Halloween Fun!

Can I tell ya'll how HAPPY I am that Halloween is finally *over*? =) You should see the MASSIVE mountain of candy my two kids got! Lucky for me, I was able to stash some away for stockings at Christmas - and they haven't even noticed that the mountain got a little smaller. Ha ha! They had a blast though - it was pure torture to get the kids to wait until after 6pm to start trick or treating. They were wild when we finally did let them loose. After hitting some houses on our road, we headed over to our church and participated in "Trunk or Treat" - more candy for the kids! Our final trip was to Grandma's house for the annual Griggs Family Halloween party. There was a hayride, kids games, and you got it - MORE CANDY!!!! It was really fun and when we left, the kids crashed in the car before we hit the highway.

Olivia sporting Jay's "Joe Dirt" wig - she thought it really made her look like Sleeping Beauty. Gotta love mullets! =)

Our niece Loren - she was the cutest fairy at the party!

Our nephew Rooney....oh, I mean Louis. How cute is that costume?

Cooper before we headed out to trick or treat.....the pumpkin (aka Pumpky) is almost as big as he is! I added a black eye to his costume that night - he looked so cute!

Olivia and Cooper - Halloween 2008

Proof of Attitude

So, there are people that just don't believe me when I say Cooper is full of attitude lately. Well, he had to go into time out the other night and I got some proof! So HA!!!!! Take that!

First pic is of Olivia - can't leave her out and she was so cute. *Her* attitude has gotten ssssooo much better since starting school last year. I'm really hoping Cooper follows suit! Olivia is so fun to be around and she hardly ever gets in trouble. She's no angel by any means, but definitely the calmer of the two!

Dance night

Ok, can you see the 'tude just OOZING out of this kid? This was his look while he was IN time out! UGH....terrible twos? No way - terrible THREES!!!!!

Oh Cooper.....

Three years ago I would have never guessed that COOPER would be the kid I would have trouble with in school. Nana picked the kids up today and AGAIN, Cooper was in trouble. He hit another little boy (sorry Collin!) and wouldn't talk to the teachers most of the day. UGH!!! I just don't know what to do with this kid. I know it's behavior that he learned at daycare and it's going to take some time to break him of it. Thing is - Cooper has good days and then he has days like today. I just feel helpless. I mean, there's only so much I feel like I can do - he's only 3! It would be different if he were older, but honestly, how am I supposed to go about this? I talk to him - explain why he shouldn't do certain things, but how do I know that will work? Can a 3 year old really comprehend a "lecture"? I don't want to be one of *those* moms with the mean kid in class that everyone dislikes. Cooper can be super loving and sweet but turn right around and be mean as all get out. And I certainly can't sit here and say "oh, he's just a boy" because I know other boys in his class that haven't gotten in nearly as much trouble as him! I just feel like the daycare the kids went too taught Cooper to be aggressive because he's smaller than like 90% of other kids his age and to stand up for himself. Problem is - it's really biting him in the butt right now because it's not behavior that is good for school. I need advice - how would you handle this situation?

THA Halloween Carnival 2008

THA hosted their annual Halloween carnival last night and the kids had a blast. All day Friday they were so excited about putting on their costumes and going there to play all the games. The fact that both of their classrooms are in the gym where the carnival was held, probably added to the excitement! We had a ball though and really enjoyed ourselves.

Cooper eating popcorn while Olivia and Raeva wait in line for a game. This kid's favorite snack is hands down popcorn and if we go ANYWHERE that sells it, you BETTER have money to buy him some!

Olivia playing some color game where she had to jump on the color squares. It was cheesy. LOL

Olivia and Reava - these two have been the best of friends since meeting last year. They stuck together the *entire* night. They are so sweet together and you can tell they really love each other's company.

Olivia and Cooper waiting for the "Fortune Teller" game.

Olivia and Cooper all dressed up.....Cooper refused to wear his boxing gloves though. Are they cute or WHAT??

Yay!

I got my staples out today and they didn't hurt! Yay! Thanks for the re-assuring Emily and Angela. I am sssoo glad to have those things out. =)

2 for 1

I have to give a shout out to my sis in law, Amy. She and Jay brought me a sweet potato pie on Wednesday after my surgery. Well, come to find out, Amy got sick on Thursday and had HER gallbladder removed on Friday. I called her up and said "is the hospital running a 2 for 1 deal on gallbladders?" - LOL. I hope you feel better today Amy! We love you!!!

