Grandfather Mountain, Ikea and Roy Boy Strikes Again (said while pulling my hair out)!!!!

Last Wednesday, the children and I headed up to Boone to visit Nana. Roy was out of town and so was Franklin, so Jane invited us up to visit with her for the night. We had a good time as always, although it rained the majority of the time we were there. I had a fun time doing nothing:) On Thursday, we drove up to Grandfather Mountain for lunch and to see some animals. We were able to see some bears but a big storm came again so we had to leave. We will go back soon for a picnic and to cross the big bridge there and see more animals.

Caroline, Nana and Roy Austin in front of the statue of Mildred, the famous Grandfather Mountain bear.

Roy Austin watching the otters. These guys were fun to watch.

On Friday, we went with Jessica and her children to Charlotte's new Ikea. All of the excitement of it opening has died down, so we thought it would be a good time to go. It's a great store but it's a little overwhelming because it's so big! They have a little cafe and free childcare, which we took advantage of:)

Kathryn and RoyBoy getting ready to eat lunch.

Caleb and Caroline wearing their new bibs. Now, I realize these 4 year olds may look too old to be wearing these bibs but Jessica had a great idea. These bibs are the hard plastic kind that form a little tray at the bottom. She uses them in the car for when the kids have to eat lunch (ie: chicken nuggets) in the car. She puts the food in the tray part of the bib and it acts as the plate so food doesn't get all in the carseats and on the floor. GENIUS idea!

And this little guy. He's eaten a Cascade gel pack, a cigarette butt, fertilizer, sidewalk chalk. He plays in toilets, climbs anything and everything and at the tender young age of 19 months, I can now add climbing out of his crib to his bag of tricks. AHHHHHHHHHHHH! Today Roy, Caroline and I spent the early afternoon playing outside, pulling an occasional weed and enjoying the sunshine while our sweet boy took his nap. Around 4:00 Roy told me to go wake RoyBoy up so we could all go on a walk. I came inside, turned the corner on the stairway and there was Roy Austin coming down the stairs and holding a CD, looking at me as if to say "Hey! What's up?". I just stood there staring at him in disbelief. Do you know how dangerous that could have been?He had been up for a while because things were pulled out of my closet and other places throughout the upstairs. What in the world?! Caroline was in the crib for a little less than 2.5 years and she NEVER ONCE climbed out. Not once! Why God, WHY?! Does anyone need a strong dose of birth control?