5 on Friday

If you've found me through the link up today, I linked up from my phone because our internet wasn't working and for some reason when my picture was cropped, only my feet showed up and it posted my mobile version so it's a little blury. Oh well.

I'm linking up with Darci and the girls again this week for five on Friday.  We've been super busy this week with doctors appointments, Tuesday night church starting back up and baseball practice so I was kind of lazy with my 5.  I kept it simple and went with all things pumpkin.  I've already shared my love of the Krispy Kreme pumpkin spice donut and the pumpkin cheesecake cookies I found from Pepperidge Farm, but I have a few more pumpkin favorites.  And since I'm not a coffee drinker, I'm not including the infamous PSL from Starbucks!  I wish I liked coffee because I so want to try it.  Maybe there's a way to add the pumpkin spice to their hot chocolate.  However,  I'm not sure how that would taste. 

ONE

I love this Weight Watchers pumpkin muffin recipe I've been using for years.  All you need is a box of cake mix (I always use spice cake), one can of pumpkin, and one cup of water.  I know that some people don't add the water, but I think it makes the cake more moist. 



I came across this pumpkin cake mix yesterday at Target and thought it would be perfect for the pumpkin muffins.  I might have to make these this weekend since the temperature might finally be below 80.  That counts as fall, right?! 

TWO

I LOVE ice cream.  And I really love this Edy's pumpkin ice cream.  I had forgotten all about it until I was trying to think of 5 pumpkin things to post.  I can't wait to go back to the store and see if they have stocked it yet.

THREE

Pumpkin Pancakes!  I'm not actually sure I've had IHOP's pumpkin pancakes, but when I saw them advertised last year, I searched for a pumpkin pancake recipe and we made them a few times at home.  YUM!!

FOUR

Another Target find yesterday.  These pumpkin cereal bars (with vanilla filling) sounded kind of yummy.  I can't wait for breakfast! 

FIVE

Target had these pumpkin spice M&Ms advertised in the Sunday paper this past weekend and I've been on the hunt ever since.  I haven't found any yet, but I've got my eyes peeled.  I got the candy corn M&Ms last year and the white chocolate was just too sweet for me.  I'm worried the pumpkin spice flavor might be too strong. 

Do you have any other pumpkin favorites I need to know about?  Did you get tired of reading the work pumpkin?  I sure did!  I ended up going back and counting how many times I typed it (19) since it sounded so repetitive.  I just wanted to express my love of pumpkin (20)!!

from my phone

I feel like I've been slacking in the picture taking/blogging department lately.  With the ease of sharing pictures on facebook and instagram from my phone, I feel like I've been neglecting my cameras and the blog.  Maybe I haven't, but it sure feels like it.   I'm slowly trying to get caught up.  With Emmy's 19 month post, and race track fun, I think these last few pictures from my phone should do it. 

 

 

Emmy used to be terrified of the carousel, but now she gets pretty excited about it.  Who knows though, her opinion may change if I were to take the paci, ha!

 

Bryce joined Jason on opening day of dove season.  As in to hunting as Jason is, I always find it comical how unprepared Bryce is when it comes to attire for the hunt.  I guess that's because I'm not pushing hunting so I'm not buying camo, ha!

 

So much fun in store in the future for these two hunters. 

A typical morning around here.  Bryce gets in Emmy's bed every morning when she gets up.

 

Not sure what was going on here, but I do know they were both happy (Bryce just looks upset).

 

Jason did bath duty the other night so I could get the house picked up a little.  Bryce has always balled up in a ball on the bathroom floor after a bath.  Emmy has learned to follow his lead!

 

I took Bryce to a pediatric dentist on Tuesday to have some cavities filled.  My dentist had found two.  The new dentist did x-rays and found a third.  He ended up having two small cavities filled and then a much larger one ended up needing a mini root canal and crown.  The office was very kid friendly, the staff were amazing, and best of all, my little man was PERFECT.  The ladies couldn't get over how well behaved and brave he was.  Nana and I thought he deserved a treat for his bravery so she got him this Planes track he has been eying!  This thing has already proven to be hours of entertainment.

 

Poor little Emmy had an appointment with the allergy doctor today.  When Emmy had peanut butter for the first time, she broke out in hives on the back of her neck.  The second time she had it, she got hives around her mouth.  The third and final time she had peanut butter, she was scratching at her tongue.  The doctor confirmed today that she is in fact allergic to peanuts. 

 

Happy hump day, y'all.

 

off to the races

We didn't actually go to the race, but we did head over to the race track after school on Friday with Bryce's good friend Thomas!

 

 

I don't know much about racing, but I do know I have a little boy who loves racecars!

 

 

Isn't it every little boys dream to be a racecar driver for a day?

 

Bryce happened to have this racing hand me down shirt so I put him in it for the occasion.  We just happened to stumble on the arena racing car to match so we took advantage of the photo op.

 

Emmy and I share the sentiments for racing, but I was a better sport about it, ha!

 

She woke up in time to enjoy the animals and the bounce houses on the way out.

 

So excited for the friendship these two boys have formed.  And thankful for the friendship with Thomas' mom Barbara as a result.  (I promise I'm not using you for your pictures, ha).

 

It sure was fun seeing the LOVE of racing through the eyes of a little boy!

Emmy at 19 months

Emmy turned 19 months on Friday.  We've been too busy for me to capture any pictures or to sit down and do a little write up until now.  She has mastered the cheese face!

 

 

She may have mastered the cheese face, but she'll only do it when she wants!

 

My little gymnast.

 

Baby dolls and money (see the credit card in her left hand) are her favorite things.  She also has an addiction to phones.  She comes by it honest though.  I was obsessed with phones as a kid and that's the only toy I ever wanted from the store.

