Woody's Thanksgiving at School

But first, can we take a moment to relive last year's Thanksgiving!?

It was a big day for Woody- Chapel in the morning and his Thanksgiving Feast in the afternoon. Daddy was even able to make it to Chapel! Also in attendance was an alphabet workbook. I hope our Lord isn't offended.

And some videos of Woody not paying attention/annoyed with the singing that is interrupting his learning.

Woody's class with his teachers and the speaker

Woody's teacher are amazing for dealing with him and take pictures of the kids all the time. I am glad to know the workbook made it to the playground today.

(And during this time, Gippy was in Mom's Morning Out, and I was enjoying a nice, no kids outing to TJ Maxx. I bought a poncho....it's cute.)

I came back for Woody's feast. He even wore his pilgrim hat for me!

Come on! You know better than that! No way was he wearing that.

"How dare you, Mom?"

I love the centerpieces and place mats they made.

Say what?!

Since Woody has really started talking, I have really enjoyed the random things that fly out of his mouth.

The majority of the time, he is like a parrot. He just repeats things. Gaines had broken a car beyond repair, and I was trying to tell him it was broken. Not only did he cry every time I said, "It's broken," he really screamed when his brother replied, "It's broken. It's broken."

If he doesn't want to do something, then it is scary. Example-
Me: Please put your tray up.
Woody: I scared.

Me: Go to the bathroom.
Woody: I can't. It's scary

A few weeks ago, Brooks was out of town on a climbing trip, and I was trying to get the kids to church. I was scared we would be late, so I told Woody to hurry up so I could get him dressed. He looked at me and replied, "Have we met?"

Woody was crying in the car. Like uncontrollably. I kept asking him, "What's wrong?" and he finally calmed down enough to answer, "I lost my mitten." .... Woody doesn't have mittens, and when I informed him of this, he cried harder and screamed, "I know! That is why I am sad!" (Don't worry grandmas...I ordered him some mittens.)

The saddest excuse for a hug. Please note the potty seat in background. Peepers constantly tries to take it in the car. It is his favorite toy. (Before you throw up, it has never been used. Woody still only uses the "widdle potty.") We already have a plastic potty in the car for emergencies with Woody. I can't let my car go look totally like a porta potty. What would the people at carpool think?

Halloween 2015 Part 2 + Lots of Random Pictures From my iPhone!

This was the Monday before Halloween at school. Woody wasn't impressed with the inside of a pumpkin. 

And Woody not paying attention.

Year 4! Love that little cowboy!

We decided to go back to Alabama for Halloween. Nana Jane isn't doing well, and we just wanted to see her, as well as our other family. We loaded up Friday and hit the road. We made it to Auburn (a little over an hour until home) when our neighbor called to let us know Lucy had escaped. (Savanna, Brooks's sister, comes over to let them in and out and feed them while we are gone. We love her so!) He had Lucy, but wasn't sure if Winnie had gotten out as well. Savanna went over to get Lucy, check on Winnie, and lock them both in for the night. However, we were worried that with the Trick-or-Treaters, she might escape again. So we decided to turn around and go home. My amazing husband had the best attitude about the whole situation, and it wore off on all of us. The boys slept the whole way back home (and through the rest of the night), and we enjoyed just spending the time talking. 

So Saturday morning, we tried again!

With the two pups!

The just didn't want to miss any fun.

Brooks brought his fancy camera and took amazing photos with it. He needs to teach me how to use it (and the fancy computer with Photoshop), but for now, I have pictures from my phone. And hey, my boys are cute despite the picture quality!

I wanted the boys to be party animals. If I am being honest, it kept me from buying new costumes. Neither were down with the idea of wearing sunglasses. The hats stayed on briefly.

Watching "The Monkey Video" on YouTube to get pumped.

At some point, Gaines popped himself with the strap of the hat, so we ditched the idea and decided to embrace our inner zoo.

