Guess Who

turned 4 yesterday?!?!



Back soon with a few birthday pictures and his birthday celebration at school.

Drew Turns 4

I could begin with all the cliches: "It goes so fast....Where has the time gone...how can my baby be 4 already...it seems like just yesterday he was born..." blah blah blah.

And although they are all true, this is truly a time for celebrating. I think this is the first year that Drew really understood that today was all about him. For weeks he has been picking out "things I want for my birthday" at the store, and counting down the days til he could have cake.

Today was Drew's day and he knew it. He started his day with a cinnamon roll off the special plate.



It amazes me how both kids know when something is worthy of using the special plate. Days prior to scheduled special days: first day of school, birthdays, holidays, etc. the kids mention who gets to eat off the plate and what special meal will be chosen. Perhaps even more fun though are the days when the special plate gets to be used unexpectedly for random reasons: scored goals, helping friends, lost teeth, good check-ups, etc. It was a fun tradition and my family and I love to see the kids enjoy it just as much.

Then we moved onto opening some presents. Surprisingly, and happily, we didn't go overboard with presents for Drew. Izzy picked out a gift for him, Pete and I got him one "big" gift and a couple little things, and then he got gifts from all the grandparents!

The gift from Izzy:




From us: The Joker House and then a couple guys to go with it.


This happens to be one of the gifts from Omi/Papa, and I love the look of concentration on Drew's face...and that he and Pete worked on assembling his Lego creations together.


Grandpa Dave sent me some money to get Drew a gift and I bought Drew the "Chuck" truck. Drew has played with it so much that I had to hide it because I was tired of listening to it talk and move on it own. Drew has wanted this truck for quite some time, but in my opinion is was too much money for me to justify buying. I thought it would be to babyish for him. HOWEVER, it was the PERFECT thing for someone else to buy him! ...not to mention he really wanted it and LOVES it! Thanks Grandpa Dave :-)

Grandpa and Grandma sent Drew one of his most prized possessions...a Lego Batman shirt. Do you hear the angels singing? I think a halo rose from the box when Drew unwrapped the package. Anyone who knows Drew knows that he is all about Lego Batman on the Wii. So much so that I have had to pack up the Wii (it is off for a Wii checkup). For anyone who knows me, I do not buy my kids character shirts, or I didn't use to, but for others to buy them or in pj form it is fine. Grandpa and Grandma also sent him SpongeBob pj's which are supercool to Drew too! ...again, if you know me then you know my kids aren't allowed to watch Spongebob...but pj's are fine :-) I should probably clarify that I am not a character fan on clothing. However, I do dig the Batman, Superman, superhero type vintage looking shirts...so those I will buy.

Presents were opened right after breakfast so there was lots of time to play with them before lunch! Lunch was pb & j in the shape of #4.



It was a rainy day today, and since we had no plans but to play with Drew we broke out an oldie but goodie - play-doh!



We love play-doh...and although I am OCD about some things, I could care less about the mess, or if the kids mix colors. ...and if it ends up on the floor, so be it! And if we play so long that it dries out, no worries, we can buy new! Play-doh rocks!

We had pizza for dinner...no biggie. Then it was bathtime. The kids painted for a good while before taking their actual bathes.




The only time I was a little sad for the birthday boy was after bath time when he said, "I wonder why none of my friends wanted to come over for my birthday?" ...guess I should have better explained his party would be at a later date. He wasn't sad for long because we busted out a cake!



Look at this sweet face blowing out his candles.


The celebrating doesn't stop here though...he has his birthday treat to take to school tomorrow and then his party with friends in a few weeks.

Soccer Stud

Drew had his first soccer game on Saturday...and scored his first goal!!!



While I would like to tell you that he is totally into the game and loving every minute of it, I would by lying. He began the morning by saying he didn't feel like playing today because it takes too long. I told him that he didn't have to participate in the game, but he did have to go, sit and watch in support of his team.



You see, the boy would have much rather been home playing Lego Batman Wii with Daddy. Pete was out of town for 10 days straight and Drew missed him something fierce! They literally spent all day Friday together - aside from Drew's 3 hours at preschool.



This is pretty much how the game played out:
*if Drew was in the game he would stand and watch - at times even picking his nose.



*if you gave Drew a "mission" to fulfill (video game style) he would carry it out and then say, "I did it. Can we go home now?"

Two examples for ya...
Me: "Drew, be really sneaky and try to kick that ball away from the purple team."
Drew: "Oh, okay, but I'm not gonna tell dem I is coming."
Drew then runs over, and steals the ball away from the purple team. He immediately turns around, runs over to Pete and me and says, "I did it. Can we go now?"



Pete: "Drew, go get the ball, dribble down and score a goal."
Drew: on the next play he gets the ball, dribbles 3/4 of the field, passes numerous players, shoots and scores! He got the biggest grin on his face and was super proud (rightfully so), but then immediately asks if we can leave.



This might be a long season for the Drewman. And while I won't force him to play, he will be forced to sit and cheer on his team. He also happens to have a GREAT coach who plays with only 2 rules...no hands and have FUN!

First Fall Festival of 2010

While Pete was away on a guys weekend the kids and I took in a fall festival at Drew's preschool. The kids had a great time on the inflatables, as well as being reunited with old and new school friends. I was able to catch up with some friends as well while the kids all ran around like lunitics.

Smart me put the kids in matching, very bright, easy to spot shirts - one of my better mom moves. I was quickly able to spot my kids when looking out into the field full of little people.























I love that fall offers so many fun things to do in good 'ole Greensboro. I am really looking forward to the temps cooling off as well as lots of fun family outings.

