Happy Halfie to Noey

This kid has grown up so much recently! He brings so much energy and joy to our lives, happy halfie to our little buddy!

 

Noey's Halfie!

 

Happy Halfie!

Brothers and best friends! I need to start praying that this will never change. 

Ollie, you are almost a legit teenager! 

A big thank you to your ongoing love of Harry Potter and watching The Goldbergs with me. Listening to Harry and Ron be moody as all get out in books 5 and 6, along with watching Goldberg kids have a love/hate relationship with their mom has been so helpful. Seeing these characters experience rapid mood swings and feelings they don't fully understand has been a life-saver for us.   

You are such a cool kid. You are hard-working, driven, and kind. You are a team player and nothing fills your cup more than being surrounded by your people. You continue to be a joy to raise. 

We love you so much!

 

Happy Halfie!

Here are some of Nolan's current favorites.

Person: Ollie and Dad are tied for first

Song: Soldiers by Otherwise (How did he ever even hear this song? All I know is, he plays it frequently on his Amazon dot. "Mom! Mom! Come listen to this song with me! Are you listening? ARE YOU LISTENING?")

Activity: Anything with a ball, running, or jumping

Currently in: Swimming Lessons

School Friend: Asher

Neighborhood Friend: Auggie or Avery (It seems an A theme is emerging...)

Toys: Minecraft Legos

Game: The Floor is Lava

Food: Hot cheese (warmed up string cheese), Monkey Drinks (Danimals Yogurt Smoothies), Chips, and Strawberries

Color: Red

A couple of pictures of his first grade class. 

Happy Halfie

Love you bud! Hope this next 6 months is your best yet! xoxo

Happy Halfie to Ollie!

 

Love you forever, Ol! Your future is so bright!

Noey News

Our littlest buddy is officially 5 and a half and is rocking kinder. Hard to believe our baby is that old!

School lunch picnic with his class.

ABC boot camp: Day 1

He has had FOUR kids in his class test positive for covid so far this year. Oye.

Our district is not quarantining classes automatically like last year, but families can choose to keep their kids home for a few days if there has been a case to hopefully protect them from further exposure. The last time I was in his class there were about 9 kids, but I bet tomorrow there may be around 5? For the past couple covid years, our family really hasn't had this much exposure. Ever. Who knows what the future will bring, but I feel like the first Mot is about to test positive. 

You know you have big kid on your hands when they prefer showering to bathing. Even if they do choose to wear googles. Ha!

Hugging his puppies.

You also know you have a big kid on your hands when you find yourself sneaking into their room to take sleeping pictures less and less. Sleeping elementary (and definitely sleeping pre-teens) just aren't as cute as those sleeping toddlers. But here's a few anyway. 

And some pictures of the half birthday celebration. He was really funny this year and kept trying to ask in different ways if he would get presents for his halfie day. "Mom, so two more sleeps, then my half birthday, so I will probably open presents that day." "Mom, can I loooook in here??? Did you hide my half birthday presents in here?" Good try buddy! On the half day, all you can expect is cake!

We love you so much, Noey! xoxox

 

12.5!

 Shut the front door, we almost have a legit teenager. 

Taller, smarter, and faster than ever!

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Chronicles 16:11

Love you forever, Seth! 

10.5

 What is it with these pictures? The camera angle? The shadows? Why does Ollie look so old? 

The other day he was helping me prep food for our upcoming trip to Colorado and Ollie said, "I just wish we had something to talk about. I wish I didn't know you so well. I wish I didn't know all your stories." 

This came as a surprise. Does every parent feel this way? The attitude of: you are basically my heart walking around outside my body and I would take a bullet for you, but there ain't no way you know me. 

Now quit being so presumptive and go set the table for dinner. 

I told him he should ask questions about how dad and I met and started dating. Once the stories got going (which included Jon and I going to a creek to catch fish for Jon's roommate's fish tank), I had to call Jon into the room to hear Ollie's very favorable responses. "Oh man, mom. You are a trooper. You are the absolute best. All the girls I know have too much drama to be involved in that."

I'm not sure if I was laughing harder at Ollie's comments or at Jon's response of muttering something along the lines of, "that's before I knew all about her opinions".

Ha! Anyway Ollie, happy halfie! Love you bud!

Moiety of the Year

Does that even make sense? Can you use moiety in that way? 

(If you couldn't guess, this is a half-birthday post, but I got all wild and crazy and decided to look for a synonym for the word half.)

Nolan Riley! You are 4 and a half years old! 

You are a tiny pip squeak, but no one has energy or moves like you do.You are brave, curious, kind-hearted, and are quick to laugh. We love you, dear!

 Recently, Nolan was sitting in the dentist chair and said, "I'm pretty excited bout this." It made me laugh.