Pony Express

 {Crazy boy :: naturally our old mailbox makes the perfect horse!}

Extra Cute

 Cutest "extra" around!

Alekzander's "famous" side

We took part in a national commercial filming here in Charlotte today.

We were extras pretending to do a 'back to school' drop off.

The pretend part was a little too real.

Though we have another whole year before big school {Kindergarten},

the reality of my baby growing big is too much!

TK {transitional Kindergarten} starts in a month

and he couldn't be more excited to carry his backpack

and meet new friends.  The learning part will be a plus too!

Of course today, at the big school, he was confident walking through the doors 

and "so mature" as noted by the "talent" of the commercial!

Oh, how I love my sweet boy!

Mountain Playmates

When with Mia and ATB,

Mommy and Daddy are chopped liver.

Alekzander's (and soon Anderson's) favorite playmates

play doctor, get shots, go fish, and so much more.

I love watching these interactions,

though there may be a touch of jealousy 

since I am rarely invited to play!

However, I do love and appreciate 

watching fresh imaginations, endless patience,

and unconditional love for my boys.

More than a Fort

These two brothers enjoyed a few moments together

in the dog house-bear cave-pirate ship-brother fort.

After Anderson crawled out, 

Alekzander spent hours crawling in and out,

building and rebuilding, hiding and pretending!

Doctoring

No one in the world has a Mia quite like ours.

She plays endlessly, creates amazingly, and loves tremendously.

Mia and Alekzander call each other "best friends."

When she is around, I am chopped liver!

The game of choice for the weekend was "Vet Clinic."

It was quite the elaborate and thorough set up.

Each patient {live or stuffed} was examined, bandaged, 

and monitored for the entire day.

I was not qualified to play "Animal Doctor," 

but when the doctors were on a break,

{and Anderson and I were playing in the Treehouse Room}

the cute young doctor went to the {pretend} jewelry store 

and made me the most beautiful necklace.

Far better than macaroni, these gems are one of a kind

and hand-strung by the handsome doctor :: to be treasured forever.

I guess liver isn't so bad after all!

Planes

These little planes are new prized possessions

purchased with his own money out of his piggy bank.

We researched, price shopped, found coupons,

and then went out to make the special purchase.

Amazing pretend scenarios have played out already.

The planes talk, race, and help each other just like in the movie.

It is pretty impressive to hear what he comes up with on his own; 

there are times where we tip-toe around him while he is deep in play

so that we don't break the magic.

Praying that his imagination continues to soar!

No Dinos

Curious George continues to be a staple of entertainment in our house... except on Tuesdays or Thursdays {in which case we can't watch the animated Curious George on TV, but we can read one or three or ten of his stories - or listen to a CD with three George stories on repeat!}

One animated episode "Signs Up" has been viewed numerous times... George steals signs from around the park and zoo and starts a collection in his room until he realizes that people rely on the signs for information even though they just have pictures/no words.  At the end, he returns the signs and gets to make a special one for his room with Professor Wiseman (a minor supporting character that Alekzander knows by name!).  George makes a sign that looks much like these...

George better watch out because Alekzander and I are pros at cranking these signs out in minutes.  Already five have been created and distributed to two Charlotte homes.  {Three signs reside in our house though - on each of our doors upstairs - just to be sure that we are safe from dinosaurs.}

 All three doors have to remain closed at all times 

to make sure that the dinosaurs get the picture 

and don't enter any of our rooms.

These dinos, however, may not be able to read,

but they look pretty nice to me.

Farmer

Documenting our days {well} is getting harder and harder...

mostly because my desire to play and invest and engage

is getting greater and greater.

This kiddo is fun.

{And silly and a little bossy!}

His imagination is huge.

After reading "Farmer Mickey" and watching a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 

"On the Farm" episode,

Alekzander had to be a farmer also.

He hit the jackpot and found an unopened package of sticky notes and flags.

Pink ones became strawberries.

Green ones became kiwi.

They were stuck all over the walls on 'trees'

and we had to gather them into a basket 

because we worked on a farm.

Farmer Mommy had a red hat; 

Farmer Alekzander wore a blue one.

It was hard, serious play!

We had to pick carrots from deep in the rug. 

Big ones and small ones.

Cameras weren't welcome on the farm.

When there was work to be done, 

there was no place for the mamarazzi...

The Medal Ceremony

Winners all around!

Standing victorious...

Olympic Moments

 Future Olympians :: 2028

Swistak Family

Williams' Family

Celebrating a goal in soccer

Getting ready to swim

Diving into the pool

Freestyle swimming

In the starting blocks :: Ready for the 100 meter dash

Water Archery with Mr. Blake

 Fencing :: A fan favorite

Discovery by Sea

 Under the sea in the yellow submarine...

Riding the waves on a speed boat...

Discovery on Land

 Discovering the lay of the land via ambulance, firetruck, and compact car...

Exploring rural life on the farm by working with his hands...

 Searching for only the finest ingredients at an upscale Charlotte grocery store...