Happy Memorial Day

Thank you to all the men and women who bravely serve our country and keep us safe. A special thank you to my Papa and my Uncle Jason. Come back to us safe, Uncle Jason! We love you.

Taylor's Graduation

My big cousin, Taylor, graduated from high school this weekend in Tomball and we went the ceremony and then to the graduation party afterwards. The party was so much fun with James Coney Island catering. They had hot dogs, pop corn, nachos, cotton candy and snow cones. With so much family around spoiling us and refusing to tell us 'NO', we had more than our fair share of sugar. After high school, Taylor is going to play football at college in the fall in Abilene and we're so proud of him. Congratulations, Taylor!

End of School

As much as I don't want to admit it, today was my last day of school and my last day in the purple room. I've been in the purple room for the last 2 years and Miss Patti and Miss Mary Lee have been my teachers both years. It's bitter sweet because I'm so excited to be in the blue room next year, which will also be my last year before kindergarten but I'm also sad (ok, mommy is) that it's flying by so quickly. She wants me to stay in a box and stay little but I won't let her do that to me. We had an end of year party and I had a great time with all of my special friends. We're already planning playdates together for the summer (we haven't exactly let our mommies in on the plans yet) and I know we'll be great friends no matter what. Here's to the Purple Room!We made special pottery plates for both teachers with our thumb prints. Aren't they cute? Guess what color I picked? Yep - pink!

Here I am with Miss Patti
...and here I am with Miss Mary Lee

Icky Thumb Enforcer

Mommy and daddy aren't the only ones on me about my icky thumb these days. This morning, I was laying in bed with mommy and Tatie minding my own business and enjoying my thumb when my baby pulled my thumb out of my mouth and shook her finger at me and said 'no no'. And all this time I thought she was on my side! I told mommy it was time for us to make my baby an 'icky paci chart' but she didn't go for it.

Jordan's Birthday

My friend, Jordan, had her petting zoo birthday party today and my baby and I got dressed in our boots and headed over for some fun. When I had my petting zoo birthday party last year, my baby was only 4 months old and really couldn't enjoy the animals like I could. This year, she made up for it and had a great time.

Sure I'll feed the animals.....out of daddy's hand

'Duck' is my favorite word!

Mud and Water Day!

Mud and Water Day is one of my favorite days of the year. We play outside in pools filled with shaving cream, pools with water, sprinklers, soap, paint, mud and whatever else gets us really dirty. I love getting dirty! Here are some pictures of the fun adventure this year.

Prayer Trippism

Tomorrow is 'Mud and Water Day' at Tripp's school and he's been talking about it nonstop all week. Tonight at bedtime, we were saying our prayers and here is how it went:

Mommy: And dear Jesus, please let Tripp get a good night's sleep tonight because tomorrow is Mud and Water day and he needs lots of energy.

Tripp (with disgust in his voice): Mommy, you don't have to tell God that. He already knows because he heard us talk about it at school the day before yesterday.

God's always listening.

Trippism

Trippisms can occur anytime and anyplace.

Mommy:
Tripp: Yeah mom, I know. I'm drama.

