This past weekend James, Nolan, and I met my aunt, uncle, and their six-year-old daughter at Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma for a fun little getaway at their “chateau” as they call it. (In case you are wondering, my aunt is only six years older than me!) As we always do with this family, we had a great time. They went to Disney World with us too! Nolan said being pulled by the boat on the tube and standing at the front of the boat while cruising were his favorite parts of the trip.

Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

Below are two little videos. (Sorry. They are not the fancy videos James creates. These were shot on my iPhone.) I wish you could see their smiling faces and their heads bobbing up and down! Too cute!

He absolutely adores his brother and wants what Nolan wants. He copies what he does and goes around saying “Bubba, Bubba” over and over again when Nolan is not home.

He is a very cautious child. He is not daring and takes his time to try new things.

He pretty much is on a milk diet. He is a VERY picky eater who basically lives on milk, fruit, and cheese. He occasionally will throw us for a loop and take a bite of something else.

He loves to wear shoes and basically insists “oos (shoes) on” until we oblige. Oh and not just any pair. These shoes.

He loves golf and carries a golf club and ball every chance he gets. He hits the ball more times than he misses. It is quite impressive I must admit. He may give James and Nolan a run for their money some day.

He loves the characters Woody and Buzz from the movie Toy Story and Lightning McQueen from the movie Cars.

Every time he sees water he shouts “Bubbles!”

He loves to read books. The Maisy series seems to be his favorite right now. Every times he sees a Maisy book, instead of calling out her name, he hums the song from the TV series.

He loves music and to dance.

New words are added to his vocabulary daily; however, there is a 50/50 chance if the first consonant will be included. Words that begin with a vowel he usually will say. Esse (for our dog Jesse), olf for golf, asuage for sausage just to name a few.

He is a serious child, but if you can get him laughing, it melts your heart.

He is very stubborn and opinionated. I say he got this from James. James would probably say just the opposite!

He loves to wear pajama bottoms. Pajama top is optional!

He loves to swim in the pool and be in water. With the help of swim lessons, he does quite well for his age I must say.

He loves to go “bye-bye.” We have to be very careful not to mention that we are leaving before we actually are ready to go. If not, he is not a happy camper.

He loves to watch home videos and play music on the i Phone. We have to hide our phones at times or he will insist on playing on it! And yes, he does know how to “sort of” work the phone.

He loves to be “out ide” (outside) writing with “alk” (chalk) and blowing bubbles. (Bubbles is a word he says correctly.)

He is 100 weeks old this week.

(Disclaimer: I would not have known he was 100 weeks old per se if I had not gotten my weekly email from a child website! I can tell you he will be TWO in several weeks though. BOO!!)

Over the holiday weekend, we went to visit some of our very favorite people (who also just happen to be James’ sister, brother-in-law, and their daughter). The weekend was a perfect blend of being out and about in Fayetteville and lounging around at their home. I even got one nap in and James was able to take two naps! Unheard of for us!

On Saturday we started the morning at a very yummy place for breakfast, followed by a stroll through the farmer’s market on the square. Early afternoon brought a fun surprise as we opened the door to find James’ parents outside! Dinner on an upstairs patio overlooking Dickson street and the “Bikers, Babes, and Bling” motorcycle rally was quite fun and made for some great people watching! The evening ended as we watched fireworks from the lawn at the University of Arkansas.

Sunday morning started with homemade donuts, followed later by lunch at a local pizza joint, naps for Carolyn, David, and James, Lily, and Griffin, while Nolan and I went exploring and played at a local park. After a yummy BBQ dinner at home, we set up for our own fireworks show and definitely was the highlight of the trip! This city girl has NEVER seen anything like it. With fireworks being legal in the city limits, let me just say the residents are not shy to show their patriotism! Every direction you turned, we saw fireworks in sky. And I do not just mean sparklers and Black Cats! The real deal!

Before dark, we lit sparklers, Roman Candles, and other fun little fireworks. Although Griffin had loved the fireworks show the night before (he sat mesmerized and was completely still throughout the entire show), he did not really care for the fireworks show a few feet in front of him. I do not really say I can blame him. The irony was that although he hated them, he wanted to be right in the middle of the action. This made it somewhat frustrating for me (and Griffin thought so too). He did like the sparklers!

