Already?

Yesterday when I picked Andrew up from school we had our usual exchange:

Me: How was your day?
Andrew: Good.
Me: What did you do today?
Andrew: Played.

It continues on like that as I do my best to pull details out of him. What a little man already!

For the short drive to Tyler's school we jam to a bit of music ... lately it has been the Black Eyed Peas song "Boom Boom Pow" which Andrew refers to as "Gotta Get That" (that is how the song starts). He likes fast music like this and he likes to scream the lyrics, oops, I mean sing (just like Mom).

Yesterday I had been having my own jam session on the way to get Andrew listening to a Brad Paisley song, "Better Than This". Andrew is very particular about the music we listen to, so I fully expected him to request a different song, but he liked the beat, and when the song ended (it was almost over when he got in the car) he actually let me play it again.

On round #2, he started bopping around in his car seat and he wanted me to look at him jamming out. I stole a glance, but realized that he probably missed my expression because I was wearing sunglasses, so I gave him a thumbs up sign.

Well, that set something off.

Andrew: Mom, Mom (yelling so I can hear over the music)
Me: (Turn down radio) What's up buddy?
Andrew: Why did you do this (shows me the thumbs up sign and gives me a sarcastic look)?
Me: To tell you that I liked your dance moves
Andrew: Shakes his head and ROLLS HIS EYES and asks me turn the music back on
Me: (Thinking to myself) My 5 year old just rolled his eyes at me for the first time! I must have done something he thought was silly or uncool. How can he already feel that way???

Andrew is growing up so fast!

Melt My Heart

If I was a popsicle, I would be melted in a sticky puddle on a hot Texas August day. My boys are just too sweet for words!

Last week I was putting Andrew to bed and he said, "Mommy, I just love you soooo much!" I told him that I loved him too and that I hoped when he was all grown up and married and off on his own that he would call me and tell me the same thing. He proceeded to get the saddest look on his face and he said in the most serious tone, "But Mommy, I want to marry you!"

Say it with me, Awwww, how sweet!

Tonight, Tyler did something he almost NEVER does ... he ate all of his dinner. He knows the rules. You have to finish your dinner to get dessert, so most nights he goes without. Tonight however, he ate all of his dinner so he turned to me very excited and said, "Mommy, I ate my dinner, I get dirt!"

Say it with me, Awwww, how cute!

Andrew's Birthday - Take 2

We had our semi-annual "Chikfila" party on Saturday. What is a Chikfila party, you ask? Well, early on we started catering Chikfila for the boys' birthday parties at our house and now all of our party guests have come to expect Chikfila and have dubbed the parties our "Chikfila" parties. We have even been told that there would be a revolt if we changed the menu!

All of this is to say, we had Andrew's Chikfila parrty this weekend. It is a gathering of friends and family and an opportunity for the kids to play and grown ups to catch up in a relaxed atmosphere.

The party attendees have changed considerably over the years now that most all of our friends have children too and as my boys have gotten bigger, but the relaxed feel of the party and the menu has remain virtually unchanged.

Andrew Then ...









Andrew Now ...



Andrew got to make yet another wish on yet another birthday cake -- this time a fire hydrant! Daddy made the wonderful cake and cut it into shape and I did the decorating, including the crushed oreos on the side!







Excited to blow out the candles ...




Party Pics!

Brandon and Gina with their handsome new addition, Laith.

Uggh

I will start by saying we are all 100% ok, no one was hurt and everything is going to be alright.

Ok, with that preface ... I wrecked my car. It was my fault, I misjudged and didn't stop soon enough and rear-ended a Suburban on my way to work on Thursday. Tyler was in the car with me. He didn't cry and was not scared -- I wonder what that means about his fear factor?

Never one to sit back and wallow in self-pity, I took immediate action to get things fixed.

The accident happened at 7:50. I was home and on the phone with my insurance by 8:20. I got a 9:45 appointment with an estimator to document the damage. By 11:15 a.m. I had a check in my hand for the repairs. We dropped my car off before Noon, got the boys to school and borrowed a truck from my wonderful in-laws until my car is ready. I was at work before 1:00.

The front end of my car looks pretty sad, but hopefully in 10 days or so she will look shiny and new again. I am just thankful that no one was injured and that the process has been relatively smooth so far.

So, my PSA for the day -- brake early, brake often!

