Mothers and Sons

I am now in love with this post about Mothers and Sons.

I remember being pregnant and imagining my future with Tucker.  I imagined rocking him to sleep every night. And then I imagined sitting in the stands at his football games in my North Montgomery sweatshirt with “Tucker’s Mom” on the back and my cowbell in my hand, cheering through the whole game and being hoarse the next day.

And then Tuck was born and I indeed rocked him to sleep every night, often holding him well after he had fallen asleep.

Then the reality of mobility hit me.  I never once imagined that one little toddler boy could move so fast and get into so much trouble.

And I never imagined the conversations I would have with him at age 4, and wonder where he comes up with these ideas.  One day we were on the way to Missy’s and from the backseat Tucker tells me: “Mommy, you need to drive really slow on my way to school and then really FAST when you are at work.”  I asked: “Is that so that I can spend more time with you and less time at work?” “Yup” he answered.  “You are such a smart boy, Tucker.” “Yea… I know”

And yes, I did slow down.

Christmas 2010, Age 3

Mother’s Day 2011

Tuck’s 4th Birthday

Mother’s Day 2012, Age 4

And now you are 5.  You have now finished swimming lessons, your first season of basketball and are starting your first season of baseball. You are full of questions, like: Hippos and people and dogs are mammals; what are zombies?

5th birthday

You are riding your bicycle with just one training wheel and only use it randomly.  You are about to graduate from NMHS’ Early Learning Academy where you have done so well, getting “green lights” for weeks on end.  You are such a good big brother and, for the most part, get along well with your sister.

I am so proud of you and I can only look forward to what comes next and continue to search for that cowbell.

Easter 2013

This was the first time I have braved coloring Easter eggs with the kids.  We used Kool-Aid and food coloring because I had those on hand. 

The kids enjoyed it.

And our final products ended up ok.  The brown ones were actually grape Kool-aid.  We won’t use that flavor again; they looked bad and they tasted like grape boiled eggs.  Not good.

Then we went to Papaw’s for dinner and the annual Easter Egg Hunt. 

The Easter Bunny hid all of Kora’s under sticks.

She almost didn’t have a big enough basket.

And then she enjoyed the fruits of her labor in the Gazebo.

Tuck’s were hidden a little bit more challengingly.

I know he circled around a couple of them multiple times.

But he loved racing around the front yard looking for them.

He finally found the one in the mailbox.

And settled in to inventory the booty.

It was a cool day but the kids had fun and we ate like kings, of course. 

Secret Agent Training Site

Last weekend the kids were getting stir crazy from being cooped up. The cold weather (20's with sub zero wi d chills) is keeping us from much play outside.

So off to Pinterest I went and found a treasure of a site. And this is what we ended up making.

The kids crawled, high stepped and had an overall good time. And it lasted for the whole weekend. Luckily we didn't need that section of hallway.

Christmas Decorating: Me vs. Tucker

I love this little sled.  It’s got a metal base and a little Longaberger basket that sits on top.  I usually add some pinecones and add it to some little ensemble.

I just love it.

But Tucker got ahold of it and gave it a whole new decorating spin. 

He was so proud.  And I was so proud of his creativity and context.  He was giving all of his “guys” a carriage ride. He has about a million horses but he picked all of the ones that were the same size.

Is this not funny or what?

Kora Playing

Kora will not keep her clothes on.  She’d rather play while wearing just her diaper.  And lately she has insisted upon wearing Tucker’s hat.  It has been loved hard.

Do you remember having one of these Fisher Price xylophones? I know we had one when we were little.  Kora loves it.  It makes quite a racket in close quarters. She will make laps around the house.

Tucker got this Jump-a-lene for Christmas.   It looks like a kissy pool with extra tall sides.  They enjoy jumping in it but lately it has turned into a fort.  They turn it upside down and prop it on chairs and the couch.  Here is Kora and Daddy hiding from the bad guys.  Tuck is on lookout behind the couch.

Pumpkin Patch Trip with Conservation Friends

We made another trip to another pumpkin patch with some girls I work with and all of the kids.  I’m sure I have mentioned in the past that we have been on a baby run for years now, we are averaging a baby every 3-6 months at least for 5 years now.  We are getting to be quite the crowd.

We have made this an annual trip.  This year it was pretty chilly and I was not prepared with hats.

The other kids were well prepared though.  Needless to say they all had fun anyway.

The duck races were a big hit.

And the race is on…

and here comes Kora in the back stretch.

Tuck picked out a prime one.

We borrowed a hat.  Is this not the best little ensemble?

We are in the corn maze.  Which way do we go?

And here are the last of the worn out kiddos on the way to the car.  What a great day with friends.