High Flying Day

There's no denying that Cade is intrigued by anything with wheels or wings.  He's a digger, dumper, vehicle loving little boy and I love that about him.  The new obsession these days is planes.  Whether it's specific characters from the movie, helicopters, fighter jets, or a simple dollar store item, he loves flying and racing them around the house.  If we're out and about, you can also bet that he'll spread his arms and declare himself a high flying machine :)

Last year, both boys flew with us to Delaware and absolutely loved the airport, watching the planes take off and land, and being in the air themselves.  No fear...just giggles and huge smiles.  So, when Michael's mom told us that her friend owned a small plane at the local airport and wanted to show it to the boys, we jumped at the opportunity.  A couple of Saturdays ago, the weather was a balmy 60 degrees and we surprised the boys with an afternoon of flying fun.

Oh Gallatin....please paint the sign...

So excited to see the planes!

Testing out the cockpit

Cade's gonna fly with his feet

Cade said, "He's talkin' to me!"  Soooo cute!

Fascinated by the propeller

Ready for our taxi down the runway

Cade and Daddy's turn

I love this :)

Now, I've never been up in a two seater, and really didn't have the itch to do so...a little too claustrophobic for this mama.  I also didn't envision the boys taking to the air.  Just a simple tour of the plane, a few pictures and a trip down the runway.  Well, after his quick taxi around the airport, Cole was begging to go up.  Greg was also eager to hit the sky and kindly offered to take him up, soooo Michael rode with them while Cade and I watched and I prayed like a mad woman.  Thank goodness little dude was content with solid ground.  I don't know if my heart could've handled another round :)

When Cole took to the air (and I took to my knees in prayer).

Coming back in for the landing...I was one relived mama!

Thanks so much Greg for an up, up, and away fantastic day!

Lego Mania

With Cole receiving a Lego table and a few kits for his birthday in November, the fever of these colored blocks has officially invaded our home.  We use them for play, but they've also been helpful with teaching math, reading, and geography...who knew?  Cade's even sporting a few Duplo vehicles and a trip to the mega store at Opry Mills is always a fun outing for both boys.  However, this trip we did more than just browse and build.  We surprised Cole at the store with an empty box given to us by sweet neighbors that he could fill to his heart's content (free of charge).  So thankful for friends that love our boys like we do!  That plus a treat from 'The Cookie Store' and you have the perfect night - at least in the eyes of a seven year old :)

He is a thinker...it took him 30 minutes to pick the right ones for his collection

A quick moment of brotherly love

Reading the new Lego magazine together

This and That

We're enjoying the winter days as best we can, but I must say we were a tad disappointed when good ol' Punxsutauney Phil saw his shadow.  Oh how I long for spring...
Here are a few pics of some end-of-January fun.

Dinner with a few friends from my iMom table

 Michael found his old laptop in the attic one evening and told Cole he could have it play on (pretend we thought).  Well, lo and behold, it turned right on and worked like a charm.  Who knew?  Since then, we've LOVED watching videos of Cole from birth-2 years that were downloaded here years ago.  It's amazing to think that Cade is now that age and how quickly the time will pass to when he's my seven year old and Cole will be 11...whew...it's almost too much for my heart to handle.  Soaking. up. each. moment.

Cole loves to paint, draw, and use the 'notepad' on his new computer.

It may be cold, but we're thankful for the sun!

Movie nights are an every week occurrence.  So fun now that BOTH boys are able to sit and enjoy an entire show together.

 On MLK day, Cole was invited to attend a friend's birthday party at our local bowling alley/fun center.  We had a BALL and Cole got to try out a few new activities.  He loved the bumper cars, laser tag, and even gave the vertical jump a go...proud of you buddy!

Cole and the birthday boy, Ben

Fun buddies waiting for laser tag.  And no, he's not licking the railing ;)

The Greatest Show on Earth

Today was a GREAT day.  Not only was it Friday (heelllooo weekend!), but Michael and I finally got to enjoy the gift that we gave the boys for Christmas...tickets to the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Over the years, we've wanted to take the boys, but either the circus crept up on us and we didn't get tickets, or it just wasn't a good time.  In December, I saw a flyer for the upcoming dates in the checkout aisle at Dollar Tree and Michael and I agreed that this would be such a fun present and surprise (anything besides a toy is a win in my book!).  Add to that the construction theme (that a certain digger/dumper lovin' 2 year old would enjoy) + 4 for $44 tickets my mom found in the ValPak coupon booklet + taking in all our own food and drinks = excellent family outing that didn't break the bank.  Both boys were old enough to enjoy the entire 2.5 hours to which Cole said, "this really is the greatest show on earth!".  I concur :)

Earlier in the week, we painted these masks I found at Dollar Tree.  We're ready to go!

Now that we've got circus fever, we'll definitely be back when it rolls around again.  Here are a few fun  photos that of course don't do justice to the live action, but hey, we tried :)

Clown came to visit us at our seats

To begin, we sang the 'Star Spangled Banner' 

Let the show begin!

Unicycle basketball game :)

High flying trapeze

Taming tigers - a favorite

Silly construction clowns

Boys vs. girls

Tightrope walkin'

and jumpin'

and ridin'

Cole's favorite...the human cannonball

there she goes!

These poodles were SO cute and funny

Elephants!

Completely mesmerized

Grand finale

Lunch at a downtown favorite