Baby Greta Renstrom comes to visit!

I had the privilege to babysit a friend's baby yesterday for a few hours. Natalie brought Greta over in the afternoon so she and Adam could attend a funeral. Natalie and I are connected through her sister, Bridgette, who was my roommate in college. It's been real fun to get to know her better...and Adam, and now Greta. She reminds me SO much of Bridgette. I just love all the Kale girls! The boys were SO excited for Baby Greta to come over and Jackson must have kissed her feet 10 times (I let him kiss babies feet to keep him from attacking their faces!). She was such a joy and I hope they will let me watch her again soon! It's so strange having a little girl in the house but I'm not complaining! :) Greta is 2 months old and the most perfect little thing. She took her bottle like a champ and she didn't even cry once! :) It was so much fun holding such a tiny little one...my boys are getting so big! Thanks Natalie and Adam for thinking of me and I hope you will take me up on my offer to babysit ANYTIME seriously! I LOVED IT!!!

EXHAUSTED!!!

Harrison is loving school but I do think the new schedule is starting to wear on him a bit. It hasn't changed his enthusiasm but definitely tiring him out! He has a rest time but I can imagine it's touch and go with how much rest he "actually" gets. He's asleep on the couch right now. Fell asleep at 6:30! Poor little guy! He's tuckered out from a full day of work and play! I guess I'm going to have to carry him up to bed tonight! :)

sleepovers at school...

Can I just tell you how excited my Harrison is to go to school. I couldn't be happier. He is thrilled to get ready and go and can't wait to tell us everything that's happened each day...what every parent hopes for!! I'll take all of this for as long as it lasts...if he's anything like his mom it could fade...but he is exhibiting a few traits from his Aunt Janet who LOVED school, couldn't wait to get there, got her homework done in the car on the way home, etc...

So to the real story of my post. Monday was his first day of school with ALL of his classmates. Because it is a full day Kindergarten program, they have a rest time during the day. I asked him when he got home what was his favorite thing that happened at school and he said...

"I just love having sleepovers at school, it is so much fun."

What a cutie pie! I asked him today if that is what his teacher calls it and he said no, she calls it rest time. What a positive little thinker! He just loves having a sleepover at school everyday with his new classmates! SO CUTE!!

Daddy and his boys...

Harrison was sick Saturday afternoon until Sunday afternoon with a fever. Daddy read books to his boys and they looked so sweet I just had to take a picture. They, as I'm sure all boys do, love time with their daddy. Whether it's playing rough or sitting still they always enjoy spending time with their Daddy!! Still learning the new camera...not the clearest one I've ever taken but cute none the less!!! He's better now and was able to go to school today. It's been strange and quiet around the house...something I'm really going to have to get used to. I'm just glad he's feeling better!

Weekend fun at the pool...

See Mimi...I do use all of these fun gifts you think up. Isn't this chair cover from Lillian Vernon??? :)

Harrison usually likes to swim only underwater but Saturday he was able to learn how to do the freestyle stroke and he did really well!

Jackson has learned recently to swim putting his face in the water. He is SO proud of himself when he does this because he wants so much to swim like his brother!!

Boys getting ready to swim to mommy...on your mark, get set, GO!!!

Both boys swam underwater to mommy...they are just doing so well in the water this year!

I know it probably seems like I BLOG a lot about our pool adventures. We are there quite often. The way I see it, the boys aren't going to be comfortable in the water and excel in swimming unless they have a lot of time to practice and experiment without feeling any pressure. So, I take them ALL the time!!! It's only a walk down the street so I can't complain about the commute and they LOVE it! It's a great place to meet new friends and neighbors and it's clear our pool time has paid off this year! The boys have just grown to love the water and I'm so excited for them. Neither of them would put their faces in at the beginning of the summer and now BOTH of them swim underwater! YIPEEE!!! There's just no better way to spend a hot summer day...at least that's the way I feel! :)

I want to be like you!

This picture is such a good example of our everyday life here in the Williams' house! Mimi took this when they were watching the boys for us to go to our New Member Seminar at church. Harrison STILL after almost 2 1/2 years likes to pretend he is Woody from Toy Story. He just LOVES that movie. Jackson, who has been introduced to the movie much sooner than his brother, usually will "try" to be Buzz Lightyear to satisfy his brother's wishes for him. However, Jackson would much rather be EXACTLY like his brother. He wants to do EVERYTHING Harrison is doing, go EVERYWHERE Harrison is going, and have EVERYTHING that Harrison has...he's all about equality! :) Jackson loves his big brother SO much and wants to be just like him. I keep reminding Harrison it's a privledge to be a BIG BROTHER and he should be so proud that Jackson wants to be just like him. He doesn't always buy it but it just THRILLS my soul when they play in perfect harmony together. :) So, here is a picture of Jackson trying SO hard to pose like Woody so he can be JUST like his BIG BROTHER!!! I just love these precious boys!!

