Last Day of Kindergarten

Oh how this little guy has grown.

In height.

In confidence.

In ability.

In independence.

We couldn't be more proud.

Alekzander loves Ms. Leahy!!

Knowing the finality of the school year, 

I think I had a harder time 

saying goodbye than Alekzander did.  

We lingered long after the final awards ceremony 

with his 7 remaining classmates and teacher;

he had to have one more snack with some of his friends, 

watch one more video, and get one more hug!

We couldn't have asked for a better year or a better teacher!

Six Years

Accepting that we were the parents of a Kindergartner

was a little hard to swallow at the beginning of the school year,

but now we are the parents of a six year old! 

Wrapping our heads around that is crazy, 

but we are so blessed to watch Alekzander grow and develop.

Alekzander remains sensitive and sweet.

He does not like being wrong and 

is sometimes hesitant to try new things.

When his actions lead him the wrong way, 

and consequences ensues, he immediately seeks out 

an "I love you; I forgive you" hug.

He loves to tease his little brother.

One minute he will be arguing, poking, 

or head-locking Anderson, and the next,

he is hugging him or letting Anderson crawl all over him.

He often pulls Anderson in for a hug when he sees

him at school in the afternoon,

and he is one of the first that will comfort Anderson 

even if/especially when he may have been the instigator

or cause of his brother's tears.

Alekzander loves to be outside.

He would love to dig for worms 

and get dirt under his nails every day if he could.

He likes to play soccer or 'volleyball' until dark.

He can ride a two-wheel bike when pressured,

but he prefers his scooter or running.

He has a keen palate for a kid and 

can name the three ingredients in my biscuits.

Fruits remain a choice dessert,

and he could eat pizza or noodles seven nights a week.

School is going well.

He is a friend to all, he likes to lead,

and he is learning to read.

He prefers math over reading,

loves PE and recess,

and is dying to buy school lunch!

Within 30 minutes of waking up,

he has to let a loud, crazy primal noise out

{which inevitably wakes up Anderson too early}.

When asked why, he says it is to 

get the crazies out before going to school 

{while this method is not always successful, it is consistent}!

Upon coming home from school,

he immediately needs his down time which 

typically includes a TV show and a snack.

We love watching his personality grow and develop 

as he becomes more sure of himself.

We welcome his 6:40 wake up call

as it is a bright start to our day,

and it is when his mind/mouth wake up.

Ready or not, the questions start rolling

as if he has used his night to come up 

with ones that will stump us for sure.

The endless questions, the sweet insecurities,

the silly antics, sometimes emotional bedtimes,

and energetic outbursts are just a few of the things

we love {and would never change} about Alekzander.

Happy 6th Birthday, buddy.

We love you to the moon and back,

and will continue to wrap our love around you

forever and always.

The Tank

Our little tank.

A solid little guy who knows what he wants.

Tough as can be with a heart of gold.  

He asks for "Snuggy Buggy" (snuggles),

Gives kisses, hugs, and pats,

And is free with his unprompted, "I luf you."

He is polite and precious

and can be loud and grumpy demanding what he wants,

smiling, and saying 'please.'

Anderson is funny and he knows it.

He can make all of us laugh by giving zombie kisses or

pretending to sleep and then shout, 'I'm awake!'

He even shouts that out in the middle of the night.

Currently he is obsessed with all things Frozen.

We bought him a Frozen storybook from the book fair 

two weeks ago.  There has not been a day yet

that he has not had the book in his clutches. 

He sits and reads it to himself and has a favorite page that he studies:

Anna and her best friends forever!

He is anti-carbs, pro-dairy, super snacker.

A mama's boy through and through,

superhero, race car, farm animal toy fanatic.

He loves to try to take pictures and see himself in the camera.

At a recent 'play in the woods' family photoshoot,

all he wanted to do was hike and explore. 

When he was asked to sit still or lay in the leaves and smile,

he acted like he was a cat being pinned down in a bath!

Ironically, he does hate baths, especially when he has to lay down to wash his hair.

There is not a thing I would change about this silly, tantrumming, little two year old

Who absolutely steals my heart every day.

 Photos from our "Play in the Woods" session with our friend Susan

Truths of Two

Oh, this little love. 

It is a good thing he is cute

because he is giving us a run for our money.

