Father's Day Weekend

 Really, there is just no better place in the world to celebrate anything.  So off to EI we went to celebrate our main men.

 We were boat ready!  After a little island hunting (currents and dredging change things often) we found ourselves a perfect little spot.  Of course that meant Sutton fell asleep.  Just as he did last year.  Two hours later, he was up and ready to role.  This kid and sleep?  AWESOME.

 Both boys fished with Daddy and Papa.  How lucky are we to have them?  Dad is pretty much known for his fishing skills.  Sought out for them is putting it mildly.  He hand makes all his lures.  Like his daddy did.  PS My Dad's boat name > and other boat name ever.

 Moses loved fishing and throwing his cast net.  He checked on the bait fish constantly and looked for crabs.  Even took a little time for a tan.

 Mommy took a hot minute to tan her pale, pale, pale self.  It was BAD folks.  Whew!

Of course, the main event was watching the wolfpack play and WIN during the College World Series.
The boys picked out birdhouses they painted for papa, pops, and daddy.  They are fab!  My gift to Brett and my dad was to clean and wash their cars.  I was doing great.  Then I realized.  I locked our keys in the car.  On a Sunday.  On a male holiday.  Fail.  My mom called one of customers who owns a body shop.  Sweet man sent this little guy to unlock my car and said he would "get with my mom another time."  I can only take this as thanks to me, mom's on free hair cut duty for awhile.  I think my car wash business is closed.

Beginning Of Summer

So, I realized I skipped a good portion of our Summer from the last post.  As long as I get it all down it won't count right?  Hmm, ok sure!

 We spent Memorial Day weekend in Emerald Isle.  The weather here was oddly mild in April and May so we did not do as much boating as we usually do.  Boo.  We still managed a good bit of fun though!  We also stopped at Brett's family reunion and at some Wilbur's BBQ.  YUM.  Look at all those cute (thirdish, fourthish?) cousins!  And Sutton's hair in this pic?  STOP IT.

One of the best parts about my parent's house is their outdoor kitchen.  It is on a screened in porch directly off their indoor kitchen and it overlooks the water.  It's awesome!  You can cook seafood, bacon and other smelly things that tend to linger out there.  Sutton works on his music....

 And his....birdwatching?  Yeah we'll go with that instead of spying or stalking...

 The night we came home, after the best naps that were even taken, Moses and I booked it over to the essential places.  Target and Teeter.  When we got back, We saw fireflies.  Moses even managed to catch one.  Summer was here loud and clear!

 With the weather being delayed, so was the strawberry season.  They came late but sweet.  We always head to Porter Farms on Hwy 42.  They have a huge field, plenty of other produce, fresh herbs, flowers, and an ice cream and lemonade area.  Stop, make that the best homemade lemonade you have ever had.  I watched her squeeze the lemons, add sugar and water.  Did I want to add cherries?  Oh, yes I do.  We had a blast!

 You will pretty much only see pictures of the boys getting along because when they look so sweet I can't even stand it.  I have to take a picture and over share.  Because ya'll, when it's bad, it's really bad.  But when it's not, heaven on earth.  Those boys love each other something fierce.  But when you love so much some times I guess you just get annoyed with each other!  Some days we will take time apart so that we can recharge our batteries.

 Our new summer addition is adding sand to the underneath area of the playground.  They love it!  Quiet happy play with trucks, shovels and buckets.

 We've been working with Moses on a chore chart this summer so he doesn't get too off a routine.  We've always had rules.  Like the one they are skirting two photos above.  Food only in the kitchen, porch and outside.  One on the chart is also get dressed.  One day Mr. Ambitious got his brother dressed.  Minus the diaper.  Oooops.

 When we went to pick up the sand at Home Depot, we also picked up a bird feeder.  Squirrels have staked it out for themselves.  It is a true Mission Impossible task.  We have yet to figure out a plan B.

Basically, since we (kids up, we're up) are early risers we have a lot of time to fill during the day.  I take the farm approach.  Get up.  Get going early.  Get outdoor activities/work started first when the heat is not oppressive.  We lunch it up.  Watch a show and color.  Nap, snack and outdoor playground time because it's nice and shaded.  Dinner.  Daddy time.  Sleep.  WHEW.

