the mayor is 5 and a day out with thomas

The Mayor is 5.  5.  Ugh.  This is a big deal and a big age.  5 isn't baby, it isn't preschool, it is a kid.  A big kid.  5 is so school age to me and I just can't believe my little boy is 5.  Ok time, you can slow down a little bit.

Even though it was a tough pill to swallow, we did have a great day celebrating the big day.  D and I went to The Mayor's school and brought cupcakes.  He was so proud we were there and we brought sweets.  The boy loves a cupcake.  He was so cute...they gave him a "Happy Birthday" paper crown and he wore it all day up until bedtime.

After school, we hung out at the house and then he chose his birthday dinner.  He wanted the macaroni and cheese from Shane's Rib Shack.  So Shane's Rib Shack is what we had.

Mamie and PopPop gave The Mayor 4 tickets to "A Day Out With Thomas".  D decided to stay home with Love Bug...we just didn't think she would hold up all day.  Thomas was located in Cordele which is about 2 1/2 hours away.  5 hours in the car and then walking around just doesn't mesh well with a 2 1/2 year old.  Besides, it ended up working out since she spiked a fever last night and slept until 11AM this morning!

We asked our dear friends Vicki and Aidan to go.  The boys HAD A BLAST!  They were so sweet and well-behaved all day.  And just listening to them "have conversations" was hysterical.  They would talk about the trains, and toys, and movies...and whatever else 4 and 5 year old boys talk about.  On the way home, they were both pretty anxious to get out of the car, but we really can not complain.  They did awesome and Vicki and I loved getting to chat and hang out all day.

We got home a little after 6:00 tonight and both kids are asleep.  It has been a perfect Saturday.

The Mayor and Ms. Karen...they share a birthday :)

The Mayor and Aidan

Vicki and Aidan

me and my sweet boy

love these boys

The Mayor and Thomas

Aidan and Thomas

taking a break

24 hours of awesome

D got home yesterday afternoon from his Ironman training and we decided to have a much needed family day.  We loaded the kids up and went to see Hotel Transylvania.  The movie was adorable...The Mayor loved it, Love Bug was a little scared.  There were a few scenes where Count Dracula makes "scary eyes" and Love Bug literally crawled up D's chest, buried her face in his shoulder and held on for dear life.  It was actually quite cute.

When we left, she said it was her favorite movie.

Today was The Mayor's speech therapy and OT and then I had a conference with his teachers and director of his preschool.  I was dreading the conference all weekend but left feeling encouraged and like a huge load had been lifted.  We are going to get additional help for The Mayor...and that can only lead to good things.

Tomorrow is a school day for both munchkins and I have a lunch date with my dear friends Hayley and Josh.  Haven't seen either in too long so it will be great to catch up.

the pictures are horrible since I used the reverse camera angle on the iPhone in the dark theater...

party time

Wow...didn't realize I haven't blogged in 2 weeks...lots has happened but the most fun is today was The Mayor's 5th birthday party.

Everyday for the past 3 weeks, The Mayor has asked if today was his party.  And everyday for 3 weeks I had to tell him no.  But today I got to say yes!  To say he was excited is a complete understatement.  That boy loves a party...and he really loves a party celebrating his birthday.

It was a great day celebrating with friends and family who love and adore our sweet boy.  We started the morning with The Mayor's soccer game.  MeMe, Big Daddy, Aunt Nat, Trey and Luke all came.  And The Mayor scored a goal!!  He was so proud...and so were we!

After the game, we hurried home to change and pack up the car to head to the party.  The Mayor lit up when we pulled into the parking lot of Catch Air.  And ran hard for 90 minutes straight.  He was sweaty and tired...just the way a boy should be when he is playing hard.  After they played, we ate pizza and cake and enjoyed being with our friends.

After the party, we came home to open gifts.  That boy is spoiled rotten!  His new obsession is airplanes and he got probably a dozen different planes/helicopters (along with other gifts) today.  That boy is set in the airplane department.

He enjoyed spending the rest of the afternoon playing with his new toys with his cousins.

He is now sleeping with two of his new toys...and a big smile on his face.

pumpkin fun

Yesterday was our annual family day at Burt's Pumpkin Farm.  It is by far one of my most favorite holiday traditions we have.  We have been going to Burt's since The Mayor was one year old and I don't ever want to stop going.  The weather was perfect...highs were in the low 60s and a little overcast.  A perfect fall day to enjoy at the pumpkin patch.

