Friday Funnies

Nate talked about kites one day at school, which led to a discussion about the beach when I picked him up.
N: Mommy, I want to go back to the beach so I can fly a kite!
Me: Well, it’s pretty far away sweetie.
N: Maybe we can find a beach here?
Me: Ok.
N: It’s gonna be tricky Mommy. You have to look hard.

On the way to the Hands On Museum, Nate saw a teenager walking his dog...
N: Mommy, you know, dogs poop outside and their parents clean it up.
Me: Yep, that’s what parents do. I cleaned up your poop when you were little, and I clean up Abby’s now.
N: That’s gross.
Me: Yes, it is. But one day you will do it for your kids.
N: No I’m not.
Me: Well then who will do it?
N: That’s gonna be you!
Me: I don’t think so. What if I’m too old to change diapers?
N: No!!!! You have to do it forever!

4 Year Check-Up

Today we had Nate's 4 year check-up (a few weeks late). I was nervous about going to a new pediatrician, but we were lucky to be able to use the University Medical Center at UA since Greg is faculty. The only downside was that since it's attached to the Med School, it's a "learning" hospital and the appointments take twice as long, since they're letting a med student do the first round.

On a positive note, Nate answered all the questions as though he was 10 years old. Seriously, this kid amazes me sometimes. What is your favorite color? Do you sleep in your own bed at night? Can you brush your teeth? Do you have any chores? What are you learning at school? What is your favorite food? Do you like to drink milk? What chores do you do? Do you like to draw? Do you wear your seatbelt? Have you ever talked to a stranger? What time do you go to bed? What games do you play with your friends? Seriously, they gave him the 3rd degree and he answered like a champ. For the first time, HE did most of the talking at the appt, instead of me! (When did he get so old!?) The only things that tripped him up were: 1) naming the color of the exam table (white) and 2) drawing the "e" on his name....yes, "e's" are tricky for him. I was super proud of him for answering the 100 questions not once, but twice. Then we had flu shots and he was, again, a champ. Abby was a different story, but we won't get into that! :)

4 year stats:
35 lbs (40th percentile)
40.2 inches (45th percentile)

Overall, the appointment took over 2 hrs, and Nate did a great job entertaining his little sister. Playing on the spinny chair, feeding her goldfish, reading her books, hiding Tweety bird....he is such a great big bro; Abby (and me!) are so lucky!!

Sidenote:
Nate came home from school today with this picture, and I think it's too cute not to share. He thought of it/drew it all by himself!

Let me explain, from left to right...
A garage
Our house
A swimming pool
Him, about to jump in the pool
And a moon above the pool
TOO CUTE!! :)

ROLL TIDE

We officially became members of "T-Town" today...and it's a great feeling! I love how this community takes the words "TEAM SPIRIT" to a whole.new.level.

Today was the first home football game of the season for UA. Even though we didn't have tickets to the game vs. Kent State, we had been told that these fans make tailgating the main event anyways. They weren't kidding!

Greg saw tents being set up Friday afternoon on the quad, and RV's starting the line the streets leading up to & surrounding the stadium. It seriously is quite the spectacle. Some of the set-ups were quite elaborate...surround sound, massive flat screen tv's, fans, catering, and oh yes - I saw one canopy that had a wrought iron chandelier. Not kidding! From what we've heard, these PRIMO spots on the quad go for top-dollar every year, and we can see why!

During an early morning run today on the quad, I got goosebumps...just seeing so many people out & about already, excited for the game, already sitting under their tents, eating, throwing footballs, etc. Parking attendants were out, Alabama jerseys were already on. Oh and did I mention this was at 6:30 am??? (The game started at 11:30 am). Craziness I tell ya! But I really do love it. You could just feel the excitement in the air.

One of the perks of Greg's job is that we get a free parking pass for games (holla!) and get to attend a catered tailgate party at the Business College that starts 3 hrs before every home game. Today's menu was brunch complete with omelets, grits, biscuits, cinnamon rolls, yogurt parfaits, and the kids fave - bacon!

We grubbed and then headed to the quad to see all the action. It is quite a spectacle and these pictures do NOT do it justice!



On the far end of the quad was the Kids Zone...lots of food vendors, games, and about 10 or more bouncy castles!! The kids had a ball despite the heat, and it was hard to tear them away from it after a few hours.







Since we *clearly* need some more UA gear to fit in around here, we headed to the Student Stores on campus to load up. Unfortunately, we didn't really find the sizes we needed, but at least our little cheerleeder had fun.

Before heading home to watch the game, we let the kids run around in the fountains outside the Student Stores. What's more fun that getting wet when it's almost 100 degrees outside at 11 am!?



SIDENOTE: I wanted to give a shout-out to my friend, Kathleen Simmons, for making Abby Reece's cute dress! I got soooo many compliments on it today.

Kathleen is super talented and can make especially cute sports stuff for your kiddos! Check out her Little Hipsters page on Facebook. Love ya Duff!!

Mr. Mom

I have to brag on my husband for a minute!!

I was out of town this weekend, on a much needed girls trip with an awesome girlfriend (love you H!)....and Greg took on the role of "Mr. Mom" without any complaining. In fact, he encouraged me to go. I'm lucky to have such a wonderful & "hands-on" Daddy for a husband!!

I left early Saturday morning and came home during naps today (during which I might add, all THREE of them were napping)! :) They conquered grocery shopping at both Wal-mart AND Sam's, played frisbee & took a walk on the quad, had a home-cooked meal & went for ice cream last night, and even went to church this morning. I'm telling you, I married a good man.


Thank you, Greg, for all you do for us!!

