This morning we participated in one of my favorite events that Columbia does every year. We have a really great St. Patrick’s Day celebration in 5 Points (an area of Columbia, for those that aren’t familiar). We used to live really close to this area, but since selling our house we’re a little farther away now.

But it’s still fun to go down for all the festivities. Our favorite part of the celebration is the parade. It’s a small parade, but it’s very family-friendly, and it runs down my favorite street in town.

We all put on our green this morning and headed to meet some friends at the parade.

 

Hayes did a lot of running around, but he had his moments where he would sit and watch. I told him to sit down, so he did, but he didn’t realize he was facing the wrong direction.

 

Hudson was really into asking for candy and beads.

 

Ainsley and sweet little Oliver. Ainsley’s other son, John, is Hudson’s best little friend.

 

Hudson and John are pretty much inseparable. It was fun watching the parade with them today!

 

Hayes would have been content to march in the parade with everyone else, but I think he’ll have to wait a few years for that.

I love looking back through my blog at all the years we’ve gone to the parade. You can see the 2010, 2011, and 2012 parades.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day weekend!

I wanted to give a big, huge THANK YOU to everyone who linked up for Build ‘Em Up, and to all of you who read the posts and left encouraging comments. I absolutely loved reading all of the posts and I’m already looking forward to the next installment. You’ve all encouraged me so much.

Once again, I’ve let the posting on my blog slide. But life is just full right now. Full of fun, obligation, beautiful weather, singing songs, speech therapy, Bible study, and playing soccer in the backyard.

Here are some pictures from around here lately!

Grandparents Day at school was a couple of weeks ago, so KK came in town for that. She got into town around the boys’ bedtime, so we let them stay up to wait for her. We ended up ignoring bedtime for a long time because they were all just having so much fun!

We celebrated Todd’s 33rd birthday on February 26. His parents and Nana went with us to a Japanese steak house. Sweet Hudson loved celebrating his daddy’s birthday.

A very rare picture of the four of us!

At Grandparents Day at school, the 3, 4, and 5 year olds did a little music presentation for the parents and grandparents. It was so cute! In this picture they are singing the “Baby Shark” song. Hudson is in the middle in a blue shirt (and his watch that he loves so much) screaming his little head off!

My dad wasn’t able to make it for Grandparents Day but he came back the next week with my mom. But RC, Nana, KK and PC were all there for Hudson and Hayes’s Grandparents Day celebrations!

And even Hayes’s class did a little something for Grandparents Day. My boys absolutely adore their grandparents. I think nothing would make them happier- not even dinosaurs, milkshakes or Lightning McQueen- than being with their grandparents all day, every day.

We’ve been attending a lot of baseball games lately. Todd’s firm has a suite/box for the games, and every few games we’re able to attend. We have loved having our friends and their kids join us for games. And Cocky has even stopped by to say hello!

Todd’s parents took us all to the circus last weekend. Todd’s dad is friends with one of the veterinarians for the circus, so we were able to go behind the scenes so Hudson and Hayes could see some of the animals. Hudson wasn’t so sure about this sweet little pony.

But both boys loved the circus and had the best time!

We’re looking forward to a great weekend celebrating Nana’s 91st birthday and attending some of the St. Patrick’s Day festivities here!

1. We are officially all set to start the building process on our house. Officially! We moved out of our house in November and moved in with Nana, and really never imagined that this is the decision we would come to, but we’re so excited! If all goes well, we’ll be in our house by September. Fingers crossed!

2. We told Hudson that we were building a house, and every single day he has asked if he can help. He wants to get bricks and tools and hammers and wood and get started. It’s so cute! I can’t wait for everything to get started so we can take him over there and he can start to understand a little bit.

3. Have you been watching The Bible on The History Channel? We’ve really enjoyed it. I know they’ve taken some creative liberties and they’ve left out some pretty big stuff, but I really like seeing so much of it come to life.

4. Hudson’s soccer season starts tomorrow. His practices are on Tuesday nights and then he has games on the weekends. I took him to buy cleats and shin guards yesterday, and he has been so excited to wear his “soccer shoes” every day since then. So many of his friends are on his team, and I know the whole thing is going to be so much fun for him.

5. The start of Daylight Savings Time is always bittersweet. I’m so excited about the longer days and being able to be outside with my boys more often. But the mornings and our schedule have just been thrown for such a loop. I know we’re not the only family struggling with this. It has been nice for our boys to sleep until 8:30 in the morning!

6. Celebrity Apprentice is back on. Todd and I love this show. We get such a kick out of these celebrities and most of the time find it to be really ridiculous, but we think the challenges are fun.

7. I started doing Pure Barre about a month ago. My schedule has been so crazy in the mornings that I haven’t been able to go consistently, but I really love it when I can go. I try to go on the mornings that both boys are in school. Have you tried it?

8. I’m planning a joint birthday party for Hudson and Hayes. Their birthdays are exactly one month apart and I just thought it would be easiest on all the attendees and on us (since we’ll be having it at Todd’s parents’ house) to just have on big party. Have you ever done a joint birthday party for siblings?

8. Don’t forget that the Build ‘Em Up link up starts tomorrow, and the topic is “Bringing Faith to Life.” I know that we are all so excited for you all to share your hearts and your experiences and link up so we can all encourage each other! (There will be a button you can grab from our blogs tomorrow morning.)

 

Oh my goodness, have I got a giveaway for y’all today!

Just recently I was introduced to Scribble Linens.

The chalkboard craze has just taken over and it’s all over blogs and Pinterest and our playrooms, kitchens, and even our refrigerators.

Well a sweet girl in Dallas has come up with the most amazing idea to have Scribble Linens.

These chalkboard inspired linens come in coasters, place mats, table runners and table toppers.

They come in place mats… which are perfect for kids and for adults! I know my boys LOVE this, but I would also love using them for a dinner party with friends.

They come in table runners, too. This would be adorable at any kind of party or shower.

And the table cloth. We love game nights and this would just make it even more fun.

They’re the most adorable idea for leave a letter for Santa. Just the cutest thing!

You can choose from different patterns and fabrics.

Today, I’m giving away TWO $75 credits to Scribble Linens.

So what are you waiting for? Just leave a comment to enter and tell me which product is your favorite!