Maddox 2.5 and a few of my favorite things!

For the only time in Maddox's life, he is exactly half his big brother's age!  I love that my boys are two and a half years apart.  It seems to be the perfect age difference!  I also love that they will be three years apart in school just based on when their birthdays happen.  It is so hard to get a picture of my super squirmy 2.5 year old but we were able to get a couple on his actual half birthday!

We cheered on Zander's little league team on Saturday.  The weather was beautiful and we had a big group cheering on #21!  Uncle Boomer even wore his Braves shirt while watching his nephew.  Uncle Boomer has been in baseball his whole life so it is fun to have him watch Zander play.  He might have to help him with the fundamentals as Zander gets older... because mommy has a lot to learn! ;)

Our little slugger got his first trading card this past week.  I absolutely love being a baseball mom and spending time with my boys! :)

 I also love cuddles with our four-legged son!  He is always super cuddly when the boys are napping!

We had the Whites over for dinner last night.  We enjoyed cooking hotdogs and smores over the fire pit!  If only I could get the dads to cooperate for pictures! ;)

And I wanted to include some of my favorite things right now... in no particular order.... just feeling very blessed and these are some of the things that have made me smile extra big!
- Maddox singing the "Happy Birthday" song
-Zander playing tee ball
-Maddox handing out hugs
-Zander saying he has no "moisture" in his mouth and he needs more to drink
-the way Maddox runs
-the way Zander celebrates when he makes a play on the ball field
-the way Maddox says "shoes on" or "eat eat" when he knows what comes next in our schedule
-the way Zander can read words and the way he memorizes books and bible verses
-the way Maddox talks in sentences now.. usually in English and sometimes in a language I can't decipher
-the way Zander tries to help his brother
-the way Maddox wants to be just like Zander
-the way Zander gives me a full body hug when he gets up in the morning
-the way Maddox runs up to me when I pick him up from school
-the way Zander's eyes light up when he is telling a story or listening to one being told to him
- finishing a long run with my sister
-the temperatures outside right now
-how the boys feel comfortable in every room of our house.... because it is their house too
-seeing friends and loving on their kids
-getting to go on dates with Zack...... it doesn't matter where we go.... we always have a great time!
-planning for future vacations.... we have a couple in the works for this year and a couple in our mind for a few years out
-being able to think ahead to some of the fun things we can do with our boys this summer
-the weekends
-when all five of us (Burke included) pile into our bed to watch a television show before bedtime
-my parents being so helpful to watch our boys and the excitement my boys show when they are around
-the huge support network we have with family and friends

I could go on and on but the boys are ready to take on the afternoon so until next time.....

Happy 5th Birthday Zander!!

My Sweet Zander,

    I can't believe you are a "whole hand" years old!  I have watched you add a finger every year for the past five years, and I can't believe you have lived enough years to give a high five with your age!  It is so hard for me to believe that five years ago you were just a tiny baby making your entrance into this world.  I already think FIVE is going to be the best year yet!  We had a blast this weekend celebrating your birthday!  Your birthday party just happened to fall on your actual birthday so we made sure to celebrate all day long.  First, daddy and Aunt A blew up balloons and I secretly put them all over your bedroom floor while you were sleeping.  You woke up and enthusiastically ran to our bedroom to declare that your room was COVERED in balloons! Then, daddy made a delicious breakfast of bacon, sausage, eggs and pancakes!  We got ready to head to your birthday party and you have been looking forward to your birthday party for MONTHS!! You asked if you could have your party at Jump-n-Fun, a indoor place with inflatables everywhere!  You also asked if you could invite your class from school!  This was the first year that you had friends come that you have known since you were born and new friends that you met this year.  It was so nice that so many people wanted to celebrate with you!  We jumped and slid for an hour.... and I think the adults had just as much fun as the kids... I wish I could post all of the videos here!  We had couples' races and sibling races and friend races, etc.  Your Grammy and Grandpa (who just had knee replacement surgery) even went down the slides!  After we jumped for an hour (and wore ourselves out), we ate pizza, fruit, chips and cake.  You loved opening all of your presents too!  After the party was over, we came back to the house.  Grannie was able to give you your present (a tee to practice hitting baseballs at home) and you spent a long time playing with all of your gifts while your brother napped (which meant you didn't have to share your new things just yet).  For dinner, you request Chick-Fil-A  so we headed there with Aunt A, Uncle Jay and Henry!  Overall, the big FIVE was a success!  

