Happy 5th Birthday Tay!

Taylor had a great 5th Birthday! He started off his morning with ice cream for breakfast. At All Aboard he got a crown and pencil, they sang happy birthday to him and ate pretend chocolate cake. Our nanny Taylor picked him up and surprised him with gummy worms, kit kats and a new action figure. For dinner he wanted Culvers because he LOVES cheese curds - which he then chose to eat by himself at the counter and watch his iPad - his birthday so his choice. We opened presents after dinner and he reminded me SO much of Uncle Cullen. He wanted to immediately play with everything he opened and was in zero rush to get through his gifts (And Avery reminded me of ME getting all annoyed that he was going so slow with present opening). Some of the favorite items were a car playset from G, my little pony figurines from Avery, a little Ninja Turtle pinball game from Hannah and Ella, and some Zelda amibos (I may be spelling this wrong but Tay and Hung were super excited about them) from Uncle Nate and Aunt Debbie. He was also excited about the iTunes giftcard we got him and bought some HayDay diamonds with it and a game called Sand Balls that he has been loving but was being forced to watch tons of ads and now no longer has to.

We ended the night with singing Happy Birthday, having chocolate chip cookies and Mickey Ice Cream bars (his pick). Before bed he played a bit more with his ninja turtles game and cars playset before crashing hard from a full day!

Tay felt extra special and loved all day!! I am the luckiest mom in the world to have such a sweet and funny 5 year old. We are excited to celebrate him with more family this weekend - am sure he will again take his time and open gifts super slow to the annoyance of his sister!

Tay's First Day of All Aboard

 Tay started at All Aboard today at Shamrock Springs Elementary. We have not been in school for 5 months so this will be an adjustment. Everyone RAVES about this program so we were thrilled to be picked in the lottery last winter...It's going to be a little different from what we expected with all the necessary safety precautions they are taking but we are excited for him to try it out and we'll play this year by ear. I hope he has fun, feels safe, makes friends and is HAPPY.

It was hard to fall asleep last night with all the emotions and excitement. Avery suggested counting slowly to 100 to calm him down so I tried that and he kept commenting on my counting. "20" - "Mom, you have 8 more tens". "76" - "Mom you have 24 more to go", THE WHOLE TIME. By the end I was cracking up and no calmness was achieved but he eventually fell asleep and did well getting up and ready.

Getting ready the first morning he kept saying "I don't know about this" and sort of shaking his head like "hmmm is this a good idea guys?" He was nervous but also SUPER brave - We got there just as they were lining up to wash hands and go outside to play. Avery gave him some encouraging words before going in which was so sweet. I cried - even HUNG CRIED (first time in 20 years). Dropping your 4 year old off at school after being home for 5 months during a global pandemic is no joke. We picked him up around 3:00 and he had a good day. His teacher said he really kept to himself in the morning and didn't want to play. He kept saying he just wanted to save up his energy (which is very Taylor) so they were suggesting things he could do that wouldn't burn his energy. He then said "FINE I'll do a puzzle". He had no issues with his mask (told us he can take them off when he drinks water, to eat lunch and during nap. He did play with our neighbor Nolan outside some in the afternoon but says he doesn't know anyone else's name yet. He was happy to come home and we were happy to have this little guy back, too but we are so proud of him and hope that Day 2 goes even better.

Sleepover with the Morrison's

 We had Lila and Lena sleepover last weekend. All 4 were SO excited to have time together. They have all decided that Lena and Taylor are getting married so every play date revolves around Lila and Avery setting up a date night for them and then a wedding where Lila is flower girl and Avery officiates. They give vows, put on rings and kiss on the cheek. Super funny and would not make me AT ALL sad if this came true! We also spent time at West Park, made Worms in Dirt for dessert, played a ton in the basement and got a little sleep....

Fresh Cut for School

 Avery has been wanting a new haircut since COVID - I finally gave in and took her to see Jessyca and she is thrilled with the results!! Tay also got a new cut at "Corona Cuts" and was less than thrilled :)