Saturday, April 9

Xander's FIVE

Where did time go?!  How is my baby boy already FIVE?  I was hoping he'd turn five and the crying/whining would stop, but it didn't.  Will it ever end?!  Please give me hope.

He's still my sweet cuddly boy that loves all stuffed animals.  They are the way to his heart.  I promise.  He loves toys and wants a new one.  Every. Single. Day.  
He's a grumpy grandpa.  We often find him sitting in the rocking chair with his robe on watching his favorite show.

Xander's birthday was on a Saturday this year (the 2nd).  We had plans to go to Kansas City for another race, but with our notification of our move, we cancelled our weekend plans and stayed home to work on homework.  Fun.  Well, not so much.  So all of the birthday plans we had for Xander were now cancelled and we didn't have a clue what we were going to do.  So, I asked him what he wanted to eat on his birthday, took him to Walmart to pick out his cake, and asked him if there were any special requests.

Menu
Breakfast:  Powered donuts and chocolate milk
Lunch:  Peanut butter/Jelly sandwich with a big carrot stick
Dinner:  Originally he wanted Spaghetti and meatballs, but that afternoon he changed his mind and wanted a cheeseburger happy meal.  I think because he wanted a car like his cousin had!

When he work up, he saw his presents and wanted to open one.  So he choose the one from Sissy (and us).  She was so excited he liked her gift.  They played with his new Miles set then decided they were hungry.

I headed out to Walmart to pick up his cake and ran to the dollar store to grab balloons. 

 After lunch we did breaks since we were home, then they played all afternoon.  He whined about wanting to eat his cake and open the rest of his presents.  We compromised, and he opened the two other presents (from his grandma and Nana).  He pulled the tissue paper off one, saw what was in there and scampered off.  He was very ungrateful this year because he didn't want clothes, he wanted toys. Very rude!  So we had a little chat about how there are kids that don't receive anything for their birthdays and how we could take his gifts to these kids because they would be grateful.  He quickly changed his mindset and seemed to enjoy what was in there.  

The kids and I headed up to the play room to build with his new ZOOB building set.  These things are so awesome!  We spent a long time creating cool things.

As with Sterling, I asked Xander the same questions.

How old are you? Five
Who is your best friend? Big Cade and Felix
What is your favorite thing to do? Play on your phone
 What is your favorite color? Light blue.  I mean all of the colors of the rainbow
What is your favorite food? Spasghetti (still doesn’t say it right, ha!) and meatballs


What do you like to do with your family? Give them hugs
What is your favorite toy? My batman (from his birthday cake)
What do you want to be when you grow up? A superhero
What makes you happy? Letting me play the Wii
What makes you sad?  When people push me (who pushes you?) Tayde kicks me and Logan pushes me


What is your favorite show to watch? The space one (Astronaut boy)
What is your favorite book? Tom (Tom who?) The little red book, Tom Sawyer
What do you love to learn about? Coloring
 What was the best part of your birthday? Eating the cake
Where do you like to go? To the zoo
Who is your teacher? Ms. Shelly


What is your favorite treat? Chocolate
Where do you wish you could go on vacation? To Caleb’s house, the one with Uncle Moose
 What is your favorite outfit? My Star Wars shirt with workout pants
What is your favorite game?  Hide and go seek

Xander's personality is an ETJ and if you go to the website, it's spot on!  If you haven't done the test for your kid, you should try it.  It's so interesting!
(Sterling is an IFP and hers is also spot on!)

Xander is a child that is hard-headed, sweet, intelligent, daring, persistent, energetic, charming, thoughtful, lovable, and resourceful.  He gets in trouble a lot because he's so hard headed.  His way is the right way, and there's no telling otherwise.  Him and Nick butt heads ALL the time.  He's so smart and remembers everything. He won't give up on a task.  He's busy.  Always on the move.  When he's bored, he'll grab some paper and markers to make something.  He's my snuggle bug!

Xander, when you grow up, I hope you will be kind, passionate, ambitious, and a successful superhero/doctor/scientist/daddy/husband/friend/person!  You are the best son ever!

Happy 5th Birthday!

Saturday, March 19

Sterling turned FOUR!

