Good News

I've been told I'm no longer a blogger...since I haven't posted anything in almost two months. Yeah, I guess you could say I've lost my motivation or my muse or whatever. But just the other day, I began thinking about blogging again, getting excited about some posts and other ideas. So I hope my back-to-blogging days are just around the corner. Well, I know some readers want the pictures of the growing boys, so I'll get to those in a second.

First, the good news! Solely through the Lord's provision, our church was able to purchase the beautiful, historic buildings we've been meeting in for the past six years. So many people donated time and money to this enormous effort that began with a grassroots campaign to influence City Council and ended with a capital campaign to raise $1.6 million in 90 days. I still can hardly believe it!

Our September and October were packed--mostly with thinking, praying, and communicating about our capital campaign to save our church buildings, so my picture-taking motivation was suffering. According to our pictures, it looks like this was all we did for two months:

1. a beach trip with the Taylors over Labor Day
2. start of school
3. some backyard play
4. a surprise visit with my California, fellow-paleo cousin
5. a pumpkin-buying spree
6. a carwash
7. Seth's birthday celebration
8. costume fun for Halloween

Beach Trip

Our oceanfront friends Bill and Sunnie graciously let us park in their driveway over Labor Day, so we could enjoy their quiet, nearly empty spot of Folly Beach. The boys loved it!

Collier's little grin is so adorably cute--his drooling, sandy face not as much.

This pose reminds me so of Hamilton, making me think maybe they do look more alike than I thought.

Our crew camped out for the day with plenty of shade and chairs. Other friends of Bill and Sunnie's (and ours too) had our same idea, so we had a big party out on the beach.

All the little boys had such fun playing in the sand with all their diggers.

Start of School
Not a great shot, but we weren't ready early enough to spend time designing the shot a la Pinterest. Getting two boys out of the house for school can be hectic--but oh so worth it for a few morning hours to myself!

Backyard Play
Most afternoons the boys play in the backyard after Collier finally wakes up. The boys play so well together for the most part. Once Mr. Morgan gets home from work, he usually joins them for "bak-setball" or other outdoor shenanigans.

California Cousin
My cousin Caitlin breezed into town for her family reunion, so we got to visit with her for just a night and morning. The boys enjoyed showing off for her in the backyard.

Pumpkins
I took the boys to pick out some pumpkins, and they loved climbing in and around the pumpkins that were sitting on pallets. They didn't seem to mind that there was no "patch."

Collier loved picking them up and putting them into our wheelbarrow--which is how I ended up with $40 in pumpkins.

Here's our haul, including one "monster pumpkin" as Hamilton calls it.

Carwash
Mr. Morgan washed both our cars a few weeks ago; as he vacuumed out the insides, Hamilton was disappointed that he'd missed the washing. I suggested that Hamilton wash his car--the Cozy Coupe. He got really into it.

I love how Hamilton's washing his car, but he's still holding on to "little Fatty" his ever-present buddy. Hamilton does not do much these days without little Fatty. Sometimes he'll exclaim, "Oh, little Fatty's crying!" Then he'll run to find her to console her. Sometimes I'm told to be quiet because little Fatty is sleeping.

I'm not sure that the Cozy Coupe was actually any cleaner after Hamilton's washing of it, but he and Collier had a fun time in the water and with various brushes and rags.

I was so inspired by their cute play that I went inside to dig out my big camera. I sat in the grass for 15 minutes snapping pictures of my twosome. I hadn't felt like doing that in months, so here's to hoping my motivation for picture-taking is making a comeback!

I was a little disturbed by this crazy face of Collier's until I realized why the maniacal grin--he's clutching little Fatty and running like mad away from Hamilton!

Birthday Celebration
For Mr. Morgan's birthday, we spent a quiet night at home with all the kids--just what Mr. Morgan loves. Hamilton and I had gotten him a birthday balloon and a special Shaun-the-Sheep-look-a-like card from Bi-lo. Claire handmade a special card, too, and several aunts and parents mailed cards. I made a gluten-free pumpkin cake with date-caramel icing, and everyone loved the special treat as we partied in our pajamas!

Here's our only shot with all of us, since I'm reflected in the door of the china cabinet.

Costume Fun
Last weekend we went to Mountville, and the boys attended a little fall festival with a cowboy theme. Since Hamilton was already wanting to be a cowboy for Halloween and Collier a little Indian, their costumes worked for both events.

Numerous games dotted the yard, and Collier loved playing with all the games that involved a ball.

A hayride was the big attraction, and all the kids loved it!

The adults even got to dress up for the fall festival, so I wore my cowboy hat, a matching bandana with Hamilton, and my cowboy boots.

Collier and Dolly loved stacking and unstacking the cones. These two cuties were born in the same month, and they played well together.

