Cormac's girlfriend

Yes, Cormac has a girlfriend.  No, it isn't a girl.  It isn't even a human.  It's the vacuum.  Every time he sees the vacuum his eyes sparkle.  He rushes over to see the vacuum anytime he can get to it.  He is in love with it.  So much so that I cannot vacuum while he is awake because he will not move out of the way.  So I have to wait until he is napping to get any vacuuming done.  I have never seen a child so excited about a vacuum.  My only hope is this love continues as he gets older so he can take over-ha!

Two boys in a box

Every time we end up with a big box I wonder why we worry about toys.  A box lasts for a long time (at least until it falls apart) and has countless uses as a toy.

BFC Football fun

We went to the Carolina Panthers game last Sunday up in Charlotte.  They played (and lost embarrassingly to) the Buccaneers.  Despite the heat and price gouging on food, it was really cool.  We did spend a lot of time in the stadium down below our seats because it was so hot.  Cormac seemed to be the one to enjoy it more than Gus (I think poor little German Gus just doesn't do well with that kind of heat).















Our seats were way up there, but we were able to see it all.










The Bank of America stadium is right in downtown Charlotte, so there are some pretty buildings you can see from the stadium.






















Here come the bad guys.












Getting ready for the Panthers to run out.























Enjoying a post-game dinner back in Columbia before heading home.

It's all Greek to me

Last weekend was the big annual Greek festival at the only Greek Orthodox church in town (probably in all of  South Carolina too). All varieties of Greek food were served, there was Greek music, Greek souvenirs, and little carnival rides for the kids.  We went for lunch on Saturday and it wasn't bad.  Gus spotted the bouncy castle right away and waited very patiently until we were all finished eating before asking if he could go on it.





























There was also a little train. Gus wanted to ride, but he never looked like he was having that much fun. Guess he felt that since it was there he had to try it out.

Sing a song

We do a lot of singing in our house (which those of you who know me are laughing because you know how well I can sing...).  Gus has many favorites, but I finally caught one on camera.

I have also been trying to capture Cormac babbling, but every time I do there is Gus in the background.  This time he is singing "Jingle Bells".

A visit from Mimi and Opa

My dad and Janet were able to make a quick weekend trip out here a little over a week ago.  It was great to see them and I know they had a good time seeing Gus and Cormac.  Gus had decided the itinerary in advance: zoo, park and toy store (not in any particular order).


First we took Mimi and Opa to the zoo. Gus was thrilled to show them "his" animals. Gus and Opa are checking out the bears.













Mimi and Gus looking at some owls.


















Cormac getting a push from Opa.

















And some help with a bottle.
















Mimi and Gus in the tree lookout in the birdhouse.













Feeding the fish at the Koi pond with Opa.
















I got to be in a picture!
















Help with dinner from Mimi.












The trip to the park was a big success as well.


















Thanks for the wonderful visit Mimi and Opa!

9+ months

It is hard for me to believe that Cormac is already 9 1/2 months-old now.  I just don't know where all the time has gone.  He is such a happy and content guy.  He loves playing with and imitating Gus.  He loves cars and trains which is good since we were already spending most of our time playing those things.  He always has a smile for everyone, but is definitely a momma's boy.

Uh-oh.

Kelsey, David and Krissy were all here over Labor Day weekend.  We had a great time, but somehow all of the pictures from my camera were deleted (maybe some sticky fingers involved, one little boy did this once before). So here is the link to Kelsey's post letting you know all about the weekend.  That part about sleeping in, that only applied to Kelsey and David.
Living with a Boy: Visiting the Pseudo Nephews

Gam-Gam and Beebo's

Pat had a week-long course at the JAG school in Charlottesville, so we took the whole crew up to invade Gam-Gam and Beebo's for the week.  We had lots of fun playing and visiting new places.  Gus had the best time going on adventures with Beebo to the big creek.































































We went to Ashlawn-Highland (home of President James Monroe) to see the animals again.

Gam-Gam took us to Bounce n' Play, an indoor place full of bouncy toys. Gam-Gam had us meet a friend for Gus. Cass is the grandson of one of her friends and Gus had a blast playing with him.









We played at Granddad's pool. It was a little cold, but Gus and Cormac both wanted to be in the water. What can I say, they are water babies.

Hanging out at Granddad's with Uncle Dan-Dan (Gus has renamed him this).

Fun in thefort

The Cars fort just never gets old.  We still pull it out every couple of days to play.  Cormac loves it just as much as Gus.
































Unfortunately he never sits still long enough to get a clear picture.