My week as a single dad

As I mentioned before, Laura took off to China for a week so I had the kids to myself.  We had a great time although I didn't take a lot of pictures.  I did send Laura a lot of snapchats so that she could verify that the kids were eating and still had most of their appendages each day.  The routine was pretty easy during the week as anyone knows, kids love to be on schedules.  We would get home from school, eat dinner, go on a walk, play on the swingset, bathtime, and off to bed.  Two is not that bad, unless one of them is Carter which means you have to keep your head on a swivel.

Luckily Carter brushes his own teeth now, so that was one less thing that I had to do each morning.  If only he could change his own diaper.

 The kids are really starting to play well together.  Here Avery is trying to read Carter a book and Carter is goofing off.

 This very blurry picture is a perfect representation of my two kids.  One sitting quietly reading a book and the other trying to jump off something he just spent 10 mins climbing.  (I caught him.....this time)

 This is Carter's new face.  When you tell him something that he doesn't understand, he will give you this scowl as if to say "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME?!??!"

By the time Saturday rolled around, we were getting a little stir crazy, so we dropped Carter off at my parents and went out to the women's ACC golf tournament in Greensboro.  We didn't stay too long, but Avery had fun watching girls with NC State stuff on playing golf and hitting the bar really far.  Here she is with the coach who loved that she came out to watch.

 Go Wolfpack!

 We also had a daddy-daughter lunch date for some grilled cheese and french fries.

Mean while at my parents, Carter had a great time eating.  Here he is eating most of Ru's ice cream.

Carowinds

 So since Avery loved Carowinds so much last year, we decided to get season passes this year.  It is only about 20 mins away and that way we can drop in for a couple of hours.  I was already planning on skipping a day of work once they open up on the weekdays and maybe Laura will join me and we can ride the big kid rides.

Before Laura left for China, me and Avery took the Saturday and headed out to have some fun.

 Most of the rides I was with her so I couldn't take pictures, but here is her on the Snoopy airplanes.  Avery just needs to grow about another inch to be able to ride a few more rides, but there are probably a half dozen she can do.

 Flying high!

 This ride was a little more casual so we could take a picture together on it.  Her favorite by far is the largest roller coaster she can ride.

 Going fast!  The balloons are decorated in flags of different countries, so we had to ride in the China balloon since Mommy was headed off to China the next day.

That night we took Mommy out for an american hamburger and Avery actually asked to have her picture taken beside this statue in the lobby.

Tubes

So backtracking before Carter's birthday weekend extravaganza, he got tubes put in his ears to stop the ear infections the Thursday before his birthday.  All in all it went really well especially since he couldn't eat when he woke up.  And this blog has well documented how this little guy likes to eat.  The procedure went really well and he shouldn't have any problems with ear infections.  As a bonus, his talking may start to develop a little faster now that he can actually hear us clearly and his ears don't hurt.

Hanging out waiting for the doctor to come in playing with Mommy's phone and the bear that the facility gives to the little kids.

"I'm busing out of this joint to go get some breakfast!"

 Then the nurses came over and gave him "The Happy Juice."  He certainly relaxed after that...

 He started sticking his tongue out at me and laughing.  He was so goofy and smiley when he was high as a kite.

 Then he preceded to make out with his bear.  He never has really attached to any particular toy, but he was certainly attached while he waited on the doctor to come and perform the procedure.

Carter's Actual Birthday

So for Carter's actual birthday the day after the party we decided to go out for Lunch first.

Carter does love to eat.  Here he is crushing his waffle and noodles along with some of Laura's eggs.

 "Let me just reach over here and grab some of these eggs."  Notice he has some on his mat...

 "These taste delicious."  He was sticking his hands in Laura's biscuits and gravy, until she turned the plate around so could only get eggs.

 Next up, Grocery shopping!!! Not very exciting, but the kids sure do love it for some reason.  Probably the cookies and balloons.

 As you saw from an earlier post we took some pictures of Carter in the backyard since it was so nice after nap time.

 This was the best one with Laura and the kids.

 Then me and Carter did some chipping in the backyard to get ready for the Masters.

And we can't forget the swingset!

 I think he likes it too...

 The two bestest buddies.

Other Party Pics

Here are a random set of pictures from the party that I enjoyed.

"Everybody look at this fool.  He can't hang."

Later on, Carter had a good time with Ellie and showed off the house for her.  Notice the outfit change after getting deep into his cake.

 Carter showing off his shades to Aunt Stephanie.

 Uncle David was a hit at the party as he kept all the older kids entertained and swinging.

 Avery and Easton doing their prom pose picture.

Who says you can't enjoy cake and play with balloons at the same time?

Prior to Avery and Anna's arrivaval for "help", Carter was having a good time getting into the tissue paper.  Notice his shirt says "Hey Girl" because everywhere we take him, he is always flirting with the ladies.

 Avery was happy to help open the presents and keep Carter focused.

 What is this??

 Insert joke about only having to buy kids paper and boxes instead of toys.

 Carter letting the ladies do all his present opening for him, while he played with his car.

 "Is this how you play with this toy?  Is it a climbing box?"

Carter's First Birthday Party

This past Saturday we had some family over to celebrate Carter's first birthday.  It was our 4th party in 5 weeks with Anna, Avery, and a "surprise" baby shower for Aunt Sara, but we all had a blast.  It was car themed as Carter loves to play with little cars.  If you are curious about the decorations, swing by the house as they are still up, just so we can stay in that festive mood.

Thanks to my mom for the awesome cake and cookies.  

 Mommy and the birthday boy.

 We tried to take a family picture.  Carter was not having it and Avery wanted to play with Anna and Easton rather than take a picture.

 Our best effort.

 Carter playing with the cake.

 His first bite...he has had cake before, but wasn't sure that the car was actually cake.

 Cake and food was the only thing that kept him still, so we took the chance to get a quick picture.

 We fully expected him to go into full smear it all over his face mode based on his eating habits, but he did a good job of keeping himself relatively clean.

 Who loves cake?  This guy...