Drew at 6

Just like last year, our favorite part is the face he makes when he is trying not to smile...Mr. Tough Guy!



Here is Drew at 5 and Drew at 4 

Drew Boy is 6!

Hey Buddy Boy!

You are the absolute sweetest boy. I've known it since you were a baby. No matter what the whacky twin sister did to you, you were only sweet to her. Nothing has changed - you are still sweet. It is funny how the world works, buddy. Some people think that the rougher the boy, the better. That boys should be rough and tumble, getting into messes and trouble. And sometimes they do, and sometimes you do. But a sweet boy - a gentle, caring, thoughtful boy - well, he is just amazing. Sometimes when I see you being you, I smile because I can imagine the husband and father you may someday be - your family will be so lucky.

6 is going to be a good year for you pal. You are coming into your own. People used to call you shy and quiet - but I haven't heard that in a while! You marched onto the soccer field, into Kindergarten, and wobbled out with your ice skates like a soldier...a happy soldier. You have made friends at school, and jump into neighborhood games. You are Mr. Confident these days, and I like it :)

It is hard to talk about you without mentioning the Captain. You guys have something special Drew, you always have. Now that we moved you guys have become even closer. I like watching you with my dad, loving, curious, confident and most of all, happy. 

Happy Birthday to the best boy - you make me so proud! 

Love Mom

Then & Now

Yesterday::

 And Today::

That is how it happened, and that is how Ill remember it. One day they were little babies and the next off to Kindergarten. 

Sometimes I think it is easier to be the one who leaves. Ella and Drew are in school, busy, playing, laughing, meeting new friends. Mike is at a new job, figuring it out, learning, making new friends. 

And here I am, sick to my stomach. Wondering. Waiting. Are they ok?

Im sure they are, but I would feel better if I could see them. 

Maybe we will go peek in some windows....what else are we going to do?! 

Big Brother Awards

When you love someone this much, you squeeze them with every opportunity, and plant big fat juicy kisses on whatever body part is in reach.

And if you were able to choose your big brother, you wouldn't do better than Drew.

He is patient, thoughtful, loving and above all else - kind. 

And as much as Colby loves Drew....Drew loves Colby right back.

 

This is the stuff that makes being a mom so kick ass (excuse my language Nana). 

Flashbacks

Its funny how as soon as I pull a shirt or a hat from the storage bucket for Colby to wear, I remember. I remember the day Drew wore it, the places we went, the picture I took. It is hard to believe he was ever that small, and at the same time I can't believe he is a big boy now.

It is also a little shocking that I don't remember Tyler in these clothes. I guess I was a little more fried than I thought I was! Pictures??!! I had too many little ones under foot to remember my camera :)

They certainly look like brothers, don't they?!

First & Last

 I may or may not be a little teary just looking at these pictures. 

Don't judge. 

Ella and Drew finished preschool yesterday. It was such an awesome experience for all of us. They were cared for, felt special and made new friends. 

I am in denial. They will not be going to public school next year...the land of mean teachers and meaner kids. No. Nope. 

They will return to preschool next year. And the year after that. And the one after that. 

For Granted

 Most nights when I lay down in bed and the day replays in my head, I wish I had more time with Drew. Just a few uninterrupted minutes to listen to what was on his mind or what he liked at school. You see, the squeaky wheels often get the attention, and Drew is not a squeaky wheel. 

I know that I take for granted the fact that he is always by my side to cross a parking lot or walking in the mall. But I don't talk to him then because Im too busy yelling at the other ones to come closer. I take for granted that he heads up to bed without a fuss, but by the time I settle the others, Drew is sound asleep...another chance to talk lost. 

He does surprise us sometimes. He is so bold when playing with his best friend, ousting Ella as leader and running the show himself. During the Easter Olympics when they lost the Hug Relay, he stepped back from Ella pointed his finger in her face and screamed, "You made me lose!!" We had to physically separate him before he pummeled her into the ground. Oddly enough it was one of my favorite moments of the day. Because although I take his good natured rule following for granted, I love it when he lets loose! 