Friday Funnies

From time to time, I will be doing a “Friday Funnies” post...just funny things the kids say during the week, that I’m able to write down when I have a post-it nearby! I have a feeling Abby will be contributing to these soon, since she is such a chatterbox these days! But for now, these are Nate’s “funnies.” Enjoy!

I got in the car after pumping gas, and put some hand sanitizer on my hands.
N: Mommy, I want some.
Me: No babe, I touched the dirty gas pumps so I had to use some soap. Your hands are clean.
N: Well, I’ve been picking my nose all day!

Driving N to school one morning, he saw a stray cat on the side of the road.
N: Mommy, you know, cats are really smart.
Me: Oh yeah? What about dogs?
N: Only the big dogs. Little ones aren’t smart.
Me: Oh really? How do you know?
N: I know a lot about dogs. They’re on TV.

Aunt Gena sent Nate an awesome bday present – a Spiderman costume, complete with built-in muscles! When he put it on and looked in the mirror, he said “I can’t believe myself!!!”

Greg & Nate were playing hoops in the backyard, and needless to say, they are both a little rusty! :) Greg shot an airball, and Nate screams, “AIRBAG!!!!”

Celebrating Nate

Friday, I took Spiderman cupcakes to Nate's class at snacktime, to celebrate his birthday with his classmates. He lit up when I entered the room and was so excited to have me there and show me off! :) He had on a birthday crown & sticker, and everyone sang him "Happy Birthday"...his teachers did such a great job of making him feel special. He introduced me to the kids at his table, and loved showing me his cubbie, spot on the carpet, and chair pocket full of supplies. He loves his school!! (Sidenote: I got asked to be "Room Mom" and I can't wait!!)


Saturday morning, I cooked Nate his favorite breakfast - chocolate chip pancakes and sausage!

He opened a few cards and presents, and by far his favorite was the remote control Lightning McQueen from Uncle Kevin! (I love Abby's face in this picture - she was as thrilled as him!)

That morning, we headed to the Children's Hands-On Museum downtown, and were the first ones there :) It is such a great place! Thanks to Mum-Mum & Granddaddy, we have a year membership, so we will be going there often. There was so much to do and not enough time before lunch. So we are excited to go back soon and try out more of the exhibits.

Trying on silly hats & practicing his letters in the "classroom"

Of course, Abby gravitated towards the tea set in "Grandmother's Attic"

Nate HATED this....cried until we let him out. The fan blows all the balls up in the air and you try to catch them. Abby, on the other hand, loved it and laughed her head off. Go figure.

Nate would not stop talking about this computer after he came here last week with Mum Mum & Granddaddy. He loved drawing designs on it!

This is Office Nathan's MEAN FACE:

Abby's favorite thing - you hit the buttons and it made animal noises. She would squeal each time!

Of course, no visit is complete without a few trips down the slide...

After wearing ourselves out at CHOM, we headed to Toys R Us to let Nate pick out one present for his birthday (yeah, we are cool parents like that). He came away with a Spiderman webshooter and has not put it down since. He even rushed through his lunch at McDonald's and hardly played on the playground, just so we could get home and play with his webshooter. Hilarious!

We topped off the day by attending a "Summer Social" in the neighborhood. Once again, it appears as though we are going to have an awesome neighborhood....we sure know how to pick 'em! It was about 8 houses over, so we loaded up the kids & the wagon and headed over. Both kids - though not in their swimsuits - decided to get soaking wet in the kiddie pool about 3 minutes after being there. They both made a few new friends, as did Greg and I! It is crazy how many people in this neighborhood work for UA. We had hoped to stay for the cookout, but Nate insisted on leaving because the "bugs were attacking him." Yes, that's my son....afraid of flies. They were both nasty from sand/bubbles/pool though, so we went home for early baths and then had an impromptu pizza dinner. What a day!

Happy 4th Birthday, Nate!!

***DISCLAIMER: Please bear with me....my baby boy is turning 4 today and I'm one of those moms that recounts their kids' birth stories every year on their birthday. Gosh, I'm turning into my mother! (No offense, Nanny!!)

Four years ago today, my sweet baby boy was born! I had been having pretty bad back pains/contractions for two days, and was given the option to be admitted to the hospital on Friday at my 39 week appointment, since I was 4 cm dilated. For some reason, I said no and continued to labor all through the weekend. By Monday, I couldn't take it anymore and went in to be "checked" at the doctor’s office - why I did not go straight to the hospital, I'm not sure. But I just had a hard time timing my contractions and didn't want it to be false labor. The doctor checked me and I was 5 1/2 cm (!), so we went straight to the hospital. I was admitted at 3:30 pm, sent Greg home for my bag, made a few phone calls to family, and endured some pretty intense contractions until I got my epidurals at 5:30. It was smooth sailing from there, and I started "pushing" at 8:15 pm. By 9:40 pm, Nathan Eric Givens was born!! He weighed 8 lbs 5 oz and was perfect!

He was then, and continues to be the love of my life. I could not ask for a better son! Nate is such a gentle spirit, and takes every opportunity he can to “spoon” with me or say "I love you," which is pretty rare for a 4 year old. He’s so intuitive, hilarious, thoughtful, and kind-hearted….I just cannot say enough good things about him. He loves his little sister something fierce (as long as she’s not playing with his toys), and already seems very overprotective of her, which I just adore about him. He's got such a contagious smile and I feel lucky to have him in my life. Happy 4th birthday to my sweet angel boy…. I love you, Nate the Great!

And now, for a stroll down memory lane...

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

We have a FULL day planned to celebrate our little man's birthday....be sure to check back tomorrow for a full report (with pictures of course)!