Just a Few Pool Days

This summer, we have only gone to the pool a hand full of times. 

I had a feeling this year might be a little more difficult, 

having an active 3 1/2 year old and a 1 year old non stop quiet wanderer on my hands.

So here is some proof that we did go...even if this was one of just a few...

I promise little guys, we'll go more when it's a little easier on your Mama. :) 

UK Football Fan Day

This year, for the first time, Matt and I bought Season Football Tickets!

Although I admit, I am not the hugest fan of football - I do LOVE a football atmosphere. 

I recently watched the TV series Friday Night Lights, and yes, I know that it was not like watching football, as the actual games were on a fraction of the actual episodes but it honestly helped me "get" all the hype. 

I've only been to a couple of our football games, but there is just something about driving down around campus, and seeing nothing but blue.
 Feeling the true love for our University. 

Tailgates, kids throwing footballs, everyone dressed in UK gear, grills fired up, people smiling & laughing. 

Then to feel the excitement of the pending game as you find your seats. 

Then watching the games-lucky for me the last game I went to was UK vs TN and we WON! 

First time since 1984! 

Good times. 

So every year they have a fan day, where you can go 

watch a practice, and can meet the players etc. 

We asked our nephews & niece if they'd like to go, so we all piled in the truck and headed that way! 

We had fun, it was very laid back. 

Saw a few people we knew, got some posters, snacks, cotton candy. 

Found out the meeting the team, and fireworks weren't starting until a while after the practice.

After taking one look at the line to head onto the field,
and judging the time before boys had meltdowns...

Matt and I made the executive decision to go on home, so we had to miss out on the after practice fun.
Maybe next year!

Had a lot of fun though, and are looking forward to the home games! 

(We're sad the big UK vs Louisville is away this year!)

So much fun! 

Gearing up for Football Season! 

I think I need to brush up on my Football For Dummies book Matt bought me one Christmas...

:)

This 21 Month Old Boy

I feel like it's time for an update on the Rhetter man.

Besides, the reason I'm so far behind on my blog is mostly his fault. ;)

Can I blame it on my 21 month old? 

Hee!

Seriously though, that boy is b.u.s.y. 

I've heard a saying recently, 

"The Mother of boys is awake from son up till son down." 

I have to say, I completely agree! 

The boy loves his sleep, probably because he doesn't stop while he's awake. 

He's still napping 2-3, sometimes 4 hours a day. 

Bedtime is around 7-8pm, and he wakes up around 8-9am. 

For a being a fat baby this toddler has lost every ounce of baby fat 

since he's been walking/running/climbing/jumping/sliding/wrestling.

He's got the sweetest heart. 

He's a snuggle bug. 

He adores his big brother. 

He loves his Mama. 

He worships his Daddy.
 He loves his big dog, and leads him around by his collar like a horse.

He's wild, and has no fear. 

He is tough. 

Really tough. 

He's a picky eater. 

He loves loves loves fruit. 

He hates cheese, noddles and most meats. 

(Where did he come from?)

He is talking more and more every day. 

(Our favorite right now is "Luh you")

He loves girls. 

(Seriously, we are in trouble. I watch a few of my friends little girls every now and then, and he always says "Hiiii" in the most flirty hilarious way, and pets their heads and arms, & hugs and kisses on them!)

He loves his toy four wheeler, and rides it down our little hill in the backyard - over and over again.

He loves walking up the stairs by himself (with Mama close behind)

He wants Mama to change him, but Daddy to read books and put him to bed.

He wants to do everything Case does.

He is becoming very vocal about what he wants.

He loves trucks.

He loves trains.

He loves dinosaurs.

He loves cows. 

He LOVES Buzz Lightyear and Woody. 

He is precious. 

He is fun. 

He is almost 2!!!

Big Decisions

Remember this? 

This was his first day at Maxwell Street last year. 

Oh look how little he was! 

I just packed those shorts away. Along with the pile of  his 3T clothes that don't fit him anymore. 

But that shirt and those little shoes haven't fit in I don't even know how long! 

It's that time of year again, summer is fading away, and fall is just around the corner. 

 All the stores are stocked for back to school shopping.

(I just love a fresh box of crayola crayons and colored pencils.)

The anticipation & excitement of a new school year, new teachers, new friends, learning new things.

I swear each year I am turning more and more into a fall girl instead of a summer girl! 

So getting to the big decision:

As of recently, we were all signed up to return to Maxwell Street Nursery School. 

Where I have taught off and on since 2008. 

I decided last year, that I would be taking a year off from teaching this school year. 

With the plan of returning to Maxwell, that would mean Case & Rhett would both be in my room. 

The program is for 2-4 year olds, so starting in November we would have brothers in the same room. 

Siblings in the same room, can absolutely work. 

However, siblings in the same room, with their Momma in that same room, might not. 

Actually - I just know. It would be very difficult. I know we would all adjust, but if you have little ones you know that they are much more comfortable being whiny around Momma. If they are tired, hungry, hurt etc. 

