Griffin-isms

Griffin is such a ham these days. They boy is hilarious. There are a few little sayings that we don't want to forget, so it's time to get them down before I forget! 

"Cut off":

• A few months ago, we had to start limiting Griffins eating and drinking after 7:30ish. I started telling him he was cut off and it was his "last call" for eating and drinking. 
• A few days after starting this, Mr. Pate had come home later after an event at work and brought food with him. He asked us if we wanted any, and without skipping a beat Griffin looked over, shrugged his shoulders and said "I'm cut off". I wish I could have videoed the way he said it, it was hilarious! 
• He will randomly ask at night, "am I cut off?" and it just sounds so funny. 

Temptation:

• This one goes along with being cut off. We were coming back from somewhere a few weeks ago and it was after Griffin had been cut off for the night. He has his waterbottle in the cup holder of his car seat. He tells us that his waterbottle is still back there and we need to take it because he may drink it and not be able to help it. Again, it was the tone in which he said it that made it so funny, but I am recording it so hopefully we can remember. It was hilarious- he really was trying to flee temptation. Haha! 
• We explained to him what temptation was, and now if we are in the car late at night he gives us his drink and snack so he won't be tempted. 

Softball Cheering:

• At the first game, when Mr.Pate went up to bat Griffin yelled out "Go daddy, make momma proud!" Haha! I have no idea where he heard that one. 
• He yells for our teammates and gives them nicknames! He yelled for Jennofer last night and said "good job Jen Jen". Haha. 

Preaching:

• A few weeks ago, Griffin got the setup below out and started "preaching" to us and the Broadys. 
• He was asking us questions about Jesus and when his birthday was and when he died on the cross. It was soooo precious. 

Slip n slide: 

• We went over to Lilli's to play on her slip n slide last week. Poor griffin just couldn't quite get how to slide on his belly. He keep actually jumping then landing on his knees. It looked hilarious. 

Love this little man and how unique and fun his personality is! 

Testing testing

Testing out a new posting app, bc my beloved Blogpress is being all wonky.... 

Body Safety and a Free Printable!

A few weeks ago, I saw this article come across my Facebook feed. I had been talking to friends recently about how difficult I was finding it to teach Griffin about "good touch vs bad touch". So often you hear that the people who end up sexually abusing children are people who are in your close circle, that you never would have suspected. Of course, I cannot imagine any of our families or friends being predators, but I am sure parents of victims all thought that. So it has been hard for me to figure out how to teach Griffin the difference between it being ok for someone to bath him, help him in the restroom etc, and a bad touch. This article and the list of body safety rules makes it so much clearer I think! So I decided to make it look a little nicer before hanging it up, and thought some of you might want it too!

Mr. Pate and I did discuss the no secrets part and decided we didn't feel the need to go to this lady's extreme for that (but to each his own), so I altered that one a bit.

This is my first "printable" to offer on my blog, so let me know if there are any issues with getting the pdf. Otherwise, enjoy and good luck equipping your kiddos to stay safe and ward off some of the awfulness in this fallen world. Ultimately I am praying that we (and you) will not be in this predicament to begin with.

Click Here for the Free Printable PDF

Easter 2015

We had a great Easter weekend this year. Mr.Pate and I decided to do an Easter Basket for Griffin for the first time (we have just skipped it the past few years bc he was too young to get it, and we skipped Grady this year😉).

We decided to give the "unEaster Basket" idea a try. (You can go here to read more about it: http://ohamanda.com/2013/03/25/meaningful-easter-basket-gifts-for-christian-resurrection-day/) So while Daddy practiced softball Saturday, I had griffin hunt for big rocks for a surprise. He actually got soo into it and it kept him entertained for a long time. Woo hoo!



When we got home, we got the rocks and talked about our sins and what we struggle with. It was slow at first but then he started to get it. Then after we had discussed several sins and how we needed a Savior, we covered the baskets up with a red blanket. This is where reality with a 3 year old set in, so Griffin started throwing a fit because he just knew we were taking his rocks away and never giving them back. Geez! So when we finally calmed him down from a fit, we just had him close his eyes while we switched stuff out. Just keeping it real how the best plans really don't always turn out perfectly. We switched the rocks out for his real Easter basket to show that Jesus takes our sins and gives us the gift of Eternal Life instead when we choose to believe in Him. We got him a new bible/devo book, a veggie tales movie, a "What's in the Bible" episode about Jesus life and death, and a few small stickers etc.

Easter Sunday we went to church of course, then headed to Uncle D's for lunch. Mr.Pate's family came down for church and lunch. Then the boys got to open their Easter baskets- and they got way too much ;-) then we hung out and relaxed. It was a great weekend filled with some fabulous quality time. Yay!





























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Grady is 5 Months Old!

Well, I am behind as usual, ha! Grady turned 5 months old a week and a half ago.

This isn't a doctors appointment month, so I have no idea how big he is. But he is definitely growing! We are now in 3-6 month, 6 month, and some 6-9 month clothing. He is way too long for any straight 3 month clothing, and many of the 3-6 month footed onesies are too short for him. He continues to be long :-)

He is eating 5 oz in his bottles and nursing great. We are definitely in the groove now where nursing is a joy and a breeze, so if you have a younger one and are struggling- keep going! It gets so much better. He is still on a three hour eating schedule typically.

Grady has continued to be a great sleeper this month. His naps are sporadic and sometimes long but sometimes short, however it doesn't seem to phase him too much. At night, he usually eats for the last time between 8-8:30ish then sleeps until 5:30-6ish. About half of this month he woke once or twice in the night each night for his paci, then went right back to sleep. The other half he just slept. So far it's amazing. We still swaddle each night.

This month he started LOVING toys. Mostly he loves to put them in his mouth. Griffin shared a little Elmo stuffed animal one night and Grady was obsessed with eating him or holding on tight. It was super cute.

I see no signs of teeth yet, but we are full on in the drooling like crazy and hands must be in my mouth stage. So we just might see some soon.

This month he started actually laughing/chuckling. Such a cute sound. We mainly get laughs when he try to get his belly.

He is still about his brother. Anytime Griffin acts silly, dances or tries to get his belly Grady gives the biggest smiles. I really hope a sweet friendship will continue their whole life. Watching them interact is my favorite part of having two kids. It is sooo sweet.

His hair has majorly come in red this month, and everywhere we go people comment on it. I adore it.








































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