and he is almost-four

This little boy has been asking when he can go to preschool since the beginning of 2011. Our response has always been "when you're almost four" (Her turns four in November). Gio is the little boy who, when we went to visit his school in February, cried, screamed, was hysterical...that we had to leave!! Since that day, we have been telling him that he can go to preschool when he is "almost four". Well, that day arrived and he was still thrilled to be able to go to preschool. I never understood parents making a big deal about preschool. I mean, it is only two days a week and he comes home by 2pm. Well, I am a parent now, so it is a big deal. And in our family, HUGE!

I think Bryan and I were just as excited about this day as Gio. We're so proud of the sweet, kind boy that he is. Yes, he doesn't listen, plays too rough with his brother, runs around like a mad man, but ultimately, he is our sweet, generous, thoughtful little boy who is going to do so very well in school. I do wish I could be a fly on the wall when he interacts with other children but I guess that is all a part of parenting-letting go...and he isn't even FOUR!!

When we walked him in, he walked right to his classroom, which we had shown him on Sunday after church. He is so excited to be in the "butterfly" room. He made himself comfortable playing and, well, ignoring us! The teacher told us we could stay for about 20 minutes but it was very clear that Gio would benefit from us leaving pretty quickly. I think we were in the room for a total of 3-4 minutes. We didn't have to rush off to work or errands or appointments, he is not even four and was ready to get rid of his parents.

His parents and his brother, on the other hand, weren't so ready to leave him. While I was worried about how I wold handle this transition (just fine by the way), I was really worried about M.His brother is a part of him, they do everything together, and M knows no life without him. He cannot say his name correctly quite yet but walks around calling for "bo bo" and it really does just break your heart to hear the sadness in his voice. Thankfully, that same sadness is replaced with joy and love when he sees him come to the car when we pick-him up!

This is definitely not the first transition for this little boy, but if he handles the rest as well as he handled this one, we will have smooth sailing ahead. We look forward to so many more wonderful adventures ahead!

For those of you who wonder why I'm so tired

Rodeo Time

We moved to Texas on March 7, 2010. It has taken us 1 year and 5 months to take these little (city) cowboys to a Rodeo and it was definitely worth the wait.

While Bryan was tired of my Sea World, Zoo, Farmers Market suggestions, I asked him to pick our Saturday activity, and what a good pick it was!

We went to Tejas Rodeo in Bulverde and it was, in my opinion, one of the nicest outings we have had in the past year (and 5 months). The boys saw mutton busting, roping, bull riding, and more. Gio even had the exciting opportunity to run into the arena and catch a calf. He was a little late to the party as Bryan and I looked at eachother and said "no, next time" but then said "why not". So at last call, we rushed our feisty three year old to the arena and he ran to catch the other kids, oh, I mean the calf! However, he was so far behind, the calves were running away from the other kids, and right at him! He is so brave, he was not even phased by the thought of those calves running towards him. He was at the Rodeo!! He just kept running as fast as he could... in his Toy Story boots...in the dirt... He wasn't running that fast, but he was trying, and finding such joy in it..as were his parents and his sweet brother looking on at him.

At a time of the day when both kids would normally fall right asleep, they were awake for the 20 minute car ride home, watching the full moon become more visible through the clouds. Little guy clung to his football and his sippy cup pretending to rope (somehow, I'm not sure how that was even possible) and Big guy filled with excitement talking about his first rodeo. What a memory for us all. Let's hope it doesn't take 1 year and 5 months until we go again.

and we're back..

we have had a whirlwind of a summer...starting with a trip to Chicago in late May, a drive to Arizona in early June followed by a flight to Chicago and finally a flight back to San Antonio 27 after leaving. This mom was ti-ired.

I feel as though our children are only 3 and 1, they are professional travelers. Most of our travels to see our family in Indiana involve just the three of us and we make the most of it every step and mile along the way. M is a little tricky on planes as he is still a lap child and is wild trying to climb over his brother, sit with his brother, poke his brother in the face.... Thankfully, he is also our child who likes to cuddle so when he's tired, he is pretty comfy on his momma. I, on the other hand, try to find a balance of savoring these sweet moments and seeing if i can read a book, magazine, or the the airplane safety guidelines with one hand to tr

y and pass the time. G is a breeze. He loves his snacks, stickers, books, and of course, his portable dvd player....and I will admit that I love it, too. He does not, however, love when our flight is delayed and we arrive in Chicago at 2:30am and he has to walk across the entire terminal because I can't hold him and push the stroller. While I'm still annoyed that Midway put us at the very. last. gate. I will be buying a double umbrella stroller before traveling again even though we will probably never need it.

While I'll never be able to write about all of the beautiful memories we made along the trip, there are just a few to cover here....in reverse..oops..

Best. Parade. Ever!!!

