Big Pre-K and Beyond

I can barely even believe it.  Not only is he four now but he is also in PreK.  Y'all - that's like real school.  How did this even happen?!  Ok  yeah - I know - the days turn into weeks into months into years and before you know it, it is August 7, 2013 and the crying baby who I walked around the house non-stop is now a talking non-stop big kid walking into school all by himself with a bookbag on his back.  Blink of an eye.  Crazy.

 Seriously, though.  This kid was WAY excited about starting school and going to his new classroom.  He's been talking about it for weeks, and then the day finally got here?!  Ooh Yeah (as William would say - it's his new favorite phrase)  I made sure to drop him off "late" (instead of at 7:15 as usual) so he could walk in to his real classroom, just like real school.  He was so stinkin excited he didn't even give me a hug or a kiss.  Just dove right in to the new toys and jabbering to his new teachers.  And as much as I would have liked a hug on such a big day - I'm kinda proud that he was so comfortable.

Poor Patrick was also supposed to be moving rooms that day - but he caught a nasty stomach bug (that subsequently hit the other two boys in the house - Girls (me) rule this time around - knock on wood - I didn't get it) - so I stayed home with him and worked from the sofa.  Not complaining - I watched SVU all day while clicking through emails and paused it through calls.  In small doses, working from home isn't half bad. LOL  (This is what Patrick chooses to wear when he doesn't feel good - I just kept telling everyone he was obviously destined to be a weather man LOL and knew something the rest of us didn't.... It DID rain later in the day)

Of course, by the time I picked up William - he couldn't remember a blessed thing that he had done that day.  Silly boy.  I know he had a great time though - and his teachers are so excited that he talks so much and gives so much for them to do the beginning assessments with.  Not entirely sure that they will be thankful for all that 'noise' in a couple weeks - but they think he's adorable and love how curious he is.  He may not have been able to tell me anything he did - but before we could leave he did have to show me nearly every item in the room.  Including magnets and microscopes.  He was all about it.  So cool.

He literally has not looked back.  Threw a bit of fit because he had to go to "before" school care, instead of straight to PreK - but that was only a day and now he's a pro at the whole thing.  Patrick has even semi-adjusted to not getting Ms Arnie or Ms Sonya snuggles.  He's warming up to Ms Katrice (who is his full-time new teacher - so that's good).  He's always playing happily when I pick him up and then comes running saying "my Mommy"... I guess he thinks the other kids will be confused otherwise.  Silly.

I say this every time - but he's talking even more now.  Today he told me "Don't Go My Mommy" - so of course - I picked him up and took him with me to the kitchen....  How could I say no?! :)  "Not Nice" is a favorite when he is displeased - complete with a finger point and a serious look.  He's starting telling me he wants to "nurse" and then to switch "sides".  It's just the neatest thing when he starts saying new words, stringing them together, etc.

Monday night (as well as most nights really) have become jump on Daddy & Mommy in the bed before bathtime nights.  And it's really vigorous horseplay.  I don't know how we haven't broken something yet.  Something being - the boys - or us!!  They jump around and "get us".  It's really cute how IN to it they are and the giggles can't be matched.  But goodness - Patrick's full body weight thrown onto your stomach right after dinner is no cake walk.... And then William does it!  It's a wonder we have survived.  Sometimes I can punk out and just leave Daddy to handle it - but they don't usually let me get away with that too often.  Ouch!

We think William is about to hit a growth spurt.  He's getting a little belly, which only happens when he hasn't "stretched" up yet... and he's actually eating.  And eating well.  That never happens either! ha!  Of course, I JUST bought him some pants for fall, so hopefully he won't grow up TOO much.  teehee

But yeah - otherwise - life is pretty normal.  I'm loving working on sugar cookies, we pillow pile on the weekend, bath in the evenings, in bed by 8pm.  Normal.  Oh!  We did take them to see "Planes" yesterday afternoon.  It was cute.  Not as good as Cars - what could be though?! - but still really cute and they both sat and watched the whole time.  And William ate popcorn off the floor.  Not sure, but I feel like that should be preserved for the future.

Loves.

William Turns 4

So, obviously William's birthday was the 3rd.....  I'm behind.  Not apologizing for this anymore - I have two mini people (and a full life) - it happens.  ha!

Birthdays are a big deal around our house.  (atleast when a mini person is having one) I started William's birthday fun by taking him to Six Flags on Friday.  We took off school/work, went and bought me some tennis shoes (literally no idea what happened to mine - they have vanished), and off we went to Atlanta.  He watched a movie on the way up, I enjoyed the random conversations.

 We got there shortly after they opened, because I got lost a little (easy to do for me).  We parked at the FAR end of the parking lot, because my parents always parked over there when we came to Six Flags.  You park under the trees and your car doesn't get as hot because it's basically in the shade all day.  It does make for a REALLY long walk to the park  - but it was fun.  I had to explain to him why he had to hold my hand in the park.  I told him that my number one job as his mommy was to keep him safe and there were lots of people, blah blah blah.  The part about keeping him safe has stuck around - and I've used it frequently since.

I made William take a picture as soon as you walk in.  I know, cheesey bad touristy, but absolutely a right of passage if you're going to be there for your birthday.  We walked straight to the kid area to ride his first roller coaster.  He got more than a little distracted by the flying piggies and had to ride that several times before we could get in line for the roller coaster.  OMG - we were in line for what seemed like hours, but was definitely atleast one.  It was painful.  Especially with an antsy 4 year old.  But he did good.

