final weeks of September, 2014

Yes, I know I had big plans and full intentions of updating this blog more regularly, but seriously, this work-home balance thing is HARD.  Really really hard (that's what she said).  It's so hard to find free time to update the blog that wins out over doing/folding laundry, cleaning the kitchen, or some other chore that's been neglected.  For example, as I type this, I have five loads (yes, five) of laundry that need to be folded and one more that's in the dryer waiting to be taken out.  Waiting since Saturday.  Needless to say, updating the blog has taken a backseat.  So instead, maybe I'll try to update biweekly or even just once a month.  I know all 4 of my readers are just sitting on the edge of their seats waiting for an update! :)

Since the last post, I've been working lots (duh) and savoring the few waking hours I get to spend with Ryan.  It's not a very pleasant thought to know that in an entire day, I maybe get to see Ryan for 3 waking hours.  That's about it!  We try to fill those 3 hours with lots of quality time (and no internet/TV time).  In the past few weeks, we've spent lots of time at parks and playgrounds, cooking (making Rice Krispy treats and other tasty treats!), celebrating birthdays, spending time at Pullen Park and taking evening walks.  I try not to check my phone, get on the Internet, or watch TV during my 3 waking hours with Ryan because I don't want to waste them.

Here are some of my favorite moments from the past few weeks:

Ryan was being ridiculous at Pullen Park one afternoon.  I love this kid :)

Such a huge accomplishment for my sweet boy.  He hasn't been a fan of these things at the playground (anyone know what they're called?), but on this day, he decided to just conquer them and show them who's boss!

Swinging at the top of the slide.  Mommy is not a big fan of this.

Enjoying the park on a beautiful afternoon!

Making Rice Krispy treats!

Someone is a huge fan of this :)

My budding chef - always wants to help out in the kitchen!

Giving me a fake smile, but he's happy about his Crazy Sand!

Ryan's new "funny face"

Cousins and best friends!

Celebrating Titi's birthday!  Ryan ran up and blew out the candle (one of his favorite things to do).

Counting the number of armrests on the benches at Pullen Park (there are 21, for the record)

"NO, I'm NOT going to smile".  

Eyeing the goose he chased earlier.

Another afternoon at the playground?  Don't mind if I do!

Got some mulch in his shoes and was not interested in smiling.

Ryan wanted to climb and stand on the top rung.  I said no.  He's testing me.

My happy sweet boy!

Eating ice cream with his "best" :)

Hanging out at the playground

Trying to get as many evening walks in as possible.

Beautiful evening fall sky

A new playground!

Testing the limits!

Ryan generally doesn't like sandboxes.  He hates getting sand in his shoes.  This was a big moment for him.

Cheesin' with my boy!

Practicing his ninja warrior moves

love this look of sheer determination!

practicing rock climbing!  

Do you know how much I miss my summer with my sweet boy?  I miss waking up with him, playing trains and towers with him, making porridge, going to the pool, going to Marbles, going EVERYWHERE with him, reading books, etc.  He is so much fun to be around!

Today, I was bringing him home from Oma's house and I told him that he needed to take a nap (he's a bear if he doesn't nap, but he's fighting his naps like crazy lately).  He said "I'm sorry, Mommy, but NOPE, I'm not going to take a nap.  NOOOOOOPE".  Are you serious???  Five minutes later, he was conked out in his "captain's chair".  Silly boy :)

A Wedding Weekend! Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

September 5th - 7th
This past weekend, we drove up to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware to watch Joe's cousin get hitched!  We have been looking forward to this wedding for awhile because we knew it was going to be a good time and good opportunity to see some family members we don't see very often!

We stayed in a fantastic house in the same neighborhood as Joe's cousin, and since it was a backyard wedding, the commute to the wedding was really easy and convenient!

The best part about this weekend, other than all the fantastic food, was seeing Deniz and the boys!  Ryan and Alex are such good buddies and had a ball with each other!  On Saturday morning, Ryan woke up and immediately wanted to go downstairs and find Alex and play.  Nevermind it was barely 7am, he needed to get his playtime started!  It was so good to see everyone and it was such a fun wedding and weekend!

