Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Grant @ 8 Years Old


How in the world are you 8?? Just how?? I can still hear your sweet baby coos, your little toddler giggle. The way you couldn't say your r's and l's. How your blonde hair glistened in the sun. How your baby bell stuck out under all your tshirts. And now here you are, 8 years old. Big voice, tall kid, permanent teeth, dark hair, muscular body. You're so darn big, I can't handle it!!
You have had an AMAZING year! Lots of changes for us all and you have exceeded my expectations!! This time last year, your dad was gone, you were going to half-day school and free as a bird! This year, daddy is home, you're in school most of the day, and our evenings are always busy! And yet, you've rolled with it all and have transitioned better than I imagined!
School has been going GREAT for you! You are definitely at school for more of the social aspect then the learning aspect, but you get good grades! You have some great buddies in your class, as well as the other classes too. You love playing kickball at recess or some imaginary game you make up! You love trading pens/pencils/erasers with some of the boys in your class. Cool school supplies are all the rage! You love Mrs. Knapp and pretty much what she says is gold!
You're a great reader! Chapter books are your new favorites- Might Robot and Kung Pow Chicken are your favorites right now! You're also doing fantastic in math- definitely one of your favorite subjects! Once or twice a week, I help out in your class and sometimes we get to work on creative writing. You are probably the most creative writer I know!! Your stories are hilarious! You have a writing style all your own and I love that! Science and Social studies are your other favorite subjects! Every two weeks, we go to the library and you check out every book you can about countries around the world. You have a world map next to your bed that you study meticulously every night before you go to sleep! You're something else! Non-fiction books all the way!
At school, your judge how your day went by where you finished on the behavior chart. You start at Ready to Learn and can move up to Excellent Effort, and then to Super Student. You are so proud if you make it to Super Student! We had some rough patches where you would move down to Make Better Choices and that upset you greatly. It was usually for talking or being a little too goofy. Lately, I think you've realized how good it feels to make good choices- you've had a lot of Super Students lately!
With us being so busy, playtime is hard to come by, but you and your brother still love spreading out all over the basement playing Setup. Basically, taking every Imaginext and Star Wars vehicle and building, and every Star Wars character and "setting up" bases. I 'm not sure what you do once you're set up, but I know that you both LOVE doing that! You guys still like your Legos too, but I don't see many creations from you anymore, so not sure what you do while playing Legos. You love drawing and doing art projects and creating with random things you find around the house! Art supplies are the way to your heart right now!
Gymnastics has been pretty good. You still LOVE it, but have been quite bored at Blue Valley. You are going to try a tumbling class at 360, which is really the part of gymnastics you love the most! I hope you find joy in that! You said you want to play Tennis and run track this summer, so we will see what we can do about that! You are fast and strong for sure!!
You are just a goofy boy through and through! You still have times where you are a little too crazy and get a little too out of control, but that's just who you are! You don't like to be too serious, and don't really like when we get serious with you. Emotions are never your strong suit- they make you uncomfortable! You aren't the most affectionate kid, but when you do show affection, its so heartfelt and I soak in every ounce! You are an awesome kid Grant! You are confident, you are a leader, and I feel like you are going to do great things each and every year!
We are so proud of the big kid you're becoming! I love your energy, your zest for life! I wish I could live inside your head for a day to see what it feels like to be so carefree!! We love you so very very much you big kid!! Don't ever change because you are God's masterpiece and he mastered you for sure!!!
Happy Birthday kiddo! I love you so very very much!
xoxoxo

