Busy Bees

   What a full weekend!  We got up early Saturday morning and headed to the YV5K to watch Da run.  YV stand for Youth Villages, a charity that Da's work is very involved with.  There were activity areas for the kids, a beer table for the adults, live music & food for everyone and it was all free!  Grammy and J tried out all the kids stations while C slept & I took pictures.  J had so much fun!  Here is a photo montage of his adventures.

J meeting Snow White & Cinderella

What a cool balloon & medal!

Bubbles!  It was pretty cold and windy, that's why you can't see J.

   They even had face painting.  Well, kind of.  They painted on a stamp and then filled it in.  Kind of weird.  I've never seen that method before, you'll see from the pictures.

I was so proud of J, he was very outgoing that day.

Grammy is an artist and would have done a much better job, her look clearly conveys what we both were thinking.  (That this girl needs to step aside)

Yay!

This reminds me of the evil duck from The Nightmare Before Christmas

Checking himself out

J tried to climb the bouncy slide but couldn't quite make it up, maybe when he's a little bigger.  Broke my heart, he started right on up without a look back.  My baby don't need me no more!

J and his Grandad checking out the "ferin" cars

Clapping and cheering on the racers

  After the race we made our way over to the Memphis Farmer's Market.  We didn't really know where it was so we just meandered through Memphis with just a general idea of where we were headed.  It was a little late in the morning when we got there and the vendors that were still there were low on their wares.  Because of that we didn't get the real feel of the market and didn't find much of what I was hoping to.  I did get some sweet tateys and strawberries and G&G got me some beautiful flowers for my birthday.  Oh the flowers!!!

A billboard on the way to the market, I wonder if the broken leg was on purpose?

Oh so BEAUTIFUL!

Gorgeous!

J enjoying my Birthday bouquet

A truck PARKED in our lane on the way out.  What the heck?

   After the market we headed over to Steak n Shake for lunch.  We had some yummy burgers and shakes and J got an awesome hat!

J with his super hat

Happy baby C

C knew he was going to get a taste of those burgers later on

Another view of my flowers

  It was a lovely day full of adventures.  I'll try to write about our Sunday tomorrow.  Hope you all had a great weekend as well!     

Swiiiiing!!!!!!!!

   The grandparental units brought J a swing with them all the way from Virginia.  He likes it very much and has always wanted one of his own.  Da and Granddad hung it up for him this afternoon and he was so happy!  The original tree was too high so they moved it to another in true Colville fashion as you shall see from the pictures.

Got my sword & milk on a swing, what else could a boy want?

My sword reaches pretty far

Arghhhhh!

Wheeeeee!

Too high

No need to take the baby out, that would take too long!

Sturdier perch and one that momma can actually reach

   Da has a 5K race in the morning and then we're thinking of checking out the Memphis Farmers Market.  I sold some baby stuff on Craigslist today so we have a little bit of money to play with.  There's supposed to be a lot of different greens, shiitake mushrooms, strawberries, sweet tateys and tomatoes as well as local meats and cheeses.  Should be fun!  My camera is charging tonight so hopefully I'll get some good pictures to post.  The camera's been acting funny so we shall see.  What are your Saturday plans?  

Experimenting

   Smells can bring back such vivid memories.  When I think of my grandparents house in North Carolina I remember the smell of roast cooking.  Takes me back and makes me hungry.  I learned how to make it when I got older and today I tried a new variation.  G&G would make it with venison, my parents made it with beef and I made it with pork!  It turned out surprisingly well.  You wanna make it?  Take a can of cream of mushroom soup, fill that can with milk and add a packet of onion soup mix and combine.  Then add some veggies, I like carrots, tateys & onions myself.  Put the meat in and cook covered at about 350 until the meat is cooked.  Least that's how I do it in the oven, I prefer the crock pot but didn't have the time.  Goes great with biscuits, gotta sop up that gravy!   
   C was napping and J was self entertaining and I was bored so I decided to experiment with our leftover wonton wrappers this afternoon.  I was craving something sweet but since we're trying not to buy any groceries I was very limited so I improvised!  I spread some marshmallow fluff, peanut butter & added chocolate chip chunks, wrapped them up and baked them.  The insides were fantastic but the wonton got kinda funky and chewy and the marshmallow exploded.  I think the baking funked up the wrapper, wasn't gonna fry them though.  I don't want J associating burning grease with his childhood.  Going to try again with phyllo dough.  Even though the shell is weird I can't stop eating them.  I can only imagine how I'd be porking out with some real dessert! 

My puking wonton

   We have some severe storms expected tomorrow so J & I were outside today enjoying the beautiful weather while it's here.  Gotta charge those batteries to stave off cabin fever.  I apparently haven't been outside lately cause I went out in the backyard and noticed that the trees are completely leafed out now.  Way to pay attention...  

Our shady backyard

    J discovered the allure of dandelions and was picking all he could find to blow apart.  He also discovered that the little seeds stick to baby drool when they're put too close to the mouth.  I can't describe the faces he was making trying to get them off his tongue, pretty hysterical though.  I can safely say that our yard isn't going to run out of new dandelions anytime soon.  Glad we're renting!

Picking flowers

Dandelions!

 

   We don't have any gardens at this house so there aren't really any flowers, or so I thought!  We found a plethora of wild "weeds" in the backyard.  We picked some to bring a bit of beautiful inside.