Thanks to everyone who has sent me well wishes and checked on me this past week. It really means a lot! I feel very blessed to have such wonderful family and friends! I have *never* had surgery before so I was pretty nervous last Tuesday but I am feeling much, much better. I go on Wednesday to have my staples removed - which I'm nervous about because I'm terrified it's going to hurt. I mean, how could it NOT...they are pulling staples out of your skin...think about it....ugh!

Oh, and I wouldn't recommend letting a 3 year old watch "Monster House" either.....another bad parenting move on my part but I think it scared the bee jeebies out of Cooper! =)

Olivia perks me up....

I'm having a good day today - the soreness is much more bearable than it was yesterday and that's a good thing! I really feel that in the next few days, all the soreness and feeling of bloating will be gone. In the hospital I remember asking the nurse, "What's under these three band aides on my abdomen?" and she replied "nothing but a tiny hole that will close on it's own." Well Mrs. Nurse Lady (sorry, can't remember her name) - you LIED!!! I took a shower today and when I peeled those band aides off, I found out I have two staples in each incision! Now I am totally stressing because I didn't realize I had any staples or anything. Geez! I hope the darn things don't hurt when they come out next week. I do have to keep reminding myself to take it easy and not push myself. You have no idea how hard it is for me to sit around "knowing" my house needs cleaning and not being able to do it! Al is doing a great job of tending to the house and the kids - although I know they are stressing him out! I know he's ready for me to get better! =) Anyways, when Olivia got home from school today, she changed into this outfit and it really made me laugh so I had to take a picture. My kids are wild ones, but they know how to make you smile when you're feeling down! My babies rock!

I've said it once, I've said it a hundred times - she's hard core baby! =) Nobody can pull off a tu-tu with a black tee w/pink skull and crossbones like OGG!

This is pretty much all I've seen of Cooper since coming home from the hospital. Little turkey.....

I'm alive

Hey guys - I just got home from the hospital. I had to have my gallbladder removed. I got very sick early Monday morning and broke down and went to the ER as soon as Al had took the kids to school. After talking to the ER doctor about my stomach issues and how sick I was that morning, she ordered an u/s of my gallbladder. And that's what it was - I had gallstones, a thickened wall and sludge in my gallbladder. Apparently gallbladder issues are pretty common in pregnant women and after you have a baby so when I first started having issues after Cooper was born, that's what it probably was! To think I've been dealing with this for 3 years!!!! So, yesterday morning at 7am, they took the darn thing out. I'm still really sore but I feel ok. I don't remember a darn thing from the time they gave me the "happy" drugs to the time the nurse woke me up! Ha ha! Everyone keeps saying that I will feel ssssooo much better now and not have any more issues, so I'm really excited about that outcome. I probably won't post for a few more days.....I just need to lay around and relax and get some of this soreness out. And on top of this - Al and Olivia woke up feeling really cruddy today. Not good! Pray that they feel better soon!

Yucky Stuff

I've been MIA for a few days because I've been battling that nasty stomach bug that has been going around. I thought I was over it - Olivia got sick with it on Tuesday and by Wednesday, I was sick again! I feel much better today though but I'm not really putting a whole lot on my tummy. I will just be glad to feel 100% better.....although I feel like I'm coming down with a cold. Something Olivia has too - notice the pattern here?

Nothing new to report on the home front - the kids are out of school today for Parent/Teacher conferences so Al is home with them. They are probably driving him batty at this point. =) The weather is nice out today so I'm sure they will be spending A LOT of time outside. Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE the trampoline Cooper got for his birthday? The kids stay on that thing for hours - it's been a nice addition to the clutter in the back yard. =)

Anyways, this is probably my most *boring* blog ever, but I just don't have anything funny or exciting for you today. Check back this weekend - we do have plans on going to the Sweet Potato Festival in Darlington tomorrow if everyone feels up to it.

Seriously?