In a matter of days, he busted his lip twice,

fell down the stairs, darted to the road,

and skinned his knee.

He makes frequent demands "right now!"

and cries crocodile tears almost daily.

He is two ... the truest, the 'two-est' of two!

But he has the biggest heart.

He prays for Mia and Tessa and Baby Butt.

He cried the other night when I was leaving

and clearly said, "Mommy, don't leave me."

He loves to give one more hug after you put him in his crib,

and without fail, he will kiss you on the mouth if you pretend to pout.

He recounts the details of his day,

can recite Buddy's books from school,

and knows how to spell Alekzander's name in a song.

He is smart and cute, cuddly and strong.

He makes us laugh,

amazes us with his vocabulary,

and charms us with his snuggles.

Anderson,

we'll take the two-ness of you

because we love you sooooo much.

First Day of Kindergarten

{Love that he was not embarrassed of us yet!}

Anderson's Birthday Party

In the middle of July, 

in the middle of Charlotte, 

in the middle of two CONCACAF Gold-Cup soccer games, 

among 60,000 soccer fans, 

we celebrated Anderson's second birthday with some of our favorites.  

They battled the crowds and the heat, 

drove around for 30 minutes looking for a parking spot 

and came to eat cupcakes and hatch dinosaur eggs with us.  

We were so blessed by their presence. 

Anderson had no clue that the party was all about him.  

He was content to survey the scene with Goldfish and grapes 

while big friends and 'baby' friends played around him.  

He did love the cupcakes and enjoyed hearing and singing 

his favorite song, "Happy Birt-day!" 

And hopefully he felt celebrated and loved.

 His safe, happy place.

Waiting for his dinosaur egg to hatch.  

There were 32 of these ice eggs! 

They were a big hit, but the big kids were not patient enough 

to let the heat or water melt them to reveal the dinosaurs 

and took to smashing them on the ground.

 Birthday Boy surrounded by friends

Thoroughly enjoying his cupcake

 The perfect present from the Millers

Sweetness

Anderson's Birthday Morning

Anderson slept in on his birthday,

so Alekzander blew up mini-balloons 

while we waited impatiently

to start the birthday celebrations.

Alekzander was so excited for Anderson to open his presents,

but once the birthday boy finally woke up,

the only thing he was interested in was the balloons.

He had no idea that today was his big day.

He caught on quickly and eventually tore into his presents 

like a seasoned birthday professional.

{Opening his present from Alekzander :: Vtech Go Go Smart Animals}

{Opening his monogrammed hooded dino towel 

and dinosaur Camelbak water bottle from mommy & daddy} 

 {Aunt Tessa Bug's dino themed present!}

No Secret

It's no secret,

Anderson is almost two!!

And he is acting like a big boy.

After watching his big brother swim for 8 days straight at swim lessons,

he finally got over his fear and decided to embrace the water.

He is like a fish now and will lay back, kick his feet,  

jump in holding hands,

and reach for the wall to pull himself up.

And on his own, he changed up his bedtime routine.

No more mutton, just "rock a minute" and read books.

He puts together proper sentences like,

"Get me out please, mama."

Or "Rock this way now."

"Read panda book, please."

So big. So loved.

5 Before 2

 

23 Months

Love this little guy.

Serious face, silly face, messy face and all.

No longer is he a baby.

This has been a long time coming, 

but recently, this guy has exercised his independence.

Fiercely.

He calls himself "And And,"

and everything is "And And do it!"

"And And turn."

"And And walk."

"And And open."

He knows he can do most things

and rages if he does not get to do it on his own.

To say he is opinionated is an understatement.

Not even two, Anderson knows what he wants, 

when he wants it, how he wants it.

He still loves "rock a minute" every night, but now adds, 

"Rock a minute this way." {Sometimes sitting, sometimes standing.}

He likes to have his hair or face petted or rubbed. 

If you do not do it just the right way,

he grabs your hand and forcibly shows you what he wants.

"This way mama."

Some of his favorite phrases {and mine} include

"Want yum, Mama?" {Want some?}

"Yuv you."

"And And read it."

"Good night, buddy."
"What doin, Mama/Dada/Buddy?"
"Is it mutton time?"

Each word is calculated and purposeful.

He is so smart and so sweet...

his personality is big, his will is strong, 

and his alligator tears are frequent!
The joy he brings us is constant.

Love this almost two year old so much.