The four of us, Mamie, PopPop, Meega, J, Bennett and Walker all made the trip this year.  The first thing we hit was the hayride.  The Mayor loved seeing all the pumpkins, tractors, fake bears in the woods, talking pumpkins, lights, sunflowers, pretend graveyards and creeks along the way.  Love Bug took the opportunity to snuggle in with D.  A moment I know he will not soon forget.  She cuddled in, looked at the sites with him and they also sang some of her favorite songs along the ride.

After the ride, we attempted family pictures and then went to pick out our pumpkins.  This year, The Mayor wanted his own wheelbarrow...and I have to say, I was pretty impressed with his wheelbarrow pushing skills.  He was pretty good at steering and turning it.  And he didn't take out any innocent bystanders.

After the pumpkin patch, we headed back towards home and ate lunch together.  After lunch, we came home for naps/rest time and then spent the rest of the afternoon outside playing.  The weather was so cool we just had to enjoy it outside.  While playing, Mamie invited us over for pumpkin bread and we ended up ordering pizza and staying for dinner.  By the time we got home, it was 30 minutes passed bedtime and we were all wiped.  The kids were down by 7:45 and D and I were down by 9:00.

A perfect fall day!

The Mayor and Bennett

singing

cuddling

sweet cousins

wheelbarrow rides

taking it all in

the driver

our little model 2.0

Miss Love Bug was asked again by our friend Donna to model.  This time it was a hat.  I talked to Love Bug this morning about what we were going to do...and of course bribed her.  I knew Donna came prepared with Skittles and lollipops so I told her if she kept the hat on, let Donna take her picture then she would get candy.  It did the trick.

Love Bug did great.  She kept the hat on, in fact, she still had it on an hour after the photo shoot was over.  She looked precious.

Today was day 3 of another great day for The Mayor.  He is really excited about the daily reward.  The look of pride on his face when he gets into the car is just unforgettable.  I am so proud of him.  I know it takes a lot of effort on his part...and, well...I am just so proud of him!

I am so excited it is finally the weekend!  It has been a crazy 2 weeks with D being in the office every day and getting home super late.  The kids and I have barely seen him...and with his Ironman training on the weekends...it has been a lot.  But this weekend we have a lot of fun plans and next week he is back working from home.  Less than one month and we are Ironman bound.  I. Can't. Wait.

so much better

Today was 180 degrees in the opposite direction of yesterday.  We had a GREAT day!  I am so proud of The Mayor today...and even better, HE is so proud of himself.  We have changed up our rewards system...trying for more instant gratification.  Everyday he has a great day...he gets a little treat.  Today he chose ice cream.  Best scoop of chocolate chocolate chip ice cream I ever purchased.

Tonight while tucking him and telling him how proud I was of him, he just beamed from ear to ear.  He is excited about trying for another great day tomorrow.

D has been swamped at work and has been going into the office everyday for the past 2 weeks.  Sadly, it means the kids really haven't seen him.  We have some great plans for the weekend...apple picking and the pumpkin patch.  I can't wait for all of the amazing family time!

will i really look back on these days?

I know, I know...I hear it all the time.  I am going to miss these days.  Am I failure as a mother if I can honestly say there is a lot about this time I am not going to miss?

I'm just in the middle of a pity party.

The Mayor, while still kicking butt and exceeding how he did last year in preschool, has had some "off" days the past 3 school days.  And it. is. so. frustrating.

Every one step forward...two steps back.

But I'm trying to see the positive.  His teacher and I have been emailing back and forth this evening and she is such a Godsend.  Really.  She was so sweet and encouraging.  Which definitely makes me feel better.  But at the end of the day, I just want what is best for both of my kids.  And I know, it is unrealistic, but I just don't want them to struggle and hurt.  I know struggling and hurting is all part of growing up...but I just want some of the struggle to dwindle away right now.

Sensory Processing Disorder is such a beast and right now it is kicking my butt.

It is kind of ironic that a kid nicknamed The Mayor because he is so social struggles the most in social skills.  His OT recommended a social skills group (an 8-week course) that teaches kids his age how to socialize, play and interact with a larger group of kids.  I think this is just what we need.

Ok, pity party over...on a much lighter note...how cute are these??  I love to be crafty and I made all of these, including those canisters, this week.  I love this time of year!