Our busiest month of the year!

September is a doozy for us each year.  With boo-coos of birthdays and getting used to new schedules, there isn't much time to slow down (or blog!).

Danny had to work on his actual birthday, so we celebrated the weekend before.

We went with his family out to Catfish Parlour.

Ruston assisted with the cake when we got back home. :)

And he practiced opening presents.

Danny and my mom actually have the same birthday.  She came over and Adam and I made her dinner that day.

She got flowers and kisses from Ruston.

Everybody dug in on the cake.

I've been cutting Ruston's hair at home after he falls asleep.  But with his birthday coming up, he needed to look presentable.

He did better than he had been! We still had to hold his head still, but he didn't hit anyone! :)

Ruston and I had a little "Mommy and me" date the day before his birthday.  I picked him up from Amy's and we headed to the movie theatre!  I was a little nervous taking him by myself, but he did SO good! We saw The Lion King in 3D!  He sat in his own chair most of the time.  I was impressed with how much he wore the glasses.  They were on and off the whole time, but it was definitely more than I thought it would be. He liked the movie and every time a commercial comes on the TV, he yells "a lion keeeeng!"

His actual birthday was a blast! After most of the guests left, we played in the driveway.

 He LOVES playing with Gigi, Pawpaw, Amanda and Dillon.

 "What's up?! You talkin' to me??"

 This boy belongs in the country... lol.  Practicing spitting with Dad. :)

 He's getting so fast!

Ruston's 2 year checkup went well.  He didn't like the Dr and nurses at first, but he warmed up to them.  He weighed in at 25 pounds 12 ounces (25%) and was 34 inches (45%) long.

We got him a little Lightening McQueen couch for his birthday.  It folds out into a little bed and even has a sleeping bag attached for a blanket.  Dillon got him a Mater pillow-pet type pillow that he uses with it.

He uses it for watching TV and sometimes even naptime!

Last weekend we went out for dinner to celebrate Pawpaw's birthday.  But Pawpaw couldn't make it! haha.  We decided to go anyway and Ruston was such a big boy.  We took a Cars coloring book that Baby Blythe got him for his birthday.  It comes with special markers that only color on the book.  He colored and sat in his spot the whole time.  I was so proud of him. 

Adam got him a Mater lawnmower that blows bubbles for his birthday.  When Danny went out to mow the yard, Ruston went out to help!

He would push it as hard as he could up the driveway...

...and then get distracted by all the bubbles. :)

Hopefully our lives will slow down just a smidge now! :)

It's gonna be a Tough One...

I just started my 6th year teaching.  And let me tell you, it's started off a little rocky.  Class sizes are bigger, resources are not as accessible, teaching time is shorter, schedules are not sticking, and stress levels are higher.  I'm in for an interesting year. :)  I'm sure it will get better, just a lot of new things to get used to.  I really do have some sweet kiddos, but I've got more than usual that don't mind testing my patience.  I can definitely handle the occasional behavior problem.  But I'm really at a loss when it comes to complete disobedience.  I've honestly never had a child just flat out ignore me and do whatever they please.  Unfortunately, I have multiple students that are starting the year off with this behavior.  Sheesh.  I just feel completely overwhelmed right now and am extremely thankful for this much needed 3 day weekend.  

OK, vent session over.  Things are not all bad. I mean, I do get to come home and cuddle with this guy. :)

Ruston's first day back at Mother's Day Out was the same as my first day. I was sad that I didn't get to take him.  He has a new teacher that I haven't met.  Gigi gave him a good breakfast that morning!

 He's so in to wearing his backpack right now.  He's ready for school!

Last Saturday, we went over to Meemaw's house for Tyler's birthday party.  He had a Pirate themed party!

  I loved the different accessories everyone wore.   McKenzie was a Pirate Princess, and check out Meemaw's mask!! :)

 I was so glad Danny got to come with us.  I even convinced him to wear an eye patch. haha

 Tyler had such a cool cupcake cake.  I love cupcakes.  I think they are just the right amount of cake. :)

 Tyler wanted to play a game he saw on Minute to Win It.  You put a popsicle stick in your mouth and then you have a minute to stack 6 dice on the end of it.  You have to hold them there for a few seconds to get the point.  I think only 4 out of like 15 of us could actually do it! (I was not one of those four - and I even tried to practice before hand! lol)

 This boy is making so many goofy faces lately.  And if you laugh, he won't stop. :)

 Ruston loves playing with Collin.  He talks about her all the time.  Sometimes on weekends, he'll randomly say "Play Collin?"

Later that evening, we went to Justin and Kristen's house for dinner.  Ruston got some more playtime with McKenzie.  He thinks she is just the coolest thing ever.  He followed her around in circles and had a little dance party with her in the living room. :)

 McKenzie was very interested in Blythe.  She was all smiles when she got to hold her.  Ruston clearly has no idea how to act when he's not the center of attention.  He was posing so awkwardly for this picture! haha

This past Tuesday was Kathie and Dillon's birthday.  I promised him I wouldn't put this picture on Facebook, but I never agreed to not posting on the blog.  Hey, it's all about the memories, right?!?

Lately...

we've been Busy Bees! I haven't really pulled my camera out in forever, so these are all from my phone!

 I've pretty much just been hangin' out with this guy...enjoying our last couple weeks together.

We went over to my Mom's house a couple weeks ago and Ruston recruited Adam to draw his pictures.

 He enjoyed the laughs he got when he tried on Grandma's glasses too!

My good friend, Kristen, opened a little shop in Taylor.  It's called The Rhinestone Cowgirl and has the cutest clothing and accessories.  Lauri and I went by on our lunch break for the Grand Opening.  The store is seriously so cute and the clothes are great.  Priced well too! :)

Saoirse left last week. :(  She's in Virginia with her Dad to go to school.  She had a little shindig last Saturday.  We stopped by for a while and had some good girl time on the swing. :)

 Ruston had a blast playing with Logan on the playscape.  He loves the slide.  Look what else we caught him doing!! He likes the older women already. ;)

 He was SO tired on the way home.  He wanted a snack, but he kept dozing off while eating! haha

Back to school training started last week.  Sheesh, this summer flew by.  Monday was Ruston's first day back at Amy's.  He looks like such a big boy compared to his first day last year!

He was in major need of a haircut, so I busted out the scissors after he fell asleep.  He's got a couple questionable spots, but for the most part, it turned out OK.

Wednesday he turned 23 months old.  How is that even possible?? I can't believe he will be 2 in only a short month.  (Which reminds me, I need to get going on his party!!)

 We had pizza and "happy cakes" for dinner to celebrate. :)

In the past month or so, Ruston has really gotten attached to his lovey.  He calls it "bear" or "blankey."  

This weekend, we headed to College Station because Danny was on duty.  When he got off Saturday, we took Ruston to the airport.  They didn't have many planes out, but we did get to see one land.  Ruston loves planes, just like his Daddy.

Before we left today, we ate some Wings-n-More.  I'm pretty sure all Ruston ate was ketchup. :)  He dips his fry in the ketchup and then licks it off and dips again.

We're staying at my Dad's tonight so I can go to bootcamp in the morning.  Although, with each passing minute, sleeping in sounds better. ha! I'll probably just run on the treadmill. :) He's been having all kinds of fun playing airplanes with Pops.

And now he's playing ball with Andrew.  I don't think sleep is in my near future. :)