Tripp Update

Dearest Little Guy -

It's been awhile since I've written you a letter update and so many things have happened in the few months since you've turned 4. To sum it up, you've grown into a little boy right before my eyes. Did I blink? How did this happen? I know people always say, 'cherish the moments because they're gone too quickly' but I didn't think they meant THIS quickly! You are my precious boy who loves his sister, his blue bears and his trains. You love bugs and are fascinated with them all - except for beatles. The sandbox is still a big hit and you have a very vivid imagination. Sometimes I just listen to your stories and play - but I have to listen with care because if you know I'm paying attention, you'll stop what it was you were doing. You love being outdoors and love being dirty. You still have a fit when I wash your hair, brush your hair or brush your teeth. Hopefully you'll grow out of that one. I signed you up for soccer and you were so excited. In fact, you said 'Mom, thank you! Give me a hug'. To me, that signals you're really growing up because only big boys get to play soccer. You love movie nights and you love to cuddle. When daddy is out of town, you always sleep me with me and snuggle tight. I'm not sure how long that will last but I hope forever even though I don't get any sleep at all when you're in bed with me. You still love soft things and your thumb. It drives daddy crazy but I secretly like that you still have those habits because they're the same ones you've had since you were my itty bitty baby boy. You're 'too big' for Barney and Elmo and Baby Einstein but you'll watch them if your sister wants to. You're into 'Jay Jay' and 'Thomas' and 'Calliou' and 'Dora'. Counting is a fun game and your letters are a snap. In the car, we sound out and try to spell new words. I especially like it when you say something like, 'do you know how to spell "car"? Well, it's pnrskfl. That spells car'. Love that! You're starting to be particular when it comes to what shirt or shorts or shoes to wear. Words like 'Feva', 'Emmy-you', 'Mohawker', 'Ice Scraper', 'Bob Bidder', 'street crosser', 'grill' are few and far between but if I put out my bottom lip, you'll say them like a champ - just like the good ole days. Tate adores you and wants to do everything you do - good or bad. She's your little shadow and I hope you're getting used to it because it's not going to change anytime soon. Each morning, you still give her her bottle and you both snuggle up together in our bed. I cherish it each day. She learns from you and she watches you. You're going to teach her amazing things and you've proven time and time again to be her protector. She is so lucky to have you as her brother and I am so lucky to have you as my son.

I love you more today than yesterday.
Love,
Mommy

Overalls

When I was 18 months old, mommy put me in overalls in our backyard and had a mini photo shoot. Some of the pictures are her absolute favorite and to be fair, Tate had to endure the same painful, I mean pleasant, photo shoot with mommy. We think she got some good ones!

New Pet

I want a pet. Today I told mommy that since I wanted a pet and she wouldn't let me have a pet, I was just going to go get one. I'll show her. I came back with Slinky the snail (straight from the backyard) accompanied by his 2 roly poly friends. I put them in a tupperware container, which worked great until Slinky crawled out and we couldn't find him because he blended in to the kitchen counters too well. Mommy wasn't happy but she put on a brave face and we found Slinky and then immediately found my bug catcher for Slinky. She told me that Slinky would be much happier outside with his snail friends but I informed her that he's a pet and you have to keep your pets forever. Welcome to the family, Slinky.

Roughin' It

Reagan and Laurel's Paw-Paw and Mimi have a ranch about 2 hours from Austin and invited all of us up for the weekend. Their place is awesome - with fishing, 4-wheelers, forts, exploring, zip lines, a ropes course and llamas. Yes - you read that right. They have llamas and they were very cool to see up close. My baby loves the book 'Is your Mama a Llama' and kept point and saying 'Mama'. The guys all went fishing - because if they didn't, we were all going to starve. They caught quite a few which allowed us to have a great fish fry. What a fun time had by all!

Is your mama a llama?

That's me on the zip line

The End of a Good Thing

Today Tate tattled on me. She went to mommy and said 'bubba' and then swatted her bottom. Uh oh. It's not a good thing when my baby starts communicating things like this - especially to mommy. When I saw mommy come around the corner, I just went ahead and put myself in time out.

Toy Drive

Mommy's office had a toy drive and we decided to take some toys and books for other children that didn't have anything. Mommy and I do this a lot but my baby has never helped us before. She can't really talk yet but if she could, I bet she'd say it was rewarding for her like it was for us!

Mother's Day Dinner

Around lunch time, daddy had to go the airport and fly to Boston for the week. It was a bummer he had to leave on Sunday AND Mother's Day, but we understand that's what he has to do. Our friends, Kate and Charlie, invited us all over for Mother's Day dinner and we had a wonderful time playing and cooking out. Thank you, Despins, for including us in your special day!

Mother's Day 2010

This year, I made mommy some very special things for Mother's Day. I made her a cross when daddy and I were on our camping trip and I also made her a special handprint tile at school. She really loved them and said they were the most special gift ever!!

Pez Surprise

My Grammy's friend, Miss Sandy, sent us a fun surprise in the mail. Pez candies! Who doesn't love Pez? She sent me Thomas the Train and my baby Tinkerbell. Thank you Miss Sandy - you'll be happy to know we ate the candies quicker than Pez candies were meant to be eaten.