As Carolyn and I got the “babies” in bed, James, David, and Nolan went back to the fireworks tent (third time I might add, oh and there were at least six huge firework tents to choose from within a couple miles. I told you this is serious business in these parts!) With sound machines cranked up in Griffin and Lily’s room, we all headed back outside for the “real” show. Nolan had such a great time being the helper and assistant as they shot the fireworks. He took his job very seriously and acted like he was quite the fireworks expert! Nolan almost seemed more interested in the logistics of our little show instead of watching the end result in the sky. No real surprise there!

Such a fun weekend and special thanks to our great hosts!

Below are a few pictures of the “pre” fireworks show.

DISCLAIMER! The utmost caution was used as the fireworks were lit and ensuring safety with the little ones. Looking at some of these pictures now, it sort of looks like the kids were just having a free for all with explosives!

Nolan was out front playing with our next-door neighbor’s child. He ran inside mumbling about making a sign, blah, blah, and blah. He rummaged around in the drawers, grabbed a few items, and raced back outside. I admit it. I was only partially listening and paying attention. Hey, this child is ALWAYS talking and always has an idea for something!

About fifteen minutes later Nolan was inside and I was in the garage. The garage doors were up and I was moving a few things around (We have a front entry garage by the way). I noticed a few cars slowing down in front of our house. I did not really think much of it. I continued doing what I needed to do. As I started to water the flowers in the front yard, I noticed it. The sign. “Oh my gosh!” I thought to myself. I ran to see what he had “written.”

A few minutes later I went inside to inquire about the sign to Nolan. He proudly said it was a message for the skateboarders and scooter riders to stay off the lawns. (Side note: James and I often are complaining about the group of preteens that seem to convene around our house practicing their tricks and, at times, hopping curbs and riding in driveways). He was so proud of his sign and how helpful he had been.

In case you cannot quite decipher what is in the picture, he drew a skateboarder and scooter rider inside a circle with a big “x” through them. The warning was loud and clear!

It was a tricky balance deciding how to get the sign out of the front yard AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, but at the same time, honoring Nolan’s intention.

With this child, I should seriously consider writing a book don’t you think?

Notice the empty water bottles and kneepad. The water bottles apparently help keep the sign grounded. The kneepad? Well I never got a straight answer on that one. Your guess is as good as mine.

I counted 13 green shirts. This kid does not lack for clothes that is for sure.

I wonder if this is going to become a nightly ritual.

As I do every night, I went in to check on Nolan before going to bed.  This is what I found as I entered.

Recently Nolan has taken more of an interest in how he dresses. He insists on choosing his own clothes and actually does a fairly good job at matching outfits.   Apparently tomorrow he will be going with a blue palette option.

Love. This. Kid.

A couple of weeks ago our little family met James’ parents, sister, brother-in-law, and their daughter in Galveston for a fun beach getaway. Even though the oil spill affected the location of our vacation, it did not matter. We all agreed as along as we were together, that was the most important part! It was so fun to see the cousins play together and enjoy each other’s company. It is nice that all the adults enjoy each others company too!

I definitely think James and I have two “beach boys” on our hands. We already knew that Nolan loved the water, but I think Griffin had just as much fun. In typical Griffin fashion, he was very unsure of the sand and water at first, but warmed up to the beach in no time. Hearing him squeal as the waves rushed to him was priceless! Nolan learned how to body board and “attempted” surfing as well. He would have stayed in the water all day ever day if we would have let him! He asked me today “Now when are we going back to the beach?” He is a fish no doubt!

On our way home we stopped at the Houston Space Center. It was a fun little detour.

Thanks to James’ parents for a wonderful vacation!

Here are pictures from the trip!

(Outside the Kindergarten Wing)

Attend Kindergarten Kick Off

Almost two weeks ago we went to Nolan’s new elementary school for orientation. The purpose was two fold. One for the children to meet the Kindergarten team, spend time in their future classrooms and see the school. The parents simultaneously attended an information meeting. And I do mean an informational meeting. My head was spinning by the time we left (for many reasons though as you can imagine).

