Out of the Mouths of Babes

I know every mom thinks this, but man-oh-man, my kids are funny {and sweet}!

Anderson moved to a new big-boy bed complete with adorable mismatched bedding from Target's Pillowfort line.  His sheets have black clouds on them, and one night as he was trying to go to sleep, he started screaming hysterically.  When I ran in and asked him what was wrong, he was able to compose himself and tell me that the "eye cloud" was scary because it was looking at him.  I had no idea what he was talking about, but noticed that one of the black clouds had a white notch in it that apparently looked like spooky eye at night.

Anderson's imagination is running wild lately; he will play independently for hours making up stories and mixing characters.  He has a fondness for the "good guys" and an extreme fear of the "bad guys".  A tiny little Lego man rocked his world after about 45 minutes of playing on the floor of Buddy's closet with normally-off-limit Legos.  Ear shattering screams and hysterical crying were brought on by the "bad guy with the long hair".  I don't know what the bad guy said or did, but Anderson brought him up several more teary times.

After talking about haircuts for a few days, Anderson kept requesting his hair to be styled like "Nonny from Bubble Guppies".  We had to look up pictures to show Mr. Jay Anderson's inspiration.  Only an almost three year old would request to look like an orange haired cartoon character!  Alekzander followed up with a related request when it was my turn to get my hair cut, "Will you please get your hair cut like Molly in Bubble Guppies?"

Sweet, smart Alekzander still mixes up words sometimes. Animals still comes out as "aminals" and my headaches are "head-ics".  I hate to correct him because he makes me smile!

I love listening to both of them talk, play, sing, and learn.  The resulting laughter is an added bonus.

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!

Mama's Day 2016

I am so lucky that these two precious faces 

call me Mom/Mama/Mommy.

To celebrate Mother's Day this year, 

we packed some boxes for our move, folded some laundry,

and then did some of my favorite things :: 

had a picnic with the Taylors, 

took pictures and went on explorations in the woods, 

ate TCBY for dinner, and I even got to take an amazing nap in the hammock.

So thankful for hand holding, hugging, 

fresh picked flowers, and sloppy kisses from sweaty little faces...

and a husband who spoils me year round.

Winter Garden :: Spring Harvest

Green thumbs up

for winter gardening.

This winter, Andrew and Alekzander planned and planted our garden beds.

We grew broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, 

onions, brussel sprouts, lettuce, and spinach.

We are hoping to be able to harvest some veggies 

before our move in just a few weeks.

So far we have enjoyed lettuce and spinach

and are trying wait patiently for these broccolis to get a little bigger.

{Macro photo by Alekzander; 4/30/16}    

Most Improved Shark

Our {Alekzander's} first season of soccer is complete!

From March to May,

he and his team played in temperatures from 40 degrees to 80 degrees.

Goals were scored against them,

scores were miscalculated by 9 out of 11 Sharks most games,

but no one ever gave up.

This group of U8 players had first class sportsmanship

and an amazing coach who taught them well,

and played them equally and fairly.

Alekzander played all positions and claimed to love being goalie,

although he is fast, fast, fast.

While "shark like" aggression on the field is not natural for him,

Alekzander played hard and played proud.

He helped lead cheers on the sidelines :: "Go Blue Sharks!"

and mastered throw-ins and drop-kicks.

Moms {me} may have lost their voices,

brothers {Anderson} may have wandered on the fields,

and dads {Andrew} may have picked up a new skill set/new sports knowledge.

We also acquired two Size 3 soccer balls, smelly shin guards,

and a blue and black striped jersey.

What's more, we learned lessons about soccer

and got to see Alekzander interact with new friends

and respond to the directions of another adult.

Last night, Alekzander was named "Most Improved Player" 

at the post-practice pizza party,

and was commended for absorbing all of Coach's teaching,

trying all of the positions, and perfecting his spacing on the field.

We are so proud of him for trying, 

and succeeding at, his first team sport.

While it doesn't matter what sport he chooses to play in the future,

for this season, I was proud to be a soccer mom.

Runners on Your Mark

Get Set! Go!

{Powered by rain boots}

Role Assignment

I am Joy, Daddy is Feaw-re, Syra is Anger, you are Bisgust, Buddy is Sadness.

Mommy, I am Big Daddy LaBouf and you are Tiana.

I am Jake and you be Captain Hook.

I am Geo, Buddy is Bot, you are Millie.

I am Kristoff, you are Elsa.

I am Mickey, you are Minne.

Perhaps this kid watches too much TV, 

but he is hilarious with is role assignment

{on a daily or hourly basis}.

And you better believe, he always gets the starring role!