Adam and Owen (and their parents) Came to Visit

The Crouch's came to visit to celebrate Shandra's 20 year class reunion. (Sublette has a standing order that class reunions happen the last weekend of the Haskell County Fair.)

We went to the farm one morning.  Here are the boys out in the milo fields we have planted.

The four-wheeler died so Grandpa enlisted the help of some able-bodied men to push it into the shed.

A highlight for Cole - playing with Adam in the dirt floor of the shed.  They kept themselves busy for a LONG time.  It was fun to watch.  Adam even said, "Cole's fun to play with."

Shirley set up a little pool in their backyard for the boys.  When Owen realized it wasn't a "real" pool, he didn't last very long.  But Adam and Cole enjoyed playing in the water.  Cole stayed out the longest and would've loved to keep playing.

Shandra's class met up for a gathering Friday night at the Street Dance event of the Fair.  Marc and I joined in later that evening, hoping Marc could catch up with some of his friends/teammates from Shandra's class.  There were a few that were back, which was fun.

New Park!!

Sublette raised money to put in a new park up by the city pool.  After quite a few delays, it is open for business and it is AWESOME!  We went for the first time this week after going to the pool.

They have a small, short area for kids Cole's size, and it's just perfect for him.

And then they have a bigger, taller area for the older (and super brave young) kids.  One thing I like is that the slides seem to be made of some material that's not super slick, so they don't go too fast.  Cole enjoys climbing up and going down the slides.  Also, the floor of the playground is that spongy, hard foam type stuff.  It's great!

He hasn't ventured to the very top (it's probably two-stories tall), but I'm sure that day isn't too far away.  I'm grateful for a town that thinks to invest in these sorts of things.

Growing Up

Cole has been changing a lot lately, growing up.  One of the biggest changes I've been noticing is his newfound ability to play by himself for longer.  This sometimes-weary-mama thought this day would never come!  But check him out playing with his guys from Grandma Ellis the other morning...

Tucking them in so they don't get cold.  "Nigh-Night" he says.

And here he is at the library very contentedly playing with the different toys there.

I thought this day would NEVER come!  It's so fun to see the growth.  I'm so proud of him!

Donut Date

Cole and I have been "on foot" this week while my truck has been in the shop getting the hail damage repaired from earlier this summer.  It's been good for us to get out early and get some walking in to go to the park or run some errands.  I have heard suggested that pregnant women walk 2 miles/day to prepare/be in shape for labor.  Don't know if it'll help, but I'll sure try!

Today we walked to the Presto convenience store and had ourselves a donut/coffee/juice date.  It was Saturday morning and Marc was away at work and we were in need of something fun and different to go do.  It was a fun outing.

Potty Chart

By Dana:

I'm overwhelmed with how many things I have that I want to share on the blog. It's paralyzing me so I do nothing. 

So, I thought I'd just start with a short one. Who cares if they aren't it order, right?

We are in the throes of potty training with Cole and the novelty has worn off for him (and probably for me too). He is doing so well but has started having more accidents after being hyper-diligent about it those first few weeks. 

He will always say that he doesn't have to go when you ask. I have started just taking him without asking, which works (he almost always goes) but is a little cumbersome for me - I forget. 

Marc had the bright idea to make a sticker chart. I was hesitant (one more thing to keep up with) but he had some good points ~ it brings back the celebration attitude we once had every time he went, it is tangible, cheap, easy to see the progress, and Cole can share it with marc when he gets home. This last point may have been the kicker for me and, I'm finding, for Cole.

So, here we are today - day 1

By nap time this afternoon. 

And no accidents. 

And Cole can't wait for daddy to come home to show him what he accomplished today. We'll see how long it lasts, but it's something fun for now!

Great Mall is almost dead!!

Charlotte and I went to a movie at the Great Mall this afternoon. 

They had the corridors by the mall blocked off.

It was like being in a place where the world had stopped. No one around. One girl was the only one working in the theater. There was only one person in our theater watching the movie.

I think it was our last time in that theater.

It was a spooky place today, but good movie and good company.

Reunited

After being gone for 5 days this boy was more than ready to see his daddy - and his daddy him!

Right before I took this picture, Cole was inches from Marc's face just talking to him. It was like he couldn't get close enough. 

Cole had a lot to tell him - about swimming and kicking his feet and jumping in and playing ring around the rosey and grandpa driving and dancing and playing at the park and grandma building towers and all the fun he had!

#reunitedanditfeelssogood