Finn is five!

I can't believe my baby is five years old. I think Finn turning 5 will be the hardest for me to take- even over him turning 13 or 18. He is not a baby at all anymore- he is officially a kid. It makes me really sad, but I love the relationship that we have and I'm so proud of what a good little boy that he is. people tell us all the time that he is so well behaved and polite, and it really is true. I'm not going to lie- he definitely has his off moments but for the most part he is the sweetest and kindest little boy. Who knew that our colicky grumpy baby would turn out to be so charming?

Finn picked a Superhero theme for his 5th birthday. He is superhero obsessed, and couldn't narrow down the theme to just one specific superhero. So all superheroes it was. We invited family, close friends, and Finn's classmates to our house for some food and fun. Everyone came decked out in their superhero gear, and they were given their very own capes to decorate at the door.

There was playing in the park, a pinata, presents, pizza, and even a silly string fight. Finn had so much fun. I love that we have a house so close to the park that makes it easy to throw birthday parties.

On Finn's actual birthday, we went to McDonalds and Shakes (a local ice cream drive through). He had a great birthday.

Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving at our house this year. My Dad was able to come down the day before Thanksgiving and spend the day with myself and the kids. We took the kids to Kiddie Acres, hung out, and got some delicious BBQ from Salt Lick (the best BBQ in Austin, in my opinion.) The next morning we had a Thanksgiving brunch with my dad, Erin, and Will.

My mom, Tera, and Jaxx came over for a Thanksgiving dinner. There was so much food all day long, and it was delicious. Finn and I made a turkey where everyone wrote what they were thankful for on the feathers. he put that he was thankful for the park and his baby sister.


It was a great day with a wonderful family and food. The next day we went to the Chuy's Thanksgiving parade with our friends. It was our first time to go. I had never heard of it before, but itr was a blast and it was for a good cause.

We have a lot to be thankful for this year!

Happy Belated 9 Months!

Sloane is technically already 10 months old already, but I thought I'd do a post on her 9th month anyway. Sloane took her first steps a week and half before she turned 10 months. She can now take about 5 steps at a time before she falls down. I wouldn't say that she is walking quite yet, but she is trying.

It is hard work keeping up with this little girl. She is always on the move and puts everything in her mouth. She is obsessed with playing with things that she is not supposed to play with. We actually pretend that she is not allowed to play with something so that she will take soem interest in it.

I noticed that the teachers at school have been calling Sloane the nickname "Bones." I think Finn's class started calling her Sloaney Bo Boney, and it took off from there. I think it is so funny, especially if you have ever seen her legs. It's like calling a really big guy "Tiny".

8 months

Sloane turns 9 months old tomorrow, so I thought that I better write this blog tonight. Better late than never.
Sloane is getting to be such a big girl. She can stand on her own, and LOVES to show off this new skill whenever she gets the chance. It does result in some bumps and bruises on the forehead. I predict that she will be walking before she is 10 months old.
Sloane is quite the little bruiser. She gets put in "baby jail" (the dreaded exersaucer) at school for crawling over the other babies, pulling their hair, and grabbing them by the ear while taking a stroller ride. Apparently she can dish it out, but not take it. Another baby let it her have it a few days ago, and Sloane's teacher said that Sloane was besides herself. Finn and Sloane are so very different!
Sloane can say mama (first word!), dada, bye-bye, and bubba (we think for finn). Sheis just so fun to be around. She reminds me of Curious George- she's always into something that she is not supposed to be.

