March Photos

March Birthday Boys ~ Grant's Lego creation ~ Snow playing

Snowy Pool ~ Googly Eyed Wyatt ~ Computer class creation

Grant made a Lego high bar ~ Ice Cream w/ Wyatt ~ Cousins @ Urban Air

Game Day w/ Wyatt

Two Tuesdays a month, our school district has early release days, where the kids get out at 2:00. Grant likes to get together with one of his friends on those afternoons, and sometimes Wyatt does too. But today, Wyatt didn't want a friend to come play, he just wanted to play with me. How could I say no to that?!? While Grant and his buddy were downstairs playing, we gathered a huge stack of board games, brought them to the table and chairs in my room, shut the door and played board games for 2 hours!! What fun we had! I'm pretty sure board games is one of Wyatt's love languages!!!

I guess Millie attended our game party too, but she was too busy staring at the window glaring at the rabbits in our yard.

ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!!

We love ourselves some March Madness!!! Especially when our favorite team has had a great season!! KU made it all the way to the Elite 8 this year, and then forgot to show up to that game and well, that was the end of the season. But what a season it was!!! The boys were a little more into watching basketball this year since they were both playing on their own teams this season. 

Better luck next year Jayhawks!! You know we will be rooting for you!

 I love a good brotherly KU pic :)

Birthday Party Day!

This was our first year doing a party just for friends! Last year, we had a little playdate in the backyard but this year, we actually scheduled something fun for them to do. It's so nice that most of their friends are all the same- either teammates or siblings- so it was pretty easy planning. The only thing that threw us for a loop was Wyatt getting sick. Since their party was originally scheduled for their actual birthday, we had to cancel. Fortunately, he was all better by the time the last day of Spring Break rolled around and we were able to move their party to that day! Phew!!

We headed to one of their favorite places in the whole wide world, their gym, 360 Gymnastics! They invited their teammates and some friends and it was a great afternoon for a party!! Free play, wrestling, running, jumping, and Mat Tag to round out the fun. Those boys (and Marietta!) were a stinky, sweaty mess!!! All signs of a good time!

 The past few years, we've done donations in lieu of presents, so this year they decided to collect travel toiletries for the Kansas City Rescue Mission. Their party guests were so generous with their donations. Look at all these toiletries!! They even were gifted with more gifts than we had planned, but they were so extremely thankful!!!

It was a great birthday party for these special fellas of ours!!!

My Birthday Babies

I love being able to compare their pictures each year on their birthday! So many similarities, yet so many differences!! I love that they get to share this day together and I love that I will always get to share it with them (as it usually falls during Spring Break!). 

I will treasure these little faces and pictures forever!!

10 Days Old

 One Year Old

 Two Years Old

 Three Years Old

 Four Years Old

 Five Years Old

 Six Years Old

 And now I can add Seven Years Old!!

Officially 7 and 9!

The boys are EXACTLY 2 years and 5 hours apart, to the minute!! We made sure to watch the clock carefully to witness them "officially" turn another year older!!

Birthday Pancakes!

It's a tradition in our house to start the boys' birthday with birthday pancakes!! They also get to use their birthday plates, which are only used on their birthday and half-birthday! This morning was a little bit different since they had early morning gymnastics practice and since Wyatt was sick. Grant and I were out the door for practice before Wyatt even rolled out of bed. 

So we thought birthday pancakes would make a great lunch instead! Wyatt was finally feeling up to eating so I made them each a perfect stack, complete with birthday sprinkles and number candles!!

 Of course they couldn't blow them out simultaneously! Here goes Grant..

 And then Wyatt...

 Enjoy!!!

Past Birthday Pancakes posts: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

9 and 7 Year Stats

The rate you both are growing is alarming. I'm watching you grow into young men before my very eyes and I'm not sure my heart can handle it!! 

The muscles you two are putting on- holy moly!!! It's no wonder you both are always asking for snacks!!

Grant

Weight: 68.9 lbs (75th percentile)

Height: 52.5" (56th percentile)

You're wearing size 8/10 in shirts and shorts (I would say pants, but you have an extreme dislike for pants and would prefer long socks and shorts, or shorts and tights? It's a weird 9 year old boy thing too, I'm sure I'm not alone......please tell me I'm not alone?). Some of your shirts are 10/12 and that's just so weird to me! You wear a size 3 shoe. You are still liking only things that are dri-fit material. Forget 100% cotton- its not soft enough!
You legs aren't the only thing beefy about you anymore! Check out these guns!!

Wyatt

Height: 46" (19th percentile)

Weight: 46 lbs (23rd percentile)

You still seem so tiny to me, especially compared to classmates of yours who are taller than you but also a year younger than you. But thats ok- I'm holding on to your tiny-ness for as long as possible!! The thought of my baby boy getting so big makes me sad! You wear mostly size 6 in shirts and shorts/pants. Some things are still size 5, but there are also some size 7's sprinkled in there. You finally moved up to a size 12 in shoes! You're exactly the same size as your brother when he was turning 6!
One thing that is getting huge on you though is your muscles!!

