the sweetest thing

Thursday was The Mayor's last day of school. And although it isn't as bittersweet as it will be when he actually completes his first year of elementary school, it is still bittersweet. He only went 2 days a week for 4 hours each day, but he made lots of friends, learned a lot and changed so much. Even the pictures of him from the first day of school and the last day of school show how much The Mayor changed. The first day of school he was uncertain of what was coming, cried when we left him and had to be bribed for the first month just to go into his class. By the last day of school, he was jumping at the chance to go to school, couldn't wait to see his friends and play on the playground. Now we have summer to look forward to.

Within the past week, Love Bug and The Mayor have really started interacting with each other. Love Bug adores her brother. Last night, she followed him around the family room and kissed him no less than 25 times. And The Mayor is so protective of his sister. When she cries, he wants to comfort her and make sure she is ok. And finally...The Mayor is learning how to share! Just when I thought it would never happen he started doing it on his own. This morning he was playing with his Lightning McQueen car. And of course, because he had it Love Bug wanted it. She followed him around the playroom whining for that car. And he turned around and said "here you go" gave her the car and found a new toy to play with. My jaw almost hit the floor. He did this again 2 other times when she wanted a toy he was playing with. I just couldn't get over how sweet he was being. I would totally think he was buttering me up for something but since he is only 3 and doesn't know how to manipulate me like that (yet) I am just going to chalk it up to my boy being sweet.

We have just been enjoying a pretty lazy Saturday. D worked in the yard and I have been finishing up some chores around the house. Aunt Nat, Uncle Tom, Trey and Luke will be arriving tonight for a short weekend visit. We are thrilled, especially The Mayor, and are looking forward to some family time together.

first day of school

last day of school

napping together

it's almost over

Thursday is the last day of school for The Mayor, and today was his class party. I helped him make a craft and we made a special treat for their snack. Afterwards, his teachers gave each child a gift...a painted picture frame with a picture of all the kids on the playground (surprisingly, all the kids are facing the camera and smiling...quite impressive) and a t-shirt with every child's handprint on it. The teachers have requested the kids wear their t-shirts on Thursday for their last day.

Being there today seeing my boy almost done with his first year of preschool makes me think back to his first day. What a change in The Mayor. The first month of school we had to bribe him everyday just to go into his class, now he runs in his class and is so happy to be there with his friends. He talks about his teachers and the friends he played with that day. He is understanding the concept of sharing and keeping our hands to ourselves. The other day, Love Bug patted The Mayor on his head and he looked at her and told her "we do not hit our friends". When Love Bug cries, he consoles her and gives her a toy to try and make her happy. He has learned compassion. He has learned a lot. He has really grown. I am sad to think how quickly this school year has gone by but so happy to have the entire summer with my boy.

The Mayor's first preschool year...it's almost over.

*the above picture is the only one I took that came out clear. Something is wrong with the autofocus on my camera :( must get fixed immediately!

my ironman

I am proud of D for a million things. He is a fantastic husband and just about the best father I know. He works very hard to support the four of us and rarely complains about it. But this weekend I was proud of him for watching him push himself and do the hardest thing he has ever physically done before. Yesterday, D competed and finished his first Half IronMan triathlon. A 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 run. Out of 2376 athletes, D finished 749th and finished 128 in his age group. His overall time was 5 hours 50 minutes and 54 seconds.

To see what he has accomplished physically is just amazing. This was only his 2nd triathlon and to finish in the top third is something to be proud of, heck, to finish at all is something to be proud of. I saw athletes left and right bailing out of the competition...but not my D. I would have loved him and been proud of him whether he completed or not, but it was awesome to see the look on his face when he crossed that finish line. Tears flowed from both of us...it was emotional. And I'll never forget it.

He has some smaller triathlons scheduled for the rest of this year, but training will start on his goal for next year: a full IronMan. 2.4 mile swim, 126 mile bike, 26.2 mile run. And I will definitely be at the finish line waiting.

if he was any sweeter he would cause a cavity

I love having a front row seat to The Mayor and Love Bug relationship. They just genuinely love each other. And the more time they spend together, the more love they show towards each other. The Mayor is just a natural protector for his sister. If she drops her cup, he runs over to pick it up and hand it back to her. When she cries, he is the first one to ask if she is ok. And today he started rubbing her head and telling me "I love it" (we are still working on our pronouns...so for now "her" is "it").

Tonight for dinner, The Mayor wanted one of his flavored water drinks so of course Love Bug wanted one too. I had to hold the box each time she wanted a sip, and when I walked away to prepare their dinner, The Mayor took over by holding the water for her so she could have a sip. It makes me so happy to see how they interact with each other.

D has been super busy at work this week. He has a lot of people in town for a meeting so last night they all went to the Braves game and tonight they are going to an awesome dinner in downtown Atlanta, so the kids haven't seen him since yesterday morning since he has been getting home well after bedtime. But D is taking off work tomorrow to spend with the kids while I play our last tennis match of the season. My tennis team made City Finals and we play tomorrow! So excited!

Tomorrow night it is pack, pack, pack! Gotta get all of us packed and ready to leave first thing Friday morning. This weekend...Half IronMan Triathlon! Can't believe all these months of training for D and the race is finally here! Can't wait to see him cross that finish line!

my favorite gift

I can't believe I left the most important gift out of my post from yesterday. This beautiful vase was handpainted by The Mayor at school. My sweet boy used his little fingerprints and thumbprints to make the flower petals, lady bugs, bumble bees and caterpillars on this vase. And not only is the vase so cute and something I will definitely keep forever, the memory that will stick in my mind for a lifetime is the look of pride on The Mayor's face when I picked him up from school last Thursday and he helped carry the vase with this teacher to give it to me. He was so happy...the smile on his face was like that of the cat who had just eaten the canary. He was so happy and proud of his creation and so happy to be giving it to me. Happy Mother's Day to me...I am so lucky.

mother's day bliss

Today was such an amazing day. I was woken up this morning by a clanking sound...when I opened my eyes, D was walking into our room with my breakfast on a tray. He left me alone with my meal while he got The Mayor and Love Bug up and I ate in peace. Then he offered to take the kids on a walk so I could have the house to myself, but I declined...I wanted to spend at least some part of today with my family. After our walk and some play time at the playground, we came back home so Love Bug could take a nap. I showered and went and got a much needed pedicure. Hands down, best pedicure I have ever gotten. Probably had something to do with the glass of wine they gave me while I was in the massage chair having my legs rubbed or the fact it was my first pedicure since Christmas or the fact it was quiet and I got to read a book that I have been dying to read...anyway, best pedicure.

When I got home, D took the kids into the basement to play so I could take a nap, and after the nap we went to my parent's house to celebrate Mother's Day and D's birthday. It was just such an amazing day of being spoiled and pampered. I feel so relaxed and even more blessed to have this amazing family.

This week is going to be such a crazy week. I have to get us ready for our trip to Orlando for D's Half IronMan Triathlon next weekend. I can't believe it is almost here...all of this training and now we are a week away. I am so proud! I can't wait to cheer on my man.

my loves...the reason I get to celebrate this awesome day

daddy's girl

This girl is all about her mommy...until her daddy gets home. Then nobody else on Earth exists.

And I would hate it if I didn't absolutely love it. Makes my heart melt.