Summer time Fun

 I am really determined that my kids will not have to make some sort of poster about what they did this summer and come up with a great big blank.  DETERMINED

 That's not to say that I am scheduled to the hilt with crazy things like Pinterest is trying to do.  I'm saying no to about 80% of those posts and doing our things.

 Like using the bubble wrap to care the crap out of daddy working up stairs.  It's a personal obligation in this family to see who can "get" who.  Mommy is a ninja at this game.

 My kids are EARLY BIRDS.  Like, oh the sun will be up in an hour so why don't we get a jumpstart on it?  Not to mention Brett is installed in his upstairs office before 7:30am.  So, oh yeah mommy you best have your act together.  We want a project stat or we will begin to tear up your house.  (PS  I know who they inherited this trait from.  Not cool.)

Anyways, one morning we rolled out the paper, got out the paints and brushes, and stripped down for some painting fun.  Sutton is trying to learn colors so he liked this.  Both boys are way more into art than they used to be.  Sweet creating time with a water hose very nearby.

 So what would summer be without ice cream.   Sutton Bug is a sugar, carb, junk food junkie.  He loves many healthy things, but if he is presented with a treat he dives in head first with squealing joy.  Look he even shares!

 Sunday, we left the boys with a sitter so we could go to the movies and have a couple of hours of adult time.  When we got home our cousin/babysitter said that Sutton climbed out of his crib.  What, the what what?  He did it twice more in the next twenty four hours.  So, down went the crib and out came the toddler bed.  Break.my.heart.

 Moses' transition to the bed was good, but for weeks he would fall asleep on the floor and we would move him to the bed.  Sutton blew him out of the water.  He has fallen asleep every night and every day at nap in the bed and slept just fine.  He calls us when he wakes up.  Who is this kid?  We keep looking at each other thinking how did he get this good?  Don't worry he keeps us humble whenever we leave the house and has a meltdown in any and all public places.

 Sometimes living in Fuquay you can feel left out of the haps going on in Raleigh.  I've started to find perks though.  One of them is Dr Young's Pond Berry Farm in Angier.  They have pick your own blueberries and blackberries.  YUM.  We were so there.

 Despicable me will soon be coming out and this little dude is PUMPED.  He calls the minions "babas."  He sings the songs and generally loves anything baba(minion).  Thanks Target.  We picked a very small little yellow man to bring home with us.  Dave has a happy new home.

 I have noticed that the boys have been wearing on each others nerves....and mine...because of way too much together time.  That's pretty much something I can't fix too much.  We've had some play dates and such and some days are as sweet as the pic above but things sometimes can go south.  Then just like that they are partners in crime again.  Brotherhood.

The complete mommy fail of the summer so far?  An attempt of seeing Monsters University.  I would seriously like to have a chat with the idiot who plotted out 20 minutes of previews for this movie.  We made it fine through them and a good part of the first half then Sutton looked at me and said.  Ma, go.  Go, ma!  He then proceeded to make a break for it.  Then he cried.  Then wanted to wander.  All while Moses sat and watched the movie.  Bless him.  Finally we did have to make a quick exit.  It was the first time I have ever broken a sweat in a theater and not wanted a down comforter wrapped around me.    Maybe another time!

Lots more adventures to be had!  Who knows what the rest of the summer will bring.

Out of School!

 Picture me singing, sunrise, sunset.  And insert statements like, "Where the heck did the time go!"  Moses is taller and looks....OLDER!  Sutton's hair has only gotten cuter like the rest of him!

And oh my word they learned so much.  We were SO lucky with our teachers this year.  I had no worries or concerns during the day.  Even the other teachers would tell me how much they adore the little Barker Boys.

 Both boys bolt out of the car when it's a school day.  Moses went five days a week and will continue to do so again next year.  We have decided that since his birthdate is only days away from the cutoff date we will hold him back.  We have two or three other friends doing the same thing and we feel good about this decision.  This past year Sutton attended two days a week.  After much schedule discussion he will go three days a week.  WHEW.

