Go Heels!

First off, we are so excited that the UNC Tarheels are going to the Final Four!!! Go Heels! Kingston wore his nearly too small UNC T-shirt for one of it's final times. He is growing like a weed! I couldn't get over how cute he looked in his shorts and T-shirt. Bring on the warm weather!

We also like to play with parts of the vacuum. But that's another story.

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Kingston got a new toy from one of our faithful blog readers, who happens to be one of Nana's really good friends. Thanks, Mrs. Kathy! Kingston has already cut the backyard! He at first thought it was a ride-on. . .

but he figured out how to make it work!

I like a man who isn't afraid of a lawnmower. Especially one who looks really cute using it!

Right On Target

Nana, Kingston and I went on an exciting adventure today. We went to Target! For those who don't know, we live at least an hour from the nearest Target. That is both a good and a bad thing. I love Target, and I find it to be very affordable. I don't, however, need a Target close enough for me to go to every day and spend a bunch of money I don't have!

I am very excited to announce that I am going to the Big City at the end of the month! (This is big news for a girl who doesn't even get to shop at Target on the regular!) I am going to New York City with 6 other girls for a long weekend. I could not possibly be more excited about this trip. It will be my first weekend out of town without Kingston, and Nigel's first weekend at home alone with him, so we will all be out of our comfort zone a bit. I'm looking forward to it. Of the 6 girls going, one is a friend whom I have been friends with since I was about 3 years old. I know 2 of the other girls through this friend, but haven't spent much time with them socially. I've never even met any of the other girls. It should be an interesting trip. I'll describe my upcoming trip in more detail another time. This post is more about our trip to Target and what we purchased.

The reason I brought up the trip in the first place is because I had to do some shopping today in preparation for said trip. I needed new underwear. If I am sharing a room with a few strangers, I could not possibly let them see the rags I've been wearing for the past few years! I am still wearing the parachute-like drawers that I wore while pregnant! If you saw me when I was sporting the extra 55 pounds that I gained while preganant, I hope you will wonder how I can now even keep those underwear on my body! So I got some new ones. I still need to get some new bras but I have decided to go somewhere where they actually help you with your fit instead of continuing to buy the wrong size. Wish me luck on that one.

We shopped for more than just undergarments today. Since Kingston and I have been venturing into the backyard on every warm day that comes our way, I decided we should look into getting some backyard toys. Target didn't really have a whole lot to offer in that department, but we did find a really cute sand/water/picnic table that Nana purchased for us. Thanks, Nana! We can't wait to play outside when it warms up!

Kingston "helped" us put the table together tonight. Between slipping all over the seat while we were trying to assemble it and then climbing on top of it before it was finished, let's just say it took a bit longer than expected, but we finished it. Oh, Able "helped" put it together, too. Another really helpful helper.

This last shot is showing how tired and worn out all of the day's shopping and building made Kingston. He is in bed now. I'll admit-I'm not far behind him!

Gently Used

More new (to Kingston) toys! The neighbors were having a yard sale. And they happen to have 2 small boys. Uh, oh!

Look what we came home with. . .

Obviously it was a big hit! So much so that there was a bit of fussing when the train ride was over. Come on, Dad! What do you mean your back is hurting? Keep pushing!

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We just got home from our Portrait Party with Brooke Mayo! It was so much fun and I can't wait to see all of the participants' pictures! Lots of cute kids and good looking families! Some sand, water, bubble, chairs, wagons, lipstick. . . I'll share when I can! Thanks to all of my friends who played along and special thanks to Brooke who met me at the beach at 6:30 a.m. and frolicked with my guests until 10:30!!! AND she even had to photograph Grandpa Winston, who hates 1. sand and the beach, 2. public displays of affection, and 3. to have his picture taken. Good thing he is very fond of Kingston cause I think that is what sealed the deal! Can't wait to see pictures of my family.

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The surf is up today so we plan to see Dad sporadically, if at all, until the sun goes down! We hope he catches lots of good waves and gets a really good tube that will hold him over for a day or 2! You know the saying, "when Mama's happy, everybody's happy"? Well, in our household, when Daddy gets good waves, everybody's happy! So we like it when Dad surfs. In fact, we encourage it. Go surf, Dad! Surf and be happy!

Wagons, Swings and Hand-Me-Downs

What a fun family Sunday!

Kingston and I finally put together the Radio Flyer wagon that Grandpa gave him for Christmas. As you can see, Kingston was a big help.

Once it was deemed structurally sound, we went to Farmer2Fork and grabbed some lunch on the go. We headed to the Hayman Street park and had a picnic in the grass!! Or, more accuratly, on the fuzzy blanket that Grandma from our local Thai restaurant, The Thai Room (go figure), gave us for a baby present. (Don't ask. We aren't really sure, either!)

After stuffing our faces with yummy empanadas and a chicken burrito, we loaded Kingston up and Nigel took him for a ride in his wagon! What fun!

There was a pit stop at the swing and the rock climing wall,

and then it was back in the wagon. This time for a faster ride since he was on his stomach with no fear of toppling out the back!

Tonight, while Nigel and I ate dinner, Kingston sat in his new chair toy with his new table toy in front of him while he watched a Baby Einstein movie. Can you say, "overstimulated?"! The new toys were hand-me-downs from Curren Breiholz and Kingston loves them. Thanks, Elaine! We love recycled toys.

The whole day was a big hit. Good food, good wagon, good toys, good family time. Happy Sunday!

Why Buy Toys. . .

When you can have so much fun with things around the house?

I had already folded all of the laundry but I was willing to let it go if he was entertaining himself for a few minutes! He was so proud of himself.And what baby doesn't want to play with a spoon? That entertained him for a good 30 minutes! And please notice a different basket of laundry next to him. I could get another load done while he was playing with the spoon!

I'm so excited to know that it doesn't really take a bunch of flashy, noisy, electronic toys to entertain Kingston. I just need to look around the house for a few more "toys" to add to his mix. Save us some money, save us some space in the living room. Perfect.

I love these discoveries! Kingston is keeping it real!