Sunday Self Entertainment

A few weeks ago we had a cold, rainy weekend, and we were too sick to go anywhere, so by the time Sunday afternoon rolled around we were going a little stir crazy.

Coop wanted me to play with him in his room. He built a "race truck" out of Hudson's carseat, swing, and some toys, and wanted me to take a picture of him in it.

Then Hudson had a turn with the bear hat.

Then it was Mommy's turn to wear the hat.

Selfies!

We were a little slap-happy, and stir-crazy, but it was a fun afternoon!

It's Beginning to Look a Little Like Christmas

The day we went to pick out our Christmas tree it was warm enough at 6:30 pm to be wearing short sleeves. Great weather for tree shopping! We went to the same lot we've been going to for 3 years now. They have good quality, healthy, beautiful and affordable Christmas trees. Each year it's taken us less than 15 minutes to pick out our tree. This year we were back home within 20. Perfect for little kids!

Cooper and Nathan helped me decorate this year, whoch was so much better than decorating the tree myself like hhe last two years. After being so sick for 4 weeks, it felt great to get some Christmas decor up.  I love decorating the house for Christmas.

This is when I realized: Oops, I forgot to buy Hudson a stocking! Good thing there was still plenty of time.

A few of the details...

Cooper had the opportunity to go Christmas shopping for a preschool field trip at a place where the kids get to pick out gifts on their own, all for $2 or less. The school asked for a list of who to buy for, etc. and then he got to purchase gifts himself. I wasn't sure what to expect, and thought the quality would be low. But on the contrary!

The field trip was on a Friday and by the following Sunday Coop couldn't wait any longer to give us our gifts. The anticipation was just too much for him. He gave me a nice pink wallet, which had  all the same pockets as my current wallet. I kind of needed a new one, and love the cute pink one he gave me. Really. He also gave me a cute bracelet.

 Hudson was asleep at the time, and opened his gifts later, but they were just as thoughtful: a toy cow, a baby book of Bible stories, and a yo-yo.

Cooper's gift to Daddy was AWESOME: a giant (like 12" tall), decorative pear! Yep. And he was SO excited to give it to him!! He said he picked it because it was the biggest thing they had, and Daddy likes big things, and it's wood. It's something we'll never forget, that's for sure. I think I may put it away with the Christmas things, and call it our "Christmas pear."  Good stuff, Coop!

I was glad Cooper was able to feel the excitement of giving someone else a gift. Later that week I'd written a list of gifts to buy for others. Coop saw the paper and wanted to cut it (he loves using scissors). I told him it was my Christmas list of who to buy presents for. He took the pen and wrote his own name on the list and said very matter of factly, "Mom, I put my own name on your list so you can buy a present for me too, OK?" So cute.

I love December and all of the Christmas-y things that go with it!

Boys, Cars, Bikes and MUD

A few weeks ago we had a rainy but very warm day. The rain stopped for a bit, and so despite us all being sick, the boys and I headed outside for some warm fresh air. Cooper wanted to go for a walk/ bike ride. So I put Hudson in the push-car and we walked down the street, not too far, in case it suddenly started to rain again.

Hudson loves to ride in the big boy car. He even holds/ turns the steering wheel like he's driving. Such a smart baby.

Of course we get down the street abd there's a giant mud puddle down the hill buy the stream. I'm learning that mud is just dirt, which can be washed out of clothes, so I swallowed my natural instincts to keep the boys out of the mud, and let Coop just go for it. I have a great video of him riding down the hill through the mud puddle a few times, but haven't had computer access to upload it, and that's backing up my blogging. So I'll post these pics abd post the video later.

To get in the puddle Coop had to ride down a small, but pretty steep hill. He's getting really good on his bike, with no training wheels, and did this about 20 times, only tipping over once--just enough to get really muddy without getting hurt.

It was a nice break from being stuck inside for days, due to cold, rainy weather. I'm glad for these moments with my boys. Maybe not glad for the laundry later, but hey, a little dirt never hurt anybody.

Saturday in Salter Path

The Saturday following Thanksgiving we spent time together and with Poppy and Mema. In the morning we went to the aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores. Cooper asked to get on the giant frog statue.