We trick-or-treated in Brooks's parents' neighborhood. Things we need to work on for next year:

1. We ring/knock once. And not both.

2. We aren't allowed inside.

3. Keep moving. Don't stop to eat the candy. It's for Momma. Kidding! sorta....

Sunday morning we hit the road to return to Georgia. The boys weren't feeling great, so I did what any great mother would do and gave them Halloween candy. Gaines agreed that it was a terrific idea.

(If you look closely, you can see M&Ms smeared on his face.)

Busy weekend!

My poor buddies didn't recover well. This was Monday night. Woody came in my room and passed out in the chair. I took them to the doctor this morning...both have Bronchitis and Woody has a double ear infection. So glad I took them!

Feeling okay enough to hug/wrestle

Okay, now I need to dump a bunch of photos from my phone. I think these are in order...maybe not.

On brother's scooter while he is at school.

Woody had his first dentist appointment! Unfortunately, he was so upset, he didn't get them cleaned. They did count them, and see that he didn't have any cavities! We will try again in the Spring (maybe.)

Woody on school picture day. Hoping his smile was a little more natural.

I love cardigans. However, I think this one is too small.

He looks 13 here!

Another day. Another cardigan. Another wild man.

My good eater chowing down on Hot Dog Stir Fry. Remember when I thought I couldn't cook?! Maybe I should Pin the recipe. 

"Mom, I'm ready for my trip to Japan!"

(As long as the Paw Patrol can go too.)

Manners 101

Woody out.

My Aunt Deborah made them precious outfits. 

But my models were not camera ready.

Checking out Target's Halloween section. 

(And hopefully not getting lice.)

Getting pumped for the slide.

Cannonball!

I love love love those boys!

Halloween Part 1 + I Can No Longer Claim to be the Best Driver

Are you ready for Halloween? We're not.

Maybe it is my fault. We don't really have any Halloween decorations besides my white pumpkins. I love white pumpkins.

Today was Woody's Halloween party at school. His teachers asked me to please sedate talk to him about how everyone would be in costumes, and they did not want Woody to be overwhelmed. They must have known there would be trouble when they went to carve the class pumpkin on Monday, and he totally lost it... (If you are wondering, we do not carve Momma's white pumpkins.)

As expected, despite a previous trial run in his monkey costume, Woody completely melted over the idea of wearing this ridiculous costume to school. I felt guilty when I showed up (late) to school and saw how many kids had nice, Pinterest-worthy made costumes/boutique (i.e.: expensive) costumes. I didn't even buy Woody's... it was a hand-me-down from Sister. 

Woody cried the whole way in and refused to march in the costume parade. I tried to make a mental note to quit forcing Woody to do things he hates. Every time I just make Woody and myself (and Brooks...and usually Gaines) miserable. But who am I kidding!?! I finally flung him onto his teacher (they adore me),and high-tailed it out of there. I had some shopping to do before the party! (The Kayce Hughes Atlanta store is closing! Tear.)

As I am driving (not very well) down Peachtree, I hit a curb...hard...and shredded my tire. Brooks was thrilled to come put my spare on in his work clothes...in the rain. Gaines was completely cool during this process and only dumped an entire water bottle down his front. I actually was relieved he didn't freak out staying in his carseat the entire time. 

I got my spare on just in time to make it to Woody's party. To my surprise, he was still wearing his costume and used the school potty!! After the party, I had to take my car to get a new tire. If you live in Brookhaven, I cannot sing the praises of Discount Tire on Peachtree enough. They were so friendly, fast, and didn't freak out as my kids ran around and tried to pull tires and hubcaps of the wall. We ran across the street to eat lunch and explore the Christmas aisle at Lowe's. They had my new tire on in 45 minutes! 

We plan on Trick-or-Treating Saturday. I have a cute costume idea in my head, but am going to try to be a little less "Mommy Dearest" and not force Woody to wear it. If all else fails, don't think I am not above shoving him into his 12-18 month Woody onsie.

Sad Monkey refusing to march in the parade

Miss Gloria saves the day!

Not impressed

His precious class

I hate you, Mom