Andrew's 5 Alarm Birthday Celebration!

Andrew had a fun filled birthday weekend, including a birthday party at the local fire station and our annual trip to the circus with the McGowans on Saturday followed by a day at the pool practicing his swimming skills with Mom Mom and Peepaw on Sunday. Needless to say, by Sunday evening, we had one tired (almost!) five year old!

Firetruck cake made by Daddy






Fire Station Tour






Daddy's a Fireman!







More Party Fun



Andrew with his cake


Candid Photos

Happy Birthday, Andrew!

Well, this is a year of big birthdays and I can hardly believe that my "baby", my first born son is 5 years old today! How is it possible the FIVE years have passed? It has all passed in the blink of an eye.

Happy Birthday, sweetheart! You bring us so much joy every single day and we are incredibly blessed to have the honor and privledge of being your mommy and daddy! We are very proud of the big boy you have become, the amazing brother and best friend you are to Tyler and the friendship you offer to everyone you meet.

I love that you are a little negotiator (just like your mom!), how you dance to the credits at the end of every movie, how you love your Indy Girl, how you always want to be helpful and that you are brave beyond your years.

Happy Birthday, Baby!

Picture Puzzle

The boys love to look at photos -- photos of themselves, photos of each other, photos of us -- really, just photos in general.

This weekend the boys spent at least 30 minutes in front of the computer watching the screen saver show random pictures. They loved remembering the places we have visited and seeing photos of friends and family -- and themselves!

The more recent ones were easy for the boys to distinguish (between Andrew and Tyler) who was in each photo, but the older photos -- even I had a difficult time determining which baby boy I was looking at in the various photos! That's right, I couldn't distinguish some of Andrew's baby photos from Tyler's baby photos! Tyler really does look like his big brother!

Fenway Park

I had the opportunity to go to another game at Fenway Park when I was in Boston a couple of weeks ago. I had the best seats I have ever had for a game -- third row behind the visitor's dug out.

It was hands down the most fun I have ever had at a baseball game. The Sox were playing the Marlins and ended up winning 8 - 2, but good baseball was only part of the reason for the great experience.

First, it's Fenway. There is a certain electricity that accompanies Fenway -- you have to be there to understand (sorry Mom!).

Second, there as great people watching. The fans next to us were making a raucous and security came to get them in line. We thought they were funny. Also next to us was a drunk older woman who was clearly embarrassing her husband and in front of us were four early 20-something year olds who were our own version of Super Bad (as in the movie, for those who don't get the reference). The guys were hilarious!

Third, foul balls and game balls right in our laps. That's right. A game ball was tossed right to us (a customer of mine caught it and gave it to me) and then shortly thereafter a foul ball landed right in our section. Talk about excitement.

Fourth, did I mention there is an electricity at Fenway? That and the constant circling of vendors selling everything from Beer to Dogs to Chowder.

Fifth, did I mention the Sox were on fire? Great hits and great runs. Big Papi rocked one, clearly he was still excited after meeting me the night before. Chuckle, chuckle. That's right, I went to a party where he was taking photos and giving away autographed baseballs.

Sixth, did I mention the great people watching? That's right, a certain famous fan was there with his wife? Can you tell from the photo who it is? Click on photo to enlarge.



p.s. It is Ben Affleck in the front row on the far left, separated by two unknown blondes from his wife, Jennifer Garner (in black sweater with brown hair, 4th from left on the front row).

Tyler's In Trouble ...

So, instead of lying down for his nap like a good little boy today, Tyler decided to redecorate his room.







Yes, he managed to pull all of that down while standing up in his crib. Thankfully, we have an extra roll of the border, so we can do a temporary fix until we redecorate his room this Fall or next Spring after he graduates from his crib to a big boy bed, or bunk beds!

I am frustrated that we have a new, unexpected project on our hands, but I am thankful we don't have to take it all down right now and paint, so at least there is a silver lining. Plus, as mad as I was, I couldn't help but laugh. I guess being a parent really does require having a sense of humor sometimes!

Dancing, dancing, dancing!

The Moore Boys love to dance. Every time we watch a movie they get up to dance during the credits and they love to jam in the car to music as well. Like anyone, their favorite songs tend to change over time, but right now they love the song "Boom Boom Pow" by the Black Eyed Peas. Their dancing never ceases to make me laugh and smile - it is pure joy to watch them dance and play!