Excavators

Corbin, Holt, and Chesson were meeting the girls at the pool last week (while we were in Fl). On the way, they came across an excavator. Chesson is obsessed with all things trucks and diggers...so, just looking at one close up was big time.

Chesson proceeded to tell the foreman all the parts of the excavator (boom, bucket, cab, teeth, treads). The foreman was so impressed, he pulled out the keys, and let Chesson CLIMB INSIDE.

He has talked about this nonstop!!

Pure happiness!

Father's Day

We spent last weekend celebrating Corbin!! This really means, we just spent the weekend together. In a rare turn of events, we didn't have any plans!! It was laid back, easy fun!! We went to the playground, had a picnic lunch, washed the car, and ate ice cream.

What's gonna work? Team work (name that cartoon).

Chesson said, "look at me, bubble face!"

Daddy's little helpers.

Fun at the park.

There is a new little ice cream shop in our neighborhood. It's the kind where you walk up, order, and eat outside. The ice cream is DELICIOUS. It's all natural and straight from Mapleview Farm in Chapel Hill. Seriously, it's the best ice cream I've ever eaten....and I've eaten my fair share over the years. I love that we can walk there, and that we all really appreciate good ice cream. It's the little things, right? Corbin, you are the most patient, fun loving husband a gal and her kiddos could ask for. We love you THIS MUCH (picture us all standing with our arms outstretched and touching....)!!

My Big Boy

As Chesson is rounding the corner to his 3rd birthday, I can't help but notice how 'big' he is getting. He is really not my baby any more (even though we all know, he'll always be my baby). Recently, Anna Corbin has been getting a lot of face time here, so I thought I'd take a moment to brag on my little man! He is my partner in crime, my helper, the pusher of my patience, the person who can make me laugh the hardest, and the boy I love with all my heart.

This is so huge.....He is able to do things independently for more than a few minutes at a time. These days, painting is a highlight!

He is a negotiator. "Mama, should we have a picnic?"

"Chesson, let's eat inside, it's so hot out there."

"OK, but should we have a popsicle on the porch for dessert?"

I mean really, how can I resist? I cannot!

He LOVES to read. We go to the library every week and pick out about 10 books. He sits at the table in the library and waits for me to bring them to him. He will happily sit there and look at them for half an hour. We usually have to leave because Anna Corbin is tearing the library apart:o) Once we bring the books home, he wants me to read them and read them (the teacher in me cannot refuse this)....by the end of the day, he usually can recall the plot enough to 'read' the stories to himself, me, or anyone who will listen. -- Some children sleep with lovies, Chesson sleeps with books. I guess he reads himself to sleep in the dark. When I tuck him in at night, there are no books in his bed. When Corbin or I go in there to take his paci out, the bed is full of them.

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In other news, Mr. Chesson really is potty trained!! We only use pull-ups and naps and bedtime, and he keeps them dry! I'm just too chicken to stop using them. Go Chesson!!!

on the move

Whew! Anna Corbin is walking....and she is keeping me on my toes.

She is full of opinions and communicates what she wants through grunts and pointing. It's actually very effective. Typically, she finds her shoes, brings them to me, sits down, and sticks her foot up in the air. Then, she finds a bag to use as a purse. If she can get a hold of my phone, her ensemble is complete. In a house full of cars, trucks, blocks, and all things boy...she sure is determined to show us her feminine side!!

She loves to 'talk' on the phone. She carries it around the house, grunting (I'm sure she is telling someone very important things), happy as a clam.

(oh, and she's wearing my dress...from when I was a little girl...I do believe my mama smocked it. love it!)

River Camp 2011

A couple of week ago, the kids went to FL to spend 5 days with Gigi and G'daddy...while Corbin and I went to Hilton Head. That's right...5 days. I heart Gigi and G'daddy. Chesson and Anna Corbin had a wonderful time. Here are a few of the highlights...courtesy of Gigi.

swimming at the pool playing at home

picking oranges from the orange tree in the front yard

making real orange juice

seeing great-grandaddy and great-grandmomma graves

checking out the river

a day at the zoo

visiting great-grandaddy curly (maybe this is where Anna Corbin got her curls) ----------- This is really just a small portion of what they did while they were at River Camp. Chesson is still talking about it. Ahhh - do I have the best in-laws or what?

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The only drawback was when we went to pick up the kids, Anna Corbin was so mad at me. She wouldn't even let me hold her, she just clung to Gigi (they were best buds). Is that a sign that she's going to have lots of strong opinions? (It makes me a bit nervous about those teenage years.) So, now Anna Corbin is having major separation anxiety. Poor girl, I guess she thinks I'm just going to leave her for days at a time from now on. I can't leave her anywhere (the y nursery or the church nursery) without someone having to come get me 15 minutes later. Any suggestions on what to do about that? Maybe I just need to get Gigi to move here....hint, hint

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More to come on our trip to Hilton Head.

Tractor Love

Chesson (like many boys) LOVES tractors, trucks, diggers, etc. So, when I heard the NC AgFest had a tractor parade. I knew we had to be there. We went with some friends on Friday, and then Corbin came with us again on Sat. Oh, I how I love North Carolina. Free admission, free tractor parade, free petting zoo with goats, lamas, camels, and huge turtles.

It's a mini version of the state fair (something else I love about NC). Perfect. Perfect. Perfect!

Chesson on his first pony ride. He loved it, although it might have been because the horse was named Elmo. :o) Eating a snack, watching hundreds of tractors drive by. Seriously, it was quite the parade.

Then, Chesson rode on his 1st rides. The train was a hit, as was the helicopter. I must admit, I almost had a heart attack when the helicopter went up into the air. It was one of my first moments of full on Mama panic. What was I thinking....he could just fall out of that thing. Like any good Mama, I just smiled the fear away (while squeezing Corbin's arm as hard as I could). Of course, it was the highlight of Chesson's trip to the AgFest.