For Halloween and trick-or-treating, I put a long corduroy coat on Hamilton with a little sheriff's badge. He looked much more convincing as a cowboy/sheriff/lawman than he had at the fall festival.

Our neighborhood friends came for dinner; then we plopped the kids on the porch for pictures before the trick-or-treating began. Hamilton's friend Logan is an adorable pirate, and Kristin did an awesome job on his costume--she even made his boots.

This shot was the last time that the pirate would be holding his sword and the cowboy his six-shooter. I got the switch in pictures, and they never fought or traded back for the rest of the night.

Hamilton loved having people just give him candy! At each house he'd walk up and say, "trick-or-treater!" His greeting was an improvement over last year's "happy happy!" We hauled in so much candy that he'll be eating on it for days. Yesterday I was able to limit him to four pieces over the course of the day, so hopefully he won't ruin his teeth!

We met up with some other friends while we were out, so Jack dressed as the Hulk walked around with Hamilton, Logan, and Collier, too. I'm so thankful for our great neighborhood with lots of houses close together, friendly neighbors, and little traffic. We had a great night of trick-or-treating!

So that's our two months in pictures, and I'll try not to be a stranger in the blogosphere.

August in Review

I know, I know, where have I been? Do I still have any readers? My mental capacity is tapped out these days, so blogging is nearly non-existent. And, completing this blog post has taken nearly four six days! We did have a great summer, and I've included several pictures from our adventures in this list.

1. Hamilton and Grady joined a gymnastics class for July, and the boys seemed to love jumping and playing on all the equipment. Grady's in the orange jumping along the trampoline, and Hamilton's watching from the bench.

Now it's Hamilton's turn.

Collier and I watched and played from the parents' viewing deck above the gym. This mirrored wall looks like the glass doors and windows at my house--full of smudgy fingerprints.

Hamilton needed help each time to complete a backward roll.

He did walk across the balance beam, though he was timid at first--and I'm sure gripping so tightly to his teacher's hand.

2. Though the heat is oppressive or the rain constant, Hamilton asks for walks every day. He loves to pull his wagon, though sometimes after a while he says, "I tired to pull the wagon, Mommy." So in he goes for a few restful seconds (literally) while I pull him. Then he's itching to get out to pull again.

When Collier's up for a walk, we strap him into the stroller and bring him along with us.

3. Grandma Judy came to visit during one of our last weeks of summer, and we took the boys to the Children's Museum one rainy morning--like everyone else in Charleston apparently decided to do based on the crowds. Both boys loved it. Here they're taking a shady break from playing on the fire engine outside.

The giant water tables with multiple bridges, roads, and vehicles entertained both boys.

4. We've spent lots of time in the backyard playing "back-setball," as Hamilton says. I'm teaching Hamilton some lingo like "slam dunk," "shooting," "alley-oop," etc. He and Collier enjoy dropping the ball (which is technically a kids'-sized soccer ball) into the net.

5. All summer we've been gathering with our friends on Friday mornings for playing and learning at different spots. The three-year-olds climbed around this old tree at the fun park across the street from Alhambra Hall in Mount Pleasant. Our crazy threesome is growing up!

One of our Friday morning gatherings involved Olympics-themed crafts and competitive events. What cute Olympians they made!

6. We've spent hotter days at the sprinklers at Wannamaker County Park, and snack time is always a crowd favorite.

Beating the Heat

We spent another morning at the pool, as it's been our custom these past few weeks. Charleston is simply too hot for much else these days. Hamilton was feeling much better today, and after two weeks of swimming lessons, his new nickname is Nemo. He loves to dramatically take a breath, dive his face into the water, and kick his legs with all his might. He swims a few feet--from me to the steps, from the wall to me, wherever. He loves it.

Collier's also loving the water, but he has to be held or watched intensely. So swimming with two water-loving boys is a full-time job. This morning we met lots of friends at the pool, so I had a little help at times from other moms.

After Hamilton's day of feeling a bit under the weather, he spent much of this afternoon throwing the biggest fit he's ever thrown in his life. Maybe this is why they call them the terrible threes? Somehow I had patience for his episode, but it was different and new for me to see. I might rethink some punishments and lectures because I know I can't handle that strong of a fit often.

July Round-up

After I was concerned that I had too many activities packed into this day, we woke up to find a crying Hamilton who fell back asleep while waiting the remaining ten minutes for his alarm-clock light to turn green. The second time he awoke crying I asked him if he felt OK, and he said his throat hurt. So this morning has been drawn out with lots of TV watching, some throwing up--mostly in the toilet, feeling revived and heartily eating breakfast, and finally back to TV watching with his feet covered up by the blankies that normally must stay in his bed.