So begins our summer.  I'm not going to lie I'm scared.  I'm a work/stay/play/teach at home mommy who has a long stretch of days to fill with, fun! pool! activities! playtime!  imagination!  Let's hope I can pull out my magic bag of tricks and they don't run out by the first 4 hours.

I do have some summer goals and here they are!

Moses  :
1.  Do better with is daily routine of chores/expectations
2.  Work on counting
3.  Read together more
4.  By the end of the summer having HIM read some

Sutton
1.  Uhhhhhhhh  paci has to go soon.  Or cut WAAAY back.  Dread.Screams.Horrors.
2.  Work on the potty training.
3.  Work on talking.  Please start saying something kid.
4.  He's starting to be a picky eater.  Put the foot down on this now before it gets worse.

Stella
1.  Don't Slack on the work out.  I do great unless I leave town.
2.  Time to get serious about eating right and cutting out the Pepsi Max addiction.  This should not coincide at any point with Sutton giving up his paci.  One of us might not make it.
3.  Explore Fuquay/Apex/ Holly Springs more.  Throw Raleigh in when necessary.
4.  Read some good stuff.  Already down two summer books.  Hoping for more!

Ambition ya'll.  Don't you LOVE it!  Can't wait to update all this come September.  Oh dear Lord.  Will we make it!?

LOL or TMI?

Yes, I know I have been a major slacker of late when it comes to my little corner of the internet.  Part of it is not having a free nanosecond the other is "Do I (you) really want a record of the crazy that is my life?"  Hmm perhaps?  Seems it's been all the rage to come down hard on mommies who share information on blogs/facebook/twitter and the like.  I hear so many I can't believe she ________ insert outrageous mommy atrocity______ for everyone to know about.  Her kids are going to grow up and be __________ when they find out.

Yeah, the internet is a big ol' free for all when it comes to finding out stuff about people.  I mean, if you live in Wake County, all you must do to find out where someone lives, when they bought their home, and how much they paid for it is to search wake.gov.  (shut up, you know you do it and don't try to lie) So, we all know WAY more about each other via social media and big brother than ever.  It's the age of transparency.  And you know what.  I LOVE IT.

No, I don't want to hear about who's breaking up and the drama surrounding it. (No young friends, this does NOT change the older you get.)  Don't need to see the overly graphic pics of your especially frightening labor.  (No lie, one friend went.too.far).  And the gratuitous selfies can be excessive.  (We can tell you look great without the everyday workout pic).

What I do love is knowing I am not alone!  This crazy, bizarre, who could have ever imagined life is shared with others.  I am not the only one!  Why did no one ever talk about this before now?  Bad manners?  I'm sorry the information that boys ARE going to think that walking around naked shaking their manhood on a regular basis IS something I would like to mentally prepare for.  A huge mommy fist bump to the ladies who are not hiding those little bums from the shame of "the book of faces."  Instead of a like button, we need a "OMG, ME TOO!" selection.

So, to wrap this up, if you area a judgmental quasi friend who is already talking about how I can't do anything correctly in the first place...I guess you might be getting more ammo soon because I feel the need to pick up this little outlet and "memory" book of mine.

As for the, "what if your kids read this one day and are mad an embarrassed?"  Seriously?  Was I not embarrassed the time you HAD to GO at an outdoor picnic with numerous friends and dropped trough and relieved yourself?  Was I not furious to leave a restaurant full of people because being two (or three, or four..) is HARD.  I'm sorry, that is just CRAZY!  This is real people.  We have tons and tons of great memories.  But the ones we laugh so hard we cry at are the ones that began in the most dire of circumstances.  So, back to writing them I hopefully will go.

What Sutton is Like at Two

 Sutton is weighing in at about 26lbs these days.  I've got the height records...somewhere but I remember it was exactly average and where he should be.  His ear tubes have fallen out..boo...and since has had two ear infections, one particularly bad.

Honestly, Sutton does not speak many words.  The ones he uses daily are: Ma, Da, show, O! (for Special Agent Oso), cup, please, hat, toes, side (for outside..find this funny because at this age Moses would say out and not side, ball, dog, stuck, shoes, cheese, Ga, Pa, and mine.  There are a few others but these are the ones hear often.  He will put a few of them together like, "Dog uh uh uh ball." or "Ball, mine.  Cup, mine.  Bowl, Mine."

