6

When did you become a REAL boy?  You're certainly not a baby anymore and "little" isn't really a good adjective to describe you!

You are off the charts in height - and I "height predict" you to be 6'9" at 18!  We're going to need to re-finance the house just to pay for grocery bills, because my love, you eat constantly!  Not five minutes after you finish a meal (after claiming you're full), you're ready for a snack.  You generally eat anything you are served, as long as there isn't spinach involved.

You have been asking, every morning, if you get to go to school today!  And by school, you no longer mean Stepping Ahead.  You mean, Kindergarten, at the big school.  With big people, and lots of teachers!  *sigh I'm glad you're ready because I'm not!

You've learned to tie your shoes.  Because you're going to Kindergarten and because your feet are so big we can no longer buy velco.

I can't keep up with your imagination!  You are so busy taming dragons and fighting bad guys.  And if you're not fighting them, you're training!  You want to be a "army guy and a police man" when you grow up, yet you're fascinated with Space, Bats, and maps.

I think you are a bit of an introvert - because you're content going into your room to play, read, or watch Netflix alone.

We definitely take advantage of your ability to compromise when it comes to that little brother of yours.  You're the one who generally loses his turn, or has to do the sharing, without the same being reciprocated.  We put a lot of pressure on you to be a good leader, make good choices, and do the right thing!  Dad and I have some high expectations of you and we have to remember that you're still only 6!  You usually rise to our challenge and I am so proud of you.

6 Year Fun Facts:

Weight: 52.8 

Height:  52 3/4"

Favorite Superhero: Batman

Favorite Color:  orange and black

Favorite Team:  Cavs or Bengals

Favorite Food:  Burritos (pizza and tacos are close runner-ups)

****I've been sitting on this entry for a couple of weeks...of course you started your next adventure TODAY...KINDERGARTEN!

You've been asking every morning since the beginning of August if "today is a Kindergarten day"?  And today, Roman and I woke you up, singing a silly song of KINDERGARTEN DAY!!!!  You had your super awesome outfit picked out weeks ago, and the morning was going awesome until your little brother threw a wrench in the morning regarding your Batman bracelets.  Ugh!  Thankfully, by the time we arrived at Elementary school you were all smiles!

You let me (well...you didn't have a choice) spend 90 minutes with you in Mrs. Hoge's classroom, filling out some paperwork and listening to her classroom rules (thus saving us from attending open house!).  Then, she announced it was time for recess and for kids and parents to say goodbye to their little boys.  And with that, little boy, you gave me your "oh mom" look, gave me a kiss, told ME to have a good day and that you'd see me later...and you were off...

Ummmm...

I think its safe to say, that big ones don't provide as much writing material as little ones!  When I think about writing, I'm not sure what to say!  Well, its been 6 months...clearly I should be able to find something, right?

Winter, Spring, and now we're in the middle of Summer!  Yikes!  Life has been "uneventful" and I suppose that's a good thing!

Roman:
Is quite the character.  He's a clown - always smiling - whether its happy or "shit eating"!  He's ornery and he's still 3!  He has a mind of his own and is strooooooong willed!  He knows how to push Jack's buttons (and everyone else's too)!  He follows anyone around who'll let him - Mark, Grammie, Papa...and always wanting to help do something!  He will follow behind Mark mowing the lawn or happily stand in the yard and watch him.  He decided his floor is more comfortable than his bed, and most nights that's where he sleeps.  We did, just recently turn his lock around because it would take nearly 2 hours some nights to keep him in his room.  He still needs to work on aiming in the toilet and would prefer to pee outside.  He has total trust that someone (usually Dad) will catch him when he comes running full-speed during wrestling matches and will come racing to me when I come home from work or pick him up from daycare!

Roman also had tubes and adenoids taken care of this winter too and he is definitely a different kid! His language has improved and he's starting to eat like a growing boy!  He's trying his hardest to keep up with big brother and has been a fearless kid at the pool this summer!  Our Hilton Head vacation was filled with jumping into the pool over and over again and he even has begun jumping off the diving board at swim lessons!  He kicks his little legs like crazy, smiling the entire time, and not really going anywhere!  He's becoming super fast on his Big Wheel and Scooter and is obsessed with Spiderman!

