Home Improvement Project of the week

... a little sneak peak of some house work I've been working on this week!

Any guesses?

Well, since the weather is turning wonderful again, we're putting Gavin's bigger "outside" toys in the back yard and we've turned our dining room back into a dining room! It took a lot of work, but it was just getting too cluttered as a play room and he'd end up bringing everything in the living room anyway. So, now all the big weather safe things are out back, and the few of Gavin's favorite toys (train set, cars, and blocks) are nicely in the living room. We still have his toy box in the dining room, but when everything is put inside you can't see any clutter :) We also have Gavin's little Fisher Price table set up in the dining room so he can sit there to eat/do activities at times. It looks so much better! Gavin loves having his big toys outside, he now has a daily excuse for playing in the backyard!

Playing outside...

Showing mommy that Buckeyes are #1!

Future goalie for the buckeyes??

Arby's "Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwich"

Jason and I are not big fast food eaters -BUT- this sandwich could sure quickly turn me in to one. On one of our many road trips, I fell in love with Arby's Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwich and then found out that it's being discontinued from their menu. Some have already dropped it, fortunately ours still has it! I decided to attempt to recreate the sandwich at home. It's described by Arby’s as: "Freshly prepared chicken salad, made with grilled chicken, apples, grapes, celery, toasted pecans and mayo, with green leaf lettuce on thick sliced honey wheat bread. Just like from your favorite deli." I used light honey wheat bread, red seedless grapes, a chopped apple, pecans, mayo, a little black pepper, and canned chicken at home (left out the celery since Jason mentioned not liking it this week). It was DELICIOUS! Definitely a new lunch favorite for Jason and I both. It's gotta be healthier then Arby's version, right?! It has to be since we don't have the "side of fries" option available here! I think in the future I will make sweet potato fries as a side item though! Mmmm, another favorite of ours...

Ok, my mouth is watering, I think I may need to make another batch!

Totally Tuesday!

I woke up this morning with a feeling that it was going to be a long, uneventful, super average day... but Gavin and I actually made the best of it! One reason I think I woke up in such a mood is because of Jason's work schedule lately. The hours were so long last night that he ended up sleeping in his office and will probably do the same again tonight. I know it was best he didn't/doesn't drive since hes operating on such little sleep, but we sure miss him! (For those with spouses and family members deployed at the moment please ignore my griping over a two week training event, I know I have no reason to complain!) I just hate knowing my husband is sick and he can't be home for me and Gavin to take care of him. Plus, we kinda like having him around! Ok, enough of my complaining.

I'm so thankful to have my super smiling, highly energetic, loves to give hugs, picky eating son to spend every waking moment with. He brings such a joy to my life! We recently picked up a few educational place mats at Walmart for $1 and used them with breakfast this morning. Gavin wanted to sit at the big table with me with no high chair. He likes the chance to eat without being contained every now and then! Eventually we started talking about the United States Map place mat and Gavin can officially show you where Georgia is located! I think I've annoyed him all day by repeatedly asking "Where do you live?", "Where's Georgia?", "Gavin, can you say Georgia?" but he's doing GREAT with it! Then he wants about 15 high fives after he answers correctly. I love it! (Video at end of post)

Later Gavin napped and I did some cleaning around the house and got ready for the day. I was bound and determined to get outta the house! After a few days of staying home in pajamas the walls just start closing in and I have to get out. We first went to Babies R Us to pick out a baby shower gift for a friend. That quick trip turned into an hour because Gavin and I were having so much fun in there. He wanted to try out each tricycle, motorized car, train set, etc. that they had to offer. His favorite was a tricycle that had a radio play when you hit the button - he was doing some dancing in the aisles for sure. I did have a good coupon so we picked out a train set for Gavin (he LOVE Reagan's when we were in Tennessee). I couldn't believe the prices of the Thomas the Train sets, so we definitely went with the generic!

Next we headed to the mall to do soft play with Neelee and Max and cheap dinner in the food court. I did find a SUPER adorable outfit for Gavin for St. Patrick's Day while we were there. I can't wait for the parade, he's gonna be the most handsome little boy watching his daddy in the parade!