I mean look at these bad boys...

You both are literally growing into wonderful, strong, handsome little boys!!! So thankful!

Grant's 9th Birthday Interview

1.  What is your favorite color? Neon Blue

2.  What is your favorite toy?  Nerf guns

3.  What is your favorite fruit? Strawberries 

4.  What is your favorite TV show? Pokemon

5.  What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Pizza punchable

6.  What is your favorite outfit? dri-fit T-shirt and shorts

7.  What is your favorite game? Life

8.  What is your favorite snack? potato chips

9.  What is your favorite animal? Monkeys 

10.  What is your favorite song? Sound of Sunshine

11. What is your favorite book? Diary of a Wimpy Kid

12.  Who is your best friend? Owen

13. What is your favorite cereal? Chocolate Mini-Wheats

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Protect the GWEN/play knights

15. What is your favorite drink? Lemonade

16. What is your favorite holiday? Easter

17. What do you like to take to bed with you each night? Cuddles and Pikachu

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cereal

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Dessert

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? An inventor/engineer that changes the world

Wyatt's 7th Birthday Interview

1.  What is your favorite color? Red

2.  What is your favorite toy?  Xbox

3.  What is your favorite fruit? Strawberries 

4.  What is your favorite TV show? Minecraft videos

5.  What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Pizza Lunchable

6.  What is your favorite outfit? Soft shirts and shorts

7.  What is your favorite game? Monopoly Jr.

8.  What is your favorite snack? Fruit

9.  What is your favorite animal? Bears

10.  What is your favorite song? "Building Time" (Minecraft video song)

11. What is your favorite book? DogMan Unleashed

12.  Who is your best friend? Bubby

13. What is your favorite cereal? Lucky Charms

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Shoot layups

15. What is your favorite drink? Apple Juice

16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

17. What do you like to take to bed with you each night? Lovey

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Fruit

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Cupcakes before dinner

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Fireman!

Grant @ 9 Years Old

It just doesn't seem possible that I can have a 9 year old!! Not possible at all. My little baby Grant who was so tiny and spunky is now so BIG but still as spunky as ever!! You have literally grown before my very eyes into this GIANT, big muscled, smart, and tall boy! You are still imaginative, creative, playful, and goofy as ever, but I'm start to see glimpses of you being serious, mature, and just....well, older!!

School is been good for you, but a little different in years past. I think 2nd grade takes more work and more effort and you just don't like trying too hard! You started off the school year with a long-term sub and when your actual teacher came back, that seemed to perk you up a little. After conferences, it kind of lit a fire under you to make you work harder and be more productive! You've done so amazing since then!!! You're just all about the fun and creative projects, and if its not fun or creative, you just don't care!! Your main focus of school is recess!!!!

Gymnastics has been good for you this year! Your strength has probably doubled! You've competed in a few meets this season and are doing better and better at each one!! I love how you don't really compare yourself to other kids you're competing against- you focus on your scores and how well you thought you did, not how your scores compared to your opponents! You have such a great attitude about that! Basketball was GREAT this season for you!! You truly got better and better each and every game! Watching you learn and understand the process was so awesome to watch! 

At home, you definitely love your Xbox and iPad time. We made you both start doing sets of exercises to earn screen time and I think thats part of the reason you have gotten so strong- you just want your screen time!! You still love to play in the playroom, but Wyatt doesn't seem to have the urge to as much as you, which frustrates you! I know this summer when we have all the free time in the world, you guys will get back into your groove! You started doing your laundry (and Wyatt's too).  You wash, dry, and sort the laundry and then you each put your own basket of laundry away! You earned your new Ikea bed because of it! It's been such a load off for me (see what I did there 😀) but its also been a great responsibility builder for you as well!!

You love being involved at church. You always say, "Im the most known kid there!" And that might be true! You love to participate any way you can and the people at church always love that about you! I teach every other Saturday evening and you decided you wanted to teach as well, so you serve in the nursery playing with all the babies and toddlers. Someday you want to be on stage and down the singing and dancing down in the kids worship room! I think you have paved a good way for yourself there!
Sometimes we go through ups and downs with your obedience. You're just a carefree (sometimes impulsive) kid, that you don't always listen the first time, or do what is expected of you. But Daddy and I look at those times as a way for us to discipline you to draw you closer to the Lord. You are such a great kid and we are so thankful God made you who you are!!!
You are a good friend, a great brother, and a terrific son!! You make us smile more than most people can. You make us laugh like not many people could. Your spirit for life is contagious and your imagination is inspiring! You can be anything you want to be Grant because YOU ARE SPECIAL!!! God has a wonderful plan laid for you and we are so thankful we get to be on this journey with you to watch you spread your wings!!
We love you big fella!!!

