My Boys and Me

Then- May 23, 2007- He was a curious little Monkey even then (notice his one eye open)-

Now- May 23, 2011- Our adorable little Monkey now wearing his 4th Birthday shirt (and sportin’ his bed head)-

4 pancakes, 4 candles for the 4 year old-

Opening his presents before school-

He was so proud of himself. He opened all “4″ of his presents by himself. Under the wrapping paper?-

We also got him a few new outside toys. Stay tuned for pictures after Mike puts them together over the next few days.

Mike and I picked up Braeden 30 minutes early from school and brought cupcakes to Mikey’s class-

This Birthday was so fun for Mikey because it was the first one he actually understood what was going on and that the day was all about HIM (Ha! Isn’t every day?) We are having a small party (just cake and ice cream) for him at our neighborhood playground on Saturday. Several little kids on our street that he plays with and a few kids from school are coming along with Harley and Mike’s parents and aunt (who are coming in for the long weekend). He is excited and so are we.

Mikey wants to give a HUGE thanks to the following people for thinking of him on his special day-

Grandma and Papa for the his new V-Tech laptop-

Aunt Lisa and Uncle Lorne for his new portable DVD player-

The Mcknight family for the Walmart gift card
Nana and Roy for the Cars books
And everyone who sent sweet messages via facebook

It is hard to believe my BABY is 4. 3 still sounded little, but 4 sounds too big! Mikey said it perfectly the other night. I was carrying him up to bed and he had his head on my shoulders (one of my favorite melt my heart moments) and I said, “I sure do love you so much. You are my sweet baby boy!” Mikey lifted his head and said very matter of factly, “Mommy, I am NOT a baby, I AM a big boy!” *****SIGH***** He may be 4, smarter than he lets on and tough as nails, but he will ALWAYS be my baby boy!

Along with all the above traits, he is also SO FUNNY! He is constantly doing or saying something to make us laugh. I came home recently to him mimicking Mike doing Yoga (just to clarify- Mike is doing some exercise regime called P90x and Yoga is part of it). It was so funny to watch Mikey follow whatever Mike was doing for close to an hour. He is still at the age where he doesn’t understand everything he is saying and that in itself can be so funny. The other night he said to Braeden, “You know, when I was your age I……” Most every night, he wants me to sing “Hush Little Baby” to him when we go to bed. The other night he asked me to sing the National Anthem instead. I think maybe we’ve been watching too much baseball. On Mother’s Day I was about to open my gifts and Mikey said, “Mommy, do NOT look at the blue candle because that is from me and it is a surprise.” Haha, Mike must have told him not to tell me about the “blue candle” he had picked out. Of course he wouldn’t be a boy if he didn’t say something like, “Mommy, I HAVE to pick my boogers because I don’t want them to see the White House.” He said this after I turned around in the car on the way to the White House and told him to get his finger out of his nose. So, I guess BOY is another good word to describe our 4 year old.

Stay tuned for pictures from his Birthday Party this weekend and our trip into DC to see the PHILLIES!!!!!

I think the days where it is 88 degrees one day and 48 degrees the next (yes this WAS the case in April) are behind us for this year and that the nice (warm) weather is here to stay. I have to admit I am truly LOVING being able to experience SPRING weather. In South Carolina, there was really no such thing. It went from cool weather to HOT so quickly. The 70 degree days we’ve been experiencing lately have been perfect. It has rained a lot the past few weeks and I am hoping the majority of the pollen has been washed away (one thing South Carolina and Virginia have in common). Here are a bunch of pictures of random things we’ve been up to (other than baseball) the past month or so. Enjoy!

