Some Fun Pics

My sweet neighbor took some more great pictures this weekend while we were out on their back lawn playing corn hole. Well, we were supposed to be playing corn hole, but we got distracted by kids and ducks, and kids feeding ducks, and then a giant bowl of freshly picked Florida strawberries (there's just NOTHING like freshly picked strawberries!). So, we forgot about our game and let the kids take over. Here are some of her fun pictures...

Parker thought the corn hole board was so much fun. He kept climbing on top of it and putting the bean bags in the hole. Then he'd take them out. Then put them back in. Then laugh, and laugh!

Payton was still in his baseball uniform, which shows just how proud he was of his game accomplishments. Plus he had been rollerblading with a helmet on, so his hair looks amazing (ha, ha). But this picture of the two of them is just precious!

And did I mention we were eating fresh strawberries???

Thanks Kristen for the great pictures!!!

 

Rainy Sunday

Yesterday after church, it rained most of the afternoon. I actually really enjoy rainy Sunday afternoons. It slows down the pace of things. Makes staying inside, drinking second pots of coffee and wearing old comfy clothes seem much better.

So, that's just what we did.

 I love this mug that Payton made for me. It's huge. Love that.

Then we made a blanket fort over the coffee table and couch.

Parker wouldn't go inside, but he enjoyed peeking in to see what Payton was doing.

 And just what was Payton doing under there?

Playing his DS of course. And hangin' with Dad too.

Then I guess they started getting antsy because a full-on WWF wrestling match broke out on our bed!

 I'm pretty sure Parker has a fist full of Payton's hair in this picture:

 Needless to say, we moved the party outside after this and Payton rollerbladed while Parker went for rides in his plastic car.

It was the perfect end to a fun family weekend.

Happy Monday everyone!

Sports Weekend

Payton's big day finally arrived this weekend, as he had his first Little League baseball game. He hasn't played organized sports in several years, so he was a bit nervous the morning of the game. But after some quick reminders about field positions, a great pep talk from Dad, and lots of positive encouragement, he was ready to play!

And boy were we amazed!

He did so great!

He got 4 hits and scored 4 runs!

And he looked so darn cute in his uniform. :)

 Parker also had a great time watching all the kids and activity that was going on. Not to mention that I gave him a lollipop. He literally held on to it the entire 1-hour game.

Most importantly though, Payton had fun and he played the game with a great attitude.

Even the coach recognized his skill improvement and excellent teamwork attitude... by giving Payton the game ball!

Of course we couldn't have been prouder!

This is the post game huddle when they presented Payton with the game ball.

 Brian may end up with his little baseball player after all!

 And in other Heckman family sports-related news...

Payton also got roller blades this weekend.

I was a nervous wreck at the thought of him on them, so wears full "body armor" when he's got them on (until he gets more used to them at least).

Here's a pic of him with our neighbors who also have roller blades (hmmm... wonder if maybe that's why he wanted to spend his birthday money to buy some for himself??).

 Fortunately, these kids are really good on their roller blades and have been a wonderful source of teaching and encouragement for Payton.

(Going in for the high five!)

 And by the end of the first day he was trying to do tricks in the driveway!

 He went out on them again 3 more times today and he is really starting to get the hang of it. He keeps asking me what level he's at; like, "Mom, am I past 'intermediate' yet? Am I now 'good'?" It's really quite cute. And I am amazed once again how fast kids pick up sports.

I guess I have finally accepted that my weekends will be filled with baseball games, trips to Play It Again Sports, skinned knees and fart jokes, as opposed to braiding hair, pedicures and shopping. 

But you know what?

I wouldn't have it any other way!

Friday Photo Dump

I've got a few more great snow pics that my sis-in-law sent me from Payton's trip to NC, so I want to post those first:

 Does that boy look happy or what?!?

 SNOW ANGEL! (He's been wanting to do that for years!)

And now for some random photos...

First off, if anyone was wondering, our doggie Rohy is still alive and kickin'. He's getting up there in age (14) but he still enjoys his two daily walks and people food. 

He has however, lost most of his hearing and sight, and has a significant heart murmur, as well as dementia. So when I found him sleeping like this the other day...

 

 (tongue out, head cocked to the side)

I was a little worried.

No fear, he's doing just fine! 

(Oh, and I took the picture after I realized he was still breathing. I just thought the tongue was too funny.)

On a much lighter note, Parker likes yogurt. I mean, he really likes yogurt:

 He's such a boy.

 Sometimes, you just gotta let em have fun!

  Why, oh why, do I do this to myself every year???

I order all of my favorite Girl Scout cookies and then eat them in a matter of a week or so (sorry babe if they're all gone by the time you read this). It's disgusting, I know. But they're so good and they call my name when I open the pantry! Have you tried the new lemon ones? OH MY, they are so good (if you like lemon)! And the cranberry white chocolate...to die for! And of course the Tagalongs, and the Thin Mints... okay, I guess you get the idea. I really, really like Girl Scout cookies.

I am also really digging this new candle holder I got from Bath & Body Works. It's shaped like a pineapple and it is so cute on my kitchen counter!

And I'm sure inquiring minds want to know what kind of candle is burning in this adorable holder. It's another new FAV:

It doesn't smell like coconut at all to me, which is strange. It smells a lot more pineapple-y. It's very fruity and uplifting. Get one, it will get you in the mood for Spring!

And this last photo is pretty late, but it's worth it. 

Our neighbor puts out inflatable yard ornaments for each holiday. My kids have come to expect it now and they love it.

Here is what he had out for Valentine's Day:

Big weekend for us! Payton's 1st baseball game!