Jack:
Is awesome!  His imagination and mind are always going...when I put him to bed at night I have to tell him to turn his brain off because he will continue to talk if I don't!  (My days of cat napping with him are gone!)  If he knows a fact, he will happily share his knowledge!  In fact, during Kindergarten screening he told the teacher that Jupiter has methane gas which is why we can't live there.  (Thanks Pops!) Jupiter is also his favorite planet! The other week at Kroger he saw a "magazine like what is at Grammie and Pop's house".  Yes...a 'National Geographic' - with Pluto on the cover.  Well, like any who strive for "best mom ever" title, I told him to throw it in the cart!  He looked at it the entire (20 minute) drive home and has become a staple in his backpack for any adventure!

Speaking of adventures:  he loves them!  He'll pack a bag - complete with a small notebook, pencil, sword, map, and Dragon book!  He trains per Yoda's request.  And usually, little brother isn't far behind, ready to be a side-kick in whatever action packed adventure Jack comes up with!

He is still timid when it comes to the water and definitely works better when he has time to process what is happening for a day and what our expectations are!  For example, swim lessons...that he has to do whatever Logan says!  And he does...except he won't go down the slide or off the diving board!  But he is a rule following and will (almost) always do what we ask!  He still (almost) always comes to me for a hug first thing in the morning and I still always have to lay with him at night!


We went on "The Best Ever" vacation to Hilton Head this summer.  Jack said everything was his favorite!  He had a blast jumping waves, riding waves, building sandcastles, and playing in the pool!  Roman wasn't so crazy about the salt-water, but as long as he was with his Daddy he was ok!

Our fun-filled summer is coming to an end!  And our wild and exciting summer adventures at the Lake House and beach will turn into Fun Football Friday and low-key Saturday's with Mom!  We're not even going to talk about school...

Oh brother...

In the newly found Jackism:  "Oh brother".

Manners...manners I feel are important, and a please always gets one further than a demand!  Roman is well, he's 3.  And he's in the throws of the "trying" three's (and he's about to get thrown out of the house).  A lot of things are asked for in between tears and sobs or in a whiny tone.  When demands are whinily given, I ask him to ask nicely.  He generally gives me a blank stare and I generally whisper "please".  The other day however, I said, "ask nicely".  His response, in his sweet 3 year old voice, with a smile on his face was "nicely"!  I never got the please I was looking for, but nicely, well, nicely worked like a charm!

In other fun things I want to remember about this wonderful time of the 3's (since I'll obviously only remember the good moments)...This kid likes music - he got his first set of headphones, SpiderMan of course, and only wants to listen to "Frogen" (ie. Frozen).  He is always shaking his booty.  And, he sometimes wants to sing...aside from belting out "Let it Go" or "Snowman" he'll ask to sing "Cracker Jacks" (ie. Take Me Out to the Ballgame), and is really good at the "1, 2, 3, strikes you're out!"!  And when rocking him at night, and saying his prayer, he will bless (multiple times) his favorite names, Charley, Uncle Hube, JB, Nana, Papa, Grammie, Pops, (repeated, multiple times)...and help to make me a good boy, sounds like 'ole boy, but AMEN...he's got that down!  

Hot, Hot, oooh, We Got It

Hot Chocolate!

The Polar Express has been a constant picture on our TV screen since mid-December.  One little boy asks for it immediately upon waking and becomes distraught at commercial interruptions.  Some days, we even enjoy Tom Hanks' voice multiple times.  I wonder what would happen if the movie accidentally was deleted!

A new storage container, filled with new markers, has been a centerpiece on our kitchen island since "Holly" (the Elf) brought a new coloring book and markers.  An old SpiderMan coloring book has been handed down from big brother to little brother, since Jack got a new BatMan coloring book.  All things Transportation and just creating our own works of art have been magnet-ed to the fridge or taped on closet doors.

The basement is containing an obscene amount of dust - and there's a hole in the floor as "Project Basement" continues!  Multiple trips to Lowes and Menards have ensued as well as hours on Pinterest and watching "Man Caves" to create inspiration.