Having been there before, Coop wasn't too interested in many of the exhibits. But he is never one to pass up anything hands-on.

He was worried that the horseshoe crab could bite or pinch. The sweet lady working the exhibit kindly explained all about them and how they cannot hurt you.

Hudson woke up from his nap and loved looking at all the colorful fish.

Both of them enjoyed this tank.

I think I could have left Huddy in front of the giant tank for awhile.

That afternoon we got to go to the Emerald Isle Christmas Parade. Mema and the boys.

Cooper took this picture of Mommy and Daddy.

Cooper loved seeing the cool vintage cars.

The parade went on for what seemed like forever.

Then we finally saw Poppy with the Shriners.

Hi Poppy!! Coop sure wanted to ride in that boat!

Abby, Haleigh and Stella came for a visit the next morning as I was busy packing up the house and cleaning. It was fun to visit with them. Nate and his dad had gone out to build a duck blind for hunting later this season.

No visit to Poppy's house is ever long enough. Cooper loves to hang out with his Poppy, especially tinkering in the shed or in the yard, climbing on the boat, and shooting guns (which he has NOT stopped talking about since!). 

Beaufort, Beach, and Bryts Family

The day after Thanksgiving Nate had to work. But the rest of us went out for a little sight-seeing. First stop: Beaufort. Just off coast of Beaufort is said to be the sunken pirate ship of Blackbeard himself.  We didn't see any pirates in Beaufort, but we did see...

Santa arriving by boat!

We stopped to watch him and wave to him.


Then we went souvenir shopping and got some ice cream cones.  Cooper chose a bag of Mike & Ike's over ice cream, since he's allergic.  I didn't even have to ask him.  What a good little trooper.
We did spy one pirate in Beaufort, courtesy of Liz!

More souvenir shopping.  That's a LOOK, Kate!

Then we headed to the beach to fly kites and have fun in the sand.  We drove to Fort Macon, but being on the tip of the island, it was TOO COLD.  There was wind for the kites, alright, but it wasn't too fun.  So we all piled back in the cars and went to the good ol' driveway in Salter Path.  Old reliable never lets us down.  The kids weren't very interested in the kites.  Cooper: NOT AT ALL.  So they played in the sand.  Kate wasn't thrilled to be at the beach where "the water is moving!"  She was scared and unhappy, sweet pea.

Hudson wanted out, but was a good baby staying bundled in his warm car seat.

Cooper and Ellie (and Uncle Bryt, I think) had a BLAST playing in the sand.

Liz and Kate paused for a photo, and then Liz took Kate back to the house while we stayed.  I probably should have taken the baby in, but I just kept him turned away from the wind, and bundled, because I wanted to be outside and on the beach too.

Cooper and Mommy with a flock of pelicans behind us.

Uncle Bryt helped Cooper and Ellie dig a hole.

Ells Bells and Hudderbug

These two would have gone swimming if we'd have let them.

BEACH!

And the hole grew...

and grew.

That night we went out to eat, and decided to try a place in Emerald Isle we'd never been to before.

The kids were pretty well behaved.  Cooper LOVES his cousins.  He was SO SAD when they left for Baltimore early the next morning.

Nate, Bryt and Liz

Uncle Bryt feeding Hudson.  Have a picture of him feeding Cooper at about this age, too.  Cute.

Me and Huddy, who is finally able to sit in a high chair.

That night we had a battle of RISK.  I had never really played, nor had Nate.  Ellie, Bryt and Liz were pros at it.  We had a lot of fun.  But as is usual when playing a game with Bryt, he won.  He always wins.  Seriously.  But it was still so much fun.  Playing games with my siblings is one of my true loves.  I always look forward to it.  Bryt and I used to play games all the time together when we were little, all the way to adulthood.  And now Ellie is in on it--she took a close second to Bryt that night.  At 7 years old, I'd say she's well on her way with board games.  Such a fun night, and a fun vacation.

Thanks, Bryt, Liz, Ellie and Kate for making the long drive down to spend Thanksgiving with us.  We're so glad you did!!!