Drew's First Day of Preschool Take 2

He didn't look pretty, but he said he was ready to go! I asked Drew last night if he wanted to go to school tomorrow and he said "yes"! I figured he must be doped up because that is not a typical Drew response. Last year he cried up until Christmas when I would drop him off. I think part of his excitement comes from the love Izzy has for school. Whatever the reason I'll take it!

I figured I would play it by ear and see how our morning went. Well the boy declared "I can swallow again. I don't need to take anymore of dat pink medicine." Smart kid, huh? He can't stand the taste of the amoxicillian.

Nothing but smiles this year!




Getting ready to go in


Once inside I showed him where his name was to hang his things and then we waited for his best bud William - after a quick goodbye hug (he doesn't like "tisses") I was out.


When I picked him up he immediately told me he was hungry and wanted to go home and eat. From what I gather he had a great first day. He said he cried once on the playground because he was ready to go back inside - but other than that no tears.

...now to see how day 2 goes.

Drew's 1st Day of Preschool

I knew when Drew woke up twice in the middle of the night demanding ice cold water that he probably wasn't feeling well. In fact, after his bath I noticed a rash, but thought maybe the water was a little too warm, or it could have been caused by the new detergent I was using. Turns out neither was the reason for his rash.

He woke up this morning G.R.U.M.P.Y! What was supposed to be his first day of preschool would now be spent at the doctor's office.



The rash that less then 12 hours earlier was only on his trunk was now covering his entire body, face, as well as the top/bottoms of his hands and feet. He was a drooling fool because he couldn't swallow but still continued to ask for every food imaginable. Oh yes, it was going to be a fun day!

Diagnosis: Scarlet Fever.

Once I was back home I posted a status update on my FB page to let people know what the doctor said. I was then slammed by people who questioned my skills as a mom. I was made to feel negligent and I went so far as to do the ugly cry. It was possible I was due for a good cry and that contributed to it...but I was hurt - so very hurt. I was made to feel like due to my neglect, Drew's strep throat had gone untreated for days therefore leading to scarlet fever. I won't go into details, but after reading a bunch of articles I no longer feel like an awful mother. Drew showed no typical symptoms of scarlet fever and I took him to the doctor the same day he told me his throat hurt, and a mere 15 hours after I noticed the rash.

Hopefully Drew will get to have his first day of school on Friday, but if not then he should certainly be good to go on Monday.

Labor Day 2010

We spent Labor Day at our pool. It was the last pool day of the season and for that we are very sad. If I have said it once, I have said it a thousand times WE LOVE OUR POOL! We can walk there, bring in our own food/drinks, have a fantastic group of lifeguards who play with the kids in the water, and a rockin group of friends! I think it is impossible to be in a bad mood at the pool. It is one of the things I will miss most when we leave this house.

Surprisingly, there was no board jumping or sliding on our last day. All I have are a few pics of the kids in the water. Their latest pool fun is had by floating in the deep end. They drop out of the floats and then pop back up. Both kids are becoming quite the little swimmers. Although while Drew can swim on his own, he often gets "rescued" by "newbies" at our pool who are not familiar with his swim style. I think Drew is part fish because he likes to spend most of his time floating under the water, only coming up for air. To those who don't witness this style on a regular basis he would in fact appear to be drowning.







There was also a DJ at the pool spinnin some tunes - this is how Izzy and Drew would bust a move while swimming. They would hold hands, giggle and spin around.


All that swimming requires a child to refuel. Both kids loved the shaved ice treats - you know, shaved ice with colored syrup poured over top. Izzy liked cherry, while Drew only cared that it was blue in color. These little treats ran $2. You figure $4 a day, 7 days a week, for about 10 weeks...yup, good times :-)


After finishing his icee, Drew passed out and slept for 2.5 hours!!! I knew it would be a long night, but I just couldn't wake him knowing he would probably be grumpy and I was having too much fun just chatting away with friends.

How he was able to sleep through all the noise is beyond me. He must have really been tired because his towel bed was literally right next to the DJ booth.

How cute are these next couple shots of Izzy and her gal pals. They were doing their cheer routine/dance to "Nobody's Perfect". The DJ was nice enough to play the song twice during the party for the girls to show off their moves.




Finally, to finish up the day the kids hit up the pool playground. Tree climbing is a new obsession...


This last picture is one of my favorites (as well as scariest). Mark is the boy seated between Izzy and Rylie - and is in Izzy's class at school. Look at what a stud he appears to be at the ripe age of 5. Check out his arm casually swung over Izzy's shoulder and his shades perched just above his eyes.


Goodbye summer pool days. We will miss you~

Apple Picking

It is no secret that I have been missing my Izzy girl since school started. It has been hard for me to get used to having her gone 5 days a week from 7:15-3:00 at age 5!!! So today Daddy kept Drew and Izzy and I went off for some quality time.

We decided to go apple picking with our friends Jen and Delaney. For those who don't remember, Izzy and Delaney have known each other since they were about 13 months. The girls did not go to the same preschool, but we still saw each other quite often. Well, since kindergarten has started we don't get to see them nearly enough! The girls go to different schools :-(

We drove to the orchard together and the girls were so cute talking up a storm and filling one another in on their typical school days. But once we got to the orchard they gathered buckets and took off.





Who knew, but we are at the END of apple season in NC. This time last year it was just starting, but due to the very hot summer we are at the tail end this year. Talk about slim pickins among the apples. We had to search low and high - and it seems for every one apple you picked from the tree, 10 more rotten ones would fall.









Each apple needed to be inspected very closely.


And eventually we came up with a few keepers.




After collecting apples we decided to check out the grape vines.






We thought all the grapes we tried were awful! In fact as soon as we bit into them we would immediately spit them out. I think that is where all the giggles from the girls came from. There was sure alot of grape spitting going on.

Look at the love these girls have for one another~