      Zander, you will be starting kindergarten this year.  You will also start going to school with mommy every day and I CANNOT wait!  I am looking forward to our morning walks into school and knowing you are in the same building as me.  Zander, when I was a senior in high school, I knew I wanted to be a teacher.  And part of knowing that job decision was hoping that one day my own children would share my schedule.  I wanted to be able to work with kids of all ages and have my own close by.  This dream (which started 18 years ago) is going to be a reality!  I can't wait to see all you will learn next year!  You are already writing your name, counting to at least 100, knowing letter sounds, reading words and developing a love for learning just about anything!  Here is to a wonderful fifth year of life!  I pray that it is the best one yet!

Love you!

-Mommy

 Somehow we didn't get Logan, Luke or Henry in this picture! But they were also there!

 Zander is growing up! He has really changed in five years!

Also, we had Zander's grand prix race last weekend.... he came in 3rd, 1st and 3rd in the three heats they competed in!  We think he got fourth overall based on the times!  Zack and Zander were super excited to have their car cross the finish line....it was fun to hear his name called over the microphone for winning one of the heats.  We had the best cheerleaders too with Maddox, Grammy and Grandpa!

 We celebrated Aunt Lindsey's birthday this past week! We had yummy Japanese food! We can't wait for the next birthday! We love eating out! :)

 Luau Day at school with my office staff!

Zander's favorite position so far is "pitcher".....he loves the helmet he gets to wear while on the field.

 Zander has learned how to use his birthday money to shop for some of the things on his wish list.... this week he bought a light up fan (in his hand), a bubble machine and chocolate chip toast! :)

 Cuddling with my four year old for the last time... he turned five the next morning!

 Opening up presents from Aunt A and Uncle Jay before the party (a remote control monster truck!)  Also, he opened up his presents from Granny V, Paw Paw and Uncle Grant.  His favorite part of their present was a Rocket Fishing Rod.

 Taking some brother and cousin pictures! :)  Love these boys so much!

Little League!

I love these boys...... Zander started little league (tee ball) a couple weeks ago and yesterday was his first game.... before I talk about that..... I will try to catch up on this past week!  Both boys got summer hair cuts.... Zander's was cut by daddy and Maddox still went to the local Great Clips... Maddox is so squirmy that we thought it be easier to leave it to the professionals..... he also loves the sucker he gets at the end after he has successfully gotten his hair cut!

Daddy has been helping Zander get a derby car ready for a "grand prix" car race this evening at our church.... we are just hoping it makes it to the end of the racetrack!  Daddy has worked many hours to ensure it was under the specified maximum weight limit and used only specific resources.....I will keep you posted!

We enjoyed eating a couple meals out with my family...... This first picture is pre-haircut... and the second one is post-haircuts..... we were able to celebrate Grammy's birthday together on her actual birthday.... that never happens!  Zander keeps counting down until his birthday and he knows that Aunt Lindsey and GranDan must have a birthday before his next weekend.......Zander is definitely being very patient as we count down to his big day!

I am the "team mom" for the little league team (I know I have mentioned this in an earlier post.....but I had no idea what I was getting myself into!)  Another mom gave me some baskets so the kids could put all their gear in it during the game..... I added name tags so they know which one is theirs!

 When did he get so big?!

I fit in a quick 8 mile run with Linds on Friday after work...... I knew it would be a busy weekend between going to the ball fields twice on Saturday and once on Sunday along with babysitting Emmy and fitting in the derby car race so our 8:58 overall pace just proved I was ready to get this busy, fast weekend started!

 Zander did a great job at his first baseball game.  He hit the ball on the first try each time he was up at bat and was able to run home each time as well thanks to his teammates!  One of his hits made the ball roll all the way to the fence..... I was so excited to cheer him on!  He also played first base (where he got someone out), pitcher (where he practiced throwing the ball to the appropriate player to get someone out) and outfield (he sometimes gets distracted out there and would rather play in the dirt/grass)!  Maddox did a great job watching his big brother play but I think he wishes he could join his brother on the field sooner rather than later!

Zander was handed the game ball at the end of the game and I brought snacks for the team and their siblings!  I think I am really going to love being a baseball mom! This first weekend which included the opening ceremony, a game, and team pictures has been tons of fun!

When we got home from the game, we were ready to receive Emmy for the evening.  Linds and Boom had prom at Boomer's school so we got to watch our niece for an overnight sleepover! Emmy did a great job and really tried to keep up with the boys the whole time!  I can't wait to continue these sleepovers as they get older!!