A Carnie at Heart!

We went the the North Georgia State Fair on Monday night! It was the perfect fair weather and lots of fun was had by all!

I asked Turner what her favorite part of the fair was, and she said, "ALL of the fair!!!" That about sums it up! She and her buddies, Sarah, Thomas and Anna rode all the kiddie rides (multiple times), ate corn dogs and "elephant ears" and loved watching "Dumbo" the elephant do the "Jungle Boogie."

Parker's favorite ride was his Graco stroller and he said the fair formula rocked! Next year, NO DOUBT, he'll be right in the mix, though...

9 Months and Busy, Busy, Busy...

Parker is 9 months old! He's growing and changing so quickly. Speaking of "quick"...

Parker goes to Children's Morning Out one day a week, to church nursery and Community Bible Study nursery every week. Without fail, the consistent comments I get include, "Parker is so cute and sweet. He doesn't cry and seems so content. But...he sure is into EVERYTHING! You'll have to watch out when he starts walking." Someone Friday even kindly recommended I invest in an indoor FENCE to keep him contained! :) (Apparently, you can buy these apparatuses!)

This assessment really sums up Parker at 9 months -- precious and charming with his smiles and laughs, yet into everything. I am thinking about renting him out to people who need help childproofing, because he can find everything you DON'T want him to do or get within 5 seconds flat! And if you try to redirect (as the experts always say to do), good luck...he is not easily deterred. Today, for example, I took him away from the cat food no less than three times and provided new, exciting BABY toys to play with. And where did he continue to go???

You guessed it! The cat food...

Other than mischief (his #1 past time), Parker loves to play hide-and-seek now. It is precious to let him find you and then hear his shrieks of pleasure when he does! He also enjoys eating "big boy" food, and really loves everything...including Moe's, like his big sister! I have only identified two things the boy doesn't like: Bananas and applesauce. (Strange, but true). He'll be eating hot sauce-drenched tacos with his Daddy in no time!

Although he doesn't sit still too much for anything else, Parker does share our passion for books! He accompanied Turner and me to library reading hour this week and was completely mesmerized. He sat still listening to the books for 45 minutes.

Parker, Parker, how we love you! It is a beautiful miracle to have such a happy, active, healthy little guy...and we revel in your antics!!!

Pack - N - Play Par-Tay!

Every day with a Sissy is a fun one! After all, you have built-in entertainment! But, perhaps more importantly, you have someone looking out for you at all times.

Turner definitely does the typical "big sister" stuff, like dragging Parker around the room by his feet...or putting silly things on his head...or log rolling him across the family room. But, lately, I have witnessed some beautiful acts of kindness from her...

** The other morning, she woke up and said, "Mom, when Parker is bigger, he can sleep in my bed and hug me tight and snuggle all night."

**When we were on our way to SC, we stopped for supper at Cracker Barrel. I had ordered four veggies to share with Parker, and I inadvertently ate all my applesauce (thus not having any left for him!). I was lamenting my selfish oversight, when Turner said, "Oh, that's ok. I have plenty. Here, Parker." And she passed him a spoonful.

**Parker was crying rather hysterically on our drive home yesterday, and would not stop. Turner said, "He must be sad to leave South Carolina, just like me. It's ok, Parker." Then, she started singing "Jesus Loves Me" to him. He got quiet.

Parker is one lucky guy to have such a great Sis!

Back to SC!

We had a wonderful trip back to SC! It included visits with friends at the Isle of Palms, lots of beach time, playgrounds, church picnics, fun in Awendaw, a visit to Sumter to see Grandy, Niki and Ryan, and a great weekend at St. Christopher with Nana and Grandad. The weather was perfect the whole time and the kids did great.

I was driving Turner to school this morning and said, "Turner, I am so glad you can go to preschool this morning. It'll be good to get back."

To which she replied, "Yeah, but I didn't miss it too much, because I loved being in South Carolina."

What a joy and blessing to love your home and family so much!

Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be CowBOYS, Either...

Turner dressed Parker up today! (The first of many, I am sure). He kinda liked being a cowboy! Even if the hat was pink!

Labor Day Weekend!

Slurpie Tongues!!!

The Gator Guys!

