July 22-28

Cal had camp this past week, so we spent the mornings playing and exploring before he headed off to camp each afternoon at the Children's Theatre. It's a good thing we have been getting out early in the day because it has been so hot in the afternoons...all we I want to do is stay inside! (These boys would live outside if we let them!)

July 22: We stayed around the house most of the day but had a happy hour that evening. We haven't done a happy hour with the boys in a while...and G loved it! He used his new champagne flute from his birthday, and was loving his happy hour drink..aka smoothie!

July 23: Cal's VBS wrapped up at church, and some of the kids put on a little performance for everyone. I'm proud of Cal for getting up there and singing along as best he could...especially since he was running the halls each night during the song portion, and not following along!!!

July 24: We checked out a new park that is part of the Park Hop. It was super hot, and there was no shade, so we did not last too long. We will definitely revisit this one in the fall though.

July 25: We headed out early today and did 5 parks on the Park Hop (the Park Hop program ends this week, so we are trying to get in as many as possible before it's over). My favorite time of day, and probably the boys' too, is when daddy rolls in the driveway. Everyone is outside to meet Doug! Cal's new favorite thing is to ride his tricycle over to Doug's car, but Graham has to be riding in the bucket of it!

July 26: We finally made it to the Curious George exhibit at the Upcountry History Museum. It was a cute traveling exhibit that brought the favorite storybooks to life. The boys enjoyed themselves, and it was a nice break from the heat.

Cal weighing his food

Graham playing a little crazy golf

Cal helping Curious George wash the windows

July 27: Doug was changing a light bulb in the boys' room, and Graham climbed up onto the step stool with Doug. This is what he did over and over!

July 28: Cal finished his Pete the Cat themed camp at the Children's Theatre. They put on a little 5 minute performance at the end where they acted out the book Pete the Cat, I Love My White Shoes. It was really cute, and Cal actually performed this time!!!

July 15-21

What a busy week! Cal had Vacation Bible School each night this week. Doug literally walked in the door each night, I handed Graham to him, and off Callen and I went to VBS. I was able (with Cal's permission!) to work in his classroom each night. It was a fun time, and Cal loved it!

July 15: I had my first triathlon in almost 10 years that morning, so we kept it low key that day and spent the late afternoon at the pool. Both Cal and Graham love being in the water. Graham has a new trick of walking over to the ladder where Cal is standing, and pushing him in. He laughs and laughs!

 July 16: We finally joined our church, and had the boys baptized. We've been going there almost 6 years, but never have joined. The baptism itself was a mess. Graham was everywhere, he cried when Pastor Mollie took him from me, and Callen wanted no part of water going on his head. We all survived, and the boys are now baptized!

July 17: I took the boys near downtown to watch a building being torn down. They both sat on a bench for about 10 minutes and watched everything going on. Then it was down on the ground to run around in the grass! As we were leaving, I was packing up our stuff and turned around to see Callen walking Graham down the path. He made sure he was holding his brother's hand and not letting Graham get away! Too sweet!

July 18: Graham is enjoying wearing Callen's sunglasses these days.

July 19: The theme of VBS is Hero Central. We have our very own super hero!

July 20: Graham is a CLIMBER! We can't leave him alone or even turn our backs for 30 seconds. I was washing dishes, and turned around to find this...

July 21: Once again...G is enjoying Callen's sunglasses and old dapper hat!

 

Graham Turns One!!!!

Graham seems to always be called 'Big Eyes,' so what better theme for a birthday party for him than big (googly) eyes?! I made big eyes out of plastic plates and paper, and we taped them on the windows and mirror in the kitchen. The giant 'G' on the mantle was covered in googly eyes. We also placed eyes on drink containers, and made Graham's smash cake covered in eyes as well as the cake pops.

I love using pictures from the year to help decorate. This year I turned pictures of Graham into Polaroid pictures through PicMonkey and hung them from the mantle and mirror in the kitchen. Going along with the Polaroid theme, we made a photo booth for everyone to dress up and take pictures with Graham in a homemade Polaroid (aka foam board cut to look like a Polaroid!)

Inder...Please move this thing!

Grandmom...I'm not going to look at the camera. You smile big for me

My daddy is so silly!

What? I have to be in here with Ber and Mar?

Papa...I'm getting good at this. Let me help you hold the frame

Seriously, mom? You are crazy!

Nana and Oupa...I'm not even going to look. I am so embarrassed today!

The smash cake with Graham was fun (def more fun than his brother who just touched his fingers to it a few times). I thought Graham was going to dive into the cake as much as he loves food. Nope! He was a little unsure of it, and didn't care to eat the icing (this is not my child! Publix icing...all day long I will eat that stuff!). He kept putting his finger back in the cake and taking a small bite of the icing, but as you can see from the rest of his body, he put more on him than in his mouth!

Opening presents was pretty much mom opening them. He found the Cozy Coupe and gas tank on the front porch before we started opening gifts, so it was pretty much over at that point. He wanted to play with the car, or walk with his walker.

It was a wonderful day! And even better was that we were able to be together to celebrate Grandmom's 94th birthday!!

 

Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate Graham's special day. He is such a special little boy; and so lucky to have such wonderful family in his life. We are thankful everyday for him, and can't wait to see what the future holds for him. He is one loved little guy!

Happy Birthday, Little Buddy!