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Saturday, December 19, 2015

Santa is a Georgia Tech Fan!

I love taking the kids to see Santa every year.  This was our 5th year visiting the coveted Santa at Phipps- you know, the one you have to book 3 months in advance?!  I was hoping this would be "our year" since Jake is too young to be afraid of Santa and Catelin and the boys are old enough to willingly sit in his lap!  (Last year CL made us get in the picture with her!)


Steve had a last minute business trip that evening and there was no way for me to reschedule.  Thankfully, Ms. Lisa offered to come with us!   

The kids made there lists....









Then we waited patiently for our turn.



Catelin got right up in Santa's lap while MJ and Ty stood beside him.  The last step was putting Jake on his other knee... And - wait for it.... 


 


 VICTORY!!

The photographer got a picture of ALL four of them looking at the camera!  I couldn't believe it. 

After the pictures, Santa read their Christmas lists - he went through Jake, Ty and Catelin's, and then it was time for MJ's.  Apparently Santa is a fan of the red and black team (the one we don't talk about in our house).  So, when he got down to MJ's last request- a Georgia TECH football helmet - he started asking one too many questions...


 "Does this say Georgia football helmet?" asks Santa


 MJ replies (while pointing very clearly at his list), "NO!  It says Georgia TECH football helmet!"!!

 "You mean you don't like the Bulldogs?" asks Santa.
Then, he did something that made me throw up in my mouth and crushed my little kids...he actually BARKED!  "Whoof, whoof, whoof"...And this was the result:








Jake starts crying his eyes out, MJ puts his fingers in his ears so he can't hear him anymore, Ty turns away, Catelin jumps down, and I run to grab my screaming baby!!!  Santa was somewhat apologetic - but not enough to make my kids feel better.

I thought the kids were going to be heartbroken for the rest of Christmas season, and then MJ turns to me and says, "Mommy, just so you know, that's NOT the real Santa...the REAL Santa is a Georgia TECH fan!!!"
Me: "I couldn't agree more." 

Merry Christmas! 

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving

This is such a busy time of year!  We have been having a blast.

MJ, Ty and Catelin all had their Thanksgiving feasts at the exact same time a couple of weeks ago.  Jake was at home with Ms. Lisa while Steve and I tried to figure out the best way to be in 3 places at one time...

We decided to visit MJ first since his party started about 15 minutes before Ty and CL's. 




Then I went up to see Ty's class while Steve went to Catelin's




...






Catelin got a little upset when daddy was trying to leave so we brought her over to Ty's party after she was done...




The feasts were adorable and we loved seeing them dressed up as pilgrims and Indians!

We spent Thanksgiving with Steve's family.  Great Grandma Alice even flew in!!!   It was great to see her and spend time with everyone.








Happy Thanksgiving!!



Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Mystery Reader

At the beginning of the school year, the parents (or grandparents/special guest) of each child get to sign up to be the mystery reader.  On your designated day, you bring your child's favorite book(s) to read and wait outside the classroom.  The whole class has their heads down while you go to the front and sit in the reading chair.  Then, the teacher tells them to put their heads up to see who it is - they are always beyond excited.

Steve and I have taken turns to be mystery reader for MJ and Ty the past few years.  This year was Catelin's first year for this special day (they didn't do it in her two year old class).  Now that MJ can read I thought it would be adorable if he could be her reader.  After coordinating a time with MJ and Catelin's teachers, we had it all set up.

I only told MJ a few days beforehand because he is not great at keeping secrets. ;)  He knows Catelin's favorite book is The Day the Crayons Quit.  If you haven't read it, it is absolutely adorable!!  But...it is a little hard to read.  Some of the words are in cursive and the sentences are not always in a straight line which makes it easy to lose your place.  MJ was determined to read it for her.  I told him that I didn't want him to put too much pressure on himself and he could choose another book if he wanted.  Here was his response:

Mommy, I can do it.  This is her very favorite book, and if I don't read it to her she will be so disappointed.  I want to do this for her.

MJ practiced and practiced and I knew he could do it.  He could barely contain his excitement when the day finally came.  After I dropped Catelin off at the preschool, Jake and I walked over to get MJ from the big school.  Then, we sat outside her class and waited.

 

Catelin was ecstatic when she looked up and saw MJ sitting there!


I sat on the floor next to him trying to hold back tears.  He did an amazing job and read the entire book with ease.  The kids loved the story and were engaged the whole time.




I was one proud mommy.  And she was one happy little girl...

Monday, November 16, 2015

MJ is SEVEN!





MJ (talking to my friend last weekend):  Ms. Melissa, did you know my birthday is on Thursday?
Melissa:  I sure did.  Are you excited?
MJ:  Yes I am.  My mom is going to cry, you know.  She always cries on my birthday.  :)

It's true.  My sweet boy knows that every year I can't help but cry on his birthday.  Last year he asked me about it...

MJ: Mommy, why do you cry on my birthday?

Me: Because you are my first baby.  And in a way your birthday is my birthday too.

MJ: What do you mean?

Me: The day you were born is the first day I became a mommy.  So, every year, I am reminded of that very special day. ..the day you gave me the best gift I have ever received- the love a mother has for her child.  I am so proud of the little boy you have become but sometimes it's hard for me to see how quickly you are growing up!

MJ: Don't worry mommy, I will always be your baby.

And now that little baby is SEVEN.  He is reading, writing, doing basic math, and has (as of last Friday) lost SIX teeth!  He is really growing up...

His birthday was on a Thursday so I left work a little early to go celebrate at school with him.  And Daddy was able to surprise him as well!


MJ really loved his birthday treat (we did fruit and cheese kabobs again per his request!). 
I tried to get a picture of MJ with daddy but then the photo-bombing began!  haha :)







 MJ wanted to do another slumber party for his birthday this year- his guest list grew and I finally had to limit him to inviting 8 boys (10 total including MJ and Ty).  It rained the night of his party so we had to cancel the bounce house but they didn't seem to mind- they had a blast together!


MJ wanted a Minecraft themed party so Steve made these signs and they were a huge hit.  Unfortunately, I couldn't find a Minecraft cake so we settled on Transformers instead.





Mr. Mike Fennelly told "ghost stories" and they were all mesmerized...




After running around like crazy for a few hours, they all settled down to watch a movie and eat some popcorn.


Then it was time for bed -- it took about an hour for all of them to finally fall asleep but they did!  And they were quiet until 7:00 AM (which I considered a victory since last year they were up at 5:45!).



They all requested donuts for breakfast - nothing like a sugar rush first thing in the morning!


It was a great party with great boys.


Happy 7th birthday to my first and forever baby.  I love you to infinity and beyond, sweet boy.