Gone Fishin'

Snoopy has evolved, at least in terms of fishing poles for kids. Tommy took Tyler to WalMart today to get him his first pole and now they have "Cars" instead of Snoopy. I guess it has been a while since we looked at children's fishing equipment. Every day on our walk on the green way by the river, Ty spots men fishing and has been asking if he can fish also. To our amazement Tyler can really cast his own line. Now granted he has the "training tire" instead of a real hook, but I am sure he will get to upgrade to the real thing in a year or so. As we were leaving, he turned and said, "Fishing is cool!"

Picnic On The Water

One of the best things about our new home is where we live...which is right on the water! After walking to pick Tyler up from school today, we all strolled down to the lake for a picnic. There is a airport on the water and so we got to eat, enjoy the view of the lake, and watch planes take off. Tyler was in heaven. We are going to WalMart tonight to get him his first Snoopy fishing pole to try out this weekend.

Last Pool Party of the Summer

Last night we went into Oak Ridge for Tyler's cousins birthday party. Since Dawson and Sophia both have summer birthdays, my sister threw them a "family" party at the pool. We dined on Big Ed's pizza, homemade dips and finished with some Baskin Robbins ice cream cake. Tyler was thrilled when we told him that the party was going to be at the pool and we were even more excited when fining out we had the entire place to ourselves. Since it had rained for days, the water was a tad chilly- but none of the kids noticed. (And I promise we we were not the only ones at the party, but I funny about putting other people's children on a blog in swimsuits).

Can you tell that Tyler is really into water safety?

Carson and Ma

Carson and G-Ma (Carson loves parties too).

Tyler did not want to get out of the pool when it was time to leave. It was too dark to take a picture or you would have seen about 30 minutes later Tommy having to fish him out with the giant net. Notice at this time no other kids even wanted to be near the cool water.

Officially Potty Trained....sort of

This week has been amazing in terms of potty progress. I feel confident in now saying that Tyler is consistently going to the potty and has not had an accident in over a week. Only glitch, he is only going #2. He is still having trouble recognizing the urge to control wetting. I had always heard it was the other way around when potty training. Half there!

Diego: Rescuer Or Homebody?

Last night as Tommy was getting Tyler ready for bed, out of the blue Tyler shouted, "Rescue Pack!" (from Go Diego Go!) Tommy, playing along said, "Oh, are you going to the rescue?" to which Tyler replied, "Nah, I'm going to stay home."

Time To Say Goodbye

Tyler is now well on his way to becoming a master of depositing #2 in the potty. Of course the mass hysteria of excitement still follows every time he produces. He has now become really fascinated in the flushing/studying aspect of going to the bathroom...which I assume is natural, right? After his second trip to the bathroom today, he was extra curious and had trouble saying goodbye. I am well aware that this might be a disgusting blog post for some, but we could not be more thrilled or proud. Just be glad I chose not to take a birds eye view picture of what he was looking at.

First Day of School...Part II

Did you really think I would be able to post all my pictures in just one blog installment?

Tyler modeling his entire first day of school outfit. When did he get so big!?!?!?!?!

Tommy walking Tyler into school to greet his teacher (Side note: this is really when the tears started to flow for me).

Tyler picking out his peg to hang his backpack and snack basket.

Tyler entering his room before we took off.

First Day of School...Part I

Today was Tyler's first day of Montessori school. And while we have been mentally preparing for a while, this morning still felt like it snook up on us. Well, on me mainly. Tyler was ready. We bought him a new pair of shoes and he picked out his own backpack to kick off the school year. The one time we went to visit the school so that Tyler could meet his teacher, she had a violin and piano sitting out and naturally Tyler ran over and wanted to play. So all morning as we were getting ready, he told us that he was going to go to school to play the violin and also the piano. I pray the piano was available for the kids today. I realized this morning that today was going to be Tyler's first time ever away from us that did not involve staying with family. He has never stayed in daycare or even a mother's day out program. Needless to say, I wore my big sun glasses and Tommy shuffled me outside before Tyler could witness me sobbing as we headed to the car. We are going to pick him up in about an hour and will be sure to blog how the day went. Oh, and video is coming too.

Daddy helping Tyler get dressed for school.

Putting on new shoes.

Tyler wanted to take a picture of us watching him get ready.

Showing off new backpack.