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Great Idea from SouleMama

ps. the site is down, but the missing posts from this week should be replaced soon :) 

Who is this Guy?

Before babies can crawl they play with whatever toy you place in front of them and sit wherever you plop them. Eventually they figure out how to propel their little bodies across the room by scooting their bums, sliding their bellies army style, or the traditional crawl. No matter how they get there, you find that you are now following them and discovering along the way what they like, who they are.

It has been awhile since Drew learned to crawl, but Im still learning about him (and the others).  He is still a little quieter, a little more reserved, but the last few weeks Im seeing something different.

He is taller. His long lanky shape hasn't changed, just a little longer. Seemingly overnight his shirts don't reach his pants and his pants don't reach his shoes. His head has passed my elbow and I started imagining that one day Ill look up at him instead of the other way around.

He is bolder. He has a new confidence with a strut to match. A strut that carries him across fields and parks away from my leg where he would normally reside. He is tougher with his siblings and more adventurous with his endeavors. Watching him with his friend I am pleasantly surprised when Drew takes the lead.

We had a feeling that sports would draw Drew out of his shell. T-Ball is his new love and watching him in action on the field is more fun than I imagined.

I love this kid and I love tagging along for the ride - wherever he goes.

Happy

Drew:: Mommy, when are we going to Caca's house?

Me:: Tomorrow.

Drew:: Oh, then tomorrow is going to be the best day ever!

Sweet

After the mean step-sisters rip Cinderella's dress to shreds she runs into the garden and cries on a bench.

I glance over at my little buddy Drew, and his lip is quivering.

"Mommy, Cinderella is sad?"

"Yeah, buddy. But, wait a minute, she will get happy."

sniffle, sniffle. "Ok."

Is he the cutest sweetest little thing?

Name this Beast

At the pumpkin patch/farm/store/petting zoo - this animal was the only one that would eat the crackers provided by the farm. But he/she/it didn't just eat them, it sucked them into it's mouth whole. It looked exactly like a living, albeit hairy, ATM machine. Ella and Drew loved it and I was laughing too hard to be horrified that my gorgeous children were dangerously close to this nasty beast!

Prince's Throne

Why do men have wierd issues with going the bathroom? Why are they in there for so long? Apparantly it is in the genes...
Our bedtime routine is PJs, books, teeth, one more try at the potty and then into bed for some singing. For the past 5 days in a row after we tuck Drew into his bed he says, "I have some poopies." So, we sit him on the potty. He sits. And sits. And sits. This goes on for about 20-30 minutes! If I am in there I pepper him with comments such as: "All done, buddy?" "How about you try in the morning?" If Mike is on potty duty I hear, "Take your time, buddy." What is he nuts? Encouraging this pattern?! Right now you're thinking, "Suckers. Rookies. How can they fall for this stall tactic?!" That's the kicker - he does a poop everytime! A big, yucky, stinky manly poop. What are we supposed to do?!

Im over here!!

After several weeks, today was the first time Ella and Drew didn't look for me during their little class. I sat in the waiting room chatting and playing with Tyler waiting for them to appear any minute. They never came. As other mothers went in and came back out they reported that they were doing well. I was proud for about a second and then I wanted to stand in the doorway and yell, "Hello! Ella! Drew! Im over here!! Do you need me?! Are you having fun? Did you say please?" I still feel weird. Good god - how am I going to handle kindergarten?!

In Theory

Well, it seemed like a good idea.

Backdrop: I provide healthy, cost effective meals as often as possible. Sure, we indulge in the occasional chicken nugget and Mac & cheese from the box. But, on a whole I offer natural foods with as little processing and additives as possible. And I hate to waste food, especially with my grocery bill reaching ridiculous heights, coupons or not.

