternoon.  The same makeup game I thought he had 2 weeks ago.  Yet, when he an Blake arrived to the fields, they were the only ones out there.  Umm. Yea.  That would be because the game was THIS weekend!!!  And to top that off.  I drove to the Shoemakers so Jane Claire and I could ride with her, we were yacking and missed the exit AND Blake and I got to the garage before we remembered I had driven his car to the Shoemaker's house!!!  Yep.  It was THAT makeup game. Heaven's to Betsy.  Any whoo...  

I didn't get to stay for much of the game because I had a surprise party to attend.  Did I mention the weekend was hectic?  While we were watching the game, I looked over at Jane Claire and noticed this... 

Do you see what I see curling up at the base of her head???  Her hair has curls in it!!!!  Oh my goodness I am so very excited.  I mean, Blake and I have always been the stringy, straight haired type.  Clearly Crosby got those genes.  To see curls on my baby girl's head thrills me.  I mean, I am not imagining this am I?  Those are curls, right?

I hated to leave the game but I had a little Surprise 30th to attend for my sweet friend Kara.  It was a lovely evening with great food, lots of laughs, a few sweet tears, a fun video (including my lovely non FaceTime facelifted, zit face video blown up to about 8 feet on a wall :-/ ) and THESE dear, dear ladies...

Anne Claire, Me, Kara the birthday girl, Heidi, Jenny and Courtney...

Fun times with a great group of gals!  It was so fun to celebrate you Kara!!! :-)

When I got home from dinner and put Jane Claire.  Something was still there...

 From every angle, it looks like a legitimate curl...

 Right?!?

Oh fingers crossed!!!!  I would love for my sweet thing to have a little curl in her hair.  I guess I should stop talking about it and maybe it will actually happen.  Kind of like her eyes.  They still have a tad of green in the center which makes me think the baby blues won't last much longer.  Crosby's did the same thing.  So maybe if I just stop mentioning it, they will stick around.  The curls AND the baby blues. That is how these things work, right?!?

Mondays with Crosby and Jane Claire

At 11:24 am, Crosby Fox turned 4 years and 18 weeks old!!!  At 1:03 pm, Jane Claire turned 1 year and 6 weeks old!!!  We had a busy but super fun week.  I actually picked up the camera to document it!  Yay for pictures!  

On Thursday, Crosby's class had the SWEETEST picnic to celebrate Mother's Day.  We picked the kiddos up from school and headed to Mrs. Fisher's house.  She had each child come into her kitchen one by one to help make our lunch.  When they were finished, the kids lined up, walked back into the kitchen and came out carrying these...

 My lunch was wrapped up inside.  I mean, PRECIOUS!!!  I managed to squeeze in one picture of me with my little man...

He spent the rest of the time running around Mrs. Fisher's yard, jumping on the trampoline, exploring in the woods at the back of her yard and swinging...

Crosby's sweet little class....

Well, minus Lulu and Emma, who was sitting on the side of the trampoline (meaning she was not even jumping...just waiting her turn), fell off and broke her arm!!  Bless her sweet little heart!! :-(

Crosby loves to draw these days.  He could literally spend an hour with markers and a Color Wonder book.  He just hums along as he goes, only breaking out in tears when he colors something a color he did not mean to use.  He might be a perfectionist?!  Hmmm.  Anyway, he drew the most precious picture a child can draw just the other day...

When I asked him what it was, he quickly state, "That is the cross where Jesus died."  Melt my heart would you!!!  It thrills this momma's soul to have him thinking of Jesus at random, unprompted times.  Oh for the love of Jesus to fill his little heart so much that only HIS light shines in my sweet boy.  That is my prayer for both of my children...

On Friday, I we had a visitor spend the day with use...

We watched Sadie while her mommy went to a continuing ed course.  I will admit, I was a little worried about getting 2 one year olds down for naps.  But they surprised me and took two naps, at the same time.  AND, both slept for 4+ hours total!!!  Whoo hoo!!!  I was proud.  Sadie seemed to have a good time hanging out with the neighbors too...

Would you look at the beautiful bouquet my little man picked for me while the girls were sleeping...

Sweetest thing ever.

Crosby finally had a soccer game on Saturday.  Between trips and rain, we have barely gotten to play this season!!  Blake has been doing "drills" with him here and there.  Crosby thinks it is pretty awesome.  This is part of Blake's strategy...

                                      

Crosby is obsessed with sharks at the moment.  So in the game, he is supposed to be "aggressive like a shark" and go after the ball.  He can look down at his arm whenever he needs a reminder as to what he is supposed to do.  I know.  Hilarious.  Even more hilarious is the face he makes when he is in shark mode.  Here it is...

Totally looks like a shark, no?!?  ;-)  This kid, and his dad, KILL me!!!  So, I kid you not, Crosby attacked the ball like none other during the game this Saturday.  He even scored his very first goal!!!  We were a little proud...

These are pictures from one of his many "breakaways"...

Look at him go!!!

Too bad it didn't quite make it in the goal this time...

We could seriously see him making his shark face while he was going for the ball and dribbling the ball down the field.  He would show his opponents his arm and make his shark face.  I mean, funniest kid EVER!!!  I must mention the white team was considerably smaller than our team.  And only a handful of them felt like playing.  We had quite the advantage!!!  That being said, it was a great confidence booster for Crosby.  And I even think the point of the game started to click a little more this week!  Fun times.  Lining up to shake hands is one of the cuter things they do...

Then we headed over to play on an obstacle course.  Is he a doll or what???

Crosby and John Christopher are two monkeys for sure!!!

Sunday was Mother's Day!  The day to celebrate our mom's and being a mom.  A gift I am so very thankful for!  A day that my sweet, loving, thoughtful husband always manages to wait until the last second to plan for.  Like maybe he dropped me and Jane Claire off at church, did a loop in the parking lot and headed over to Kroger with Crosby!!  So funny.  I suppose it makes it all the more special!!  The orchid and balloon they picked out were quite lovely I must admit.  You can see then in the very first picture. I think you will agree! ;-)

We had lunch with Lulu at Anne Claire's house. Lulu seems to have gotten the short end of the stick by sitting at the kid's table!!! ;)

An attempt at a family picture...

Lulu and 2 out of 3 of her babies...

These two looked so cute standing at the door...

Anne Claire and Charlotte...

Lulu helping Jane Claire spot the Cyr's new puppy...

A dog can make her smile EVERY time!!!

We were supposed to have dinner with my mom but my dad was feeling pretty sick the night before and all morning.  So we had to postpone our gathering! :-(

Lulu sent us home with goodies and instructions to have a tea party with the kiddos.  And a tea party we had...

FRESH picked strawberries...

Me and my little ones at the Mother's Day tea party...

The strawberries were relish!

See... ;-)

Jane Claire taking her first sip from a her tea set...

Jane Claire was given a tea set from a dear friend.  How fun to pull it out for such a memorable occasion!  Now I can always remember the first time she used this precious gift!

Little Miss has started babbling a bit these days.  She sounds a whole lot like Crosby did at this age.  It is so funny to see the similarities between two totally different children!!!  I just love this sound...

This afternoon, I randomly started playing this game with Jane Claire.  I was getting THE BIGGEST belly laughs out of her.  Of course that caught Crosby's attention and he came running in to see what all the excitement was about.  Then he had to have a try...