My Beautiful Mess

Today, unbeknownst to this guy, was “Nerd Day” at school. God love him!

So blogging has not been a big priority for me this month, obviously. Maybe it is because I haven’t felt too good for most of it (sinus stuff); maybe it is because we had a tornado come, once again, way too close to our house; maybe it is because I have been irrationally consumed with books about vampires; maybe it is the grief that can seem to sneak in when I am not looking; OR maybe it is because we have been so stinkin’ busy! Whatever it has been, today seems like the first day I can think clearly and look back at what we have been up to. Care to join me???

The month started off with Cooper’s 1st grade class hosting the school’s weekly Friday assembly. Each class gets a chance to do this throughout the year. Coop’s teacher decided to have them dress-up like what they want to be when they grow up. They are currently working on “publishing” a class book with the same theme. So here is my “National Geographic Scientist who Digs for Dinosaur Bones”….

Next came the 100th Day of School - a little later than planned due to the 3 snow/ice days we had. As soon as Drew knew he could bring something to school, he wanted to bring Dory, the 5-inch stuffed fish with which he sleeps (try finding that thing every night - let me tell ya, Dory is good at hide-n-seek!). So we made a poster with 99 Dories - and his Dory was number 100….

Cooper’s class did all kinds of cute things for 100 Day but this one really hit home with me. He made a picture of himself at 100 years old and then filled in the sentence, “When I am 100 years old, I will…..”

Don’t know if you can read that, but he put “…go to the groshe stor (grocery story).” Oh Lord, I HATE going to the grocery store now - I was really hoping I wouldn’t have to go when I was 100!

Cooper’s class also did a one-song musical performance with the music teacher this month. This also happened to be the same day the tornado came - at least all 3 of us where together in one of the “safe rooms” at the school, which I did consider safer than my entryway coat closet! (sorry for the scary eyes in the pic below! I promise it was not an evil song!)

Did I mention it is only February 16th? Because I still have more to show you…no wonder I am so tired!

In each class The Boys are in, every student gets a turn being the “special student” of the week. In Drew’s class, you are the Super Star of the Week. So home came the star which we decorated with lots of pictures - and then the whole family got to come to his class that morning to see him present his star.

The Pre-K teacher makes it even more special by having each kid in the class say something nice about the Super Star; even the teachers say something about them and then so does the child’s family. She is an incredible teacher! She and her husband also have an incredibe ministry. Check it out here and here.

And then this week, Cooper gets to be the Honeybee Helper of the week. So home comes his scrapbook page to decorate with his choice of pictures.

Not included in here is the Valentine’s Day parties in each of their classrooms, 3 trips to see the doctor for 3 separate family members, the last basketball games of the season, and a lost tooth! ALL in February! And I thought this was a short month…

Yesterday, my baby turned 5….I think (more on that in the next post!). Ever since we went to Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch last October, I have wanted to do his birthday party there this year. And, needless to say, we had an absolutely fantastic Saturday Birthday Party last weekend. The perfect weather we had was like God smiling down on our day!

This place is fantastic! The kids and grown-ups alike had a blast! I highly recommend that you go. They set us up with our own party area with tables and fire pits for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows.

A big portion of our family was there and about 3 kids from his Pre-K class, along with their families, came too. We started off on a hayride all together, and everyone sang him happy birthday. Along the route, they have placed pumpkins hidden in the trees, numbered 1-20 something. The kids loved hunting for all of them.

All the kids also got to do pony rides. Birthday Boy first though….

They have a corn maze that The Boys took Nan through…

They have all kinds of animals to pet and feed - goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, a llama, and bunnies…

There is a hayfort to climb on….and have everyone pose on :)….

Me and The Boys made cookies instead of cake…

…and he opened packages…

….and I got lots of great cousin pics….

Drew, you had an incredible party for an incredible kid. I love your sweet heart, the funny things you always say, and the way your speak your mind. You love being home and just hanging out. You love your Big Brother and chocolate chip cookies and spaghetti and meatballs (probably in that order!). And your mom, dad, and brother love you “bigger than the universe!”