He's nervous, but we're excited to cheer him on. I'll be sure to post pics.

Have a great weekend!

A Trip to NC

For his birthday this year, my parents bought Payton a plane ticket to go see his cousins in NC. My mom flew up there with him last Friday and they spent a long weekend playing with the Clements gang.

The airport alone was an exhilarating experience for him. Especially when he was there with Nana and she bought him all sorts of treats. Then the plane flight was so fun for him too. He loved "flying through the clouds."

Once they arrived in NC, Payton was ready to play! One day, they went to this amazing place called Pullen Park where there is a train ride...

 boat rides...

a carousel...

and an amazing playground.

 But best of all, he got to do it all with his cousins!

The boys went out one night for a special 3D viewing of Star Wars.

(Do you think that bucket of popcorn is big enough?!?)

And to cap off an amazing trip. The least-likely thing happened...

IT SNOWED!

It didn't snow much, but just enough for the kids to play in it the morning Payton left. He was literally praying for it to snow before he left and I kept trying to explain to him that it wasn't going to be cold enough. Well... prayer answered little man!

He called me that morning and said, "This is the best day of my life!"

All in all, they had a wonderful time and I'm so glad he got to enjoy one last vacation with the Clements in NC. We have very fond memories of that house and we will miss it. But now we get to make lots of new exciting memories in the new one!!!

Thanks so much Clements families for making this a vacation Payton will never forget!

 

Afternoons

Afternoons around here are fairly predictable.

Parker wakes up from his nap around 1:30 - usually in a very good mood - and then we do this:

  He has a little snack (or sometimes big depending on the size of lunch)...

carrots & hummus happened to be on the menu this day.

 Yes, he still hams-it-up for the camera.

 Then, as long as the weather is cooperating, we usually do this:

We walk up to the pond by our house, spread out a blanket and we wait for Payton to come home from school.

 Of course he usually climbs up into his stroller and tries to do some death-defying crawl up to the handle, which gives me a panic attack. But that's a boy for ya!

When we do see Payton crossing at the crossing guard, I say, "Oh! I see Payton!" And Parker immediately looks down the street and does not take his eyes off of him until he arrives at our spot.

I wish I had a picture of them greeting each other. It's the most precious moment (can you picture it in your mind??). It's as if Parker has been waiting all day for big brother to come home from school. 

I love that they love each other so much. I am treasuring these days when they aren't fighting. They aren't competing. They aren't disagreeing on what to watch on TV, or play on the Wii, or who gets what toy in the bathtub. 

Right now, they are purely enjoying each other.

And I love it!

Big Boy Now

A couple months ago we got Parker a hair trim. It was not a hair cut. Just a trim around his ears.

Yesterday, it was finally time for him to get a real haircut. His bangs were in his eyes and the back had formed these adorable soft curls (Brian called it a mullet, but it was cute!) that frequently had old ladies calling him a "girl."

So, off we went to the Hair Cuttery! Yes, it's a very fancy salon next to our Publix and our stylist didn't really speak great English. But, it's where Payton had his first haircut, so it was where Parker was going as well!

I must say, he did really great. He thought the big chair was really fun. Plus, he got to look at himself in the giant mirror, so that was entertaining too. (This picture really shows how shabby his hair looked!) Even the drape was fun!

 

He sat very still through 90% of the haircut. The little old couple sitting in the lobby area were "ooo-ing and ahhh-ing" about how good he was being (of course I was beaming just a little bit). :)

And in the end, he looked great! But he looks like such a big boy now... no more baby curls. Guess it's time I admit that he's growing up.

A Special Valentines Day

It's very rare that you see any pink, or red, or hearts around here. With 4 boys (yes, I'm including the dog) I'm totally outnumbered. So, when February arrives, I go kinda crazy with the Valentine's decorations and celebrations.

Brian was so happy when I showed up with these the other day...

 I think his exact words were, "Whoh... where did these come from?"

They came from Pottery Barn Kids, and I've had my eye on them for about 3 years now. I finally caught them on clearance last week. Yahoo! Payton had so much fun checking his mail every day for special surprises. :)

I also picked up these little gems at PBK. They're called "Lunch box Notes" and they have a little interesting factoid on each card. They are super fun to put into lunch boxes, as well as "mailboxes."

 

I also loved how Target came out with a special Valentine's Day gift card. So perfect for Payton's teacher, wrapped up with some pink M&M's in a heart-shaped dish!

 Of course we had to start off the day with our annual heart-shaped french toast. Parker enjoyed it this year too!

 

 Then I got to have a Valentine's-themed baby playgroup!

Yummy cookies & coffee cake:

 Treats for the babies and the mommies:

 And look at how cute the little kiddos were:

Okay, so they're not the best photos, but hey... you get what you can when photographing that many small children.

Later on, Parker and his best girl got cute for the camera too!

 Is she not the cutest thing you've ever seen?!?

Of course lots of candy was consumed throughout the day...

 Parker even made off with a candy stick!

And Brian and I, in defiance of spending lots of money on over-priced roses, pre-made Hallmark cards, and shelling out way too much money for a sitter, decided instead to make each others' cards this year (I won't post a picture, but let's just say his consisted of lots of construction paper, and mine was made with Martha Stewart craft paper and glitter). I did get an awesome box of Godiva chocolates (MY FAV!!!) and he got a package of Reese's hearts (his fav). After the kiddos went to bed Brian and I enjoyed some really nice red wine by candlelight. It was the most perfect Valentines day.

Nothing like being showered with love by 4 boys! I am truly blessed!