Our haul, the dandelion & buttercups got thrown out as they had aphids and momma don't like bugs that bite her.

Violets (these would be lovely sugared on some cupcakes)

Clover smells surprisingly good!

   When we moved,  I got rid of my eclectic collection of jars and bottles that I used for vases.  I improvised with a goblet that I haven't been able to let go of even though I never use it.  I guess I now have a use!

Purty

I like the leaves mixed in

   I plan to put the violets in a teacup, but I can't reach them and haven't gotten Da to get one down yet, but I'll get a picture once he does!  If only I had a cup with violets on it.  Hmmm...  That reminds me that I haven't added to my teacup collection in a while.  TJ Maxx is calling to me!!!
   Da's parents will be here in the morning, they're coming to meet C for the first time.  I hate that we're so far from family but it's great that so many have made the trip to meet our new addition.    We know it's a big trip to visit us and not feasible for everyone and that's why I'm so glad we have the internet to help with staying connected.  How do you stay connected with your family?   

El Doctore

   C got his first round of shots this afternoon and he did a lot better than I expected him to. His pediatrician is rather wacky, but C likes him.  J met him for the first time today, he gets to go for his 2 year check up in a couple of weeks.  No shots at least!  C is taking after his brother and is a bit of a hoss at 13 pounds.  No wonder I get tired holding him! 
   All in the Colville household have been hit pretty hard by these freaky deaky Tennessee allergies.  What the hay???  Never had this much trouble in ol Virginny.  J has been waking up during the night, C hasn't been sleeping and I am cranky with a stuffed nose and sore throat.  wheeee.  Da & I are super sleep deprived, guess we should feel lucky that it's just happening now, and most likely just for a bit, rather than C keeping this schedule since birth.  Count my blessings.  :-) 
   The weather is still quite beautiful here.  It's in the 70's today and we're getting ready to take a walk to the store to get some milk.  We've decided that with the store so close we really shouldn't be wasting gas to get groceries.  So we will now walk to the store for all of our grocery needs.  We also get cents off of gas when we shop, so that's a nice bonus!  What're gas prices like where you are?  Should make summer travels a bit more expensive.  Awwwww nuts.
    I haven't really been cooking since I've been feeling like pooh.  Just got around to washing some clothes and dishes.  It was getting pretty ridiculous!  I hope to have some interesting meals to write about, they'll be creative for sure!
    Da's parents are coming in on Friday for a couple days.  It's going to be nice to have familiar faces around for a bit!  They're bringing a rose that I have wanted for YEARS but the nursery I worked for of course waited until I left to grow it.  Geeze...  Maybe my 4 years of petitioning to get it annoyed them.  Hmmm...  I can't wait to see it!!!  It's purple and has a strong lemon scent.  Ahhhhhh.

  I'm sure J will be ecstatic to have people who will give him attention, poor deprived little boy.  Only thing on the schedule so far is to get some onion loaf at Corky's.  Ohmahgoodness!  Such a fantastic bit of greasy onion.  Who knows what we crazy Colvilles will get in to!  What're your weekend plans?    

Hamm

Yesterday we passed a car that reminded me of a Hotwheel I saw over Christmas.  I haven't been able to find it since, I think J would really like it, yeah, it's for J...  See the resemblance? 

I know I want this.

I think I want this.

Oh Happy Day!!!!!!!!!!

Ready for the day!

   We got up around 6am with the intent to hit a consignment sale super early with the hope that we could find a cheap stroller.  I was a bit groggy and grumpy cause the bed was oh so fluffy and warm, but that all changed once I went to get dressed.  I don't have a whole lot of pants that fit so I thought I would try some jeans from before the pregnancy.  They FIT!  Woo-hoo!  That put me in a super good mood that a nasty McD sausage gravy biscuit (is it a TN thing or have they all changed?) and not being able to find a stroller couldn't dampen.  Well, it kinda dampened my mood but then we saw the most beautiful site one can hope to see.  Ever.  The Krispy Kreme Hot N' Ready sign.  Squeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!  I knew we had a KK but wasn't sure where but now I know!  Guess those jeans won't be fitting anymore...   

6 is not enough.

   At the sale we found an Aquadoodle for J, I had actually put it on a list of ideas for his birthday and was super stoked to find it for five bucks!  We also found some blocks, books, clothes, an accordion (that Da & I plan to master!) and a breathable crib bumper that I wanted for C but with it being $30 new it didn't happen and we got it for $5 today!  I love sales. 

Lots of kid stuff

Cool toys!

New blocks

Da's tower to surprise J when he got up from his nap.

   We drove past Graceland on the way to the sale and I am reminded again how DUMPY the area is around there.  I wonder what it looked like when Elvis built his home, cause it looks like crap now!  I tried to get a picture but I was too scared of getting shot. 
   We came home for naps then bit the bullet and went to Target and bought a double stroller.  We took it out for it's maiden voyage to the grocery store.  It drives smooth and isn't too heavy with both the boys in it.  It's super pretty too!  I'm looking forward to taking walks with the boys and not having to go at J's pace.

J checking out his new ride.

Off to the store

  I made beef & broccoli for the first time tonight.  Turned out super yum!  I could eat more now but I guess I should show some self control after those donuts...  (doughnuts?) 

C has been super smiley and laughy lately, here's a couple sweet pictures to end on.  What did you do this weekend?  Hope it was great!

Awwwww

I'm not at all prejudiced...but this baby is super cute!