First treat from the ice cream truck

Definitely not his first treat from Dairy Belle

Two monkeys in Flagstaff

While he wanted to go up the mountain, we figured it best to just enjoy the scenery. Maybe when he is four.

Celebrated his 18 month milestone on the road to Arizona...

Had to take the same pic he took with the big bro..who wasn't too happy to not be included!

Happy Day!

I didn't go on a fancy trip. I went to the playground.

I didn't go out for a fancy dinner. I made pasta for my family.

(we did have a lovely dinner with bryan's parents the night before..hence the sombrero)

I didn't have an elaborate celebration. My 3 year-old decorated for me.

(we did enjoy a cupcake treat--miss you gigi)

I did however, enjoy every minute of my crazy life with my active boys. Being their mom is the greatest gift I could have ever asked for in this life.

I'm so blessed to have an amazing family and sweet friends who called or sent cards with beautiful words that I will treasure always.

A birthday is just another day. Another day to count my blessings and be grateful for the many treasures in my life.

Disclaimer: I know the the boys were not given equal screen time but as you can tell by the expression on Gio's face-he wasn't into pictures this day.

Oh Boy!!

Sometimes, in the midst of a crazy day, I stop and think to myself "do I really have TWO boys?" and "How can one child get this dirty?" Dirt and cleaning aside, it is so fun to see these little boys grow. I grew up playing with cabbage patch dolls and throwing softball and I am not accustomed to the tackling non-stop or being knee deep in a pile of mud. My sisters and I did have our fair share of tackling and fighting, but I'm not sure if it started as young as 15 months!!

As I am from a family with three girls with one poor, poor outnumbered brother, this is a whole new world of trucks and dinosaurs for me. I sometimes have to get children's books from the library just so I can keep up with them! I read these while I sip my 2nd, 3rd, or 4th cup of coffee that I need just to keep up with them. They do keep me feeling young at heart (either that or the coffee) but most nights I feel much, much older, but I'm pretty sure it is worth it.

With the ridiculously warm weather (ummm, it was only 93 degrees last week) and Bryan's parents preparing to do some major yard work, we had fun in the sun, the dirt, and the mud. They were fascinated with the idea of mud. They do love digging in the dirt but the addition of water made it extra special. These boys are filthy...and couldn't be happier! I just can't wait to teach them how to do their own laundry!!

Great Days

I find that I have the best days with my boys when we are doing such simple things like cuddling, chasing, tickling, and laughing. What is not to love about two boys laughing together? When I see them look at one another, I can see the love they share and a lifetime of adventures they are going to have. I am so excited to watch their relationship grow...and we're just getting started.

Thursday was a great day. We celebrated Gio's awesome listening and making his bed without being asked (lets hope he never asks us why we don't make our bed) We went on a little adventure to the Shops at La Cantera in San Antonio, a great outdoor shopping area that reminds me of Mt. Lebanon's Galleria but outdoors. We loved playing at the fountains, the playground, going to storytime AND a special lunch treat a chic-fil-a. It was lunch, I had to feed my children, and I needed a strawberry shake!! Alas, we came home, we napped, we had a great day. Of course, I don't take pictures of this portion of our great day, I take pictures of this: and this They were waking from naptime, relaxing with an afternoon show because after waking Gio up at 4:30 so he doesn't stay up until midnight, I thought it was the least I could do for him. The poor child. Pants are optional for my boys most days between the hours of 1:30-4:30..and when they play in the sand...and when we paint...the list goes on. Even watching Yo Gabba Gabba with my sleepy faced boys makes any day a great day!

Top o' the mornin'

I've been trying to do the math in my head, but I'll just say that because Vivian's Great-Grandparents came to the United States from Ireland, that makes our boys, a weee bit Irish and very glad to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Gio woke up wishing me a Happy St. Patrick's Day, followed by "what do we do on St. Patrick's Day?" Well, this little family headed to the park for some running and playing. Running and playing is essential for days when your oldest child says things like "I am so fwustwated that you won't wet me watch tv" and "it is so bowing when I don't watch tv"! Wow! Obviously I have never been a parent to a 3 year-old before, but he takes me by surprise daily! We bought his Leprechaun attire before Valentine's Day (darn those Michael's coupons) and I'm just amazed we still had all of the pieces in tact for St. Patrick's Day. The excitement that he once had for his leprechaun "suit" has died down a bit but he still looks so adorable. I tried to take pictures of them in their matching little leprechaun shirts but as you can see, we weren't very successful. However, I'm so glad to have had the camera in hand when they were, well, walking hand-in-hand down the sidewalk. It is moments like these that melt my heart. I don't think they have ever really walked like this yet but their brotherly love is so evident. Shortly after this picture, M fell down and Gio helped him up but while doing so, he fell down and M helped him up. There are crazy minutes, hours, days, but experiencing these moments makes every "fwustwating" aspect of life with two boys so very worth it and so very not "bowing"