The Virginia Girls!

Parker eating his first Chick-fil-A sandwich! He's now a raving fan, of course! :)


What a nice weekend we had this Labor Day! It started on Friday night with a picnic to our favorite castle playground. Then, Saturday, we enjoyed an adventure on our sweet neighbors' golf cart and took a picnic to a local park. Saturday night was a GATOR football tailgate extravaganza (in the living room!). Sunday, we spent the day with our special and precious McFaddin kids -- playing, churching and taking the golf cart for slurpies. Then, Monday we played in the backyard, golf carted to Chick-fil-A in our team shirts for free CHIKIN, got in one final swim at the neighborhood pool and did some much-needed yard work! It was a full, fantastic family weekend!!! We feel renewed and completely blessed!

3-1/2

Sweet Turner-Lou -

Today is the day you officially turn 3-1/2!!! (although you have up-ed your age to 3-1/2 for several months now)! Some days I forget how young you are -- you can be so wise and can be such an awesome companion to your mom, especially when Daddy's out of town. You talk with such big words and have such insightful questions. You constantly amaze me and keep me on my toes. I pray you will always be "my baby," even when you are a beautiful, grown woman.

You are an incredible big sister. You take your role very seriously (always have!), and you know how to make your brother laugh better than any of us. The other night, he was screaming so relentlessly from a sinus infection, and I offhandedly said, "Turner, listen to your brother. What can I do for him?!" You -- very seriously -- replied, "Go in there, Mommy. Rock him, give him a kiss and his pap, and he'll be ok." You are so nurturing and helpful, and I pray you and Parker will always be companions on the road of life.

You are a very proud preschooler. You love "carpool" and "lunch bunch" (even though it hasn't started yet, you love it). You love your teachers, your friends and everything about it. It is so fun to watch you hop out of the car in the morning and hear about all you learned each afternoon. It is hard to believe in just a short time, you will be in school every day. I will miss you so much! I pray your enthusiasm for learning will always be strong.

You adore your family. You talk about your cousins and grandparents all the time. All your friends now know the state called "South Carolina," since you are constantly telling people about your adventures there. I pray you will always know the love of family and extended family and never forget where you came from.

You love to know the plan. This, you came by honestly, I admit. First thing in the morning, you want to know what we are doing that day, and last thing at night, you want me to tell you about "our great day tomorrow." I pray you will always greet each new day as an exciting possibility.

You love to read. You honestly can't get enough. It is such a blessing! You graduated to chapter books and love them. Just the other night when we were reading, you asked me what "gasped" meant. You are absorbing so much. You also love for us to tell you stories. You must ask me to "make up a story" a dozen times a day. In the car. At the dinner table. In the bath. Anywhere. Modesty aside, I have actually come up with some decent material lately, since I'm finally in practice. Being your mom is like taking a creative writing class every day! It's fun for both of us! I pray you will always understand and be drawn to the power of the written word.

You are a monkey. You love to climb and do tricks and swing higher. You LOVE gymnastics and look forward to pushing yourself to climb higher on the rope ladder, jump farther or do a better bridge. Just today, we went to the castle playground and you climbed to the top of this chain thing -- something you couldn't do a few short months ago. You were so proud of yourself. I pray you will continue to reach higher, accept the challenges before you and climb to new heights.

You like to win. Yes, this one is no surprise, either. The genetics are strong. You are in to being the fastest up the stairs at bath time. The first in the tub. The first in pjs. The biggest. Etc. Etc. This trait -- when directed -- can be a huge asset. I pray you can channel your energy and desires into achieving YOUR goals and not always worrying about who is racing next to you.

You know what you want and you can do it yourself. Most mornings, you have dressed and brushed your teeth before you come into our room and say, "Ta-Da!" You like to pick out your breakfast, your shoes, your pjs, your towel, your cup, etc., etc. You like to help with everything and are really quite competent. You just learned to hook your seatbelt and love doing it. I feel blessed to have the extra hands most of the time. I pray your independence and confidence will continue to make you strong, but that you will not be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Turner, you are a gift from God. We are so, so blessed He loaned you to us. We treasure every day with you and can't wait to see what is in store for 3-3/4!!!

Love,
Mommy