FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL.

Griffey could not have been more excited for his first day of preschool this year.  We talked all about his teachers and the new friends he would make, what he would bring in his backpack and what snacks he would have.  We talked about how important it is to listen in class and to be kind to others.  Griff wanted to make sure we were only dropping him off on the first day, not staying.  He was ready to do it all by himself.  Fearless.

I love this little guy.  I can't believe he's in school and we are taking back to school photos in front of our door.  Just yesterday he was a tiny baby and I had no idea how to take care of him.  Today he's my big four year old and I couldn't be more proud of the person he has become.  And, don't you think he looks like his daddy?

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY GRIFFIN!

photo taken by griffin

Honestly, I can't believe he's four today.  I cannot believe the time has flown by that fast.  We've been so busy with moving to utah, Chad starting a new job, buying a new house and my pregnancy- that the days have just run together. Today, at the crack of dawn Griffin woke us to see his new birthday surprise.  He was so excited to wear his new helmet and ride his new bike that he couldn't be bothered with things like getting dressed or eating breakfast.  We headed straight outside to try it out. He was so cute trying to figure out the balance bike and I must say, as the day went on he got better and better at it.  I managed to get a few action shots- as he's not much for smiling for the camera these days. Avett wanted in on the action too, of course, and took his turn riding around.  Only in his undies because the potty training is in full force.  Do what yah gotta do, man.  We let griffin choose where we went to eat for lunch and dinner, chick-fil-a and subway, his favorites.  We went to the park to ride more bikes and hit baseballs off his tee.  He loved his homemade cake and the gifts that his brother picked out and wrapped for him.  It was so sweet watching him act proud of his new age and how he told everyone that today was his special day.

Griffin's current favorites at 4 include:
Spiderman, though he's never seen it and I still think it's far too violent for such a little guy
the color orange
earning rewards from his sticker charts
Robin Hood, Peter Pan, Toy story, Cars and Planes
Cheerios for breakfast
spaghetti for lunch and dinner (i only buy wheat noodles!)
peaches, pears or mandarin oranges (we call them peter pan oranges) as the fruit of choice
still working on the vegetable of choice, not really getting anywhere
wheat bread only, no white (how awesome is that?)
his daddy
his brother, sometimes
popcorn
the idea of his baby sister
his aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents
the beach
Charleston and the things he remembers about being there
texting
not wearing shoes, ever
choosing his own clothes, usually some character tee with basketball shorts

We love you Griffin!  We are so lucky and so proud to call you ours.

GRIFF SAYS.

Griff says the darndest things.

"Mama, I'm gonna graduate.  But not in a church. They will have treats, and cookies and lemonade.  Will you come watch me?"  Said in the days following Chad's commencement, which was held in a church and afterwards these refreshments were served.

"Dada, you got a job yet?"  Said in the weeks following graduation pretty much daily.

"Mama, I got a job in Chawelston.  It was a number three job."  Meaning Toy Story 3, the movie.

Mom- "Griff, how do you feel about moving to Utah?"  Griff- "I think it's... great!  I think it's not perfect but we can try."

"Mom, I need wifi."

"My belly will be sick if I eat veggies.  My belly wants cake."

Aunt wooge- "Griff, come eat your pizza."  Griff  "Aye, Aye wooge."  Pirate themes are big around here.

"Mom I really like Charleston, I miss it.  But... that's okay.  Dad will take good care of us."

"I used to paint when I was your age."  Said to Chad as they were painting our new apartment.

This baby turned 3.

Oh, Griffey.  I can't believe this day has come, you're three years old.

I just sit watching you sometimes and I think, how is it possible that this is my baby boy?  How did we ever get so lucky to have you here with us?  And, where the heck did you come from?  You have really been an extremely mellow kid, always pretty easy going, very independent, super smart and way too adorable.  People stop us in stores and admire your long blonde curls.  It's like a petting zoo.

You've potty trained yourself, with little direction from us.  No more diapers, not even through the night.  You now wake yourself up if you've got to use the potty.  I think it's some kind of miracle really.

You can work any type of apple device.  iPhone, iPad, Macbook- you name it.  I don't know how you do it, but somehow I always find new apps or music that I myself did not download.  How on earth do you get past my passcode?

You're obsessed with Toy Story's 1, 2 & 3.  Why we had to have 3 versions of Toy Story, I'll never understand.  Frozen comes in at a close second.

We finally took down one side of your crib and now call it your "big boy crib".  Who would have thought you'd love it as much as you have, for as long as you have.  Georgie, froggy and blanks still must sleep with you.  And you still take a 2 hour nap everyday.

Your favorite books are: dad's vintage copy of the Little Engine That Could, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and any of the Maisy books by Lucy Cousins.  Danny and the Dinosaur and Sammy the Seal are big favorites too.

You're extremely independent and must do everything all by yourself.  Even if you end up needing help.  I try to be as patient as possible with this.

You mimic everything your parents do, and everything your brother does too.  I think we have to start being more careful about what we say and do around here.  The other day while going to the bathroom you announced to everyone, "don't come with me, I need some space".  Right on.

You're extremely intuitive with people.  You've always loved watching people, even as a baby.  Even if you don't fully understand a certain concept, I can tell you understand the emotion behind it when your dad or I explain something to you.  If someone is upset, you're the first to console them and offer solutions to help.  I often hear you telling your brother, " it's okay bud, it's okay".

The other day at the park, you climbed the big oak tree all by yourself.  The same oak tree you had been working on climbing for the last 6 months, every time we went to the park.  You usually would get stuck and cry to me for help to boost you up to the top.  This time, I watched you do it all by yourself- 8 or 9 times in a row.  Each time I could see the pride written all over your face.  I was so proud of you too.

I love you Griffey.  I can't believe you're 3, I really don't know how that happened.  I'm so proud of who you are now and who you are becoming.


* update: since writing this post ...you no longer nap at all, unless you fall asleep in the car.  It's torture really, the protests to nap time.

Drama at the Park.

I'm the first to admit, my baby is a bit of a drama queen.  His brother takes his park toy, enter tears.  Brother gives back said park toy, everything is just peachy.  Until 2 minutes later when brother again does something undesirable.  More tears.

We've been spoiled with Chad's parents still in town for his graduation from MUSC.  Today the weather poured rain all morning and into the afternoon and there was nothing left to be done but take a trip to Costco, of course.  Costco is always a good back up plan when all other things fail.  Because, they have samples.  And double carts.  That's right, two seat belts for when things really go south.

The rain finally stopped long enough for us to run around the park for a while before dinner.  Thank goodness these boys got outside today, because it darn near killed us being cooped up due to our crazy thunder storms this week.  Joe and Lana sure are good sports to let us hang out with them, again.  Baseball is always a good time.

Love, us.

The Princess and the Sheriff.

Here we have Princess Sophia and Sheriff Woody.  Heaven forbid the sheriff has to wash his uniform.  That gets interesting.  And I'll cherish these days forever.  When Woody jammies and bubbles were enough to make the world seem absolutely perfect.

*Sheriff Woody jammies appear ℅ Aunt Shelby.  Thanks Shib!  Never has he loved anything more.  Except for maybe the Buzz pair.