What about Allen?

Poor Allen had to endure two days of life revolving around Drew. He was a champ and rarely complained. I told him he would have days that would be "all about Allen" soon enough!

Waiting patiently for the "big kids" to go through the line so he could have some ice cream too!

Loving the iPad and the endless entertainment options!

What a mess...he was so tired of waiting for graduation to start!

Rock climbing at Drew's game...

I'm gonna need some help here!

Play Ball!

A huge milestone in Drew's life happened today...his first t-ball game! (He would correct me there and say "mom - it's baseball!") It is our first experience with organized sports of any kind and really the first time he has shown any interest in sports, other than watching UT football! Drew did really well. He had great hits both times at bat and played first base and right field with enthusiasm (if not necessarily much skill!). He said he had fun and that his favorite part was hitting and running the bases. It is a very instructional league so for now everyone hits, runs the bases, and scores and their are no real outs. But for his first time, it's perfect.

Pre-K Graduation

Friday night was Drew's Pre-K Graduation. It was sweet - a time for the kids to be recognized for their accomplishments and to feel proud of completing this major milestone. Drew took it very seriously. It was just wonderful to see him standing tall, accepting his "diploma" and looking so grown up! The poem on the back of the program really summed up my feelings for the night...

Growing Up

Was it yesterday I laced his shoes,

Wiped his nose and soothed each bruise,

Fastened the buttons he couldn't reach,

And built sand castles on the beach?

Taught him to count on his ten pink toes,

Listened with love to his little-boy woes,

Made him eat broccoli, but made it a game,

Guided his hand as he printed his name.

Comforted his heart and dried his tears,

Scolded and cuddled and calmed his fears,

Taught him about Jesus and His love for us all

How He carries and holds us so we won't fall.

Was that yesterday? My how time flies.

Today he's a scholar and worldly-wise,

For now he's grown up and so very cool,

Today he has finished his years in preschool.



The end of an era...

Today was Drew's final day of Pre-K - the official end to his preschool years. It's hard to believe that period of his life is finished! He started preschool in Knoxville, made a smooth transition to Scottsdale into the wonderful program there, and just as smoothly transitioned into his class here. It's amazing to look back on his growth over the past 4-5 years. While I know it is primarily just a kid growing up, I also know that his interactions with other children (and other adults!) have played a big part in his development.

I have been impressed at how easily he has made friends in each school, but with this last move it just blew me away. After the initial week of "I don't know anyone's name. I didn't play with anyone today." he quickly started talking about his new friends when he got home and very soon was yelling "hi" and "bye" to them in the parking lot with them yelling back just as eagerly! Unfortunately, none of his new friends will be at his Elementary school next year. But I'm not worried. His social skills have come a long way in the past year and he'll be ready to dive in and make new friends right away!

He still loves playtime at school but he has developed an interest in art that he definitely did not have in the beginning. His drawings are so creative and get better every week. My favorite part of his current class is the monthly "journals" they work on a couple of times a week. They are free to draw or write whatever they want on the pages, resulting in many pictures of trains in Drew's journals! But he has started to branch out and tell stories with his drawings that are priceless. His writing has improved immensely, especially over the past few months. And his spelling is great - he is already losing the "spell by phonetics" and starting to remember how to spell the harder words. Reading is his great passion - he will read anything at any time, resulting in some power struggles over when to put the books away and sleep or play!

Drew's class celebrated their 100th day of school, and also their last day of preschool, with an ice cream party. Anything for some special treats, right?! His teacher, Ms. Kathy, gave each of the kids a special Graduation Bear balloon which was a really cute idea. She has been a great teacher and a wonderful part of Drew's life the past 4 months.

Preschool - Year One

Today was Allen's last day of 3-year old preschool. I'm torn between my feelings right now. Am I sad that he's finished his first full year of preschool? Happy that it's finally summer? Sad that school's out for the summer?! Proud of him for all he has done?


