Char-la-stin, Round 1 & Overheard

{Grab a seat. I have an inability to pick and choose pictures! And, yes, this is just the first 36 hours or so!}

This was our view last week, and, oh, it was just delightful!

We did some eating together as a family, which was such fun: According to Cousin Char-dee, the picture shows: Hudsey, Hudsey, Bay-Bee, and Char-dee! (Yes—it’s a return of the Hudsey! Charlie calls both boys Hudsey. Oh, Precious!)

We were able to spend time together with our favorite cousin, Mr. P, and it was so much fun! Even I got some great time with Mr. P, and I LOVED IT!

Anna had some great snuggles with her handsome Unkie . . .

And, Anna Kathryn also visited with Auntie Kathryn

It took 8 hours to get there, and we arrived at 2:30am, but that didn’t stop us from being raring to go in the morning!

There was some wind, but it didn’t stop us!

Sugie brought the boys some neat treats!

Please note the adorable shoes on Mr. P’s feet. I could eat this boy up. I know that, technically, he is not mine, but it does feel that way! And, maybe one day, he will learn my name! ha ha!

Family “snuggle”

Charlie is really interested in what Uncle J does . . .

And, there may have been some giggles with Bumps as well!

We went to the Blessing of the Shrimp Boats, and had a great time . . . and a beautiful day!

Please note that Christopher is holding Charlie while William is stuffing his pockets with tiny snacks. You are welcome, Unkie. You are welcome. :)

I love this picture. Hudson has a newfound intense adoration for his father. Whenever Hatch would leave a room last week or run an errand, Hudson would cry “My Daddy! My Daddy! Daddy go work. NOOO! I need him!” You can imagine how this week has been! Every morning after they wake up and every afternoon after naps, Hudson asks where his Daddy is. This boy LOVES his Daddy, and it is so sweet to see!

Little Miss enjoyed soaking up extra time with her pops, too!

Oh, my heart!

More to come from Char-la-stin!

+++

Overheard:

most of these are from today . . . and, most of my day was spent driving William to and fro’ doctor’s offices . . .

W: Mommy, why your shirt lighting? What dat light, Mommy?

me: Oh, these are called sequins—or beads, maybe? They sparkle in the light. (am i fancy, or what?)

+

Me: Bye, bye, Hudsey! I love you

Hudsey: Yuv you too!

(OH MY HEART!)

+

In front of a doctor and a nurse in the exam room:

W: Mommy, your legs are crunchy.

me: Thank you, William.

W: MOMMY! Your legs are crunchy! WHY ARE YOUR LEGS CRUNCHY!

{everyone staring}

me: Because I didn’t have much time in the shower today, William, and I could not shave my legs. I am sorry!

+

I walk into the dining room carrying Anna:

W: Hi Precious! HIIII PRECIOUSSSSSSSSS!

fun fun fun!

so, I have decided that part of Vacation-Recovery-Mode means intentionally doing fun things (lest I lose myself in suitcases, mounds of clothes, and sand that makes me wish we were still at the beach)! Despite the face that this week is FULL of doctor’s visits for everyone (tomorrow holds visits #4 and 5 for the week), we have still managed to squeeze in some fun! I don’t have many pictures of our Tuesday night fun, but we joined Mr. P and his parents and grandparents (both his local grandparents and his CA grandparents!) for a Flying Squirrels game! GO NUTS! Anna loves baseball! She squealed through much of the game!

The boys had a blast too!

After our dr’s visit on Tuesday, we came out to find this treasure on our car! It was thrilling. Worms are now a part of daily conversation around here. The other night on the phone, a friend said: “Wow. I have never had a phone conversation interrupted before due to worms.” And, to that, I say: Welcome to my world!

(both of these pictures were taken with my new phone . . . which may have a better camera than my real camera. whaat?!) After the doctor today we ran off to the park to sneak in some fun before naps!

I love this boy. He is 100% wild and 100% sweet and tender. And he still loves to spontaneously kiss his mama (once on each cheek—he is very European), and I adore that. He is also quite expressive these days and we are often hearing him say “Me no yike it.” Or, when served a “special treat” of ice cream or yoyyipops “Dat good. Me yike it. ME YIKE IT.” His Daddy calls him our human cookie monster! He has recently begun to tell us long stories about things that happened “Last week” or “Yesterday” and despite his confusion about the timing, his memory is amazing. I am hoping he can help keep me straight, as I cannot remember a thing these days!

Little Miss was thrilled to be a part of the action in her new big girl ride—thank you, Nonna and Pop Pop!

Tasty toes—what a face!

Swinging with Sugs!

Refusing to smile while swinging . . .

This boy is so precious to me. He wants to be right near me most of the day and he wants to know all of the details about everything ALL of the time. He is so sweet and SUCH an inquisitive chatterbox! I forgot to say in my post yesterday that W is AK’s biggest cheerleader! When she eats her baby food, he tilts his head to the side and says in his high-pitched 2 year old voice “Good Girl, Anna! Goooood Girl!” He is a hoot!

When I look at this and see my two boys, who are not yet 2.5 years old, I see visions of my future where I worry endlessly and spend countless hours in ERs wondering how many people it will take to cover their casts in signatures and smiley faces. I feel certain that I have my work cut out for me! :)

Since Anna is big time now, she wanted to swing too. She couldn’t help but stare at her brother the entire time! (Brother, on the other hand, was pointing to a man in a bucket truck who was trimming trees—quite a sight!)

It just doesn’t get any better than this! Swinging in the sun with a sweet hat and chubby legs!

And, loving it!

Pictures from Char-la-stin to come soon!