S Club Mama

Just when I recover from Moose's birthday, along come Squirt's birthday. Five years old this year.  Five years since I labored you into this world. Five years your brother has been a big brother. Five years being a family of four.  This year you have: - exited from the world of preschool - drawn Batman 8 million times (that's an approximation, of course) - been to the ER once - passed Level 1 and 2 in swimming lessons - grown several inches - tried many new foods (mostly in preschool) - decided that one bed for you two boys is enough - dressed up as several superheroes (usually in one day) Squirt 2009  Dear sweet boy who isn't a baby anymore either (or neither, as you would say),  You have the most atrocious mood swings and angry faces. But I'm glad your moods swing both ways so we get to enjoy your laughing, your sweetness, your tenderness, and your love.  Thank you for wanting to love God, for (mostly) obeying Dad and Mom, fo...

July has really snuck up on me this year and all of a sudden, summer is half over and my boy is another year older. In this past year, Moose has... - lost 4 teeth - switched allegiance from Robin to Spiderman - passed the 1st grade - learned to whistle - become a pro at drawing Mickey jumping - wrote several letters (addresses too) - grown several inches - been loved another year more Moose 2007  Sweet baby boy who isn't a baby any longer,  Thanks for loving God and wanting to please him. Thank you for listening (mostly) to Dad and Mom and snuggling with us. Thank you for sharing (kind of) with your brother and continuing to learn to be gentle with him.  May this next year hold wonderful blessings for you as you continue to learn and grow and thrive. We could not imagine our world without your beautiful smiling (semi-toothless for now) face. Mom Moose 2014  our toothless wonder :)

"I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises!" Psalm 34:1b

My baby. Going to preschool. Oh, my! How did this happen? I know it seems that I wonder at their growing up too much. But it has flown by. I feel I've missed moments. But I've been here for them. And I thank the Lord for that. So another milestone. Breakfast to celebrate. Piston cup eggs in toast. A little burnt (but they didn't mind). French toast made of the cutouts (yum!). More pictures. Memories captured forever. Little Squirt wants to be a superhero when he grows up. I think he's already pretty super! Big brother thinks so, too... at least sometimes. Daddy went to work, so Moose was my photographer for this son-mommy picture. He's got a good eye for it. Although, Squirt wasn't as tentative as he looks in this picture. Oh Superman! Can't go a day without being super. He did not wear this at school, but he did wear this to school. How could a mother say no to that face?? Run, little boy, ...

Wow! Where did the summer go? Apparently it's back to school time. Thursday was the first day of school here. Moose was very excited to go to Mrs. T's class. I don't know if he truly understood what kindergarten meant versus preschool, but he was excited. I made him eggs and had leftover rolls. They don't have a morning snack and we normally do, so I didn't want him to be hungry. I took some shots - who doesn't? I made a sign but when I blur out his name & where he wants to work when he grows up (same place Big A does), it's not so cute. So trying to protect our privacy a little since this is a public blog, I'll just put up the other pictures. Contrary to what it looks like, he's not giving a stangle hold to his brother in the first; that's how he puts his arm around Squirt. :) where did 5 years go? Big A started off to work and came home. He thought how often does his son go to kindergarten. I was so thankful for him being th...

Oh my, how those precious bowed legs took me by surprise. I had 9 months to get ready but I wasn't prepared for the storm that was you. Grumpy doesn't begin to describe our first year together, son. But I think we grew on each other. You took my heart right along with your brother's and dad's. Definitely marching to the beat of your own drum. Those blue eyes just peering at you, watching your every move. Learning every second. The challenges of having you as a son, are nothing compared to the joy of being your mama. Seeing you push your limits, set new ones for yourself. I've learned your fears: being squirted with water, fireworks, and sometimes nothing at all to let go your infamous whine. And I'm always ready for a hug and cuddle. My favorite request of yours is "will you cuddle with me, Mommy?" Always. he didn't like the fireworks this year any better than last. It's getting har...

I wasn't ready for this birthday.  It kind of snuck up on me.  But the day has come - I have a 5-year-old!!  I think this is the first big birthday milestone we've had. They really don't lie when they say that times flies when you're having fun.  Because these past 5 years have been a blast with you, Moose.  I love you, buddy! In these past 5 years, have you changed more or me? Moose about 1 month old. Moose almost 1-year-old. I almost forget how little hair he had. Moose almost 2-years-old! I also forget how much beautiful hair he had. Moose just turned 3-years-old and got his first (and only, so far) stitches. Moose as a 4-year-old. Moose on his last day of 4. 

A few weeks ago, we bought Moose his first real bike at a garage sale.  Then I got him a helmet (his dad thinks this is silly but I insist) and training wheels.  We were ready to go! Daddy understands the need for a helmet but it was hard to pick a size for our larger-than-life 4yo. Little brother pulls then rides his "motorcycle."  The new wheels! Big brother, ready to ride! He was a little unsure with the training wheels bobbing back and forth. He wanted to quit after about 5 seconds but I prodded (and cheered, loudly) him on for 10 minutes. Then I let him stop.  I am so proud of you, son. You'll get better with practice, I promise!  Did your son do something cool this week? Link up with the MOB Society for Let's Hear it For the Boys!

 A few weeks ago, Squirt decided to fall out of his crib. So it was time for the big boy bed. This was something new to us (having a kid fall out of his crib) because Moose would probably still be in a crib if we hadn't moved him out at almost 3. Anyway, this was our second attempt with Squirt - the first time had been abandoned because he kept jumping out of bed. He has done an excellent job of NOT jumping out of bed (although sometimes he does jump in bed...but gets in trouble for it). He's thrilled to be in a big boy bed...this mama is, too, but between the big boy bed and big boy underwear, where's the baby??? first night in the big boy bed the morning after - must have been a rough night!

Squirt got sick on New Year's Eve in the midst of our celebration. He was jumping in the ball pit we got from Grandma Fonda and Auntie Amber for their birthday and .... just spewed everywhere (so maybe the title to this post should also say bye-bye ball pit because I was not cleaning out all of those crevices. Yuck). And the poor kid just kept going, so I got to enjoy the rest of the festivities (playing board games!) while Big A got to (chose to) hang out with Squirt in his room to avoid more clean up than necessary (he even slept in Moose's bed while Moose got to cuddle with mama!!). last picture with the pa-pa (back in October)  The boy made it through that night without his pa-pa (pacifier). Just plumb fell asleep without it. So...Big A & I decided that if he could go without it while being sick, then it was time to just chuck it. And we did. He asked for it the next day at nap time, but we just told him, "when you got sick your pa-pa got dirty so no more pa-...

a good start to a big day! 1st day of school time! ready to go, Mama freezing morning! Moose & his teacher, Miss D The first day of school went so well. I got Moose up and fed him breakfast. We read a story and played a little before I got Squirt out of bed. I quickly changed him and got their coats/hats/gloves on. We headed out the door and made it to school just before 8am. I took Moose in and he pretty much was ready to be rid of me. haha He took his coat/hat/gloves off and Miss D showed him where to hang them up (he has his own hook!). He picked up Buzz Lightyear and then Scar (from Lion King), barely gave me a hug, and I was off. I didn't cry...I teared up for awhile but I didn't cry! cuddle time with mama sock puppet stole the pacifier! give it back! dancing with hair brushes Squirt & I went home, he ate his banana for breakfast. And we cuddled for awhile. Then we read stories and I chased him around the living room (he loves t...