We've done a good job dodging illnesses (knock knock) and have been slathering on lotion (and maybe a few band-aides and dish gloves) to help heal parched skin.  The inventory of red wines needs to be replenished and I clapped with glee when I discovered that Cold Snap is back on the shelves!

Christmas was a whirlwind and we're still waiting for a "normal" school week.  The backyard is filled with yellow snow and the kitchen floor hasn't stayed clean for longer than 5 minutes.

Roman just graduated from the Transition Room to Preschool 1 and is still mastering the art of peeing IN the potty!  He is obsessed with his "ho ho" pajamas (ie Santa pjs) and wearing his slippers (even to in his bed).  He has to read his firetruck book atleast once before turning his light off for the now 30 minute routine of going to bed.  He knows all the right buttons to push to get Jack in a tizzy and Daddy is the best at calming him down (and keeping him in his bed).

Jack is talking about Kindergarten and will happily read his Dragon book with his LeapFrog Reader while waiting to be tucked into bed.  He and Dad have started reading Encyclopedia Brown and his imagination races with ideas.  He is in to all things BatMan and coloring.  He would rather watch anything but The Polar Express but will happily oblige if it keeps his little brother from whining more than we can handle.  His attachment to Rudy is continuing to grow and before I know it that pup will be in his bed (against my will)!

This cold weather has me looking forward to the warmth of the summer although the beginning of the year makes me cringe at the limited number of weekends we have to cram a summers full of fun into a few short weeks.  Is it wine-o-clock yet?

Ready...Set...

GO!

Says the sweetest little voice out of a spunky little body!  A lot!  When playing with Daddy, when jumping into the tub, when waiting for the pick-up for a diaper change, when standing on top of anything waiting for a hand to be held out for take off...  You, my little boy, are a stinker!  You have a mind of your own and are very (and I mean very) strong willed.  You do what you want, when you want!  You have a way of making me wants to scream at the top of my lungs and laugh in hysterics simultaneously!

You want to "try" (aka "do") things - zipping your jammies, brushing your teeth, getting undressed, putting on socks and shoes, and turning on and off the lights.  You are still a great helper when it comes to vacuuming and emptying your diaper-pail. You've discovered the wonderful world of Mickey Mouse Club House and Elmo, like to "shake your booty" (again, the sweet voice and smile make this impossible not to love), and have a fascination with tractors.  You also have an attention span like Pops at the zoo and could look at the same animal much longer than anyone else.  However I can never get you to stay in the grocery cart, even with the bribery of donuts.  You love Rudy and want to make sure you know where he is, but are also very good at telling him to go away.  And of course, you love Jack, and always want to be doing what he's doing (whether he wants you around or not).

You are a little monkey, who still clamps on tight with your legs and arms when we hold you and you don't want to be put down.  Most days at daycare I have to pry you off my body!  And some days you barely give me a wave!  Of course I've been told you never act that way when Daddy drops you off!  You have transitioned seamlessly into sleeping in a big bed and seem interested in the potty but never seem to want to go when we ask.  (Although you're beginning to not like your diaper.) You still aren't a big eater, you'd prefer to snack, and definitely have a sweet tooth!

You have the ability to be the sweetest little boy in the world or a stinker who's world is all wrong.  You are in the heart of the "trying three's"!  I can promise you that your world won't always seem so unfair!  I will also assure you that as happy as I am that you're growing up, I'm a tiny bit sad, since you're my baby!  And I can promise that as long as you'll let me, and as long as you don't get too tall, I'll wrap you in your bath towel and cradle you in my arms swaying back and forth singing, "my baby, my baby"!

Happy 3rd Birthday sweet baby!

Fall Fun

Boy oh boy was October a fun month!  We had places to be and people to see nearly every weekend!  Not to mention the fun of every day life!

Jack played soccer and is mastering his letters at school!  Roman is tall enough to reach the light-switch so he's constantly turning off and on lights.  He's transitioning into a big boy bed and has discovered the joys of Mickey Mouse and Elmo!

Mark's been busy with football and I've been busy taking care of the all the boys!

Riding a 2-wheeler

FOOTBALL

Forts

Monkey #1

Monkey #2

Park fun

Dad is old!  (And yes, that's a SpiderMan candle!)