I found him like this when I walked back downstairs after checking on Collier: Hamilton was fast asleep on the hard floor on top of the dirty towels. Yes, that's a barf bucket in the bathroom--just in case.

Since our many activities have been postponed or canceled due to Hamilton's sickness, I now have a more open day which in some ways makes me feel good. And I'm having time to sit down and blog. I still have some pictures left to post from our trip over the July Fourth holiday.

Swimming Lessons
Hamilton's been in swim lessons this week and last week, and he's learned so much. While he used to be tentative around the water--sometimes taking up to ten minutes to even get wet--he now jumps right in. He puts his head underwater, kicks his feet, jumps in from the side, and tries to swim. I'm thrilled with his progress.

Here's a picture from our trip to Mountville when we spent a late afternoon at some friends' pool. It took Hamilton several seconds of encouraging to jump into the water into Pops's arms--and he definitely didn't want his head to go under.

Now he confidently jumps into the water by himself and then swims toward the adult catching him. Sadly, I planned to wait until his last day of swim lessons (today) to take my camera. So I have no pictures of his cute little class, which included Grady and West.

The Pacifier

The "paci fairy" came to visit Hamilton--and take his pacifier--on his third birthday while we were at the farm. We opened the special prize that she brought just before bedtime.

I started talking about her visit the week before, and Hamilton really obsessed over her coming, her taking away his pacifier, and her bringing him a special prize. Once I'd encouraged him that the paci fairy would bring a special prize, I had to actually think of something to bring him. I thought I had a great idea: A Thomas the train pillow. My thinking was that he could have something in his bed with him that he'd love and would help ease him through pacifier withdrawals. While he did like the Pillow Pet at first, he turned a little hostile toward him after asking repeatedly for his pacifier but not getting it. He told me, "Take Thomas downstairs. I don't want him."

Those first few nights without the pacifier proved hard for Hamilton to calm himself down and go to sleep. But after a week or so, he went back to his old habit of going to sleep within minutes of my telling him goodnight. (The pacifier was a wonderful crutch for helping him sleep these past three years, but I was thankful it didn't take long for him to adjust to going to sleep without it.)

Greenville Day Trip

During our stay in Mountville, Mom and I took the kids one day to the Children's Museum and to Falls Park on the Reedy. We'd read on Aubrey's blog about how fun the Children's Museum was, and it was indeed fantastic. Claire loved the museum, and so did the boys. This climb-able sculpture was super cool, and Claire was much braver than Hamilton as she climbed through tighter spaces and closer to the skylight above.

Then Hamilton discovered these mirrors, and he loved jumping and running on them.

We perused the shelves at the "local Bilo." I'm so proud that my son mostly filled his cart with fruits and veggies first.

Mimi helped the boys with the climbing wall.

The farm exhibit was such fun for the boys, since it was for kids under five. Mimi and Claire explored other floors, while I watched the boys play in the farm.

After a rejuvenating lunch, we walked to Falls Park, so we could see the cool bridge and play in the sprinklers. And the sprinklers even had a train--much to Hamilton's delight. We had neglected to bring a swimsuit, so we pretended Hamilton was a little European boy with small swimming trunks.

It was a beautiful area of the park, and the best part was the shaded benches for the parents.

Our Students

We've spent every Sunday this summer with our adopted college students, and Hamilton has grown attached to Alex and Trevor. Last Sunday he literally cried tears after they left. They're so sweet and wonderful to him, and he loves for them to come play each week. We talk about them a lot during the week, and nearly every night Hamilton thanks God for Trevor and Alex.

Grady's Birthday
Hamilton loved Monkey Joe's for Grady's third birthday. Amanda planned well because not only was it military night and we all got in free, but tearing the boys away would not have been easy unless we were headed somewhere equally fun like "Chik-ih-lay."

Collier even joined in the fun.

Hamilton (in red) and Grady (in orange) climbed up the big wall before sliding down the other side.

At Chick-fil-A the big boys sat by themselves in a booth, and they looked so old.

Amanda made the cutest cupcakes with grass, asphalt, and cars on them; and the boys picked their favorite color car.

West and Hamilton stuffed their faces with cupcakes.

Grady and his cousin Tyler did the same.

My Hiatus

Though the party brings my pictures up to date, it's hard to believe I haven't posted anything in three weeks. I'm sorry, dear readers. I'm hoping to pick back up with my beloved writers' group this fall, which was a great source of inspiration and accountability for writing and blogging. Lately I've felt so busy with other things--two active boys and extra church duties as we fundraise--that blogging has taken a serious backseat. Even when I have a snippet of time, I sometimes don't feel motivated. I'm hoping to work through this "writer's block" and be back to posting regularly soon.