Bye-bye pre-school!

Alex recently finished pre-school!
Ok-ok so it was exactly a month ago today, but that's recent right?
He was so excited about his spring program, he wanted to go dressed up like Daddy does for work, and so he did. Alex even checked with Thatcher the night before, to make sure his outfit looked like Daddy's!
I was so proud of him. He is usually very shy about singing in front of anyone, but he put on a big show this time, hand movements and all.
He is excited and nervous to start kindergarten next fall, and he talks about missing his pre-school teachers and sending them hearts in the mail. I think I'm just as excited and nervous as he is. I cannot believe I have to send him off to school in just a few short months.

A birthday post

I have officially sang "Happy Birthday" to this little big boy 8 times now. I don't know if there are words powerful enough to describe to you the little soul that lives behind these eyes. It doesn't like to show itself all the time or to just anyone, but I see it all the time. And its magic and its beautiful. Its strong and its thoughtful. I am proud to be the Mama of this little soul. He can melt my heart at any given moment!

For his 8th birthday Jacob choose to celebrate with his friends at the gymnastics club where he has class. And he wanted tornado's for his theme.

They had a blast.

And were so fast, I switched the camera into high speed and still got "in motion" shots!

They jumped on the big trampolines, ran an obstacle course and got to play in the pits.

We celebrated in the party room with tornado cupcakes and lightning bolt cookies. I was up late the night before icing those cookies! We even had twister makers to play with.

Jacob got some cool presents. Even though it was only 71 degrees outside that afternoon, they had to try out the new slip n slide. The "chocolate party" was a real treat from Alex. The kids do not get soda to drink at our house so he was excited to say the least! And he shared with everyone.

Happy Birthday Jacob!

Not Me Monday

Welcome to "not me" Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. Check out what everyone else has not been doing at http://www.mycharmingkids.net/

My very first not me Monday post!! A little late, but here it is anyway!

While waiting on my oldest child in gymnastics, I was not desperate for some hand lotion, no way did I rub chap stick all over my hands in an attempt to soothe my hands. I would never do such a thing. Nope, not me! (it actually did the trick)

While quickly vacuuming up the playroom one evening I did not pretend I couldn't hear my 5 year old repeatedly say maaaama, maaaaama, trying to remind me for the 56th time I hadn't given him his vitamin that day. Nope, not me...I always listen to my children!!

I did not also repeatedly try to make the vacuum suck up a big cookie crumb that was right up next to the base boards, then I most certainly did not give up and leave it when said vacuum wouldn't pick it up. Nope not me, I keep my house spotless at all times!

I did not actually shed a tear late one night when I failed to get in a winning bid on ebay for a ladybug swimsuit(for alyssa). No, not me I am more grounded than that, I know whats really important in life. I also did not find that same exact swim suit 2 days later at Toys r us!

What have you not been up to lately?

My everyday world

Walking through walls

A week ago.......

Alex comes to me as I am finishing my breakfast, book light in hand, "Mama, can you help me?" Me: "Well I'm eating breakfast right now." He continues to tell me of his plan involving my book light, his ghost costume, and walking through walls. I say ok, well let me finish my breakfast first. So when I get done I head upstairs for what is apparently going to be our morning activity...walking through walls. So I get out the ghost costume for Alex and naturally Alyssa wants to join in, she wanted the "wemo" costume.

After they're all dressed up, I am given some very particular directions about how I am suppose to hold the book light.

All the hallway doors are shut,

the hallway light goes off,

darkness.

Because you know it's got to be dark for a ghost to walk through a wall! But for reasons unknown I have to shine the light on the bedroom door for it to work right. Alex starts walking, Alyssa along side him. They get closer, then thud right into the door. Alyssa burst into laughter, this was just hilarious to her. Alex turns around, a little frustrated, "well, I don't know why that didn't work!" So I say well maybe you can only go through walls and not doors. I couldn't bring myself to tell him why this wasn't working, he was just so convinced it would. I guess sometimes you just gotta see for yourself. So I shine the light on the wall, Alex slowly walks to the wall, again Thud! And then silence. He's trying to come up with another reason why this isn't working. When Alex thinks about something hard enough, he really believes he can do it. He had this all worked out and now it wasn't working. Finally he says "I know, we need something brighter, the lantern!" So off I go to get the lantern. And now shining the book light and the lantern on the wall he tries again: Thud!

Me: "I need my camera!"
Alex: "Yea, we need the camera too!"
I come back and offer to let Alyssa take the walking through wall lights so I can take the picture. She finally understands what we want her to do with the lights and shines them on the wall. Alex walks to the wall again: Thud! And now with the 4th attempt not working it must be someone else's fault that he can't walk through the wall. He storms down the hallway taking his costume off along the way and says, "well its not working because Alyssa's not holding the lights the right way!" As if that was the only problem with this plan! And so ends our morning activity of walking through walls!

You can expect big things from this little boy someday. When he decides there is something he wants to do, he comes up with a plan. And there is no stopping him! No telling him its not real or possible, atleast not until he has tried it for himself. Alex is full of big time determination!

And what's a ghost without some monster feet!