This was an adventure.

Best buddies!

The boys were very interested in the mannequins. 

Such a beautiful setting for a wedding!

Beautiful!

Before we got really sweaty :)

Me and Alex!

Sticking together!

These boys can't get enough of each other.

We had so much fun at this wedding and during the entire weekend.  Although driving there on Friday afternoon and back to Cary on Sunday wiped us out, it was so worth seeing everyone and having as much fun as we did!

Summer 2014 - Labor Day weekend

August 30th - September 1st
Labor Day weekend is rarely something I look forward to.  Sure, I love an extra day off of work (really, I shouldn't complain because I just had two months off), but it signals the unofficial end of summer.  And if you know me, you know I love summer.  I love everything about summer - even the mosquitos, the endless sweating, and unbearable humidity - because even though there are things that suck about summer, the positives far outweigh the negatives.  And I'll take sweating profusely and covered in mosquitos bites if it means pool days, awesome evenings, lightning bugs, watermelon, cookouts, and the feeling of freedom!  There is something so magical about summer and this past summer was a true treat for me.  I couldn't have asked for a better summer or a better buddy to spend my days with :)

So, knowing that this weekend was the unofficial end of summer and this usually makes me sad, we tried to make the most of it and do lots of fun things.  I had big plans of going down to Topsail on Friday to see the postponed July 4th fireworks (Hurricane Arthur cancelled the fireworks so they rescheduled them for the Friday before Labor Day) and eating seafood, but when Joe and I hit traffic on I-40 before Garner, we realized that there would be likely that we might miss the fireworks altogether, even if we kept on going.  SO, to make up for the cancelled plans of watching fireworks and eating seafood, we went into downtown Raleigh and ate at Battistella's.  At least I got my shrimp po'boy fix! We went out for ice cream afterwards, because hey, why not.

On Saturday, Ryan and I spent some of the day at the swimming pool and spending time with Daddy, since he was going to go on a "work trip" next week.

My sweet silly boy!

Good thing Ryan is about to eat a snack - he sure looks grumpy!

Much better!

Me and my summer playmate :)

I'm going to treasure these pictures!  Nothing special, but so meaningful!

Sunday was a pretty big day.  Joe left in the morning, and aftewards, Ryan and I went for a run.  We spent some more time at the pool, and then went over to Oma and Opa's house for Sunday night dinner.  Oma put up a new swing in the backyard, so of course Ryan thoroughly enjoyed himself!

The three musketeers

Such a big boy!

Enjoying the swing!

"Can you push me as high as the clouds, Opa?"

After Oma and Opa's house, we went to Titi and Uncle Nick's house for another cookout, and Ryan enjoyed playing with Levi and Julien some more.

Enjoying Dinner #2

We woke up on Monday morning, ate some breakfast, and took a nice run.  It was going to be a pretty hot day, so Ryan and I ran some errands and then took our final trip of the summer to the pool.  I love our pool.  I am SO GLAD that we joined it this year, and I can't wait to join it for many summers to come!  They were having a cookout/end-of-summer celebration, so we took full advantage of that, as well.  Ryan and I spent most of the time in the big pool and on the playground.  I seriously am going to miss going to the pool and it makes me sad to know I'll have to wait until May, 2015 for the pool to open for the 2015 season.

He loves the pool!

Cookout + pool time = Summer and a happy boy!

Being silly

My watermelon monster

Swimming in the little pool

After going to the pool, we came home and Ryan took a nap.  We had lots of company that night for dinner and had a mini "Grill Off".  Such a shame that Joe had to miss it!  Ryan got lots of playtime in with some of his friends, too.

Two silly kids!

Eating a special treat!  Brownies and strawberries!

Overall, it was a great weekend, even if it means shorter days, longer nights, and cooler weather are coming our way.  Hopefully this fall will bring about some awesome moments and create some wonderful memories for us like this summer has!