How many Pumpkins does a family of 4 need? 

Pumpkin decorating!  The Bat

The Witch (that's where he told me to put them)

Hot Chocolate mustache!

Marshmellows!!!

Leaf fun!

Annual pumpkin patch selfie!

Snow Monster!  (Yes...it snowed 10/31)

Hi Ho...

Hi Ho!  Its off to life we go!  I was hoping our schedules would slow down once summer ended however, I was wrong.  I hear its only going to get worse as the boys get older! 

One thing is for certain...our summer was busy!  We spent many weekends out of town and the week days were filled with fun summer happenings!  I wish I'd taken a few minutes to jot down the fun things the boys were up to, but lets just say, I was living in the moment. 

Our summer began after a Memorial Day Weekend trip to the lake.  My 32nd Birthday weekend!  The sun was shining and I was able to relax, tan, and enjoy a few icy cold beverages.  When we returned home, we added a member to our family!  That's right...at 32, after years and years and years of asking for a dog, I got one.  Well, the family got one.  (Errr...really, I got one.)  We named him "Rudy" (as in Rudy Flyer).  And he's been a lot of work... From the piddle to the hair to the bothering the boys and now the jumping on the island for food and still, the hair he's going to be the death of me!  Mark continues to roll his eyes when I pull the vacuum out, but honestly, what did he expect?  After nearly 4 months of being a pet-owner, I realize why I never had one growing up.  But, he's starting to grow on me and the boys really are quite tickled by him. Jack recently had a tummy-bug and Rudy wanted to lay his head on him (of course Jack did not)!  Hopefully in another few months I'll have the perfect dog I always dreamt of!

RudyFlyer!

Jack grew up so much over the summer!  At his 5 year check up, he's weighing in at 47 lbs (I think) and is 4'1"!  Of course I'm not just talking height!  He is turning into an awesome kid!  He is always willing to help with Rudy and has been taking on chores, like getting the mail and making his bed!  And, we finally got over the hump of wearing overnight diapers and he's almost always dry!  He took swim lessons, and although it took nearly 8 weeks he started to trust Miss Lindsey that should wouldn't let go of the kick board and to put his head in the water to fetch rings.  He also learned to do the monkey bars at the park and ride a 2-wheeled bike!  He spends his weekend mornings coloring, drawing, and practicing his letters instead of watching hours of Disney.  He has started reading books by himself with his Tag Reader and will (thankfully) look at his "Dragon" book while a single parent puts Roman to bed at night.  We went to his first movie at the theatre this summer and tried to encourage him to go down the slide at the pool and ride in the tub on the boat, but he's still a little timid.

Ready for the Big Wheel Race! 

Roman also grew up over the summer!  I don't know his stats - he seems taller, but he's still a peanut!  Memorial weekend marked another momentous occasion in our house as his last "bubbies" broke!  He tried a few times to suck on a pacifier with no nipple but for some reason it failed.  He transitioned beautifully!  He still cries for 'monkey' and 'blankie' when he's upset and monkey still has a spot in my purse wherever we go!  He too took swim lessons and is fearless!  He'll happily jump off the side whether you're ready or not, loves the slide, and will lie on the floor or bathtub and practice "kick, kick, kick"!  He learned to ride Jack's scooter (even though he has his own), peddle is tricycle and big wheel, and is even using the potty on occasion!  He has a mind of his own and tends to do what he wants.  We still struggle with eating, and most nights his dinner sits uneaten on his plate until its bath time when he decides to eat.  He wants to do whatever Jack is doing and be wherever Jack is.  And he typically wants which ever parent isn't available, but is quite the Daddy's boy!  He is quite the stinker but when he looks at you just so, and smiles you can't stay mad!!!  We've hit a bit of a rough patch when it comes to someone (mom, dad, grandparent's) leaving the house or dropping him off at daycare - but he still comes running when we get home!!!  His words are increasing, his giggle contagious, and he calls every motor-vehicle a tractor!

Stinker with a smile!

The patio is done!  (Take a break from our dance party!)

Cheese Please!

We may not ride it if its being pulled by the boat...but if Papa is pulling us...WEEEEEE!!!!