It was difficult at times with just Case man in my room last year. Any time I would drop him off on the days I didn't work they said they didn't hear one whiny word from him. 

Your babies are just comfortable around you, and can release all that emotion. 

So as of last May, we were all set up for Case to go back to Maxwell. 

He turns 4 in September, so he would most definitely be one of the oldest there. 

Meanwhile, our home church, Southern Acres opened their very own preschool. 

Little Blessings would be launching their new Christian curriculum based preschool, come September. 

In the end, after lots of talking (and praying!) Matt and I decided that Case would really thrive in a curriculum based preschool. Maxwell is a wonderful start for little ones. It's a great place for kids to get their first taste of playing, and interacting with their peers. It has structure, and lots of fun activities. 

We felt that Case had a smooth jump start into a preschool type setting at Maxwell, but that he was ready for the next step.

So after praying all day about it, I finally e-mailed the director of Little Blessings, and much to my surprise they still had just a few spots open - and Case was in! 

I immediately e-mailed my Maxwell family, and told them the plan for Case. 

I also made sure to tell them all though, that I was certainly still interested in subbing, and for Rhett to drop in from time to time! :)

The sweet teachers, both responded so positively. I was so sincerely happy and relieved. 

Both had mentioned that they were thinking about things to do with him, to keep him from becoming bored - which just confirmed that we had made the right decision for our little guy. 

So we are all geared up and ready for preschool! 

My sister, Amy and I went school shopping together one early Saturday morning - 

and it was SO MUCH FUN! 

Love love love buying school supplies. 

Matt and I are looking forward to attending the Parent Orientation at the end of the month. 

We are actually missing the first two full days of school - we won't be complaining too much though because we'll be at the BEACH! :)

Also, very excited for Maxwell's open house for Rhett! 

Can't believe my little Rhetter man will be old enough to go there come November! 

We are all excited for this fall! 

Case is PUMPED, he keeps asking me when church is opening their school. 

:)

Photo A Day JULY

I recently joined Instagram, a fun place to share photos. 

Well, looking around I found out people add Photo A Day challenges each month. 

Since I had never done it, I thought it would be pretty fun! 

I actually made it through the month, with only being one day late on one I think...maybe two? 

Anyway, it was super fun keeping up with the challenge, 

and trying to be creative with what to take a picture of each day.

I have a feeling I'll be doing these again in the future, every now and then. :)

Down By The River

Mom and Dad asked Amy and I if we wanted to get together for lunch down at Halls on the River, and we quickly agreed! 

(Wish Matt & Tim could have come this trip, we'll have to go back on a weekend sometime!)

Halls on the River is one of my favorites. 

Not only because, hello, it's Halls Beer Cheese...

(Which by the way is no longer sold at Kroger...talk about breaking a girls heart.)

...but also because it takes a beautiful country road to get there. 

I'm a huge fan of beautiful country drives. 

So Monday morning, we all met at my house. 

We piled into my car, and Mommom & Grand-dad's car and were off. 

We met around 12:30, and were on the road by 1. 

1 o'clock is Rhett's nap time. 

I was very curious to see how this turned out. 

Thankfully, we sat on the patio, looking right over the river. 

Being outside, and having so much to look at out there, helped SO very much to keep little man entertained. 

At least for a little while...

I ordered a salad and after about two bites, Rhett was d.o.n.e. 

So Mama, got creative, and just slid his high chair closer to the water so he could watch the lone duck and fish coming up every now and then. He was attempting to feed them his cheerios, but they didn't quite make it all the way down. 

I love that every time I say, "Case stand by your brother, so I can take a picture."

Case puts his hand on Rhett's back. 

Well, the high chair trick lasted about 7 minutes, then I had to throw in the reinforcements. 

The cousins. 

:)

(Love this picture of Bug!)

Besides the fact that I had about 10 total bites of my salad and banana pepper rings, 

I had a wonderful time. 

Love that place. 

When we were wrapping up lunch, Cy, Griffin and Avery walked down around the side of the restaurant to the river, and took my little ones with them. 

It felt really good to sit down, after standing up through 80% of my lunch. ;)

After the bill came and went, (Thanks, Mom & Dad!) Dad mentioned that Boonesboro State Park had a play ground, and a walk way down to the river. 

I was definitely hesitant with Rhett, already way past his nap time. 

I knew though, that if he saw a playground, and water he would surely get his second wind. 

Second wind happened. 

Walking down to the river...

Beautiful girl. 

Mimi getting Rhett's toes wet! 

Case had so much fun!

The big boys had fun skipping rocks, Avery and Case tried a few too. 

After trying to literally swim across the river, and trying to take my hand away from his while walking down the river, Rhett decided it was time to go. 

He kept walking up the beach and waving "Bye!"

We all had such a fun day, a wonderful little trip. 

Far enough to feel like we did something special, and close enough for a relaxing drive back. 

Soaking up these memories.