Gavin crashed on the drive home but quickly woke up when he remembered he had a new train set to play with. He made me laugh with all his "choo choo's". He LOVES this set!

Enjoy our pictures AND videos from today...

Ready for breakfast at the big table
Checking out the Elmo numbers mat

Serious Gavin

"Where's Georgia?"

Softplay!

Gavin wouldn't leave this boy alone! Thank goodness the kids mom didn't mind :)

Our big boy

Gavin and Max

Waving hi to everyone

Loving his train set

"Chooooo choooo"

"Head Car"

(Just playing with some settings on the camera!)

In other news, I'm working on a BIG project... definitely a work in progress but I can't wait to get it finished and share with everyone. Might be a few days or few weeks before I get it finalized, but I can't wait to hear what everyone thinks!

Our Beautiful Weekend

The weather in Savannah has been absolutely wonderful this weekend. Unfortunately, Jason had to work all through the weekend, but Gavin and I stayed busy by spending time outside and relaxing. Today we were able to pick Jason up for lunch - we went to Olive Garden! We were given a gift card from my parents for Valentine's Day so we used that. (Thanks!) Gavin was so well behaved at the restaurant, which was super impressive because we ate late (normally his nap time), and it was very busy so we had a little wait. We were so proud of his behavior. He had the kids macaroni and cheese and also enjoyed 1/2 a bread stick. Afterwards we dropped Jas back at work and came home. Gavin went down for a nap, and I took the two hours to relax and watch a Hallmark movie! It was so nice. Later we went out for a walk around the block. Gavin asked to walk halfway through, so I let him. He did great staying on/near the sidewalk and wanted to talk about everything. He'd point to the mailboxes and say "no mail" (I had explained to him that theres no mail delivery on Sundays), then he'd point and say "tree", "sky", "meow" (we saw a cat), and "Go, go, go" when he'd run. Jason and I are so impressed with his talking lately. Each day new things come out of his mouth. His new word today is "high five", which sounds more like "high bi" but it's too funny! We played in the garage with the dogs after our walk, and then came in for dinner (leftovers) and a little of the Nemo movie before bed. He's now asleep and I'm about to head that way too. I'm hoping Jas will be home soon, as he's fighting a chest cold and needs rest. Tomorrow is Monday - a new work week starts for him. Unfortunately, it's another long week of reverse cycle hours for him. We'll be so glad next weekend when his 11 day work streak comes to an end and he will get two days at home! We're still loving one perk of reverse cycle, though - he's home to enjoy coffee and a late breakfast with us in the mornings! Gavin loves to sneak in a few morning games of basketball and reading books before Jason heads out. Ok, here are a couple pictures from the weekend.

Gavin enjoying a cheese quesadilla on the back patio for lunch on Saturday. He refers to them as "dillas". After lunch we played soccer!
Saturday's simple dinner: Onion Crusted Chicken, Green Been Casserole, and wheat rolls. The chicken and casserole recipes are both on the back on the French's Fried Onions container. Super easy and so delicious!

Heading out for our walk this afternoon. He's getting so big! I think back to the day we brought Gavin home from the hospital... we took him for a walk in this stroller and he was SOOOOO tiny! Now his legs hang down and his head touches the top - he's growing up too fast.

Exploring on his own, telling me theres no mail

Playing in the garage, he couldn't be still long enough to look at the camera!

Friday Afternoon Playdate at Forsyth

Date Night with LB

Jason started a reverse cycle this week, so last night Gavin and I spoiled ourselves to a date night in! A new Elmo movie went in the DVD player, popcorn went in the microwave, and blankets went on the floor. We had a great time! The dogs quickly decided we looked comfortable and joined in. They may have even gotten a bite or two of popcorn! We sure missed daddy, though I'm not sure he could have sat through 45 minutes of Elmo anyway. You can see Gavin's daddy bear in the back of a few pictures... he was thrown to the side when the popcorn came out.

The one perk to reverse cycle is that Jas is home to join us for a nice brunch!!! Yesterday morning it was our favorite Sweet Potato Pancakes on the griddle (we've since learned how to add granola just right to make Sweet Potato CRUNCH Pancakes!). This morning it was spinach omelets. Hummm... what shall tomorrow be?