At check in we were enthusiastically welcomed by elementary school staff and briefly told about the evening. Nolan was quickly whisked away to the Kindergarten “Pod” as they call it while James and I (and our sidekick Griffin) were ushered into the gym. As James and I walked in the opposite direction as Nolan I found myself noticing the symbolism as to what is to come in three short months.

For almost the next hour the parents heard from the principal, assistant principal and school counselor. We were informed about school policies, carpool lanes, various programs and activities offered through the school and general expectations for the next year. We were reminded that Kindergarten has changed significantly since we started elementary school. Expectations have drastically changed for these five year olds. “They will hit the ground running regarding their learning and what is expected regarding their education,” we were told by the principal. In other words, Kindergarten is serious business. The children will be challenged and the expectations for what they should already know and what they will learn next year is high.

When the school counselor spoke she started by reading a sweet poem/story about a little girl getting onto the school bus on her first day of Kindergarten. The story detailed the fabulous first day of this little girl, but how hard it was for her parents to cope and adjust. Of course I instantly could relate to the story and how I would be feeling. The school counselor, like any good therapist, acknowledged how hard this transition often is for the parents and reflected how we may be feeling. She normalized these feelings and it felt good. (Yes, I teared up several times as she spoke).

She also told us about how the first day of school will work. She invited us to the “Tears and Cheers” breakfast held directly after we settle our children at their desks on the first day. This is a support meeting of sorts, hosted by the school, to soothe the parents and celebrate this momentous first day. I was very touched by this gesture and made me love the school even more. I. AM. NOT. ALONE. Many other parents will struggle, as I will.

When the meeting was over we went to the Kindergarten “Pod” to retrieve Nolan in his designated classroom for the evening. As we were greeted and asked who were to there to pick up, the teacher said and I quote, “Nolan is quite the break dancer. He showed us all his moves.” BACK UP is what I thought in my head. Excuse me? What did you say? Why in the world was Nolan break dancing? I thought.   I am absolutely convinced the teachers were taking mental notes on these future Kindergarteners and Nolan already has a black mark by his name. He ran over to James and I. He was so excited. He told us about everything they had done in that hour. Also in typical Nolan fashion, he told us he already made two friends. He repeatedly asked how many days until Kindergarten starts and his wish that it would start tomorrow. Nolan and I could not be more apart in our wishes.

As much as I am struggling a great deal with this, I am so happy and excited for Nolan. He cannot wait for the school year to start. I am picking up his school spirit shirt tomorrow. He can’t wait to wear it. I truly could not ask for more. I am lucky he is so excited and ready. What if he was dreading it? Now that would be awful. It is just me.

Nolan “graduates” this Thursday from preschool. They will have a formal graduation with a cap and gown. All Nolan has told me is that he is happy that the children will only sing two songs (as opposed to seven apparently at Spring Sing) and that the cap is itchy. Typical.

I teared up as I walked the hallway towards Nolan’s classroom on Monday. We have so many wonderful memories from his school. He has grown and changed so much from the first day I dropped him off at the door to his classroom when he was 2 ½ years old. Where has the time gone? Where has it gone?

I received an email from the mom of Nolan’s best school friend yesterday. She asked how I was “holding up” regarding graduation this week. She said she is basket case and will bawl her eyes out on Thursday. We hope to sit next to each other for moral support. I am not alone. Not alone regarding all the parents who will be sad at graduation and not alone on Nolan’s first day of Kindergarten. This much I know. The rest? Well I am just taking it one step at a time.

(Holding his Kindergarten packet after registration outside of his elementary school)

Several weeks ago I registered Nolan for Kindergarten. Kindergarten. I cannot shake it. I do not want him to go. I can barely count the number of months (which is 3 and a half by the way) without getting a lump in my throat. I just cannot believe it. I wish I was in denial. That would be easier wouldn’t it? Instead I think about it all. the. time. Nolan is more than ready to go. It is me that wishes I could refuse to let go.

