Watson is FOUR!!!

If anyone talked to Watson about his birthday for about six months prior to the actual day,  they walked away from the conversation knowing two things:

1.  He was turning 4

2.  He wanted his birthday party to be "only boys" and at Chuck E Cheese 

Well, that sweet boy got his wish and we celebrated his fourth birthday at Chuck E Cheese!  I have never seen him smile so much and have so much fun.  He was soaking up every second of the party and we were loving every second watching him!

The moment we got there the birthday boy was given this cape and these glasses - he immediately put them on and did not take them off the whole time!

Daddy always gets the better pictures :)  Emma was not into it.

I love this picture!

Pure happiness!

Sweet Baby Paton Pugh - we love the Pugh family so much and are incredibly thankful for their friendship!

 Watson doing the "Birthday Dance" 

A few of my faves...

 I cannot count the number of time we have tried to take a picture of all the women on Graham's side of the family.  One of these days Emma WILL cooperate!

I love this picture!  Watson has such a special relationship with his Nannie and Mana - these are the pictures I will always treasure!

Ticket Blaster!

 Our visits with Uncle Alan are never long enough.

 Watson and one of his favorites, Asher.  I love this picture because it sums them up so well :)

 Emma spent most of the party doing this :) 

Attempts at family pics after the party.  Emma refused for this one so we tried with Watson...

....then tried with Emma :)

Watson, you are an amazing little boy.  Your Daddy and I love you more than you will ever know!!

A few things to note about Watson at this age:
- So sweet and tenderhearted
- Loves having a job and responsibility - he takes it VERY seriously and really does great with any responsibility he is given!
- Plays well with Emma, but LOVES playing with Hampton - they are best buddies right now
- Loves to watch the cartoon "Rescue Bots" and play with his Rescue Bot toys
- This boy can run FAST!
- Loves being outside - riding his bike, playing ball, swinging, helping me and Graham with tasks around the yard
- Loves going to church and Kingdom Kids - Mr. Stan (our preschool director's husband) is his absolute favorite
- Can recognize most letters - still struggles with numbers.  Counting is a struggle for this sweet boy but we are continuing to work on it!
- Very particular about most things (gets it from his Daddy)
- Loves to color and does a really great job staying in the lines
- Cautious and reserved, but starting to branch out and become a bit more adventurous.  I love when he is doing something adventurous and gets so proud of himself!
- Ends up in our bed probably 5 out of 7 nights.  He sneaks in in the middle of the night and half the time we don't know it until we wake up in the morning!
- Does not nap any more but does have "rest time" every day
- Great eater - will try anything but has to be encouraged to eat a full meal...except for breakfast...he could eat breakfast food all day every day!


Last year, we asked Watson some questions on his 3rd birthday.  We asked some more this year:

1.  What is your favorite color? Orange and Green
2.  What is your favorite animal? Giraffe
3.  What is your favorite food?  Pasta
4.  What is your favorite number? 8
5.  Who is your best friend? Daddy
6.  What is your favorite toy? Baseball glove
7.  What is your favorite 'toon'? Rescue Bots
8.  What is your favorite thing to drink?  Chocolate Milk
9.  What is your favorite kind of ice cream?  Chocolate Chip
10.  What is your favorite kind of car? The car where the guns pop up
11.  What are your favorite kind of shoes?  Fast shoes
12.  What is your favorite book?  Press Here
13.  What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Ride on my bike
14.  Where is your favorite place to go?  Moes
15.  What is your favorite sport to watch?  Football
16.  What is your favorite thing to do with Emma? Well Emma, she doesn't do anything.  She just plays by herself
17.  What is your favorite thing about Daddy?  Playing Soccer
18.  What is your favorite thing about Mommy?  Playing with me
19.  What is your favorite thing about Emma?  Playing with her

Fourth of July Beach Trip...

I look forward to this week every summer!  Getting a full week at the beach with my family is the best!

This year, though.....our trip was....well....interesting...

Just a little recap....

The morning we left for the beach I went to a doc in the box and was diagnosed with strep throat.  I felt awful...but I knew sitting on the balcony at the beach with strep throat is better than sitting at home with strep throat.  So...off we go to the beach.

About an hour into the trip, Watson got sick.  Looking back and seeing him throw up in the car was anything but pleasant.  PRAISE THE LORD my mom was riding down with us and was supermom all 7 1/2 hours it took us to get to the beach. What would I do without her??  Thankfully, by that night Watson was totally fine!

Two nights later I hear Emma crying in her room and go to check on her....only to find her and her bed covered in throw up.  She continues to be sick over the next several hours.  It was pitiful :(  Have I mentioned that I have strep throat still??  Oh, and Graham is still in Birmingham.  Once again, Mom was Supermom that night and the next day.

Two days later, Dad and Graham come down to join us.  Things were relatively calm for 24 hours!

Next day...Graham gets sick.  And he gets it worse than either of the kids :(

Next day...we pack up and go home.

Needless to say, it was not the most relaxing trip we've ever had.  However, there were LOTS of fun times mixed in with all of the craziness and the Lord was SO good in that though the kids were sick, they were only sick for a short period of time and bounced back quickly!  I love my family for many reasons, but one of the reasons I love them most is their ability to make me laugh even in hard times!

Lately we have been staying in the same condo with this view.  Amazing.  No matter how crazy things may have been, going outside and seeing this view made everything seem better!

 One thing is for sure:  this boy LOVES the beach!!!!

 Mel and Reynolds.  So thankful for these two.  They love me and my family so well - I will never be able to thank them for all they have done for us.  

 My little water bug.  As long as there was no sand in sight, this little one was as content as can be!  She loves the pool!  (The beach, though, is another story....)

I love seeing how adventurous Watson is becoming.  Compared to many little boys his age he is still very cautious, but compared to where he was this time last year he has come SO far!

On our first day, the Andersons went fishing with Reynold's dad.  Watson tagged along and loved it!

 My buddy.

 Princess.

 Quality time with Poppa.  These are the moments that make it all worth it!

 Sibling love :)

 When Emma was sick, the Andersons took Watson to the Track with their fam.  I think he was a big fan of the go carts!

Our date night - I love this man so much!  His schedule is crazy and he works so hard which means he often does not get to spend an entire week on vacation with us, but words do not express how much I appreciate all that he does to provide for our family.

 Porch time at Uncle Calvin's cabin.  Some of my best memories are from time at this special place!

 Emma loves her Reynolds.  He spoils her rotten and she doesn't mind it one bit :)

 That time Emma found my fingernail polish....

  The sunsets from this balcony are unlike any other.  The Lord is SO good and SO faithful.  There were many nights on this trip that just sitting and watching the sunset brought so much peace and served as such a reminder that the Lord is always with me!  I love the little things like this that He does, knowing how much it will mean to us!