I had a doctor's appointment on Friday morning for my stomach issues - I won't go into detail about what my stomach "issues" are, just know that it's been something that I've been dealing with since Cooper was born. I've put up with them for so long because honestly, if they were serious....wouldn't I have lost like....a ton of weight or something? And if you know me, you know THAT AIN'T HAPPENED! So, I finally reached a breaking point - and the fact I had a nasty stomach virus this week - and talked to Dr. B about what's been going on. And the remedy? Metamucil! Yes folks, I, Mandy Griggs, age 30, has to drink a tablespoon of Metamucil each night. Apparently I may need more fiber in my diet.....which is kind of ironic because that's kind of what I thought it was going to end up being. Nothing like a hard dose of reality to bring you back down now is there? I feel like a 100 year old woman typing this as I chug down my orange juice/Metamucil cocktail. Please, don't be jealous. =)

Now I just have to hope that I've been careful enough to keep the kids from getting that nasty stomach bug I had. They have a field trip tomorrow and I would feel horrible if they missed it. Plus, I really don't want to miss another day of work. Please say a prayer that they are ok in the morning. They both have had an upset tummy a few times today so I'm a little nervous!

My beautiful, yet crazy wild babies.

See, I told you they were wild!

Cooper being a "monster" - I think. Notice Olivia in the background with her shirt up over her tummy. =) That pj set cracks me up because the shirt creeps up over her belly constantly. But of course since it has Ariel on it, she just HAS to squeeze into it you know. ha ha!

Cooper's Eye Appointment

Cooper had his eye appointment today and it went really well. He was *terrified* of the doctor, but calmed down when Dr. Mark pulled out all the Spongebob toys. Cooper's left eye looks fine but he is a little far sighted. Dr. Mark said it wasn't bad enough to warrant glasses now, but in 5 years or so, it might be a different story. Let me tell you folks, it was a very LONG appointment and not one that I want to do again anytime soon!

I *heart* Noggin!

I am so glad that Noggin is now a part of basic cable! This channel has been an absolute God-send for our household! The kids love the shows that come on - Cooper's favorite is "Wow, Wow, Wubbzy" and Olivia loves "Max and Ruby". I can honestly say that if you were to break into my house and cut on (ok, "cut on" is very Southern, you can also "turn on") one of the two TVs we own, you would find them both on Noggin! I love the fact that the shows are educational and fun for my kids to watch - plus the fact that there is no violence in them makes me even happier.

As much as I love Noggin, I *despise* Cartoon Network. Have you seen the cartoons on this channel lately? They are so graphic and violent, it's not even funny. Who are the geniuses that think kids these days need to MORE cartoons like that? Granted, they aren't all bad, but watch that channel for awhile and see how crazy those cartoons are. I have seriously considered blocking that channel from my TVs. I'm no saint here folks - Cooper adores Spongebob and yeah, I know there's violence on there, but some of those cartoons on CN show characters getting STABBED and blood spurting out their bodies. That to me, is not appropriate for my 3 year and 5 year to watch. Honestly, I don't care how old your kid(s) is/are - that's not appropriate period.

Am I the only one that dislikes this channel? Is there any cartoon out there you don't like your kids to watch? Ok, daily rant over.....I'm stepping down off my soap box. =)

Babysitting Louis

Al and I had the wonderful treat of babysitting our nephew Louis for Amy and Jay for a few hours last night. The kids were sssooo excited that Louis was coming over - Cooper especially! I think he really enjoys having another boy around.....and the fact that he's older makes him feel large and in charge! We really need to do this more often Amy - although I'm 110% sure that I DO NOT want three kids. =)

Louis Bryson Griggs - age 2 (almost) and Cooper Thomas Griggs - age 3. It's hard to believe there is only a year between these two. They really loved playing together.

What a sweet boy!

How sweet is this picture! It's almost as if he posed and everything.

Olivia with one of her many, many, many dolls. This girls LOVES doll babies. She was my "Little Mama" all night helping me keep an eye on the boys.

We had so much fun Louis - please stay with us again soon!

There is one thing....

The one thing I *don't* like about fall is the SNAKES!!! I know that they won't be an issue much longer, but still. We live in front of a heavily wooded area so we constantly have snakes in the back yard, etc. Up until a few days ago, it's been harmless snakes - until Al found a RATTLESNAKE in our barn in the back yard. I could have died!!!! Al killed it thankfully and said that it wasn't but about 2 feet long.....but from what I saw, it might as well have been 100 feet long with huge fangs. You know, kind of like that giant Anaconda in the movie? That's what I saw.....

I hate snakes....I really, really do.

First Day of Fall - Yippee!

Today is the first day of fall - woo hoo! I love fall! It's probably my favorite time of the year....I love how the trees and leaves change color, I love the cooler weather, and I love all the festivities that come along with fall - football, Halloween, carnivals, festivals, etc. I'm so excited!!!