Wyatt @ 6 Years Old


My littlest baby boy already 6 years old!! I just can't even believe it! You are the perfect mix between being my baby and being a big kid. Some of the things you do remind me so much of you as a baby/toddler, and some of the things you do give me sneak peaks to you growing up! And I love that! You still love to snuggle, be held, need personal touch, affection, and love on me like you did as a baby. You wake up and come to my bed first thing every morning. You bring your lovey, an animal or too, get under my covers and we snuggle for a few minutes before we start the day. We do this EVERY SINGLE DAY!! I always tell you that one day you won't want to do this anymore and you always so, "No, I still will!" You run to me and jump in my arms when I return from being gone somewhere, even its just coming home from picking up Grant. You have a hard time letting my hand go after I tuck you in each night and you say, "I just don't want you to go yet!" So we hug a little more, snuggle a little more. These moments will stay with me the rest of my life!
You are loving all things school and gymnastics right now! Pretty much the story of your life! While your third year of preschool is probably pretty redundant, you just love it! You enjoy being the oldest (and you tell me you're the smartest too!) and enjoy being quite the teachers pet! You spend most of your time at the art center and building block roads with Sahib and Levi. You still love school games at home! We don't play them as often as we have in years past because you also found another favorite hobby- playing cards! We usually start the morning play a game of Five Crowns or Skip Bo. To watch you play these games is so impressive!!!! Your dad and I both love playing with you! You also love the games of Crazy 8's you and daddy play! You've invented so many crazy versions of the game, I can't even join you guys because I'm so lost!
You are such a good reader! You read to me most nights! We love picking out new books at the library! Most recently, you read your first chapter book- Might Robot! Grant has been checking these books out the past few months and you just HAD to give it a try! And you read all 15 chapters! Super exciting! You are heading to kindergarten in the fall and are just going to do so GREAT!!! You're happy about doing half-day, although I can tell you're torn about it. You say you want to be at school all day because you love school so much, but you're worried you'll miss me too much! Half-day kindergarten is free, so that's where you will be!! I'm happy about that! I'd miss you too much too!
You have excelled in gymnastics these last few months! You're crazy strong and flexible! Watching your meets has been so exciting! You're the littlest guy out there and I'm pretty sure you score points just for being cute! I can't wait to see where this talent takes you!
You are still just the sweetest, most compassionate and sensitive little guy. You don't like anyone to raise their voice at you, even your brother. You just don't like people to be mad at you! You deeply care about other peoples feelings and usually put others before yourself- something I admire so much! You're obedient about 98% of the time! If you ever disobey, it comes as a big surprise to us all! We can always count on you to do the right thing!
You love playing with your brother, but you don't like playing alone! In the mornings, when dad and I are trying to get any work done, you can be found playing the iPad or computer, watching something on the DVR (usually Odd Squad or Max and Ruby), or doing puzzles in the office next to us! You like to go to bed about 7:00 each night and wake up at 7:00 the next morning. You like to eat breakfast about 9:00 and lunch at 11:00. I always joke you're as routined as an old grandpa man!
You're a goofy guy, always talking funny, walking funny, or trying to play jokes on us! You are just an awesome kid and I don't think there's a person in this world who has met you that would say otherwise!
You are my little sweetie pie, handsome heart, baby boy! I love you so very very much! I wish I could bottle you up as you are right now and keep you like this forever! You love and tenderness means the world to me and I hope you guard your heart and protect it so it will always stay that way!
I love you my Wyatt boy!
Happy Birthday!!!
XOXOXO

Grant's 8th Birthday Interview


1.  What is your favorite color? Turquoise
2.  What is your favorite toy?  Star Wars Commands
3.  What is your favorite fruit? Strawberries
4.  What is your favorite TV show? Outrageous Acts of Science
5.  What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Cheese and Crackers
6.  What is your favorite outfit? Athletic clothes
7.  What is your favorite game? Farkle and Five Crowns
8.  What is your favorite snack? Donuts and Popcorn
9.  What is your favorite animal? Monkeys and Seals
10.  What is your favorite song? Feel It by Toby Mac
11. What is your favorite book? Diary of a Wimpy Kid
12.  Who is your best friend? Max and Nikhil
13. What is your favorite cereal? Cocoa Puffs
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Ride bikes
15. What is your favorite drink? Lemonade
16. What is your favorite holiday? St. Patrick's Day
17. What do you like to take to bed with you each night? Cuddles
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Bagels
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Donuts
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? An explorer

Wyatt's 6th Birthday Interview


1.  What is your favorite color? Red
2.  What is your favorite toy?  3 things: Setup, Imaginext, and Legos
3.  What is your favorite fruit? I don't have a favorite, I love them all!
4.  What is your favorite TV show? Odd Squad and Phineas and Ferb
5.  What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Pizza Lunchable
6.  What is your favorite outfit? My first day of school shirt
7.  What is your favorite game? Jokers Funhouse
8.  What is your favorite snack? Goldfish
9.  What is your favorite animal? Bears
10.  What is your favorite song? Our God is Greater
11. What is your favorite book? Max and Ruby books
12.  Who is your best friend? I have two: Luke Westfall and Rex
13. What is your favorite cereal? Lucky Charms
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Jump on the trampoline
15. What is your favorite drink? Apple Juice
16. What is your favorite holiday? Hallowee
17. What do you like to take to bed with you each night? My lovey and my thumb
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Waffles and whip cream
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Pancakes!
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Firefighter

Happy Birthday Boys!


Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday Grant and Wyatt!
Happy Birthday to you!

Happy 8th and 6th birthdays my sweet baby boys!! Each year I'm amazed at how fast the time goes and how big you both are getting! You amaze me each and everyday and I am so very thankful God chose me to be your mom! I am so lucky to be able to celebrate you both on this very special day!
I love you so much!

Monday, March 14, 2016

Happy Birthday Eve!


Tomorrow, you two handsome fellas will officially be another year older! You two are the light of my life, the spring in my step, the joy in my heart! I love you both all the way to Neptune and back! I am so very excited to celebrate your birthdays with you! You both have grown so much this past year. Not only taller and smarter, but cuter, and stronger, and I am so so so proud of you both!
I can't wait to celebrate you both tomorrow!
I love you!

Friend Birthday Party!

