Play time is my favorite time...

Cole loves to play. He is all boy and is definitely experimenting and trying new things every day. In the picture below, he has one of his favorite balls. I say one, because balls are his favorite toy in general and points them out everywhere we go. You know those big concrete balls in front of Target stores or HEB's? As soon as we get out of the car, he points and yells, clear as day, "ball!" Lately, he has started to play this game with this ball. Brent and I can't quite figure out what the rules are exactly, but he is definitely having FUN. We try to join in but I think we mess him up. It's pretty funny to watch.

Ever since Cole has started to actively play, he has wanted to carry as many things in his hands at once. He will work so hard to get just the right hold and balance to carry as much as possible. Whether it is two balls like in the photo below or two of his golf clubs, he always has something in hand and walks this entire house all day long. He is not a sitter, but a mover and a shaker. And I love it!

Below is Cole and his dad in the fort we built him in our living room. He loves to go in there and read with us. It is precious! I love reading to him. He doesn't often sit for the entire story but I just keep reading as he walks around. He can still hear the story so that counts right?? His favorite book right now is "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" or the his monkey drumming book that Miss Beth got for him. He enjoys drumming on his or my legs. Too cute!

Just like his daddy, he loves it outside and playing golf. We didn't teach him this at all. Brent was just outside with him one day and got out his golf set. Then Brent came in and told me to gave the camera. He said check out Cole, look what he is doing. This is one of my new favorite photos.

The Swap Party

Last week, my friends and I got together to have a "Swap" party. Don't know what that is? Neither did I, but it was so FUN! You should totally try it with you friends! Or tell me you want to be invited to our next one! There will be more for sure. They can be seasonal, themed or anything you want them to be.

My friend Teresa hosted the first one and did a great job! She did some research to help her plan the first swap party and found a ton of information about how to run one. We had about 7 girls show up and had a ton of stuff to swap with one another. I can't even imagine all the stuff we could have had if all the girls we invited showed up. I think the amount was perfect for the first one and now that we know what to do, the more the merrier! Come on girls! Go through your house and your closets. What does not fit, is not being used, and you don't want back??? Swap it!

We had books, movies, home decor, shoes, tops, jackets, pants, skirts and accessories to swap. Teresa had a section set up for each category and clothes were sorted by size. It was so organized! We all went through each section together and took turns choosing items in accessories, home decor, and books/movies. The clothes were also done by type but we all went through them together. If we liked it, then we made a pile. If more then one person liked it, then we worked it out ourselves. There were suggestions of a coin toss or getting opinions of who it looked best on from some of the sites, but we didn't end up with too many items being fought over. We are all too sweet for that (wink wink). Then after we were all finished, we sat around and showed everyone what we swapped and found out who it belonged to once before. It was so fun to see something that was collecting dust in your home or closet be so appreciated and excited about by someone else. For me, I left happy not spending a dime, having new-to-me clothes in my closet, and knowing that someone else, that I care about, enjoying things I was no longer putting to good use. What a great concept!

You can do this any time. Seasonally. You can have themed ones. You could do a toy swap for kids. Or a children's clothing swap. The sky is the limit.

Here are some helpful links to plan your Swap Party:

#1 Planet Green

#2 Real Simple

#3 eHow

#4 Recycling Week

#5 wikiHow

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We've Been Some Busy Bee's

I know. I am not keeping up our family blog very well. I have changed the look and taken a few names off, but other then that I have not shared pictures, stories, or anything that has been happening around here lately. And that's been A LOT!

October has literally flown by for us. Every weekend we have either been out of town, studying for a huge exam, or having garage sales. Next weekend and the last weekend in October, we have almost nothing on the schedule. We do have a few fun things like Trunk or Treat at church (which I have to figure out what Cole will be this week!) and Ava's birthday party.

I promise that this week is so much slower for me, only a few things on the calendar, instead of 20, that I will do some blogging and update you all on our lives.

Here are a few things I need to/may write about so you have something to look forward and so I will remember. I have had trouble remembering lately because there has been so much. Must get organized. :)

-Dallas weekend with Jon and Steph
-Lake weekend with friends
-Brent's test
-Swap Party
-Garage Sale
-Upcoming Trip

11 to 13 Month Pictures on Shutterfly

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