He LOVED the roller coaster.  It was so cute - I could tell that he would get nervous going around curves but he loved the rush down the hills.  I would just hold on to his legs and that reassured him enough to have fun.  He didn't want to get off!!  Wanted to ride again... I told him that there was no way we were getting in that line again, we'd check it in the afternoon to see if it was shorter... (It wasn't)  So, he rode the piggies a couple more times then moved on to the outside rides.

We did the airplanes, the semi-trucks, and the flying boats before going out for lunch.  We took the train out this time - we needed a break from walking.  I made turkey/cheese rollups for him and we sipped on capri suns sitting on the trunk of the car.  Put on more sunscreen and back we went to ride the carousel, drive the old timey cars, ride another boat that spun, and the hot air balloons.  The coolest thing was to watch him on these rides.  He was always staring towards the 'gut's of the ride - wanting to figure out how it worked.  Mind just turning.  I had to explain to him why the hot air balloons had a high side and a low side (circle on an angle) - but he was enthralled by it all.  Engineers are cool people too :)

At some point, I had promised him a milkshake.  I can't remember why now, but oh my, it was not the day for milkshakes.  We literally went to five different fast food places trying to get a milkshake.  All the machines were broken.  We ended up at Zaxby's and got a birthday cake milkshake - which worked out perfectly since it was a birthday trip.  He totally understood that and was all excited :)

Saturday was awesome.  He woke up to his presents laid out like Santa had come in the living room.  Though, we had to explain that it wasn't a birthday fairy, or Santa, but Mommy & Daddy who made all of the fun happen.  haha  He got the Jake and the Neverland Pirates set up - Bucky, Skull Rock, all the figures, a treasure chest full of sword, gold dubloons, etc.  He LOVED it!!!  We went to Chick-Fil-a breakfast as usual, him in his pirate 4 birthday shirt and everyone there loved on him - gave him a special Birthday cow (he has since been named "Moo-ey").

After nap, we had birthday dinner and cake at the pool with B&B.  He had a great big time playing in the baby pool with Patrick and then requested to go swimming in the big pool - so we all tooks turns with him.  He's holding on to someone at all times, but it's an improvement that he WANTS to do it!  And he's really getting better and more comfortable in the pool.

William is really just the coolest kid.  I know he talks a lot, has more energy than most people know what to do with, and is really stretching his independence.... but I just can't get over how neat he is.  He has such a kind soul.  We have to be really careful to be gentle with his emotions because he feels everything SO big.  He's so cute with animals - always asking permission and giving them his hand to smell first.  He randomly says "I love you mommy".  And when he is really into something he will say "I Just Love {it} so much".  The "just" gets me.  He loves to have dance parties in the living room and, this bugs his daddy, but he loves to pretend to be like mommy (painting nails, borrowing my jewelry) - he SO CURIOUS about everything.  And honestly, isn't that one of the better qualities?!  He can be a snot with the best of 'em, he is still four, but I hope his spirit isn't beaten down as he gets older.  He's 'just' so free and wild and it's 'just' awesome.... (ok, maybe I can see why he says JUST now lol)

William Rumer - I love you sweet boy.  Happy Fourth Birthday.  I hope all of your wild dreams come true.

Loves.

Really? I should be embarrassed....

Oh my goodness............. I don't even know where to start.

Patrick is talking up a storm!  His favorite phrase at the moment is "big truck" said in the deepest, most certain voice he can conjure up and it's perfectly adorable.  He's also starting to put little sentences together, "I got you" - that kind of stuff.  It's so fun when the word explosion starts happening.  For awhile he would say his name - but it's back to just "me" now.

William thinks he's a teenager and has started the 'sass' in full force.  We were so not prepared for it and am a little on edge about how to tamp it down the right way.  Guess I better start reading my favorite parenting sites :)  Did I mention he pulled a "whatever" on us?! Sam and I could barely hold back the giggles.  And then, a couple days later at school, the early morning teachers asks me what's up with "whatever".  "Why - has he been saying it?!"  "No, he tells me every morning that 'we don't say whatever'"  I'm guessing that he's been scolding the teachers for saying 'whatever' since it's on the no-no list.  Lord.

The boys and I survived Daddy going out of town for 3 days.  Honestly, it went so well, I might have a bit of a confidence boost from it.  Might be the first time Sam has left me with the kids and I didn't have an anxiety driven panic attack.  So, I'll take the success, ha!  Seriously, though - it went really well.  The boys listened, we took baths, they went to bed with very little fussing at all.  I stayed up much too late watching Law & Order SVU every night.  Good times were had by all.  I even got to work on time.  Easy peasy.  Now watch next time Sam goes somewhere be a doozie and I lose my mommy mojo big time.  It's bound to happen.  The universe won't let me stay like this.  hahaha

I'm calling it.  I have no idea what's been happening the past month in detail enough to preserve it here forever.  I've been trying to remember for days.  I give up.  I'm consumed with birthdays....  Four and Thirty-One (and a party for Two in September)  More on that later.

**Based on the pictures - we made lots of cookies and treats, had a play date with a friend at Callaway, snuggled a lot, tried to let the boys have a sleepover at William's request - he wanted to snuggle with Patrick - melt my heart now...

 

Loves.