Quotes from Harrison

"But mom, cleaning up is imboring for kids."

IMBORING - def. frustrating, boring, too hard, embarrassing. annoying (all of these are his own meanings of the meaningless word)

He uses this word A LOT lately in a variety of situations, it really fits anything he doesn't want to do. Doesn't care that I say that it isn't a real word. He believes it is and he likes using it.

Satisfied with crusts...

I was talking to my friend Megan tonight (she and her children came for dinner) and I remembed something that happened at the park on Tuesday that I thought was HILARIOUS!!! I told her and now I have to tell ALL of you!! I had packed a peanut butter and jelly lunch for the boys and cut two sandwiches up into squares...a total of 8 squares...and put them in one ziploc bag. Harrison had finished and was up playing again when I noticed that ALL of the squares had been eaten and the crusts were left in the bag. I know Jackson got at least one square because I gave it to him initially. Now, however, he was contently reaching in the bag and eating crusts. I think Harrison ate all 7 of the other squares and left the crusts for his brother. No complaints from Jackson, he was satisfied to eat the crusts left from his brother. :) True signs of a second born child...just has to go with the flow. Harrison would have NEVER settled for crusts!!! Oh, the joys of two little boy brothers!! I just love it!

Jackson's FIRST date with Mama...while Harrison was at school!!!

Jackson and I had our first date out on the town together while Harrison was at school yesterday. We went to the Playspace Museum in Downtown Raleigh. Jackson had a blast! He was all over that place. He didn't have anyone to "suggest" to him what to play (Harrison likes to influence his brother's choices). :) He was able to go from center to center and play with whatever he wanted, for as long as he wanted, and however he wanted. Oh the Freedom!!! :) It was especially fun for me to watch him play. I didn't have to wonder where my other child was and constantly be trying to keep up with the two. Although, I can't complain about the two...I truly LOVE running after BOTH of them. It's going to be an adjustment not having Harrison with us all day. However, I recognize it's going to provide some one on one time for Jackson and I that we've never had before. The first born always gets undivided attention but it's much harder to provide that for the second. This is going to be a very special time for Jackson and Mama. :) We're going to have a lot of fun during our days together and we'll be ready to welcome Harrison back in to play with us on his track-out breaks. I just LOVE being a mommy!!! :)

Harrison's FIRST day of school!

Harrison woke up SO excited this morning for his first day of school! He got himself dressed and ready for school with such anticipation! I was so excited for him. He ate his breakfast, had time to watch Curious George, and then we were out the door for a quick picture and then off to school! :) On our way to school, I told him that everyday we would pray for his day before he goes into class. He wanted to pray right then and there and Harrison had the sweetest things to say in his prayer about Jesus watching out for him, that he would make friends, and that Mommy, Daddy, and Jackson wouldn't miss him too much. I was so proud of my little boy in that moment! He really wanted Jesus to bless his day!

We walked into his classroom and Mrs. Lee was waiting for him with a GREAT BIG smile on her face. She was as friendly as could be and looked like she was going to be a fabulous teacher! He was grinning from ear to ear. I'm sure he'll have a crush on her in no time. He got straight to work putting his stuff in his cubbie and then off to help work a puzzle with a new pal. Jackson tried to pull out a few Lego's while I filled out some paperwork. It was clear that he would really like to stay at school too! :) I snapped a quick picture of Harrison and his Kindergarten teacher and then Jackson and I walked to the door. Harrison came running up to us and gave us big hugs and said goodbye as happy as ever. Just what a mom wants, to see him comfortable and excited to stay! I was thrilled! I felt my eyes water as he walked back to his teacher and we walked away but it was out of joy! I was so proud of my boy and so excited for the new experiences he is about to encounter! These are precious times!

I headed straight to the office to sign up for the PTA. I volunteered for the Spring Carnival and to be a Library Helper. I want to make sure those people know who Harrison's mom is and that they know I'll be popping in quite regularly! :)

I'm off to get my boy...I can't wait to hear all that he's been up to! Thank you all for your comments, prayers, and encouragement. I am so blessed to have my friends/family and have all of you love my boy enough to care about his first day of school! You guys are the best and I don't know what I would do without each and every one of you!!!!