Dinner and a Movie

We took this rare opportunity to go out together as a family.  We saw the movie "Sing" and the boys loved it!  I loved seeing their faces laugh and enjoy the movie.  Then we had dinner at their pick, Truetts.  It was a great time to have fun, be silly and just be together.

The Fort

Ever since we moved into our new house, the boys and Dadda have been talking about a fort.  Since Jeff had some time off work for Christmas break, it was a good opportunity to build it!  The boys are so excited.  The fort has a ladder that opens a "secret door" and they told me no girls allowed. :-)

Ralph

Our silly elf is back and up to his old tricks.  The boys wake up every morning anxious to see where he is and what kind of mischief he's gotten into!

Santa

We went to see Santa today.  He wasn't at the usual spot (Horsetown), but we tracked him down at Tanger Outlet mall and there was no line!  We told the boys they can ask Santa for 3 things, that's what he brings good children and they had all rehearsed what they would ask for and of course when it came down to it, they struggle to remember.  They are all so shy around him, especially Mark.  But we got a pretty good picture!  Fingers crossed that he will come.

Mark is 4!

Our baby boy is 4 today!

Mark . . . 

talks a lot!  and he is very repetitive, he'll say, "Mom, will you make me a sandwich Mom?" or "I want to play with the red truck, not the blue one, the red truck".  He will be very persistent if you don't answer and will ask repeatedly until he gets an answer.  Often times, I have to tell his brothers to respond to him.

eats everything.  Of course he loves sugar (cookies, candy, etc) but he also loves bananas, apples, carrots and broccoli.  There's not much he won't eat.

still takes a nap everyday and sleeps very well.  He tried to get out of it, he said "Do 4 year olds have to take a nap?" because we've been talking about how he's a big boy now that he's 4.

is very shy around strangers.  It's like he becomes this completely different person, because he is so loud and wild at home.

likes to race me to his bed for nap time and will push me out of the way so he can be the winner!

adores his older brothers and wants to be just like them.  He loves to play with them, especially Ty and will do what they do even when he doesn't understand how, like playing video games.  He'll just pick up the controller and pretend to play like they do.

still loves to watch Blaze, Team Umizoomi, Paw Patrol and recently Little Einsteins.

says res-tra-not instead of restaurant. 

knows all his colors, but doesn't like to do letters, he gets bored easily and pretends he doesn't know when he actually does, which just frustrates me, so we quit.

wears size 5 pants and 5T or Small shirts, he wears a size 13 shoe.

I had been telling Mark that I wanted him to stay 3 and when I tucked him in, I asked him again, "Don't you just want to stay 3?" and he said "No, I am going to be 4 forever!" very proudly and I told him that on his next birthday he would turn 5 and the realization hit him and he said "you mean we get to have lots of birthdays?!?!"  It was so cute!

Norm's Beach

The Coheley's were so nice to invite us to their beach house for a few days.  Since the boys were out of school for fall break, we couldn't pass up the offer.  The boys went with Jeff while I was in Pittsburgh for Kim's wedding and then I met them later (after spending a day in the airport on standby).  They were already very familiar with everything when I got there.  They had their sand castle spots and had already mastered the boogie board.  The boys love being out on the beach.  The weather was off and on, but it didn't stop us.  We stayed outside as much as we could.  It was a great trip- a nice get away with great company!

Pics before church

My boys looked handsome before church so I pulled out the camera.

Lake House Fun

Grandma and Grandpa came into town and we got together as a family to spend time together.  The kids went straight to the water with their cousins and we got to catch up with everyone.  Uncle Marcus took the kids out on his boat for some tubing and he tried to sling them off but everyone held on.  We ate a big lunch and enjoyed our time together.    

Mark's First Day

Mark was so excited to start school today!  We have about 45 minutes after we drop off brothers until we go to his school, but Mark did not want to wait, he was ready to go!  We got to school a little early so we waited in the car. (Actually Papa's truck bc my alternator went out in carline last week) and again he was very anxious.  We finally walked in and found his room.  He was very quiet, but he walked in and found his seat and started doing his puzzle.  I hugged him and said bye and he seemed fine.  There was another boy in his class who was very upset (crying loudly) and was a distraction for Mark and the other kids.

When I picked him up, his teacher said he did great and had an awesome day!  I was so proud of him; I know he is going to learn so much this year!

Mark's Open House

It seems like we've been talking to Mark about starting school for a year and the time has finally come!  He knows where his school is, we pass it almost daily and he calls it "church school".  

Today was open house, where he got to see his classroom and meet his teachers.  He is in the "Terrific Tigers" 3 year old class.  We walked in and Jeff recognized one of his teachers Ms. Tamara, since they went to high school together!  His other Ms. Renee is pregnant and due in about a month!  They both seem very sweet and eager to start a new school year.  Mark found his goodie bag and made a cross with stickers, with his brother's help of course.  Then he explored the classroom; he found a kitchen to cook in and a basket full of dinosaurs!  I think he is going to love going to school!

First Day- 3rd and 1st grade

I am so excited about this school year.  Both boys were placed with awesome teachers and I'm looking forward to a great year.  The school supplies were purchased, labeled and packed.  We got up, ate breakfast, packed lunches and were ready to go.  I walked the boys in and Ty was very excited, he found his seat, started to color and I said bye.  I walked AJ down to his room and I could tell he was starting to get nervous.  We have the same personality and when I see his anxiety, I get upset too.  I knew if I stayed I would only make it worse.  I walked him in the classroom and quickly said bye, he looked at me and his eyes filled with tears.  I went out a side door and cried as I walked back to the car.  I was hoping for a better start, but I am still optimistic for this year.  I can't wait to see them at the end of the school day!

Mark learns to swim!

Mark loves to be in the pool!  He swims almost everyday and he wears his "froggy" that keeps him above water.  We thought it was about time he tried without it.  He was so excited to learn he could stand in the shallow end and was nervous for about 2 minutes and we told him to kick just like he normally does and sure enough he took off!  He surprised himself- it was so cute.  Then he swam back and forth to the steps and wanted us to watch every time!  Now we have 3 little swimmers!

Date Night with Ty

Ty had been asking for a while when he could take me on a date again so we finally made it happen!  I love when I get one-on-one time with my any of my boys!  

We decided to try something different and go to a new Chinese restaurant.  It was so good!  Hit the spot for both of us and it wasn't crowded at all.  We talked about school and starting 1st grade, we also talked about being a big brother and setting a good example (Mark needs this). Then Ty wanted to play arcade games so we went to the bowling ally.  We drove cars, played skee ball and did the roller coaster simulator and we both laughed so hard!  I love this boy and love our dates together!  

Baby Addy

We have been anticipating our new niece/cousin for a while now and we're very excited to hear she was coming!  I went and picked up Layla and she got to come play with the boys for a little while.  Collin and Sarah wanted her to be the first to meet her sister so I got to bring Layla to the hospital when she was born- Addy came just before midnight so the hospital was very quiet.  We waited for a few minutes and Layla was so anxious and then she got to meet her!  

The next day we played at home for a while, then went to a movie and came back to the hospital so the boys could meet Addy too.  They each took turns holding her.  We are so thankful for this sweet new baby!