Huston - May 2015

Huston,

You are growing up so fast. You read, you count, you use big words. I see you becoming a caring and smart little boy and get so proud of you that my eyes well up a little. The other day you got to be "leader" at school. This is something you look forward to so much. On the way to school a few days before you told me that next time you are leader are going to pick your friend Griffin to be your helper on something (I'm not really sure how all that works) because he was sad that one of his best friends moved away. For you to put that together all by yourself gave me a little glimpse of how sweet and mature you are becoming.

Although karate is your favorite, you gave basketball a shot too. Momma was very happy to have a sport she understands and I hope you love it as you get older.

You also take being a big brother very seriously. You love to "help" me with Nolan. This really translates to you bossing him around but you are pretty sly about it. "Mommy, I had Nolan take that to the trash because he needs to learn." Yea, I see right through that. He's your little slave. But you do help. It's so cute to see you try and use patience with him. You will start out in a loud, stern voice, "NOLAN, DON'T DO THAT!" I'll ask you not to talk mean and to try and help him learn. You will modify to "Nolan, will you please NOT DO THAT!" You are getting there.

It is killing you that you haven't lost a tooth yet. All the kids you know are losing them and you want one to be loose so bad. I might have told you that you need to brush more for them to start getting loose. Sometimes mommas are sly too.

There are a few words that you still get mixed up, but one of my favorites is when I tried to get you to start using the correct word for your "peepee". Somehow penis has turned to "harness". You came home and told me about a boy getting kicked in the "harness" and it took me a few minutes to decipher that story. It has stuck and that is what you refer to as yours now.  

Probably my favorite story about you lately is the infomercials on tv. You love to shop and as they show the latest and greatest "As Seen on TV" toy available, they end it with "Must be 18 to order." This makes you so mad. You will ask me all upset, "Why do you have to be 18? Those little kids aren't 18 and they are playing with it!!" 

I probably should mention how gross you are now too. All boy. You stink, you are dirty and the amount of black on the bottom of your feet each day is disgusting. You are constantly covered in scratches and bruises, which turn into dirty bandaids within minutes. I love you, but you and your laundry are getting gross...

You definitely have your own sense of style. You insisted on a buzz cut, which I do not like at all. I thought it would grow out fast and you'd be over it. Nope, you asked for another. You pretty much only wear athletic shorts now, which I can totally live with. Except you like to tuck your shirt in and wear knee socks with your sandals. I'm picking my battles but there are a few times I interfere, primarily just to keep you from getting beat up on the playground haha.

Your dad came for a visit this month and you talked him into buying you everything you saw and take you to all your favorite spots. The three of you had a great time together and you were a big help with your baby brother. When he left for the airport you told him to "take you in his heart". He does, buddy, every time. You are always there. 

This is your last week of school and then you will be a FIRST grader! I still can't believe it. Good thing your school doesn't do Kindergarten graduation or I'd be that embarrassing mom taking pictures and crying.  

You love your friends with all your heart and are going to be a social butterfly.

You are smart, funny, caring, sweet and crazy. I can't say it enough. Watching you grow into such an awesome young man makes me a proud momma and I hope you always know how much I love you and support you.   

Nolan - May 2015

Nolan,

It's official. There is no baby left in you. You are an independent little thing and some of the words and things you do by yourself make you seem so much older than you really are. You talk non-stop and keep me updated on everything you are doing and repeat everything you hear.  Your most common phrases are "Momma, I did it!", "High five!", "Be right back.", "Tickle, tickle.", "Need help, ma.", and you love to say "Thank you, ma." Over and over.  I'm glad you are so polite but sometimes you will say "Thank you, ma." and nothing just happened that requires a thank you.

Part of your new independence is getting in your carseat all by yourself. This takes a bit longer than when I help you, but it is very important to you. Now you just need to learn to buckle it yourself and I have a whole new freedom. You have also taken over feeding the fish. He's going to be very very fat soon, so we are working on portion control. I think (I hope) you are almost ready to potty train. I am excited about this but then anything baby left in you is really gone...

You are still my little cuddler and you do full on kisses with both hands on my cheeks like a movie star kiss. If you are sitting by me on the couch or in bed and we haven't talked in a few minutes, you will put your hand behind my back and say "Hi, ma." or "Love you, ma."

For the most part you sleep in the room with Huston in the bottom bunk, but will occasionally still crawl in bed with me in the wee hours of the morning. I don't get much sleep when that happens, but I sure do love the snuggles.

And sometimes you just pass out on your tracks.

You have discovered cartoons and love Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Bubble Guppies, Peppa Pig and TMNT. You have also started playing with cars with full on sound effects. You took over Huston's Handy Manny set of tools, which I just love watching because those were his favorite toys for so long.  

One thing that really amazes me is how aware you are of where we are in the car.  You will announce, "Home!", "School!" and "Donut Holes!" as we drive to your favorite places. You also have two running jokes. In the morning on the way to dropping you and Huston to school, I usually stop and get some Starbucks. As soon as you realize that we are pulling in you will start telling me, "Nolan want's a coffee." I'll say, "YOU don't get coffee, Momma gets coffee!" and you giggle hysterically.  This goes on and on.  The barista thinks it's so cute, sometimes she gives you a Nolan coffee (mini apple juice) in a little cup. Then you use the stirrer as a sword and your day is made. Your other funny joke is when I pick you up from school.  You first walk out and "hug" the front of the car, which I tell you is weird every time, but you do it.  Then you say, "Go home now?"  I tell you we need to get your brother and you say, "No, no get Huston, we go home now."  Then laugh and laugh.

And Huston. Boy, do you love your big brother. I love watching you two become close and play together. You copy everything he does, good and bad. He won't let you do it very often, but you like to cuddle on him too.

Since you were born you have been an animal lover. Your first word was even "Dog." Nothing has changed there and you will hunt and chase them down if one is anywhere near you. We went to Lost Creek Safari with your cousin, Gavin, and you got to hold a baby kangaroo, feed a camel and chase chickens. You were in heaven. 

You started a new school that is so amazing. I love the room, the teachers, the curriculum and I can even login in and see what you are doing throughout the day. You seem much happier there and they let you play outside for about 2 hours a day. One of your buddies goes there too, so you already had a good friend on the first day.

Your Dad came for a visit this month and spoiled you rotten. You played non-stop and talked him into buying you all sorts of things. You went to the mall, the trampoline place, Bricktown and of course you had to take him to Eskimo Joes. 

Nolan, I know I'm not as good at writing this monthly like I used to be, but there is no way to capture everything smart and funny and cute that you do. I try to get as much as I can in here but just know that it's only a fraction of the things you do that amaze me and make me proud every day. I love you so much and look forward to every day of new surprises from you.