 

We went to Pet Smart the other day while Bryce was in school.  She loved the animals and the one on one time with me.

 

She loves Macy and my parents' dogs.  She can say Macy and she calls Abby (babby), but she hasn't attempted Ginger yet.  Here she is asleep on Ginger the other day while Jason and I were at the river with our church youth group.

 

Some other things:

 

My mom always pats Emmy's back when she is coughing/choking.  She has taken it upon herself to pat her own back if no one does it for her.  So cute.

 

She definitely doesn't have the vocabulary Bryce did at this age, but each day she seems to be learning a new word and is experimenting with repeating words and saying others on her own. 

 

She can recognize a circle and a heart.  She says 2 after I say 1 and she can usually recognize the colors purple and yellow. 

 

Sometimes I feel like I have not done enough with her because Bryce was so far ahead of her at this age and I see other kids her age doing so much more, but I know every kid develops on their own time.  She is however, very aware of what's going on and is very good about following directions and doing the things asked of her.

 

She still seems to be experimenting with learning to use the potty.  This is pretty exciting! 

 

She is still wearing a size 3 diaper, she is about into a size 5 shoe, and her clothes are mostly 18 month (some smaller, some larger).

 

She loves milk and asks for it all the time.  She also knows that I love diet coke and she's always asking for coke too!  Whenever she is hungry she says "lunch".

 

She is a girl after my own heart.  She likes everything in its place and will stop what she is doing if something is out of place and she puts it back to normal.  Type A like her Mama.  Probably not a good thing!

 

We're headed to the allergy doctor on Wednesday to ease my mind about a possible peanut allergy.  She has had a few reactions to peanut butter that have me concerned.  I'm worried she may have some other allergies too.

 

 

Bryce at 19 months.

5 on friday

I'm linking up with the 5 on Friday girls again this week and I'm pretty excited about the things I came up with this week!  Enjoy!

 

 

 - one -

 

I've recently gotten into watch fashion.  I've got to wear a watch at all times because I feel lost without one.  I used to always wear silver watches with a cuff band, but I've really gotten into gold, and who better to look to than Michael Kors!  I really love the tortoise watches, but not the price tag.  Last year I fell in love with the oversized tortoise watch, but at $250, that wasn't going to happen.  I stumbled on a jet set look a like at Target for $14.99 which beat the $225 price tag.

 

Two weeks ago, Christina at Carolina Charm featured this Michael Kors chain link tortoise watch and the Target look a-alike and I was SOLD.  I had already been shopping Target in hopes of them selling it, but had no luck.  However, I hadn't thought about browsing online.  I went straight to their website and found that it was only sold online.  Birthday money well spent on this one.  I love it!

 

 

 

- two -

 

This pretty much speaks for itself.  YUM!  We went on Monday and I got my first one of the season.  It's a good thing we don't live that close to a Krispy Kreme!

 

- three -

  

 

I have been wanting this wreath for some time and was so happy when Jason told me to order it for myself as his anniversary gift to me.  I ordered if from bobsidoodle on etsy.  I love how it turned out.  I actually ordered a larger size, but she accidently made me the smaller one.  I was pleased with how this one turned out so I didn't bother with the hassle of getting a different size.  Allison was really great to work with if you're looking for a fun wreath! 

 

- four -

 

I posted about Bryce's first day of school on Wednesday, but didn't link back to his first day of school last year for comparison purposes.  I shared this comparison picture on instagram yesterday.  I just love to look back and see the differences in a year!  You can follow me on instagram @gwhitlock.

 

- five -

 

Marley Lilly

 I cleaned out my jewelry box the other day and decided to sell some of the gold pieces that I don't wear anymore.  I know some people hold on to everything, but some of the pieces just weren't my style anymore or they weren't significant, like my monogram ring with my maiden name initials.  However, rediscovering that ring really made me want one of these gold monogrammed necklaces with my married initials.  Of course I had other plans for the money we got from selling the gold so I guess I'll have to hold out for a while before getting one of these beauties. 

first day of pre-k

Bryce headed back to school today. 

 

 

Last year was his first year of preschool and this is his last year so I'm calling it pre-k.  I'm not sure if that is the official term at his school, but it is his last year before kindergarten.

 

He went to Kitty's Kids last year on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  He will be going Monday, Wednesday and Friday this year.

 

Ms. Kim and Ms. Tammy are his teachers this year.  He had Ms. Tammy last year and is familiar with Ms. Kim from the pick-up line.

 

We're excited for a great year.  I know he will love it and do great!

fun friend day

Today was the first day of school in our county and while Bryce doesn't go until tomorrow, our friends and family had siblings going off to school today and their mamas needed a little diversion to avoid the sudden shock to their system!  Barbara had asked to have a play date today to help Thomas stay busy since his sister Gracie got to go to school today and he's not going until tomorrow with Bryce.  We met at the Children's Museum and played inside for a while until heading outside to the sprinklers.   



 

We have enjoyed our Children's Museum membership and have really gotten our money's worth this summer with the sprinklers.



 

Today was Chase's first day of kindergarten so I asked Kelly if she and Taylor wanted to tag along with us since they were going to have a lot of time to pass while Chase was at school.  My friend Beth and her daughter also joined us.  The first day of school is like a holiday now that Beth and I aren't teaching! 

 

What a fun day with this group of sweet kids!

sunday funday

We went to our last baseball game of the season yesterday.  It was a hot day, but full of fun.  After gathering up a few freebies when we got there, we headed to see Curious George. 

 

 

Next up was the speed pitch.  Bryce clocked in at 16mph, but better than that was the strike he threw!

 

Emmy enjoys the game for the food and drink and an opportunity to nap with MeMa once she wears down.

 

 

Bryce and his baseball stance.  You never know when a fly ball will come your way!

 

Until next year, Nutzy!