skytop orchard

This past Saturday we went to an apple orchard in North Carolina. We had heard a lot of good things about this particular orchard and decided to make the trip up. We were so glad we did. There were goats, ducks, hay rides, playgrounds, picnic areas, pumpkins, and of course apple picking. Our favorite was the hot apple cider donuts, so delicious! Marshall picked out two little pumpkins that he insisted on carrying into the apple orchard. He toted those pumpkins around the whole time. It was a great family memory and we plan to make it an annual tradition. That makes me so happy because apple picking and apple donuts are such a fun memory I have from my childhood and I'm glad we found a good place to carry on that tradition.

Mo enjoying his apple donut.




Hauling those pumpkins through the orchard. I think he stole a few apples too!

dollywood

Back in September we took a long weekend and went to Pigeon Forge , TN. Marshall LOVES Dollywood. He still continues to talk about it and I'm pretty sure he is ready for a trip back. We like to call it redneck Disney. It has been great for our family because it isn't too far away and we were able to get season passes for cheap. We don't want to spend money on Disney World until he can really enjoy and remember the trip.

I regret not taking my camera the first day of the trip because he rode on the Veggie Tales roller coaster. It is a children's roller coaster but not what you would consider appropriate for a two year old. On the first day they measured him and he met the height requirement. The following day he wanted to ride again, marched up to the attendant and was told he wasn't tall enough. He was disappointed but handled it well. I just wish I had a picture of him riding the one time he was able. Hopefully on our next visit he will have grown the 1/10th of an inch he needs to legitimately ride.



He would wave to us every time he went around.



This was one of his favorite rides. I was surprised at how patiently he would wait in line. Such a big boy.


They both really love Dollywood.

things he says

I don't want to forget some of the cute and funny things Marshall says. Since I don't really document things other than the blog, I thought this would be the best place to record some of the things he says that just make me smile.

-He uses the words he/she incorrectly and in place of his/her/him. example: "I see dat girl. She with she mommy."

-"I how know." (I don't know how.)

-While playing hide n' seek he'll pop up and say, "Here my are!" (Here I am.)

-"belly tuppin" (belly button- I especially love this because Jack called it his belly tuppin too.)

-"I want a wittle drink." "I want a wittle snack." "Watch a wittle show, please." (He always uses the word little as if that might increase his chances of getting what he wants.)

-"Snuggle you two minutes." (His stalling technique at bedtime. He also almost always says you instead of me, although he is starting to correct this-which makes me a little sad)

-"Wanna stay nudey a wittle bit." (Always his request after taking a bath.)




And since I know most of the far away family check the blog for pictures, I thought I'd post at least one of the little man.

he thinks his daddy is hilarious

Yes, Marshall is wearing a Dallas Cowboys t-shirt. His Uncle Tom LOVES the cowboys and Marshall can love them too...as long as he loves the Patriots more. :)

sweet boys

I love these two, I really do.

First day of "School"

Marshall started two year old preschool this morning. He will be going on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:30-11:30. I think the socialization will be great for him and a few extra hours a week will be great for me.

We were a little concerned about how today would go, especially since he cries every Sunday when we leave him in nursery (and he's been going to nursery since he was 5 weeks old). I must say I was optimistic considering he would triumphantly raise his hands while we were on our way to the school and say, "goin' to sool!" Yeah, he was all talk. The child screamed like a dying pterodactyl when it came time for us to leave. I stood outside the classroom holding back tears. I was able to keep it together until we got back to the car. Then I cried. A lot. I kept my phone nearby just in case the school called. I was afraid they would call an hour in and tell me he was still screaming like a banshee. I am proud to say that it didn't come to that. When we returned at 11:30, the first five kids in line were crying and frantically looking for their parents. We couldn't see Marshall anywhere in the line. We peaked in the classroom window and saw him happily building towers with the blocks.

His teacher then told us he calmed down in no time and he was such a big boy all morning. She also informed us that "he ate a lot of snack, he's a big guy." It's true, he is a big guy and so long as there is food in front of him, he will eat it.

As I tucked him in tonight he excitedly told me that tomorrow he will go back to Mrs. Tanna's class. We'll see how tomorrow goes. Remember, he is all talk, after all.

marshall singing

Marshall has started singing some of the songs we've been singing to him since he was a baby. He's pretty sweet.

He likes to be able to watch himself perform, so you'll hear me say, "what do you want to sing for the boy?" He is "the boy." He thinks it's hilarious that he can sing to himself. His sweet baby voice makes me smile.

Could you not just eat him with a spoon? I could.