This was the first year we've had to do an additional party for friends. Normally we've only done just family. A few years we've sprinkled in some family AND friends. But typically, its just one big celebration. This year was going to be different though. It was Spring Break. The Broeckelman's weren't coming for another few weeks. Expenses held us back from doing our typical themed parties. So we did the next best thing- we had an outside playdate party with friends!! And thank goodness we planned it when we did because it was the only nice day sprinkled in between lots of yucky days! I had emailed a bunch of the parents from Grant's grade the week before and said anyone is welcome to come play in our backyard! I wasn't sure who was going to show up, but it was a great turnout! Luckily, most of Grant's friends also have siblings who are Wyatt's friends, so a great time was had be everyone!!! I bought tiny little cupcakes and some juice boxes and that was the extent of it all! The kids just ran and played in the backyard for 2 solid hours!
In addition to their friends coming, we asked that no one bring presents. If they wanted to bring anything, we were collecting packages of toilet paper for the kids ministry at church to send to the Kansas City Rescue Mission. The boys were so grateful for their collection they received!
It was a great day celebrating our sweet guys! No fancy decorations, or festive food displays. Just good old fun with friends!!!



Sunday, March 13, 2016

Easter Egg Lunch Hunt

Let's pretend Easter was just last week, mmmmmkay??
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In keeping with tradition, we did our usual Easter Egg Lunch Hunt. Although this year was quite tricky to find time for it since Grant eats lunch at school EVERYDAY and weekends have been quite busy! But it would be the Easter season without it, so we made sure we made time!!! A tradition we will never leave behind!!









Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Little Readers

Both boys love reading!! It's been a fun journey watching them grow in their ability to read! Now that they both are getting pretty proficient, its fun to see what their interests are in reading materials. While Grant prefers to look at non-fiction books, he prefers to read series by one author. His favorite being Mo Willems. He's been very interested in different chapter book series as well, which has been super fun!! Wyatt doesn't have too much of a preference. He will read whatever book he can find, but he does enjoy Biscuit books. He's also started to branch out to easier chapter books! Just seeing their love and enjoyment of reading grow is just an awesome sight to see!

 Oh yeah, we like to do lots of writing projects too!
 Grant LOVES writing a good book report!

 The favorite chapter book series from both boys is the Might Robot! Grant has read all 9 of them, and is impatiently waiting for book #10 to be released!
Wyatt got in on the Mighty Robot action and finished book #1 all by himself!!
 Hooked on Phonics is always good for some reading fun!


Wyatt's School Birthday

Wyatt got to celebrate his birthday at school on March 9th. He had been planning his time at school for weeks! He had his Charlie Brown shirt laid out about 10 days prior. He knew we were going to be making his favorite chocolate chip cookies- the ones we make for Santa because they're the best. He knew he was to bring his Snoopy plates because he was going to be wearing his Charlie Brown shirt. He really had no detail overlooked!
He got to school and went right to table time so he could get busy decorating his crown! I dropped off his treats and couldn't wait to hear how much fun he had when I picked him up! While his school makes a big deal about birthdays, it usually just takes place during their normal snack time, so they don't typically have parents come back in to celebrate. Luckily his teacher is great at sending me pictures so I got a good one of him celebrating 6!!!!
 He came home mighty proud of his birthday crown!!!!


Monday, February 29, 2016

February Photos

Even with the extra day in February, it went by too fast!! Thankful for precious moments with my handsome fellas!

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Easter Egg Lunch Hunt

We started this tradition 4 years ago and I don't think the boys will ever forget to ask to do it! As soon as the Easter decorations came out, the questions about our lunch hunt began! With Grant being at school for lunch, we made sure to wait for the weekend so they could both enjoy the fun! I got busy prepping the food and hiding the eggs and as soon as I said, "Go!" they took off! I love how excited they get for little traditions like this!!




 




Sunday, February 14, 2016

Valentine's Day!

We love Valentine's Day around here! We don't do anything fancy- no fancy dinners, or trips, or dates, of anything like that. Just pure family love and togetherness and that's just fine with me!! We exchanged Valentine's in the morning! Wyatt made me this sweet card he made playing at the art center at school. Grant made a pretty oil pastel picture that I will probably frame because its so cool! We made Levi a heart wreath! And don't forget the sprinkle heart pancakes I painstakingly made for my three favorite fellas!!


 The boys appeased me and let me do some cute photos with them! We've done these the past few years, so even though they hate me taking their pictures, they smile and make their mama happy, and I'm so glad they do! Just look at these cuties!


 And if you think they're perfect angels that just sit so still and give me a great picture right off the bat, you're wrong...
But I LOVE them all the same!

Friday, February 12, 2016

Valentine Cake Wars

One of our very favorite parts of February is Valentine Cake Wars!!! While we don't physically bake cakes, we definitely do a good job of pretending we do!! We use the next best thing- chocolate playdoh! This is probably the boys' most favorite thing about Valentine's Day!! We've collected some fun doo-dads over the years to accessorize our cakes! The boys like for me to give them a challenge and then I come back to judge their displays! They're so cute!! I love that they love festive holiday play still!!