Yes...that's it. I am beyond proud of him this year. He started school in Arizona and made a very smooth transition to Kansas. He went from a classroom of peers - all with birthdays within a 4 month time span - to a classroom full of "big kids". He is the baby of his class here. His age dictated that he be in a 2-year old, parents' day out setting. Luckily, the director of the preschool listened to what he had been learning before our move and offered to move him up to the 3-year class. He is 2 months younger than the next youngest and a full year younger than some. But he has held his own. His teacher says he hangs in there with everyone and that you would never know he came in during the middle of the year. She signed off on him moving to the 4-year old class next year even though he will be the youngest again. Her words: "He would be bored out of his mind repeating the 3-year curriculum!"

I am most proud of how he handled himself in our first bullying situation. For some reason, I always feared he would be the bully if that time ever came. But it turned out that there was a little boy in his class who bullied everyone. The teacher had talked to him over and over but he still took charge and bossed every situation and was mean to anyone who stood up to him. The other kids just avoided him. Well, when Allen arrived, this little boy saw it as an opportunity to pick on someone new. He is physically much larger than Allen and has a very strong presence. During their open play time in the gym, he would take away whatever Allen was playing with and not give it back when asked. He pushed Allen down a few times and "said mean things" (Allen's words). Luckily, Drew was usually in the gym at the same time and would stick up for him and Drew said Allen was doing everything he should shy of telling any teachers. Their regular teachers aren't in the gym with them - they are with "floaters" to supervise and this little boy was taking advantage of the situation. After hearing about it the first couple of weeks I mentioned it to his teacher. My primary concern was that Drew would take his support for Allen too far and end up being the one in trouble! It turned out that the teacher had noticed some picking in class but was unaware of the gym situation. She spoke with the boys' mother and the little boy apologized. He and Allen have since become friends. At first Allen said "we are both the bad boys in the gym now!" but after some reminders of how we treat people and of how sad it made him when he was being picked on, he decided he could be a good kid again. At Allen's parent conference I asked how it was going and his teacher told us that "Allen is the only kid who will stand up to Matthew when he gets bossy or mean and the other kids have noticed. There is a mutual respect there that the other kids have not learned." Proud momma moment? Yes. He has such a sweet spirit and a kind heart, hidden underneath his mischievous actions and bull-in-a-china-shop personality. I love it when others see it too!

As he finishes this year I think about the bond he and Drew have formed at school. Our move has brought them so much closer together as brothers. Yes, they fight a lot and drive each other crazy, but they support each other and stick together like glue in new situations. At school their rooms are side-by-side and they have free play time at the same time. Very few of Drew's friends at their old school knew Allen existed, much less called him by name. All of Drew's new friends say hi and bye to Allen just like he's part of their group. Drew says "we all play together on the playground so they just know him now!" I am sad that the next two years will separate them at school again. I know Allen needs to make friends on his own and be the strong little boy I know he is, but it's so comforting to know that he has Drew there right now.

So, today I am sad. And happy. And mostly proud. And I am filled with love for my little man who is growing up WAY. TOO. FAST!!!



First Day of School - August 2010

What a difference a few months makes! The last day of school...

Running to class...together

We love Ms. Vicki!

Allen's signature on Ms. Vicki's card. It was very unusual for him to write this uneven so I asked for his thoughts...

...and then I had to add his thoughts to the other side of the card because I knew Ms. Vicki would get a kick out of it!

After school ice cream to celebrate!



Mother's Day Tea

A couple of weeks ago, the boys' preschool hosted Muffins with Mom. It was an adorable breakfast with my boys (that I don't have any photos of...boo!). Today we had a Mother's Day Tea in Drew's classroom. Another sweet, wonderful experience. I am so thankful for my boys and the chance to be their mom!



Drew's portrait of me...



His information about me...apparently my hair has gotten darker and I go to the grocery store too much...

Happy Anniversary!

Today we are celebrating our 11th anniversary. Sometimes it's really hard to believe we've been married that long...other times it seems like just yesterday...

How cute is he in this picture?!

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband. No one can accuse us of having a boring life! I am thankful that I get to share each moment with you.