I do not think when a new parent is told to cherish the time, that it will go quickly, that your child will be grown before you know it, that they believe that actually is the case. It is so TRUE! I can assure you it feels like yesterday that Nolan was born, that he started to crawl, said momma for the first time, started preschool, and so on.   As I prepare myself for this transition, I worry and fear I did not relish in the time we had together enough. I reminisce and wonder if I spent enough time with him. Did I put off the laundry and paying bills and cleaning the house like I should have? Did I remember to really enjoy these first five years of life? I don’t know. I feel like I have, but then I feel like I could have done better. I think my doubts are normal and to expected for many mothers who face sending a child to Kindergarten. I know this, but can’t stop myself! I just want more of “this” time.

I know he is just five and we have so many wonderful experiences and memories ahead of us, but what I cannot get past, is that it will never be like this again. It just won’t. From here on out I only have my precious boy on nights and weekends for nine to ten months of the year. This is not OK!

Yesterday I had a parent/teacher conference with Nolan’s teacher. She said with the utmost certainty, “Nolan is more than ready for Kindergarten. He could start tomorrow and will do well.” This is of course is what every parent wants to hear. And the truth is, Nolan is ready. I know it. James knows it. His teachers know it. Nolan knows it. He is very excited and very much looking forward to the new school year. (Of course I joke to myself that in many ways Nolan is naïve. Starting Kindergarten is just the beginning of years of homework, studying, tests, and so on. I will let the innocence live on a while longer. Soon enough he will discover that on his own).

Nolan has always had a positive experience in school. He loves to learn. He loves to be social (this definitely could be a negative according to his teacher yesterday too). He loves new experiences. He is ready. I cognitively know this. My heart just completely disagrees.

My neighbor friends in Bunko promise me that we will love his elementary school. They sing the praises of this school and the teachers. Every single neighbor I talk to goes on and one with great enthusiasm about what a great school Nolan will be attending. They assure me all of my anxiety and sadness about this transition will subside when they see how much Nolan enjoys school. Of course this brings me great comfort, but still. Still, I am not ready.

But I have no choice. I will suck it up and join Nolan in being excited about starting Kindergarten in three and a half months. <Gulp> We will have a great summer. I will cherish these months like I never have before. We will make the most of this special time, because in my mind it will forever be different after this summer.

I will walk Nolan proudly and confidently into school on the first day of school. I will, without a doubt, show him how excited I am for him. I will smile as I help get him settled. I will give him a great big hug and tell him to have a great day. I will smile all the way out of the building. And then I will cry.

1. He is a very, very picky eater. There are very few things he will eat, but somehow he manages to stay over the 85% for weight. Hmmm.

2. He absolutely adores “Bubba” (a.k.a. Nolan). He always looks for him, copies what he does, and says his name all the time.

3. He loves, loves, loves music and dancing. He constantly brings me my iphone so I can play him music.

4. He is very cautious in everything he does. He is not a risk taker.

5.He loves to sit on the couch.

6. He loves playing in the pantry, cabinets, and dishwasher.

7. His blankie is a cloth diaper (just like his brother’s was).

8. He is very stubborn and hard headed. James says just like me and I say just like him.

9. He may not like to eat, but he loves to drink milk.

10. When he says “mama” it either is a direct reference to me or is used if he wants something.

11. He loves to stack things and put things in containers.

12. He loves to look through books and have books read to him. His favorite author is Todd Parr.

13. Like his brother, he does not require a lot of sleep to function well. One two hour nap often means at least 30 more minutes awake in his crib before falling asleep at night. (Could we not have had at least one child that likes a lot of sleep?)

14. He loves to cuddle and be held most of the time.

15. He likes to wear sunglasses…. most of the time on top of his head.

16. He likes playing with cars (also just like Nolan).

17. He has a sweet tooth. He seems to have no pickiness to this. Go figure!

18. He loves to wear pajama bottoms during the day.

19. He knows how to work a few features on the iphone. (Technology and kids these days!)

20. He loves to ride in his push buggy.

21. He loves to brush his teeth. As soon as we say it is time, he says “Ahh.” When he take his toothbrush away, it is not pretty. Nolan calls it the “toothbrush battle.”

22. He loves to go up and down stairs.

23. It has become a toss up if he is a mama’s boy or a daddy’s boy.

24. He seems intimidated by men (except for James).

25. And finally, we have to be careful what we wish for. Now that he is walking, he does not want to be held when we are out and about. It becomes quite the battle when he must be carried. (Refer back to #8)