Boys... You've Got Mail

Ashley and I heard/read about this idea somewhere and I had to share.  Setup an email account for your child (when you find out your pregnant, when they are born, when they are 5, 10, whatever)... just setup an email account and don't tell them.  Then proceed to send emails to them throughout the years with thoughts, memories, pictures and anything you want to share with them.  The idea is to not tell them about it until they graduate High School (or some other date when they are older).  They will have years and years worth of memories to go back through and read.

We setup accounts for both boys months ago when we first heard about this and it has been fun emailing them both (or individually) from time to time.  If you know and love our boys and want to share something then feel free... we created gmail accounts with their full names (ie. firstlast@gmail.com).

Now we'll just have to try and remember the password years from now. :)

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

 

Anderson :: On Luge, Ice Cream, and Worship

This kiddo had an explosive personality today.  He is a trip - and it is getting dangerous because he knows when he is being funny 

and catches on when anyone laughs at him.

During the parade, he decided to lay down in the wagon ...

or perhaps he was practicing for the 2026 American Olympic Luge Team!

*****

When the long awaited ice cream truck {post CW-parade} finally arrived, a whiny almost 2 year old did not want to wait in line but wanted ice cream NOW (at 9:45 a.m.).  And-And eat ice cream?!  We waited in line with friends and neighbors and finally got our ice cream.  Normally it takes Anderson 30 minutes to eat a Popsicle (all fruit/all natural) at our house, so I did not think he would be excited about a Popsicle from the ice cream truck.  Boy was I wrong.  Andrew and I ate a third of the Cream-sicle {for damage control} and then handed it over.  Anderson was a mess and ate every last bite (of what did not melt on him first).  Then, of course, he wanted to put his sticky hand in mine.  No wipes, no water to clean it, but of course I held his sticky, sweet hand during our short walk home.  Sugar makes everything better, temporarily, right?!

*****

In lieu of a cookout or pool, we did our normal SatPM routine and went to church. There was no childcare, so the kiddos were invited into the big worship/service. We had limited distractions with us, but both boys were pretty good. Anderson provided the most colorful commentary throughout. After hearing "7th day" and "15th day" celebrations, Anderson proceeded to pick up from each number and start counting {loudly}. Then he heard the Pastor talk about eating unleavened bread, and he said, "EAT BREAD" {loudly}. And after naming a few Sesame Street characters from one book and flipping completely through another, he shouted, "AMEN!" instead of "The End" {LOUDLY}. Worship had him intrigued and he clapped his hands in anticipation of prayer and pointed at the Pastor and said "Jesus heart" {not as loudly}. Precious, precious, busy boy.

*****

The moral of the stories :: be silly, do not be afraid to get messy or be loud, and children listen to and emulate everything! 

CW Parade 2015

Everyone loves a parade.  

Especially one with a volunteer fire fighter who offered 

to bring out a truck when his shift was over.

And especially one with free ice cream post-parade.

Wagons, strollers, bikes, and scooters...

Red, white, and blue...

Patriotism, community, and humidity...

Happiness in the 'Wood.