What a Big Boy!

Anderson is turning into such a big boy. His language has just exploded. He makes me laugh all the time at the funny things he says. Like when he sneezed today, Anagrace said thank you and he responded "Thanks, babe"! And then when we picked him up from the church nursery today the volunteer said "Anderson said the funniest thing"; she explained that when asking if he needed his diaper changed he said "No, I just got gas"...You never know what he's going to say these days!

He is sleeping in a big boy bed now, too. He looked so big in his crib. It was time to make the switch, especially since he had figured out how to escape! Now, he looks so small in that big bed. We used the top bunk of a disassemled bunk bed that we've been storing in our attic. It was great because it already had the rails on it to keep him from rolling out. Thankfully, it was a pretty easy transition. He hasn't been getting out of the bed and leaving his room as I had feared. In the picture below you can barely see my little man in the new bed, under the blankets and in between all his stuffed animals!

(Yes, I did sneak into his room while he was sleeping to snap those pictures!)

Anderson got a big boy haircut to complete his transformation! My grandma has trimmed his hair with scissors several times, but I took him to Doolittle's to have it cut with the electric clippers. He wasn't quite sure about that buzzing so close to his head, but thankfully the police car chair and movie playing right in front of him distracted him. I couldn't transfer the photo of him getting his hair cut from my phone to the computer. But, check out the photos of the finished product:

Food For Thought

Grocery shopping. It is not the easiest task with my three. It's a "two man job" because I can't push the cart (or buggy as we say in the South) and the double stroller, and there is really no way to secure the boys in the buggy and still have room for the groceries! I have thought about using a hip carrier for Ashton and fastening Anderson in the front seat of the buggy, but I don't know if that would work well or not.

Well, yesterday Grandma Joyce and I went shopping at ALDI. I love me some ALDI! You can save so much money shopping there. And I get in and out so quickly; I don't get "sucked in to the vortex" the way I seem to at Wal-Mart. Maybe it is because they don't have an abundance of brands competing for your attention? I'm not a "brand-aholic". There are a few things that I prefer to have name-brand. Heinz ketchup, Diet Caffiene-free Coke, Dunkin Donuts decaf coffee, Colgate toothpaste, and my various hair and beauty products; pretty much everything else I buy the cheapest I can find! And ALDI is pretty doggone cheap!

Anyway, I bought our basic breakfast and lunch items, plus everything I need for dinner for the next week or so. I am constantly trying to think of new things to cook for dinner. It seems like I always do the same ol', same old! The fall weather has inspired me to cook some new/old dishes that we haven't had in a while. Thought I'd share in case someone out there was thinking "What should I do for dinner?" like I often do. So, here's our upcoming meals, in no particular order:



Chili beans and Cornbread muffins

Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans

Spaghetti with Italian Sausage, Salad, Garlic Bread

Loaded Potato Soup and Salad

Baked Pork Chops, Rice and gravy, Green Beans

Vegetable soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Seasoned Fries

Chicken and Dumplings with Salad

(Did you notice that Green Beans and Salad are my usual vegetable side? My husband is a picky eater, hates most veggies. Those are the two he will eat. I do sneak some extra veggies in sometimes , like adding pureed carrots to my spaghetti sauce. Anyone got anymore sneaky recipe ideas?)

Another thing I plan to make this week is Apple Crisp. We've got some leftover apples from our trip to the apple orchard, that if they don't get used soon will be completely inedible. Apple Crisp just has that great "fall taste" to it!

And my last food for thought...I think food occupies my thoughts far more than it should! I have been trying to eat better. I really want to lose some weight, but I am lacking in the self control department! I try to eat lean during the day and have a typical meal with the family at night. Having a picky husband, I can't cook "diet meals". Well, during the day I pick at the kids food too. If they don't finish their PB& J sandwich, I will. If there are a few goldfish crackers on the table, I won't let them go to waste. And then there are the fun treats we make or get that I know they'll enjoy...the pumpkin face cookies with icing, the jell-o jigglers with whipped cream and the soon-to-arrive Halloween candy, well, I share in the fun. I'm just going to have to get my "mind over matter" attitude when it comes to eating.

So, there is my food for thought. Random, I know.

My Fantasy Shopping Spree

Justin and I went to IKEA on the busy weekend date I mentioned in a previous post. Well, that trip spurred me on to want to redecorate and update some of our furniture. Lately, I've been browsing IKEA's website and I've decided on the styles and fabrics of new living room furniture that I would like to buy.

Red L-shaped sofa to add seating and style:

Blue checked Chair and a half, which folds out into a bed:

And the pillow that would tie the two fabrics together, of course I'd need several of these in different shapes and styles: What do you think?

Maybe my wishlist will become a Christmas list!

Wordless Wednesday

Wonderful Weekend With Friends

Friday: Trip to Windy Hill Apple Orchard. Disappointed and Discouraged. Called ahead to see if we needed reservations for 4 mothers and 14 children (wow...I know). "No" they said, "just let us know when you arrive". They did not tell me that they no longer do hayrides, tell the Johnny Appleseed story in character, or give out samples of fresh apple juice and a donut. We learned that upon arrival. Anderson didn't understand why we didn't ride a big green tractor. Anagrace didn't understand why a pet pig was not a good idea. The baby piggies were very cute, but I assured her that they would grow up to look like their not-so-cute mother! Picked apples, looked at the farm animals and had a picnic lunch. Although it wasn't the trip we had envisioned, it was still a fun time with friends.

Dickson and Anagrace ready to fill their bags with apples

Anderson contemplating taking a bite

Anagrace reaching high for her apple Gracie and the goat showing their best profile for the camera

Gracie and Emma, aot sure what those expressions are about?!

Obviously a heavy bag of apples! About 31/2 feet tall this Fall!
Cute baby chicks

Cuter baby pigs

Saturday: Justin and I ran the 5k Race for the Cure in downtown. We ran it with our friends from church, Mandy and Byron. (didn't take my camera to get a picture of the 4 of us, bummer) Now, I do not consider myself a runner. I did run track in high school, but the longest event I competed in was 400 meters. We finished in about 36 minutes. Justin definitely could have finished quicker, but he waited on me. It was his idea for us "to do something together". We spent the rest of the day just the two of us (The kids spent the day with their Grammie...thanks, Grammie!). We enjoyed the gorgeous fall weather by riding all over Charlotte in the Jeep. We stopped by a church Fall Festival in the Mountain Island Lake area to look at their car show, then ventured over to IKEA in Concord for lunch and shopping.

A post race photo

A photo of Justin's Jeep with the kids' jeep. (I guess you're never too old for toys)

Sunday: We went to the best church ever! If you are looking for a church in the Charlotte area, visit Elevation! We've decided to start attending the Uptown location. We have been going to the Providence location for 2 years now. Although I feel that the move to Uptown is the right choice, it didn't feel like "home" at the new location. I'm sure that will come with time. During the sermon, the guest pastor said something along the lines that God will call you to the unfamiliar to reach your true potential. UmHmm!

We ate lunch with our dear friends, the Helms after the service. It was a gorgeous fall day, so we walked a few blocks to Fuel pizza. The kids had a great time playing with the dough and hanging out on the patio. Then we were off to our other dear friends, the Massey's house to celebrate their precious baby girl's first birthday! I can't believe our littlest ones, our babies, are one!

The mommies...Amy, Dawn and MeThe mommies with all the one-year-olds...it was a difficult photo to get!Ashton hugging on Mallory...can I get a collective "Awww"Gracie and Jordyn, friends forever

The beautiful birthday baby, Jaelyn!

What a wonderful weekend with friends!