Worth Rolling Over For

Last night I had Carson on his back in bed beside Tommy and Tyelr reading and went into the other room to get him a change of clothes. While gone, Carson managed to roll over and somehow drag himself up beside Tyler to look at the book. This all happened in a matter of about 30 seconds. I guess he was also wanting to see what the Bernstein Bears were getting into.

Something Fishy

Tommy and I are not above bribery. About 6 month ago, we promised Tyler a fish if he was able to produce #2 in the potty without having to be prompted. This morning, he went to up Tommy and said he had to go, and well, he went. After much screaming, dancing, high fives, and phone calls to grandparents- we headed to Pet Smart. For those of you also so desperate for results that you too would think of bribing, I might suggest a cheaper reward. I am not sure what we were thinking, but for some reason both of us had in mind a $3 friend...not $35! Turns out, even going the cheapest (yet still humane) route- by the time you get just your fish, basic plastic bowl and some gravel, food, and water treatment solution- you could have eaten a really good seafood restaurant. Funny how that works. Regardless, welcome to the family "Nemo Fish Hodges".

Momma Called The Doctor And The Doctor Said...

My monkeys playing before bedtime.

What Have You Been Up To Mr. Carson?

It seems like time has flown and I have yet to really sit down and give an update about Carson's milestones. He now rolls over in both directions like a pro, "talks" and squeals nonstop, loves baths, grasps at anything within reach and is about the most ticklish boy in the world. If you even act like you are going for his neck he throws back his head and laughs. He does not have any teeth yet, but has been drooling and teething for months. I know alot of people refer to certain babies are being really easy, or "good", but I guarantee no one has ever experienced anything like Carson. Carson has been sleeping through the night since he was about a month old. He eats like a champ and never fusses. And I mean never. Tommy and I can count on our hands how many times we have heard his cry, and that includes when he is hungry or tired. He loves watching Tyler's every move and has the sweetest smile in the world. We have never been around a baby, child, or adult for that matter that seems happier and more content with life in general. I don't know what I have ever done in life to deserve this child, but I thank God for him everyday.

Photos By Tyler

While I usually don't make it a habit of posting pictures of myself on the blog- much less without any makeup on, I will make the exception in the spirit of sharing pictures that Tyler has taken with the world. Tyler has really gotten into taking our camera and going around snapping away. The amazing part about this is about 80% are actually in focus and pretty centered. Below are a few he snapped last week. By the way, this obsession all started when the lady at Portrait Innovations let him take a picture with her camera in a promise he would smile for her at his 3 year photo session. Thanks Portrait Innovations!

Me changing Carson

Carson getting ready for a walk

Me sitting on a bench at the playground

Tyler's new playground

Double The Fun

Now that we live on a 100 acre campus, we are trying to walk alot more with the boys. Tyler has as of late decided he is wanting to ride rather than walk, forcing us to get our the double jogger (don't let the name fool you- little "jogging" is taking place). Above is a picture taken on the way to the playground. Below is on the way back about 45 minutes later...

Hiking With The Boys

Since we are celebrating our five year anniversary by going out to dinner tonight just the two of us, Tommy and I decided to spend our actual day celebrating with Tyler and Carson- and they were pretty ok with that. We started the day by hiking a new trail at Ijams Nature Center, followed by lunch and then playing board games. Tonight Tommy and I are dining at Amerigo's while G-Ma plays Cooties till here hearts content. Below are a few pictures on our hike!

Typically I take Carson, however- thinking Tyler would want to actually hike more, Tommy volunteered to carry him. Then Tyler chimes how he wants to ride too on daddy, and you can see how the rest of the morning went. I did however carry the camera though to document the day-I am not totally useless on hikes.

Carson losing the battle to sleep about half through the hike. Tommy was good enough to cradle his head so he could continue his forward nap for about 1/2 a mile.

Tyler playing on the abandoned railroad tracks.

I love this picture. Tyler cannot get enough of his daddy. Whenever there was a section enough for them to be side by side, Tyler wanted to hold Tommy's hand.(And Carson was still sleeping in the front).

Who's The Dummy Now?

We were all piled up in Tommy's office today when Tyler comes flying around the corner with one of my ventriloquism puppets on his hand (don't ask). I have not used this puppet in play with Tyler for a long time and have no idea how he even knew where to find it, much less how to use it appropriately. Like second nature, he slipped her on and started talking and moving the mouth up and down in conversation. We were all highly entertained. Let's just say we did not leave the office for a long time.

Tyler making his entrance with the puppet.

Tommy even got in the action.

Tyler captivating his audience- he is a natural.

Carson ate it up and begged for seconds.