 We spoke to the doctor about this.  He is not really that worried.  Sutton's comprehension is off the charts.  He even listens to what I tell him which is a big deal.  So that is not an issue.  This particular doctor does have a speech problem so I know he is giving me good advice to wait.  He has really come a long way in the last few weeks.  His brother taught him butt and poop.  Awesome.

Sutton is a studier.  He takes his time to see how things work.  He loves to play outside and with balls.  He also loves anything that he can make go.  It has to be said his best toy is his brother.  They play for a long time!

Sutton is still an amazing snuggler.  Sit on the couch and he'll plop in your lap.  Lying down?  Open your arms and he'll climb  in too.  He'll pat your face, give you a hug and just love you to pieces. Our little lover boy is the best.

Sutton is also our little Monkey.  A climber all the time.  He knows no fear!  He loves a playground and can conquer most anything they have.  He likes to go up and down constantly.

Our little bug has gotten to be a little pickier about what he will eat.  But when he loves something it is all out!  Eggo Nuitragrain Waffles, he'll eat six for breakfast followed by a pbj, fruit, and cheese stick for lunch.  Dinner has been a struggle.  He doesn't like large pieces of meat like chicken so that makes things more difficult.  Also, what he likes Moses doesn't and what Moses likes he won't eat.  Cooking for this fam is HARD.

Sutton has hit the terrible twos with gusto.  He wants what he wants.  He can throw a fit with the best of them.  I completely forgot about the "twos."  He uses the cute thing to his complete advantage.

We love our Little Bug, Sut, Sutton Bug, Buddy, etc.  Can't imagine a day without him!

Joelle Gets Married!

 It was wedding time!  I feel like Jo's engagement flew by and all of a sudden we were at her wedding weekend.  We started off with a Bridesmaids Luncheon at the Oceanic.  So yummy and fabulous.  It was great to sit, joke, and laugh.  And of course Mag's question "what about the gift?" was priceless.  She was referring to the gift to the groom, everyone else thought it was about the bridesmaids gift.  Made for lots of laughing.  Our REAl gift was the fab new gold hobo clutch wallet with some goodies inside.  It was like Oprah's favorite things..."And YOU get a bag and YOU get a bag!!  Wait!  Stop!  Look in that bag....Earrings!  Now everyone squeal!"  Seriously, it felt like that!

 Here are Erin and I at the Rehearsal Dinner and party.  Everything went so smoothly!  I mean Joelle is the world's best bridesmaid so I never had my doubts.  Erin and I did a cute toast together filling Andrew in on all things MC03.  You just had to experience.

More fabulousness?  The hair and makeup folks.  I mean Erin and I showed up with Pinterest photos and they looked at them briefly and said, "ok! we got that"  And Oh my word they did.  Fantastic guys.  We enjoyed having them at our little getting ready party.

Jo, had so many details planned.  Her cutie hanger, amazing but comfortable shoes, monogrammed jumper that wasn't over the top but chic, oh and mimosas.  Had to have them with some chicken salad pre wedding time.

 Joelle had us all pick a dress in a sky blue.  They were not to be the same and non game from the same designer and she wanted us to pick a dress we liked and looked good in.  It worked out so well!  Helped we had the best little bride picking out everything else!  Check out those bouquets!

 The wedding itself was perfect.  Joelle's father not only walked her down the aisle, but also officiated part of the ceremony.  It made everything so special.  I managed to hold it together very well.  No mascara streaks.

Another plus?  After some great boogieing on the dance floor, Trolley Stop hot dogs were served.  These two were delighted to stuff their faces.

Jo's twin nieces were flower girls and they were the cutest!  At the church they asked where the "ringmaster" was.  Also during getting ready they asked what Aunt Jojo was going to do on their honeymoon.  Cuteness and adult laughter everywhere.

 Then it was time to run!  We waved our respective NC or SC flags as they ran out.  The long sidewalk from the Yacht Club to the awaiting getaway rickshaw.

Congratulation Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Baysden.  I have never ever seen sweet Jo so happy in all my life.  Their first dance song, Home, was perfect.  "home is wherever I'm with you"  Cheers!