Happy Birthday, Big Guy

Today is Jeremy's 5th birthday. As always, here's Jeremy through the years:

At the hospital

 

3 months

6 months

9 months

1 year old

18 months

2 years old

2.5 years old

3 years old (and sick)

3.5 years old

4 years old

5 years old

 

 

 

 

 

He's really come into his own this year. He's succeeding in school, he's a whiz at math (seriously, ask the boy to add stuff, and he can tell you. Ask him how many minutes until a specific time, and he can tell you.), he's doing very well at hockey for not even skating a year and cannot get enough of hockey. Really. The boy insists on watching hockey highlights on TV in the morning, much to Riley's dismay. He loves board games, from Chutes and Ladders to Memory to Trouble to Uno, he's an endless source of game playing.

We spent some of today doing all that he wanted to. We played games, we watched hockey, the kids built a fort, we went out for ice cream and then played some hockey outside. He chose his favorite dinner, which is pizza and bread sticks from a local pizza place. Of course it just so happens that Riley doesn't like that pizza, so she said for her birthday, she's picking food that Jeremy doesn't like. Good luck with that, as Jeremy eats pretty much everything!

I'm no longer ashamed to admit he's not my baby anymore. He's my guy. I'm so very blessed that I'm home with the kids. I've watched him and helped him become the boy that he is today. I'm there from breakfast to taking him to school to suiting him up for hockey to even coming home to play street hockey, it's me. He's really the best boy I could've hoped for. I'll always have the memories of him as a baby, but now my baby is 5. I love you, Big Guy.

A Whole Hand

We're coming off the sugar high of Jeremy's 5th birthday party (crazy, huh?), and while sitting at the dinner table, Jeremy was waxing prophetically about his age.

"Mom, in a few days I'm going to be a whole hand-full."

To which Riley replies, "I'm almost two whole hand-fulls."

Some days, they have no idea how accurate they are. :)

My Babies

Most days pass in such a blur that I can't even remember all the things we did that day. What did we have for breakfast/lunch/dinner? What errands did we run today? Did Riley finish her homework? What stories did the kids hear today?

And as the school year is beginning to wind down, I'm realizing just how quickly time does fly. I look at that picture above and am amazed at how quickly the kids have grown. They are each other's best friends on most days, and they can keep each other entertained for hours. Wasn't it just yesterday that they needed me every step along the way? Wasn't it my hand that they reached for? Wasn't it me that they reached their arms up to and wanted to be held? Didn't I constantly hear "Mama, Mama, Mama" all day long?

Don't even get me started on Jeremy starting kindergarten in the fall because I just might lose it.

I'd like to think that we've done a good job in shaping their lives so far. It's still a work in progress (aren't we all?), but when they can play nicely with not only each other but friends, it's a true sign that we've done well in raising them. They're very well behaved, they're kind and considerate, they share and are overall good kids.

Some days it's just hard to believe they're not little babies anymore. But I guess they'll always be my babies. Guess I can live with that.

Hockey Heartbreaker

My friend Amy has a son, Ben, who is in Jeremy's hockey class. Amy brought her camera to practice yesterday and captured some beautiful pictures of our boy. I still have so much to write about in regards to his hockey practices, but for now, enjoy these pics!

In his full gear. We purchased shoulder pads this weekend,
and now he looks like a real hockey player.

Skating with his preschool buddy Kaiden.

Love this!

My boy.

Tickling or Tackling?

I find that having one kid of each gender proves the stereotypical outlook on occasion. Case in point: tickling. The kids love to tickle, and most of the time the parents oblige. I mean, really, is there anything better than hearing a kid's giggle? And I have to say that both kids are adept in knowing our ticklish spots: mine is above my knee and Phil's is his feet. 

But tickling has proven to be more of a challenge when it comes to Jeremy. He would rather body-slam you than try to tickle you, yet he still refers to it as tickling.

So yesterday I asked him why he tackles instead of tickles. And his response?

"Mom, that's just how I roll."

OK then.

Happy Belated Valentine's Day

After taking some recent pictures and video of Jeremy skating, I realized I never posted pictures of the kids' Valentine's Day cards. For the special day, Jeremy had a celebration at school, but I had to go with him since he doesn't normally go to school on Mondays. The kids were so cute in class, and the boys spent time comparing arm hair. Riley had her own party at school, but it was small, so parents weren't invited.

The kids dressed in their red/pink outfits.

Both kids made cards, with Jeremy's arriving in the mail thanks to preschool. Riley took it upon herself to make the family a card. It was a very low-key day, but one that reminds us to show those we love how much we care.

Riley's card.

 

 

 

Jeremy's card to the family.

Rewind

Riley was reading to me for part of her homework and had to use the bathroom. Jeremy told me to make sure and pause the book until she got back.

Do you think we use our DVR much?