Groceries

I am a planner - so I make my "menu" for the week and then write my grocery list accordingly...and other than selecting fresh fruit and a few on-sale snacks, I only buy what is on my list.

Avery and Griffin both love to go to the grocery store with me but I prefer to take just one of them...so I alternate whose turn it is each week. The highlights of their trips to Harris Teeter are the mini grocery carts, a balloon, a cookie, and maybe a ride on Harry the Happy Dragon.

On Avery's weeks, she normally dresses up in a princess dress and thrives off all of the comments people make about how beautiful she is. She also likes to carry her own "list" - which is normally just a blank piece of paper...but today she wanted to make her own list...it made me laugh out loud so I thought I'd share it with you...

"cookie"

Four Months

Graham turned 4 months old exactly one week ago...but didn't have his appointment until today. He weighed in at a whopping 15 lbs, 3 oz; length was 25 inches; head was 42.5 cm. (all numbers were roughly in the 50 %). I got out the other kids baby books just for kicks - avery was only 12 lbs, 5 oz at 4 months and 15 lbs 8 oz at 8 months!!! griffin was 14 lbs 6 oz at 4 months. So Graham is our biggest so far - but he started out a full pound ahead of the others!

Graham remains a very happy and smiley baby. He doesn't have the typical dinner time/evening fussy time that our others had. He loves his playmat, likes the bouncy chair, and tolerates the swing! I am about to get the exersaucer out and a jumper for the door. Graham prefers to be upright when held so I think he will love those new activities.

As far as sleeping goes....he was doing well until he hit a growth spurt at 3 1/2 months! Then we went back to eating every 2 hours around the clock for 5 full days! ARG! We have had a little sleep training going on in the Parnell household this week so I think we are about back to sleeping all night again! He has done great with naps. I un-elevated his bed, took his sleep positioner out, and stopped swaddling him this week - and he's done great. He normally rolls up on his side to fall asleep.

Graham started rolling onto his back about a month ago and figured out how to roll onto his belly just last week. He only tolerates tummy time for 7-8 minutes but is getting better.

Graham still eats every 3 hours and naps at least 4-5 times/day. I think once school starts I will switch Graham over to a 4 hour feeding schedule and attempt just 3 naps/day. I am planning on holding off on rice cereal/baby food for about another month - I hate baby food!!!

Avery and Griffin continue to be enthralled with their baby brother. Avery still loves to hold Graham, sings to him when he cries, and is the best pacy helper every, especially in the car. Recently, Griffin has started telling every person he sees that , "this is my friend baby graham." Too cute! Griffin is my official diaper thrower-awayer! He always says, "is it wet or poopy?" but takes it to the trash regardless of the answer!

Time is flying... but we're having fun!

Griffin's Birthday

just click the picture to see the video!

Hosanna Rock

just click the picture to see the video!

ATL - Day 4

On Friday morning, Lauren, Lindsay, and I took our kids to a place called Southern Prep. I think its a place that has competition cheer squads and dance teams...but during the day, they have "open play" times. Lots of climbing, trampolines, gymnastics equipment, and a foam pit. The kids had a ball - and it was a perfect spot because they could go from thing to thing and run wild - all while being contained!

Lauren, Lindsay, and I have been friends literally since birth. We were in playgroups together and then onto preschool together...and eventually off to Samford together. It was really fun to get to spend some time with them...and to spend time with their precious children. It is really fun for us to see our kids play together!

avery& griffin, bryson (lindsay's), reese & hadley (lauren's)

this was avery's favorite activity!

the babies!

practicing her balance

and his balance!

ATL - Day 2

We've had a busy week here in ATL...

On Wednesday, the kids and I met a dear old friend named Ashley Alvarado Cannan for lunch at chicken-fil-a. Ashley is a friend and mentor from my college days. And I hadn't see her in about 5 years! Since then, we have both lived in multiple states and entered the world of motherhood. It was soooo good just to see her and spend a little time catching up. I wish I lived closer so we could do that more frequently!

After naps, we packed up the Volvo and headed out to my brother Peyton's house. He and his wife Ann moved to a new house in June so I was anxious to see it and to visit with them. Ann cooked us a delicious dinner and we just spent the afternoon/evening hanging out. Addie and Avery are great buds so they were thrilled to get to play together! I think they played dress-up and mommy/baby for several hours. Griffin just ran around wild and tackled big daddy!

all dressed up and ready to play!

i guess its better that the G-man is dressed like a bug instead of a princess this time!

Ann and Saeran

Trip to ATL - Day 1

The kids and I headed to ATL Monday to spend the week with my parents. We made the 6 hour trip in about 7 1/2 hours, thanks to mr graham...I ended up stopping 4 times for him! The older kids were wonderful though.

Tuesday we met up with one of my friends of old - Kelly Turner Cavin. She currently lives in Birmingham and just had her 3rd child. We got to do a little catching up while watching all our kids play outside. We had lunch and then headed home for naps...

griffin, hot and sweaty in the sand

enjoying lunch - seth, dakota, avery, griffin

Nina arrived home just as the kids were waking up from naps so we headed out to the pool. Avery swam across the pool by herself multiple times and was so excited. She swam better than she ever has. Griffin enjoyed dumping water over Big Daddy's head and splashing him in the face! And Nina held Graham as he had his first "swimming" experience.

cooling off with some popsicles

loving kicking in the water

After dinner we played outside - the kids drove the little tractor and played on the trampoline. I think they are officially pooped! I really enjoyed having some different activities to entertain them with - its a good break from our "normals."

john deere

Their Father's Genes

For those of you who have ever done any physical activity with Brent or even if you've just stood outside with him on a humid day, you know he has an amazing ability to sweat!!! I've never seen anything like it....

And I am 100% positive he's passed this on to our children!! We went on a long walk yesterday evening and here are the results...

Play Date

We had 4 families that we dearly love over to play this morning. (11 kids, 5 adults!) We played inside for a while and then headed to the backyard. Thankfully, we have a good bit of shade so it was hot, but not unbearable. Popsicles and the baby pool kept the kids cool. Everyone brought their lunchbox so we had a picnic before heading separate ways for naps...

putting - griffin style!

avery's rainbow (did you know that crayola just came out with washable crayons made for dry erase boards? great invention!)
griffin and ellie in the pool

We had fun friends!

Hiding Spots

Gotta love playing hide and seek with a 2 year old!!!

Movie Night???

We've had so much HEAT this past month that I am out of entertaining options!! So this morning, we had movie night!! Yes, this is usually our friday night activity....but we needed an activity this morning so we made popcorn and watched Tarzan. Kids enjoyed it!

enjoying their "cockcorn"

focused on their movie!

of course, I had to include a picture of this little guy!

Rice and Bean Burritos

Here is a recipe from my sister-in-law Hannah. Its vegetarian, healthy, very filling and tasty!

Rice and Bean Burritos

1 box spanish rice mix
2 tsp butter
2 cups water
1 cup salsa
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can corn
flour tortillas
cheese and sour cream for garnish

Brown the rice in the butter.

Add diced tomatoes (undrained), salsa, and 2 cups water. Stir together and bring to a boil.

Reduce and heat. Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes until rice is tender.

Add the kidney beans, corn, and seasoning packet from the rice mix (which mine didn't have). Stir together and cook for 2 minutes or so, just until beans and corn are heated.

Remove from heat. Spoon onto warm flour tortillas and top with cheese, sour cream, or whatever else you'd like!