First Halloween

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, and I especially love spending it with my kids. We had friends over to our house on Halloween night to go trick or treating as a group. We pulled the babies around in a wagon, while Finn and Aidan ran door to door getting as much candy as they could. Those boys made off like bandits. I swear this house is busting at the seams with Halloween candy. Rick made a haunted house in the for the trick or treaters. I think it was pretty mild compared to most haunted houses, but I think the neighborhood kids enjoyed it. Rick only let kids have one piece of candy, unless they attempted the haunted house. Finn even got in on the act at the end of the night, and would jump out and scare the poor little kids. He was Wolverine and his claws were pretty scary. Finn vetoed my suggestion of going as a chimney sweep from Mary Poppins. I miss getting to pick out his costumes.
Sloane was not the costume I choose for her. She was a chubby little baby owl. It was adorable when she let me have the hood on her. I think it was pure torture for her At Sloane's school, they dressed up all of the babies in their costumes and took a picture. It is a riot. I think there is only one baby who isn't screaming bloody murder. Sloane is being restrained on her teacher's lap and her face is beet red. It's very sad, yet funny at the same time.
I was so excited to be the room mom for Finn's class this year. Because I am a working mom, I won't get to be room mom when the kids are in elementary, so I am beyond excited to get a chance to do it now. I threw the Halloween party for Finn's class. It turned out pretty cute. The kids all wore their costumes, ate tons of sweets, and played games like pumpkin on the spoon races. Finn had a blast.

I can't wait for next Halloween. I'm already planning our costumes. Now I just need to convince Finn to want to be a character from Wizard of Oz, instead of a superhero.

State Fair

We made our annual trek to the State fair a few weeks ago. We met my dad up there, as part of our annual (mostly) family tradition and to celebrate his birthday.
It was Sloane's first time at the State Fair, and there was a lot that she is too young for. She loves to people watch though, and there are tons of interesting people for her to look at.
Finn was in quite the mood. We still do not know if it was from being overtired or waking up on the wrong side of the bed, but that boy was in a FUNK! No carnival ride, game, toy, or deep fried treat get snap him out of it. I hope he does better next year.
I was able to try the deep fried butter (yuck- tastes like dough), a deep fried peanut butter cup (yum), and a deep fried margarita (awful, makes me shudder to think about it.) As gross as most of it was, trying these foods is my very favorite part of the Fair. Who knows what they will come up with next year?

We drove back to Dallas the next weekend to visit my Grandma Pruitt, who is not doing well. Please keep her in your prayers that she doesn't have to suffer.

Future Longhorns

Back in September Rick and I took the kids to the UT campus, hoping to indoctrinate them to be future Longhorns. We took them to the Coop, where Sloane got a UT onesie. It took all that I had not to buy her a Texas cheer leading outfit. I may wait one more year. She is still working on those herkies, so I've got some time.
We walked around campus and ended up at the turtle pond, which was one of my favorite places when I was a student there. Finn had a great time watching and feeding the turtles. I think I have Finn brainwashed to want to go to UT when he is older. I tell him that he can live at home with me and Rick, if he decides to go there. Right now that is appealing, but I have a feeling he will change his mind.

7 Months Old

This is a little late... but better late than never! Sloane is getting to be such a big girl. She is always on the move these days, and gets into everything. She is quite the mover and shaker. We really have to be careful about baby-proofing the house now.
Sloane seems to be adjusting well to daycare. She's really attached to one of her teachers, which I thought would make me jealous but instead is comforting. Sloane had her first bullying incident the other day... turns out she was the bully. she tried to grab a pacifier out of another baby's mouth and sliced him with her nail and made him bleed. Her punishment was a manicure from the daycare director.
Sloane is still a little mama's girl, and when I'm around she doesn't want anyone else. It's very flattering!

Labor Day Weekend

We made the trip to Lindale for the Labor Day Weekend at my mom's house. B'Kay also drove down from Tulsa to spend the weekend with us. Sloane was a total trooper on the car ride there and slept the whole time.
We visited Tyler State Park on Saturday, where we feasted on food from the Dutch Oven Cook Off. It was pretty good. Then we played in the park and Finn and Rick rode around in a paddleboat. I loved Tyler State Park when I was a little girl, so I'm glad that I got the opportunity to take my kids there.
That afternoon,wewent to my mom and Doyle's new land in Athens. It was beautiful. We rented a pontoon boat to drive around on teh lake and go fishing. It was both Finn and Sloane's time on a boat, and Finn's first time to try fishing. He didn't catch anything, but it definitely peaked his interest. We may have to try fishing again soon.
On Sunday, we went to the pool and made the long drive to the city- Tyler. Ha! We were able to visit Lacey, which was nice since he had not met Sloane before.
On our way back we drove through Dallas to visit my Grandma, Cody, and Amy. Sloane was not so happy on the way back, so we rushed back.
It was great getting the kids together with everyone!