Tuesday, July 30, 2013

The Vinoklet

If you live in the Cincinnati area and have not been to the Vinoklet you should really remedy that:) We went to celebrate a friend's birthday and it was so much fun! It is an active vineyard that has a restaurant on the property. The atmosphere is really laid back and BEAUTIFUL! We were so surprised when we got there at how pretty everything was from the flowers to the grapevines. And everything is open. You can walk anywhere and just explore and enjoy the atmosphere. There are multiple lakes on the property, lots of flowers, awesome food, and wine. Of course wine. But I don't really like wine...so I was thinking about not going. Now I'm so glad we went! Lots of fun!



 Here is our beautiful friend who we were celebrating and her husband, who is restating his vows to her (as they are also celebrating a big anniversary this year!).
Sweet sweet times.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Quotables


Noah: daddy I threw a ball in the goal! Yeah Noah Noah home run!

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Quotables

Mary: mommy, did you have a diarrhea when you were a kid?
Me: a what?!
Mary: I have a diarrhea
Me: ummm...do we need to pull over and find a bathroom. Wait, do you mean a diary?
Mary: yeah! A diarrhea!

Noah: mommy tell me more about when I was born
Me: well the bible says God knit you together in my belly. That means God put you together in my belly like how mommy puts together blankets.
Noah: but some people don't love God. Satan went to get them.
Me: (huh? Where do you come up with this) Um, yes, some people don't believe God made them. And satan is God's enemy. We pray that Satan wont come near our house!
Noah: WOAH! Let's lock the door so satan won't come in!

God help me know how to talk to these kids!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Summer days

It is HOT here. And we have been extra busy, but today we have a day to just enjoy summer.

With a picnic in the backyard

With some fun in the pool

And with the chance to use old toys in new ways

Our neighbors probably hate our backyard filled with kids toys. It's a work in progress!


Thursday, July 11, 2013

I'm freeeeeeeeeeeee

That's how Noah tells people he's 3 now, "i'm freeeeeeeeee". He is SUCH a joy to us. He is funny, charming, friendly and just plain loveable. We joke that he will always get what he wants because he just knows how to get things from people. For example, I was laying with him the other day to snuggle before bed and I told him it was bed time and I was going to go out. He proceeded to start rubbing my hair and face, and while doing so he said, "mommy you're so beautiful. I just looooooove you! Can you stay a little longer?" Three. He's THREE and he's that good. Unbelievable.
 He's generally very agreeable and happy, but we are currently working on doing things that daddy and mommy ask him to do without whining. I found a cute little reward chart and it has been great in helping him know what it means to do things right away and without complaining. Our theme last week was 'I don't quit, I persevere.' So I will ask him to do something and sometimes he will still just give me this I-don't-want-to look and I will remind him that we do things without whining or complaining. Then he will say, "ok mommy I perservere!" I love how he talks:) And it's hilarious to me that he will use that word.


We went to Chuck E Cheese (which he calls chocolate cheese) for his birthday. It is so amazing for me to watch him. As we sang happy birthday he just sat, smiled and looked at his cupcake. I love his peaceful, yet often times LOUD, personality. Speaking of loud, this kid's normal voice is like a regular person's yelling voice. We are always saying, "Hey bud we are right here next to you! You don't need to scream." But he has no idea what we're talking about because to him it isn't a scream, it's just his normal volume.


One of his gifts was a dog tag type necklace that says "warrior" on the tag. We hope to raise him with a warrior mentality and he does such a great job even at this young age. We love this little warrior to pieces! 

Monday, July 8, 2013

Almost 3

Noah will be 3 on Wednesday! In honor of his birthday we had a mommy son date today. Last night I asked him where he wanted to go. I made no suggestions, just told him that he could go anywhere with mommy for breakfast and then to play. Where did he choose???
Heart of my heart! You gotta love this kid. We had the cheapest breakfast ever and played in the kid area. Then he said he wanted to ride in a cart...easiest kid to please in the world. 

13 months

T is 13 months now! He has grown so much in the past month. He's walking well, eating everything in sight and drinking from his cup. He's had a mental growth spurt this month! 

He's become more engaging and funny! He will play hide and seek or he will do something he thinks is funny and then keep doing it and cracking up each time. Then he will look at us to see if we think its funny too:)

He has been so fun and truly a joy. He still wants mommy most of the time...but he's not as fussy when I'm not holding him. He just wants to walk around in whatever room I'm in:)

He can say dada, mama, and ball (ba). And he loves to give high fives! Such a blast right now!