This morning was chilly and I could think of no better breakfast then yummy oatmeal. Not the processed over packaged individual servings oatmeal...but the simmered on the stove with milk, raisins, apples and a touch of brown sugar oatmeal. I let the kids sprinkle in the raisins and apples to really make it exciting. I served it up and sat back to watch them enjoy. Well, it wasn't going over well. (With the exception of garbage disposal Tyler who polished off 2 bowls!) Ella really tried to like it and finally resorted to hunting and eating only the raisins. Drew sat and stared at it. He didn't even pick up his spoon. When they started asking for "something else" I emphatically stated "Try one bite of oatmeal and if you don't like it, you can have cereal." I mean, isn't that what parents are supposed to say?!Ella ate her bite immediately and asked for cereal. Drew refused. Cut to 20 min later and Drew was sitting stoically periodically asking for cereal while Ella was on her second bowl. When I brought out the peaches he was nearly in tears. Finally he ate one measly drop of oatmeal and then downed the peaches. After 2 bowls of cereal, peaches and kiwi he ate a few more bites of oatmeal on his own. I have to say, even though this ended somewhat successfully, it was heartbreaking. I felt like such a tyrant!

Poor Tyler will be eating the leftovers for the next 3 days!

Torture Ride

Ella and Drew have lots of fears. They can't verbalize them yet, but we can tell by the screaming and crying. We used to comfort them and would never push them to do something they didn't want to do. But now we know better. I just can't let them miss any more fun stuff. So, I forced them on the carousel, now they love it. I made them hold the little stick for the birds to eat at the zoo. "Daddy, I freaked out!" they reported that day. This week we tortured them by planning a hay ride. They started crying while approaching the menacing tractor pulling that frightening hay. By the time we climbed onto the hay they both were screaming with snot and tears all over their faces. They were clutching Mike and I as if we were about to throw them from a cliff. The people already seated were looking at us as with a mix of humor, annoyance, and disbelief. After a solid five minutes of waiting, screaming, begging, and choking the tractor finally started up. We hadn't moved 10 feet when Drew exclaimed, "It's like a train ride! I like it mommy!" Ella soon followed with an "I LOVE it!" Little pains in the A^&%%es!

Jersey Kids take on a Classic

Finkle, Finkle Little Star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Like a DINER in the sky
Finkle, Finkle little star
How I wonder what you are

I know, I know, this calls for a video. Ill work on it!

I don't wanna grow up!

First it was the cribs. Then the diapers. Now it is the pacifiers, or as we affectionately call them, Nips. The dentist gave us the final push we needed to let go of our beloved nips. They both came home from the hospital with one in their mouth. At 10 months I banned them to the cribs and car seats, and that is where they have been ever since. But, it was time. Or maybe it wasn't...
We were discussing what to do with the nips on Sunday when Ella stood up and said "Im throwing my nippies in the garbage, mom." And she got up, marched downstairs and threw three of them in the trash. Drew followed right behind her. I was shocked, but tried not to make a huge deal out of it. I went upstairs to check on Tyler and as I came down there were Ella and Drew climbing upstairs with their nips. I think there was spaghetti sauce on them - gross!! So, we sat down for another talk. Ella again threw them in the garbage, Drew cried. He eventually plopped them in, we all tied up the bag together and brought it outside to the barrel. I would have wagered my right arm that Drew would be crying all through nap and at night. But, surprisingly the little tough guy went right to bed and has slept like a trooper ever since. On the other hand, my little drama queen as been crying, gagging, screaming, choking, and begging for the last 3 days. It is torture for all of us. I want to give them back so badly. I feel horrible for her. It is such a terrible feeling to watch your baby be so upset, especially when you know how to comfort her, but can't. Torture!!
A different kind of torture all together are car trips. Good lord! The singing! The questions! The non-stop chatter! Mike declared after our first 10 minute car ride, "Id rather pay for braces!"