Home Depot Workshop

Cole adores building things.  We've been wanting to take him to a Home Depot kids' workshop for a while, but finally made it to one last weekend.

 





 

These workshops are seriously great - they give you a little package with all the pieces to build that days' project, plus an apron and a pin so you can see all the projects you built!

 

 

Chase was having just a little TOO much fun with all the hammers, nails, and small dangerous choking hazards outside, so we walked the aisles of Home Depot.  Is there anything cuter than a toddling baby walking at top speed?  And if we ever have a rainy day and I need to wear my kids out, I know where to go.  I'm pretty sure we walked over a mile in there and Chase was so exhausted he passed out in the car ride home!

 

And Cole's finished product:

He did a great job and had so much fun!

Brothers

"MOM, ARE YOU GOING UPSTAIRS NOW?  I WANT TO COME TOO, I WANT TO BE WITH CHASE."

 

"CAN I FOLLOW HIM UP THE STAIRS TO MAKE SURE HE DOESN'T FALL?  I'LL HOLD MY HANDS LIKE THIS SO I WILL CATCH HIM!"

 

"YOU NEED SOCKS FOR CHASE? I'LL PICK SOME OUT FOR HIM!"

 

"CHASE, YOU WANT YOUR HAT ON? OK, I'LL HELP YOU!"

 

His hands in his pockets, casually following Chase's lead while playing.  He slows his steps to match Chase's toddling.  He spots Chase's slow and laborious climb up the play structure steps.  He arranges him just so on the slide so he can slide down on his lap. He gently pushes him on the swing, laughing and making funny faces so Chase smiles. 

 

I never, in my wildest dreams, anticipated the magnitude of love and affection Cole would have for his baby brother.  He has the purest, sweetest heart for Chase - always ready to help him, spend time with him, love on him. 

I wasn't always thrilled about having two boys - but as I watch and observe these two boys interact, I am filled with so much joy at their obvious bond.  I love them both so much... and I love love love watching them love each other.

 

 

 

 

Summer Already

Blergh.  While I love where we live, I don't love the ridiculously hot summers we end up with.  Fortunately, I have two water babies who adore getting wet and cooling off in our stupid hundred degree heat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 "OHH YEAH... THAT'S THE STUFF!"

Cole's 5th Dinosaur Birthday Party!

For Cole's fifth birthday party, he requested a Dinosaur theme.  We had a great time surfing Pinterest together so he could pick out exactly what he wanted.  His two biggest requests? A dinosaur piñata and chocolate cake!  Such a sweet tooth this boy has.

Gram generously granted his piñata wish and his chocolate dino cake was a lovely group effort!

 

 All the dinosaurs needed party hats, too :)

 

 

 

 We had food for herbivores and carnivores: veggies and meatballs!

 

 

 Gram and Cole made these fantastic dinosaur sugar cookies:

 

 

 

 

 Cole absolutely LOVES dressing the same as Chase, so it made his day to be wearing the same clothes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Pinata time!

 

 

 

 

 And many wonderful gifts from our friends and family:

 

 

 

And his birthday invitation: