Walker turns Four!

Wow, what a year!!  And what a difference six months can make.  The change between 3 and a half and four is huge!  Walker's little devil horns are starting to come out. He went from rarely getting into trouble to now getting into trouble every time I turn around.  He gets into everything!  But in spite of his michevious ways he's still a sweet, loving, cuddly, mama's boy.  

 A few milestones since last year: 

~ he moved out of his crib and into his bunk bed in May.  His crib was still in his room up until September and it was a very sad day for us both when it was gone.  Every now and then he will ask for his baby bed and get teary-eyed because it's gone.  Savannah now sleeps on a toddler mattress in the corner of his room because she gets scared sleeping on the top bunk.  Most nights Walker still wakes up and comes into my room to sleep in the toddler bed next to me.

~he's still not a great eater.  He's a great snacker though.  He loves his cliff bars and applesauce but not much else.  His favorite meal is still pizza and he loves bologna, waffles, and pancakes.  And he's a major chocoholic.  

~as far as school goes, he could take it or leave it.  I think he has fun when he gets there but getting there is a battle every morning.  And he sometimes stays for lunch bunch which is another battle.  

~he became completely potty trained at the end of July just before we left for Texas.  We only recently stopped wearing pull ups at night only because he's never woke up wet.  In fact, he's always come to wake me up whenever he needs to go during the night.

~we are still working with Ms. Ann on his speech.  He has a large vocabulary and he talks constantly but it's often difficult to understand his words which leads to him getting frustrated because he thinks we're not listening to him.  I often hear him say "you're not listening to my words!!".  

~he has quite the temper like his sister but instead of yelling and screaming, he tends to act out by hitting and scratching.  

~he loves to roughhouse with his friends.  There have been several visits to Mrs. Stickley's office for fighting in class and on the playground.  It's mostly between the same little boys and they're not being mean to each other; it's just how they play.  We witnessed this a lot during his birthday party.  

~he's been fairly healthy this past year.  After getting the tubes and removing his adenoids in May, he's been snotty free.  

So now let's get to the birthday festivities.  His last day of school before break was on December 16th so he participated in the musical program and then had a little party in his classroom.  Later that evening while I was getting ready for a Christmas party, he took it upon himself to give himself a big boy haircut.  I nearly died! So my innocent looking 3 year old became a rebel looking 4 year old overnight.      

S came to watch the musical and enjoy the party

he sang all the songs and smiled the whole time

his version of a haircut

Sunday morning started before the sunrise.  He and Savannah rushed downstairs and immediately wanted to open presents.  There were more trains and a couple of superhero items to add to his collection.  After a couple of hours playing, it was off to get his free birthday donut at Dunkin on the way to set up for his party at the country club.

yay of birthday donuts! 

 He wanted to have a superhero theme this year so I decided to have it at the club and I'm glad that I did.  Three and four year old boys are WILD! They ran all around, tackled everyone, and basically looked like they were trying to kill each other.  We had a couple of bounce houses and a table to play-doh for the more hesitant party goers.  I also set up a couple of tables to decorate capes and masks.  

another amazing cake from Baker's Cakes

It was such a fun day and I think the birthday boy was thrilled with everything.  I can't believe he's four!  I'm not ready to lose my toddler! Thankfully he still loves to be babied and he often wants me to hold him; however, at 44 pounds I can't hold him for long.  Gosh, I sure love this sweet, loving, fun little boy! 

All About 4 Year-Old Walker

1. Favorite color: blue, red, pink
2. Favorite song: Over the River, Deck the Halls, Up on the Housetop
3. Favorite toy: Dinosaur eggs, trucks
4. Favorite food: chicken rolls
5. Favorite drink: smoothie
6. Best friends: Waite, Colin, William
7. Favorite game: MouseTrap
8. Favorite book: lots of books
9. Favorite place to visit: Noosie's house
10. Favorite place to eat out: Jason's Deli
11. What do you want to be when you grow up?: a cook
12. Favorite Holiday: Christmas and Easter
13. Favorite dress up costume: Buzz Lightyear
14. Favorite movie: Toy Story
15. Favorite tv show: Paw Patrol

Height: 41.6 inches

Weight: 44.6 lbs

Clothing size: 4t-5

Shoe size: 11-12

Savannah turns Seven!

Seven?! How can she possibly be seven?!  Where did this last year go? It seemed like a blur of school functions and after school activities and then it was summer and camps and now it's fall and she's turning seven.  She's a kid now.  Not quite a big kid but not a little kid either.  She's right in the middle which is kinda a tricky age.  She thinks she's big enough for sleepovers but I know emotionally she's not there yet.  And I know that I often tell her to stop acting like a baby and be the big kid which then makes me sad as soon as I say it.  As much as I get annoyed when she tears up at school because I have to leave after volunteering, I smile inside.  She does still need me and she does still want me around.  There won't be many more days like this.  One day she will be embarrassed of me and not want to be seen with me.  I really need to savor the days while I still have them.  It all passes so quickly.

Savannah's birthday fell on a Tuesday this year so unfortunately she spent most of the day at school.  She did wake up really early so that she could open her presents before heading out.  Then Walker and I had lunch duty that day so we were able to eat lunch with her and her class.  Her party was held on the following Friday which was a school holiday.  It was a slumber party without the slumber part.  The girls all came in their pajamas and we had pizza and cake, watched a movie with popcorn, roasted marshmallows for smores, busted a piñata, and sent them each home in time for bed.  It was my most unorganized, loosely planned party yet and it was so much fun.

birthday morning before the sun rise

heading to school

lunch with the birthday girl

birthday cake after dinner

party time

Special milestones since last year: 

~she started first grade which means she is reading books on her own, has homework most every night, has spelling tests, and is solving math problems.  I really am amazed at what they learn in first grade now.  She is a perfectionist and a teacher's pet.  She is a stickler for routine and she wants to make sure that everyone else is following the rules.  Her teachers love her despite her bossy attitude towards her table mates.  

~she is back in speech therapy.  She had a few sessions with Ms. Ann and then switched to a lady who comes to her school and pulls her out of class weekly for 40 minute sessions.  She really is improving especially with her "w" and "r" sounds.  

~she still isn't an adventurous eater.  She eats pretty much the same things that she ate this time last year.  

~she is participating in the junior golf program at the country club and she loves it.  She is the youngest player and the only girl in her division.  I am so proud of her for sticking with this and she's actually really good.  

~she still participates in tennis even though she would rather not.  I would hate for her to give it up since she has such skill.  The coaches keep trying to convince her to join the junior league so she can play in matches but she doesn't want people to watch her.  

~she participates in rhythmic gymnastics and lego club at school.  She is the only girl in lego club and as much as I like her participating in it and learning new skills, I don't think she will want to reenroll after Christmas break.  I know she enjoys gymnastics when she's there but at home she's constantly wanting to quit even though 2 of her best friends are in it as well.  

~she is a second year Daisy scout which just means this is her final year before Brownies.  Meetings are going much smoother this year and the girls seem to pay better attention when I'm talking.  All except Savannah.  Maybe it's just because I'm the leader so she thinks she doesn't have to follow the rules.  I often leave meetings furious with her but happy with all 17 other girls.  

~she still has quite the fiery personality which leads to her getting into a lot of trouble at home.  Her and Walker fight constantly over any and everything.  

All About 7 Year-Old Savannah

1. Favorite color: pink and purple
2. Favorite song: any KidsBop song
3. Favorite toy: roller skates
4. Favorite food: spaghetti and meatballs
5. Favorite drink: chocolate milk
6. Best friends: Emerson, Grace, Lila, and Evia
7. Favorite game: CandyLand
8. Favorite book: Fairy Magic series
9. Favorite place to visit: Texas
10. Favorite place to eat out: Jason's Deli
11. What do you want to be when you grow up?: a mom
12. Favorite Holiday: her Birthday
13. Favorite dress up costume: Disney's Elina of Avalor
14. Favorite movie: Trolls
15. Favorite tv show: Sofia the First 

Height: 47 inches 

Weight: 57 lbs

Clothing size: 7

Shoe size: 13

Happy Birthday to my sweet, sassy, and spunky Savannah!  Your laugh can brighten my darkest days and nothing makes me happier than seeing your smile.  Everyday you're becoming more like the person you're going to be and I'm so excited to watch you accomplish amazing things in life.  Love you to pieces, sweet girl!