Before - above
I totally caved at the store today. I took the boys to purchase school supplies, and one of the items we needed was play dough. Ryland said he wanted to play with it as soon as he got home. I explained it was for school, and we couldn't open it. He was disappointed.
We mashed shapes, rolled snakes, and made all kinds of other unrecognizable creatures. It was awesome! Ryland lost interest after about 45 minutes, but I was all about the play dough. He eventually pulled me away to play cars. Lesson learned. Have fun!
Ryland was climbing all over the side of Reed's crib. He told me he wanted to get in Reed's bed. Of course he wanted to bring his toys. I put Ryland in the crib, and Reed started kicking and was so excited. Ryland beamed with glee.
Ryland started the mobile, and the monkey party began.
Ryland started taking "party pics".
Our play group met at the new Sea Life aquarium in Grapevine. I was a little hesitant at first, but Ryland's amazement was worth the wait in line. He ran right to the first exhibit and was in total awe.
Reed was a trooper as always. I think he was a little amazed as well.
"Look mommy. A shark!"
This was the sting ray exhibit. There was a large tank with bubble viewing areas for the kiddos to peek in to the sting rays. 
One of the coolest areas of the aquarium. The tunnel was completely glass including the floor. Ryland was not overly excited to walk on it at first, and I attempted to snap a picture before he started fussing.
Here is a mirror view of us three. It is the only way I could get us in a photo together. Too bad the huge jelly fish were right in the way.
Reed just doesn't know what to think. He is checking out the views.
I tried to get Ryland to sit by Reed for a picture by the glass wall, but he thought the floor would be better.
The boys. I did a little talking, and I was able to convince Ryland to pose for a picture with Reed.
Ryland noticed that I snapped a picture of him on the other side, and he took a picture of me being silly.
The shark tank was awesome! The room has a glass panel floor and side panels. Ryland just plopped down on the floor to get up close and personal. He was mesmerized.
Time is really flying by. Reed is getting bigger and more alert everyday. He is now sitting on his own, although I am still cautious and surround him with pillows. He once again loved getting his picture taken and smiled the entire time.
John Chris and I decided to take the boys to Chuck E Cheese for a little fun tonight. It had been several months since we had taken Ryland and this was Reed's first encounter. The sketch booth went a ton better on this visit. If you remember from last time, Ryland was screaming and throwing a fit in the last sketch. He actually thought it was cool this time.
Ryland is on the edge of being too big to play in the little kid section, but he is still a little small for the big kid area. He would ride or play a baby game and then run to play a bigger game. He went back and forth most of the night.
Serious concentration. Notice the tongue has come out.
Ryland showed Reed how fun it was to ride with Chuck E Cheese. We had a great time and before we knew it, it was time to go home. We all had full pizza bellies, several plastic bugs we bought with tickets, and Reed was down to his diaper. Nothing like a blow out in a public place.
What a grin! I try to catch him smiling and take a picture, but the minute the camera comes out he hides his face or stops smiling. Today, he was happy as a lark. He told me a thousand times how he was happy to be home. I am sure I told him a thousand and one times how happy I was that he was home. He had a blast playing with all his toys and being silly.
I think Reed was happy to be home as well. I missed him so much. We all had a great day of playing and laughing.
We have discussed and discussed these darn stairs for just about a year now. When we first moved in this house, the stairs were covered in stained, nasty, and worn out beige carpet. The first day in the house, John Chris and I pulled out all the carpet. 
The right side of the stairs where the wood ends was going to be white with a piece of white curved white trim on the left side against the wall. I pulled out a few of the wood spindles and painted the trim white. Hmmm. Not exactly what I had in mind.
So, the stairs just remained an unfinished project until John Chris came across a picture. I know this sounds cheesy, but he found a picture of the Kardashian Christmas card. The staircase they were standing on was what we had in mind. The basic difference was that the stair tread and riser came all the way out to the end of the step with the iron spindle anchored directly to the step. The risers were also painted white instead of being stained wood. We knew this would be a ton more work and more expense, but it would be worth it.
Since the boys were visiting their grandparents, we ripped out all the spindles and wood.
We sanded the handrail and newel posts and painted them white. We also added the curve white trim on the left wall. 
Ryland and Reed spent a few days at Nana's house, and from the pictures I can tell they had a great time.
As we wrapped the first day at Nana's house, we started getting ready for bed. Reed is still smiling and giggling.
On the other hand, Ryland has completely unraveled. He has thrown a temper tantrum and informed us that he "hates us all". I swear that is what it sounded like. I have no idea where he heard the word hate, but through his screaming and crying he needed to release the anger. He needs to go to bed to get some rest.
The boys are going to spend some time with the grandparents over the next week. We have been talking about going to visit for the past few days, and Ryland is excited! Our bags are packed, and we have crammed it all in the truck. I ran back inside for my phone charger, and I came back out to see Ryland dancing on the console.
Reed is ready to make the few hour trip. He will play with the dangling toys for a couple minutes, and he will fall fast asleep.
Cooper is ready to go. He was thrilled just to get in the truck.
We didn't make it very far after a bite to eat, before Ryland was out. Don't you love the cool sunglasses?
