Catching Up

We have really been enjoying the fact that, once Paul leaves work in the evenings, he's done -- no homework or projects or tests to study for. And we actually have weekends now, people! That hasn't happened in... years! It's been a total shift from the nonstop 24/7 of architecture school and we're loving it. 

A few weekends ago was a rare one with no social obligations or plans so we had a glorious family fun weekend. That Saturday we drove over to Shelby Farms for the afternoon. We rented a pedal boat and set out on the water, which was not as good an idea in practice as it was in my head. There was nowhere for Wilder to sit where we weren't afraid of him taking a header into the lake except either in our laps or on the slanted middle part of the boat so none of us were comfortable the whole time. Have you ever tried to pedal something with a 30+ pound squirmy toddler on your legs? It was counter-productive to say the least. Plus, if it's even possible, it was somehow hotter on the lake than on the shore so needless to say we only used a fraction of our one-hour rental. It was fun (while we were drifting) to watch Wilder and to talk about all the things we saw, but I don't think we'll be doing that again until he can help pedal too.

After our water adventure we decided to drive around and cool off in the car while checking out what else Shelby Farms had to offer. The car ride didn't last long though because we stumbled upon the absolute coolest playground I have ever seen. The park built it about a year and a half ago and you can tell they've really put a lot of work and thought into it. The Woodland Discovery Playground is divided into four different sections (sand/water, slides, swings, and ropes/treehouses) and the whole thing is surrounded and connected by a winding steel arbor with flowering vines growing up it. We were blown away and so glad we discovered it! 

Day Two of our family fun weekend was equally as fun and eventful as the first. We took Wilder to a splash park not far from our house where he had a blast running through the water and then rolling in the fresh cut grass, much to my dismay. By the time we left he was wet, sweaty, and plastered with grass clippings... but he was happy and that's all that matters ;)

After the splash park we decided to check out downtown Collierville. We got YoLo (our newest obsession) and walked around the square, which we pretty much had all to ourselves since it was a Sunday. There was a train depot with a couple of old trains, a gorgeous gazebo in the center of the square, and a really cool old working gas station. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and made a note to go back again when everything is open.

My mom is off work on Wednesdays so I try to go to Jackson some during the week to spend time with her. A couple of weeks ago she gave me a pampering afternoon for my birthday -- she kept Wilder while I got my hair cut and had a mani/pedi. It was so nice to have some time alone to think and focus on myself a little. 

Later that afternoon we walked Wilder across the street to my mom's friend Mrs. Rebecca's house. She was keeping her grandson for the day and he and Wilder had a big time playing together.

After our little playdate, Wilder and I met Paul, his dad, and his dad's girlfriend, Lisa, at his dad's house to play some more and then go to dinner. Daddy G and Lisa surprised Wilder with his very own golf bag and clubs and he was over the moon about it. 

The following weekend was my birthday weekend and also my ten-year high school reunion. We drove to Jackson on Saturday, went to one of the reunion events, a cookout at a park, and then dropped Wilder off with my mom for the night. She kept Wilder and took him to a Jackson Generals game while we headed back to Memphis for a birthday celebration with my best friend, Jinny. Jinny's birthday is two days before mine and we always used to celebrate together but we haven't been able to in several years so it was so special and fun to get together with her and her husband for a double date night on the town! We started with dinner at Flight in downtown Memphis. Omg, such a delicious dinner! Highly recommended. They serve everything in flights (although you can order a full portion of everything as well). I had the pork tenderloin, stuffed filet, and chicken and waffles and thoroughly enjoyed all of it.

After dinner we walked down the street to the Flying Saucer where we had some drinks, played some darts, and just enjoyed each other's company sans kids. 

We ended the night at Silky O'Sullivans with Paul shaking his booty so you know it was a good night ;) We had so much fun and it was really rejuvenating to get out and act stupid and carefree for a night. 

Sunday was my actual birthday so my mom and my grandmother drove down to return Wilder and eat dinner with us. My brother and his wife went out of their way to be here too and that meant a lot to me. My dad used to be the jokester and the life of any family get-together and he was certainly missed but it's so funny to me how easily Wilder has stepped into that role. He thoroughly entertained us for the afternoon and it was so nice to just be able to relax and visit with everyone. The whole weekend was the perfect way to celebrate my last birthday in the twenties!

 Mmmm, Mellow Mushroom!