Like Father, like son. “Thanks Grandma for my V-tech laptop. It is the PERFECT early Birthday present.” Funny thing about this picture is I was on my computer, Mike grabbed Braeden’s and then Mikey saw that we both had a computer and had to grab his too. Of course I jumped up to snap the picture-

Maybe we’ve had too many late nights staying up and watching the Phillies games?-

One of the guys at my work arranged for Mike, the boys and I to tour the West Wing of the White House. It was really neat. Here the boys are sitting on a beautiful stair case that winds up 5 floors. This was in one of the office buildings across from the West Wing. It was built in the 1800′s-

This is outside the West Wing (no pictures allowed inside). Its a sniper post (YIKES)-

WOW!-

In front of the West Wing-

Mike riding B’s scooter. The thing goes pretty fast-

Mikey hitching a ride-

“So long tricycle, I got me a new set of wheels”-

The gash was not from bike riding, but from wrestling his big brother-

We discovered a creek behind the houses across the street from us. Mikey LOVES going there. We had to put the fear of death in him to never wander over there alone. The water moves fast and is filled with rocks, not to mention snakes I’m sure-

I think this photo may become a new favorite-

Mike had to grip Mikey so he wouldn’t take off (this is the same kid who has jumped into the pool several times without his vest on)-

B on 2nd base after he hit a double-

This whole Bat Boy thing is HARD work!

B winding up for pitch-

I can’t express how much I love these 2-

All the boys were eating licorish so Mikey had to have one. He is not so sure he likes it-

He loves a slushee from Target though-

Coach Daddy or Policeman Daddy?

Peanut Butter sandwich time-

Deep in thought about something-

Bat Boy in action-

Waiting to get another bat-

Traditional post-game run of the bases with Daddy-

Lucky #7 about to bat-

First of all, Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom Marilyn and my Mother-in-law Peggy. You are both so special to me and I feel so lucky to have your love and support.

I am really not sure why we celebrate ME once a year. I feel like I am the lucky one to be Mom to Braeden and Mikey who, (in my opinion), are 2 of God’s most perfect creations. Before we got a chance to call her, Mike’s Mom called and left me the sweetest message. Through tears and a choked up voice, she said, “Braeden and Mikey are two SUPER lucky boys to have you as their Mom.” She said how proud she was of me and thanked me for taking such good care of Mike and her grandsons. It touched my heart in one of those I will never forget kind of ways. Earlier in the week I received a beautiful card and gift in the mail from her as well. SHE is the Mom, why is she focusing on me? Then again, Mike is HER baby and one day I will be happy if my babies have a wife who loves them the way I love Mike. It is also a nice feeling to know that despite all the things I do wrong as a Mommy, that I must do something right to deserve recognition and such a special compliment. Sadly, Mike had to work all weekend and I didn’t even get to see him on Mother’s Day, but he made sure I felt special. He left a sweet card at home for me and sent me an incredibly sweet e-mail Saturday night so I would have something to read first thing when I woke up on Mother’s Day.

And then there are my boys. They are my gifts and being able to hug and kiss them all day is all I needed from them. They made sure they spoiled me though.

Braeden woke me up at 7am and told me I couldn’t come downstairs until he said. When I was finally allowed to go downstairs this is what I saw-

FYI- No one told him to make me breakfast (toaster strudels and chocolate milk). I could barely speak. He also wrote me a beautiful letter at school that was graded (he got an A from his teacher and an A++++ from Me). He truly is the most amazing little boy and he fills my world with a happiness I never imagined possible. Thank you God for this amazing child!

Mikey chose the Disney book and Braeden chose the PERFECT black and white one.

This was all from Mikey. He made me a card at school, picked a rose at school, made me a pretend pizza (since it’s my favorite food) and wrapped up a present. He was sweet to me all day (that meant a lot coming from my usually moody little man)-

This is what was in the present- I LOVE IT!

We had such a nice day just the 3 of us. We all took a nap, went to the movies and saw Rio, had dinner at our favorite little wing place and cheered on the Phillies even though they lost to Atlanta. Since Mike was working, we even got to fall asleep snuggled in the bed together.

Thank you Lord for the many blessings in my life. The 2 most important, being the reason I am celebrated on Mother’s Day!