Wyatt @ 7 Years Old

I just can't wrap my head around the fact that you are 7 years old!! It breaks my heart a little bit to know that you're another year older. Next year you'll be in school all day and I sure am going to miss having my little shadow around!! You and me have been peas in a pod since day 1!!!

You are growing into an amazing young boy!! You are so smart, so kind, so sensitive. You are becoming so brave, so thoughtful, so...old!! 

This year has been amazing for you in so many ways! Kindergarten has been a huge success for you! You are confident, able, and such a good participant! You have excelled in all areas- even gaining courage to challenge yourself! You were off the charts on the standardized testing, and you continue to challenge yourself at home with reading and timed tests. You've almost passed all the addition timed tests I used to give my 2nd graders and you only read chapter books now. Well, other than Elephant and Piggie because they're just so funny!!

At gymnastics, you've become one of the best on the team! You've earned 1st or 2nd place at every meet this season and have scored many of your personal bests at the events. Your drive is amazing, always working on this or that at home. When you get super close to being able to do a "trick" (as I call it) you work and work and work on it until you can do it easily. It's just amazing to watch you do these things!!! You had an amazing basketball season this winter, getting better and better at each practice and game!  You learned to love playing ball outside on sunny days, shooting lay up after lay up!! You just have an amazing work ethic that I hope you never lose!!

At home, you've stopped sucking your thumb, which is both equally exciting as it is saddening. Just another way that proves you're getting so big! Daddy and I are so proud of your persistence in trying to stop because it was not something you wanted to do at all, but knew it was time. When you picked out your Ikea loft bed, you set your eyes on that prize and weren't going to stop until you earned it. It only took you about 2 weeks and you were officially not a thumbsucker anymore. Impressive! You don't bring your lovey downstairs with you in the morning anymore and because I'm usually up with Millie or getting ready for work in the mornings, we don't even have morning snuggle time. Although, most mornings I do have to wake you and Bub up for school and you like me to carry you out of bed and downstairs. I sure do appreciate those snuggles!!!

You watch Minecraft videos on YouTube more than you watch Disney Jr. You play Xbox more than you play Legos. I'm just not ready for these days to be behind me yet! BUT- to watch you learn and grow and become a kind, gentle, tender-hearted, caring young little man does make my heart swell! I tell you all the time that you're going to make a great dad someday because of how you treat Millie. You're going to make a great husband someday because of how you treat me. You are just an amazing kid Wyatt and I hope you always know how much we love you and how proud we are of you!! God has an amazing story to tell through you and I can't wait to see how He works in your life!

We love you, our big 7 year old boy!!!!

Happy Birthday My Boys!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANT and WYATT!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

We love you both so very very much!! We are so excited to celebrate your special day with you both today!!!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Tomorrow is Your Day!

Oh my sweet baby boys! Tomorrow is YOUR day!! The day you turn 9 and 7!!! The day you are both are SO lucky to share together! The day that blessed me more than I could've ever imagined! The day you changed my life for the better!! I am so very very thankful for you both and can't even believe how quickly time is passing. My baby boys are growing up!! Can't wait to celebrate with you tomorrow!!

Sick Wyatt

We have never been sick on a birthday, but I guess there is a first time for everything! Wyatt woke up sick as could be this morning. I thought he was off the day before, but I chocked it up to three late nights in a row plus daylight savings time. We went to see the Lego Batman Movie, and as he sat on my lap for part of it, I thought he felt warm. But we got home, he went off to play and seemed fine after that. That is, until 4:30am when he ran into my room gasping for breath while coughing and I could tell his fever was intense. 

Unfortunately, we couldn't get in to the dr. til 2:00 that day, so he layed low and we kept up with the ibuprofen and breathing treatments. I just swore up and down it was pneumonia again. When we got to the dr, they immediately thought it was flu. So they swabbed him for A and B, and 30 minutes later came back and said Negative. So they checked his lungs for pneumonia and said Negative. She felt around his face, neck, and stomach so they swabbed him for strep and said Positive! Poor baby had a horrible case of strep! He's never had that before! Since he was so sick, they suggested giving him an antibiotic injection, as opposed to the standard oral antibiotics for 10 days. I'm so glad he chose that option because we knew he would start feeling better in no time!!! I even made the call to cancel their birthday party for tomorrow and they were both so upset! Luckily I have it rescheduled for next Monday, so we should be ready to go by then!!

This little guy just made my heart ache seeing him so sick. During our two hour visit to the doctor, he fell asleep on the bed two different times. I just cradled him and kissed him and wished these yucky germs away! 

UPDATE: Today, on their birthday, he is feeling SO much better! He has said numerous times that he is "so thankful he got a shot in the butt!" You'll be good as new in no time my little buddy!!