We haven't had many playdates lately because Wilder got a cold from our playdate with Declan a few weeks ago and it lasted for two full weeks. He didn't feel bad but he was sniffly and coughy and I sure didn't want to give it to anyone else so we laid low for a while when it came to being around other little kids. Finally this past Friday we were well enough to meet my friend Megan and her son over at the playground at Shelby Farms. It was hot but the boys had fun running in opposite directions as usual and exploring the different play areas.

This past Sunday we had Daddy G, Lisa, and Lisa's daughter, Sydney, over to grill out. Paul and I made our specialty fajitas and we all enjoyed getting to visit. Wilder took Lisa all over the yard showing her stuff and then played baseball with Dada and Daddy G. He loved having all of them over to "play."

We've been very busy the last few weeks but we've also been playing at home a lot. We have so much land around our house -- Wilder never gets tired of being outside. Some days have been hot but for the most part we've had a nice breeze and it's felt pretty good out. Wilder absolutely loves to explore and run and roll and jump off things and work and just be a boy and I love to watch him.

Sometimes I think he gets dirty 

just so he can take a bath

Working in his pajamas

 Thank God for washable markers. I thought

I was smart setting him up to color so I 

could empty the dishwasher in peace. 

Suddenly I realized he was saying "face, face"

over and over and I looked up to find this.

It amazes me the things he notices and the connections he makes between things. The other day at the playground he kept pointing at the landing of the steps and saying "skateboard" so I walked over there and he was pointing at these holes that do, in fact, look like the shape of a skateboard. 

Yesterday we were outside in the yard and he pointed to the ground and said "-fly, -fly" (what he calls a butterfly). I looked down and sure enough there was this leaf that looked just like a butterfly. I'm so thankful for this child; he really makes me look more closely at life and pay more attention to stuff I would normally take for granted. 

 He loves to carry things under his arm :)

 We've been sidewalk-chalking like it's going out of style

 I try to draw a variety of things but all he 

wants me to draw are bats and balls.

 My little sunshine

 Muscle man!

 He's almost as obsessed with golf as he is with baseball.

 Putting his new wheelbarrow to work.

Playing with play-doh for the first time. Of course

all he wanted me to make were baseball related things. 

 Showing off his bat, ball, and field.

I'm thinking he may need a left-handed glove...? 

 Little sweetheart

 Stalking a cricket in the grass

 He was running through the house and fell

and hit his chin on the floor. He insisted the

only thing that would make it feel better was

a "bandan" (bandaid). ;)

 Discovering the joy of rolling down a grassy hill

Hot days call for water play

 Besides baseball and reading there's nothing 

this kid loves more than playing with a hose

 He was swinging it back and forth and saying

"round and round and round" :)

I hear him say "Mama -- belly mow" and I 

look up to find this. Such a little clown, haha!

 And then we both had a big laugh over it :)

 Wilder has become quite attached to

his Ellie the Elephant. I'm in the process

of shopping for an extra so we have a 

spare in case, God forbid, anything ever

happens to her!

 Sharing his lunch :)

 The other day he entertained himself for an entire half hour

by throwing himself back and forth over Posey. She was

chewing on a stick and barely noticed, because she's that

oblivious to life, but occasionally she would get up and move

and he would follow her and continue his game once she

laid back down. I was totally cracking up.

 Taking a breather

I spotted this cute little desk and chair in front of

a thrift store in downtown Jackson a couple of

weeks ago and knew Wilder would eat it up.

 Paul and I cleaned it up and painted it blue last night...

 And surprised him with it this morning. Paul was

disappointed that he had to leave for work before

Wilder woke up so I video'd the unveiling for him...

He was sooo excited!

 He insisted on eating his breakfast and lunch there :)

 There have been some men mowing and clearing the fields 

behind our house for the past few days and Wilder has loved

watching them work. This morning they had the tractor parked

while they were working on it so, of course, we had to go 

check it out and make sure they didn't need any "help."

Wilder took his "driver" (screwdriver) out there 

with us and went all over that tractor with it 

saying "work, tractor" over and over :)

Well, I think that's just about got you caught up. We were going to take Wilder to his first Mississippi State football game this weekend but it looks like Hurricane Isaac is going to put a damper on that, literally. We're looking forward to the long weekend anyway. Hope you all have a great Labor Day weekend!