A beautiful little princess in a small village in Nebraska turned FOUR on St. Patrick's Day.  Our very own "lucky charm!"  

The day before her birthday, the parents day out program celebrated her special day.  She smiled all day!  She wore her special crown ALL day.  She shared special treats with her friends.


This year since I'm working, I took Sterling up to Wal-mart and let her pick out a special cake.  She chose a Sophia Cake, which really surprised me since she's not as into playing with Sofia as last year.  She just really wanted any cake with a "toy" on top, lol.  Kids' priorities.

Her birthday morning started out with the balloon fairy dropping balloons off outside her door.  She made a wish the night below for balloons.  She opened one gift. Shortly after getting ready for school, Dora and Friends called to wish Sterling a happy birthday.  She loved it!

She had so much fun at school.  Her preschool friends sang happy birthday to her and she brought in mini cupcakes to share with her friends.  She smiled ALL day, again!  She was so happy.

After getting home from school, they were greeted by a visit from a special leprechaun (their teacher, Ms. Ashley planned it all!).  Xander was so curious by the leprechaun footprints on our front porch, but Sterling loved the goodies that were left for them, ha!  I ran to Wal-Mart to pick up the cupcake cake she picked out and a few balloons from the dollar store.

After I got home, she opened the remaining of her presents, I made her dinner request,we sang happy birthday, enjoyed a cupcake (or two for her and daddy), and then started our nightly routine.

Her birthday menu included:
Breakfast: 4 powered mini donuts and apple juice (same as last year, ha!)
Lunch: carrots, go-gurt, applesauce, princess goldfish, and flavored water drink
Dinner: chicken nuggets and BBQ sauce, 2 cupcakes (because it's her birthday and she can :))

I think I can say she had a great birthday.  She was so happy ALL day long.

A fun questionnaire:

How old are you? Holding up FOUR fingers
Who is your best friend? Autumn
What is your favorite thing to do? Play princesses and Little Einsteins
What is your favorite color? Purple
What is your favorite food? Chicken nuggets


What do you like to do with your family? Play games
What is your favorite toy? Little Einsteins, yah! (sings it!)
What do you want to be when you grow up? A ballerina
What makes you happy? When people tickle me
What makes you sad? Not tickling me (I would've thought she'd say "being told no" ha!)


What is your favorite show to watch? Little Einsteins, yah! (she sings it, ha!)
What is your favorite book? Ladybug Girl
What do you love to learn about? Letters
What was the best part of your birthday? Getting clothes
Where do you like to go? To school


Who is your teacher? Ms. Terri (she's her afternoon PDO teacher)
What is your favorite treat? Donuts (she's often referred to as Deputy Sterling for her love of donuts!)
Where do you wish you could go on vacation? Chucky Cheese show, where all the games are
What is your favorite outfit? princess dresses
What is your favorite game? The fishie game (Let's Go Fishin')


She still the most caring, loving, stubborn little girl, but she's a daddy's girl finally!  She protects her big Bubba with all her might.  She loves her Hawkeye.  She won the battle of choosing her own outfits and our mornings have been a lot easier.  She's determined.  Strong willed.  Loud.  Inquisitive. Spunky.  Joyous.  Passionate.  She gets embarrased easily, and when she does, she giggles with her one hand over her mouth.  Cutest thing ever!

Sterling, we are so lucky to have your as our daughter.  May you grow up to be independent, strong, sparkling of happiness, and someone who loves life and helping others.

Happy 4th Birthday!

Friday, March 18

We're moving!

We finally received official word today that we are heading to...



I'm not excited at all.  The traffic is horrible.  There's way too many people.  The schools are the worst in the nation!  

We really don't have any more details.  Which sucks because Xander starts kindergarten and where do I register him there?  I have him registered here already, so we may start, then transfer.  Or I may homeschool.  I've heard that this new area is a high homeschooling area and its very common.  I guess I'll put my degree to work with my own little ones.

I'll hope and pray that I'll love it after some time there.  We have so many details to work out.  It's going to be a stressful three or four months!

Do you live in the DC area?  Do you recommend elementary schools?  Communities?  I think we're wanting to stay in the Alexandria/Arlington areas.