Happy 2013!

I picked Evan up from daycare yesterday and the first thing he said to me was, “Mom, you forgot to bring my green mat for my nap.”

Me: I know, buddy – I’m so sorry I forgot it.

E: Why did you forget it? We need to bring it tomorrow, okay?

Ha! Needless to say I felt terrible about forgetting it. Poor kid had to sleep on the yucky plastic mat instead.

Everyone has been asking how he’s doing at daycare and I must say he has adjusted well. He started there last August, a few months after his 2^nd birthday. It was a rough start, and I’m not sure who was more upset by it – me or him. I cried for hours on end the first day…not when I dropped him off so much, but when I picked him up. The expression on his face, and his reaction made my heart melt. It was like he thought I dropped him off for good! When I picked him up he cried hysterically saying/hyperventilating the words, “Mommy! You. Came. Back!” Ugh!

He loves it now, and has made so many new friends. The experience has really brought him out of his shell. He used to be so shy and quite, and now he’s our rambunctious and rather vocal two-year old!

Oh yeah – he’s almost fully potty-trained! His teacher, Miss Jazmin has been working with him since the New Year, and he’s had very few accidents. We’re still using pull ups at night, but they’re usually dry when he wakes up and he asks to go potty right away. J

Things he loves right now:

Tractors (still),Trains, Racetracks, Microphones (he does a great rendition of Jingle Bells), Chocolate Milk, Chocolate Cake, Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate!!!

Broken Leg!

We are sad to say that Evan received his second cast this past Wednesday.  He and his nanny were playing with sidewalk chalk outside when he decided to hop on her back. She wasn't expecting him so she lost her balance and fell on his little leg unintentionally. :(  We knew something was wrong when he wouldn't put weight on it or even try to walk. The x-ray showed a tiny fracture of the tibia (the shin bone) right above the ankle of his left leg. He was such a trooper through the ordeal and now has a snazzy purple (GO FROGS!) walking cast that runs from his toes to mid-thigh. He will wear it for 4 weeks and be good as new. We are amazed at how fast he figured it out and is now walking all over the place and going from standing to sitting with no problems.

We are a little bummed that he can't use his sandbox or swim, but 4 weeks will be gone in a flash and he can enjoy the rest of  the summer. Our family trip to Crystal Beach is in August, so no worries there.

By the way - mommy had very little input on the color of the cast. I only nixed the "John Deere" green that he was eying up, but his inital selection was purple. :)

We put a black sock over the cast to keep it from scratching the other leg. He just finished his bicep curls with that dumbell and snacked on a few raisins so he felt much better than he looks. :)

2nd Birthday Bash!

To celebrate Tyler turning five on May 16th and Evan turning two on May 19th we decided to join forces and have one party at Jennifer's house. The theme was pretty funny - construction trucks for Evan (he's obsessed with tractors, excavators, diggers, dump trucks, cranes, etc.) and Star Wars for Tyler. The birthday bash was complete with a big bounce house, balloon-tying man (do they have a real name??), lots of food, two cakes and plenty of adult beverages. :) Huge thank-you to the Bates for letting us use their house, and big thanks to our family for traveling out of town to be there to celebrate.

My sweet birthday boy!

I just had to try out the slide for myself, so I borrowed a few kids to make it look legit. :) Blake and Addison obviously needed my assistance.

Tyler with Jennifer

Wheeeeeee!

Not loving the silly string!

Thanks Grammy & Grampy!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Miss Edna surprised Evan with a Gigantic teddy bear this morning. He walked right up to her and grabbed it out of her hands – it was bigger than him, but he had no issues carrying it around! He sat it on the floor and started hugging all over him (I’m assuming it’s a boy…name to be determined). He then decided to try to sit in its lap…too funny! Brett and I surprised Evan with heart balloons, a Thomas the Train book and lots of “canny!” Of course he just had to have a few Skittles for breakfast this morning.

Brett had a dozen red roses and a sweet card waiting for me when I woke up this morning – what a great hubby! Not sure what we’re doing tonight since we did our date night Saturday, but it will be good just hanging out together. I hope you all have a Happy Valentine’s Day! XOXO

Since we’ve had such beautiful weekends lately we decided to take Evan to the Dallas Zoo – it was actually his first zoo trip ever. We invited Grammy and Grampy along too. The Dallas Zoo was SPECTACULAR! It was so clean and updated, and the kids area was awesome. Evan got to feed the giraffes right in their habitat! Other highlights included the albino alligator and a ride on the monorail where we were able to see mountain goats and even ride through a waterfall. We had the best time and can’t wait to go back.            

Horned Frog Bench - of course we had to take a photo!

Big Nest

Evan says, "Hunnel!"

Waterfall on the monorail ride

Evan made his own Zoo penny with Daddy

Polar Express

We decided to spend Thanksgiving in Lufkin with my family this year.  I’m so glad we did because it was the last visit we would have with my Uncle William who passed away on December 22, 2011. Evan always loved seeing him and playing with his cane (aka “stick”). Brett & Papa were able to take Will to Fairfield for a hunting weekend, which he was so excited to do since he had been sick for so long. Rest in peace, Uncle Will…you will be missed.

While the men were hunting that weekend the girls decided to take all the kids to ride the Polar Express train in Palestine! What fun we had but boy, were we worn out afterwards!  Kids included Evan, Tyler, Grant, Carter, Blake, Preslee, Addison, Juliana and Kadie.  They all wore matching PJ’s and were PRECIOUS! Once on the train, we were served hot chocolate and cookies just like the book/movie and even went to the North Pole to pick up Santa. He walked through each train car and gave all the kids a jingle bell. We all sang Christmas carols on the way back to the station…so fun!

Evan & Addison are excited about the train ride

Aunt Jenn with lots of kiddos!

Sweet Addi

Blakey looking for the North Pole

"What's that I hear!?!?" Nonna and Grant

Nonna (Lisa), JuJu (Judy) and Heatty (Heather)

The North Pole!!

It's Santa!

Evan gets a jingle bell from Santa!

Also while we were in Lufkin we were able to celebrate Addison’s 1^st birthday! Addison is my cousin Heather’s baby girl – she’s so stinkin’ cute and so sweet. Heather and Judy did such a great job with the party – it was a “Sweet Shoppe” theme with lots of sugary treats for all the kids. Thank goodness they gave us toothbrushes and toothpaste as favors! Makes me excited to plan Evan’s 2^nd birthday…only three and a half months away!!!

SO FUN!

GO Preslee!

Evan was more excited about the power sports equipment than the bounce house obstacle course!

St. Jude Evening Under the Star

My sister, Jennifer invited me to the “Evening Under the Star” event benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It was a spectacular evening held on the field at Cowboys Stadium complete with food, drinks and live entertainment by Craig Morgan (country singer).

When we first walked through the doors that lead out onto the field we were surprised to see Tyler’s picture blown up on an easel right in front! He thought it was pretty cool too. He the best time hanging out with his friends (other St. Jude patients from the DFW area) running all over, throwing the football around and best of all – having his picture taken with the Cowboys Cheerleaders – hee! What a great night!

Jenn and Ty

The gang left to right: Lisa (mom); TK; Amanda (me); Tyler; Aunt Judy; Jennifer

Whoo-weee!

Such a cutie!

He's sweet, too!

Presenting to Mr. & Mrs. Brooks of Brinker International (Chili's restaurant is a HUGE contributor)

Our Star!