My two wild ones! Thanks for the picture Michele!

Our Date at the Clemson Game

Yesterday Al and I had a date *DAY* and it was fabulous! It was so nice to be able to spend the whole day with my hubby and do things with him that he really enjoys. That means - Clemson football baby! My dad has season tickets to the games but couldn't go to the CU/SC State game so Al and I went. We had a blast. My dad has awesome seats so watching the game was really, really fun. Of course, we won 54-0!!!!!

The only thing I don't like about the games is the fact that we have to park SSSSOOO far away, take a bus to the stadium, and then walk straight up some hills to get to the gate. And not to mention the crowds....I hate crowds. But, Al had a blast and we're supposed to go back on Saturday for the Maryland game.

The Tigers wore purple on Saturday.....

I took this picture for the kids!

See how close we were? These seats are amazing.

The Clemson Band....

#10 is Cullen Harper - Clemson's quarterback and #80 is Aron Kelly - one of our best receivers so far this season!

Flash Back Friday

I'm stealing an idea (Flash Back Friday) from another blog I was lurking on. So, here we go!

Olivia - this was in 2004. Underneath that hat was NO hair whatsoever!!! I didn't think my daughter was *ever* going to sprout hair!

Cooper - this was taken 8/31/05...the day after he was born. It's amazing how much my two babies have changed!!!! They are growing like weeds!!

Fine...Be That Way....

Cooper is picking up a little of his Sissy's attitude I think! These days, if Al or I make Cooper mad, he'll say "I'm not your fwiend" - how funny is that! Actually, the first couple of times he said it, it kind of hurt my feelings because Cooper and I just have this bond - but now when he throws it out there I just say "Fine...Be that way." Very grown up of me isn't it? =) (Can't you just picture me sticking my tongue out and going nanana na na?)

Anyways, I can totally tell that Cooper is learning so much in school. He's talking a TON more than he did before and last night while we were laying in bed, he started singing the alphabet song. It was so stinking cute and I hate that Al missed it. I'm going to see if I can get him to do it for Daddy tonight. I'm starting to feel better about our decision to put him in a 3k program every day. At first, it was iffy, but now that he's been in that structured environment for awhile now, he's really starting to bloom. I'm very excited.

Olivia is doing really well in 5k too - she's learning more and more words every week and can read simple, short stories. She does a Taylor Swift impression that is out of this world that I really need to get on video and post on here. She is the funniest kid EVER.

Personal Time with Family and Friends

I was able to meet up with my brother Martin and my friend Jz while I was in Atlanta. It was so much fun and it was so good to see them! I miss them already! I haven't seen Jz in about 11 years but we picked right up from when we last saw each other. She's a married mom of two so next time I'm down, I've promised that I will bring my rugrats to meet up with hers. It was good to see my brother and Randy too - we had dinner and then checked out their new house. I can't wait to bring the kids so they can visit with their Uncle Marty. Martin and Randy took us to this really cool restaurant - Joe's on Juniper - and we had a blast. They had trivia going on and the weather was so nice that we were able to eat outside and have a good time. Anyways, here's the last of the pictures....

Martin and I......

Randy, Martin and Mandy =)

Me and Pam - we had a ball exploring Atlanta (well, what was within walking distance to us anyways!). I think she's ready to go back for a visit already too!

Me and Jz! It was so good to see her and honestly one of the things I HAD to do while I was down there. We've kept in touch for the last few years by text, phone and mostly email so it was so nice to sit and talk to her face to face for once. I can't wait to see you again Jz!!!

To save myself from having to do one more post today - Happy Anniversary Al! We have been married SIX wonderful years now. I love you tons and hope that we have many, many, many more anniversaries together. I love you! =)

The World of Coca-Cola

The Coca-Cola museum and tour are a MUST if you go to Atlanta. It was ssooo much fun and Pam was in hog heaven! I think we spent a good 2 hours in the place before I finally was able to drag her out of there. Here's some pictures.....

You can't go to the World of Coke without seeing the Polar Bear!

And Pam and I got our picture made with him! =)

When you first walk in, you go into the "Loft Area" where there are TONS of Coke memorabilia. There are some really cool stuff in there.

The statue of the founder of Coke.....don't ask me his name....I'm drawing a blank. I think it was James Pierson or something like that!