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We made our annual pilgrimage to visit Santa this afternoon. Instead of the traditional mall Santa we decided to try the Santa in Madison, a few towns away. Santa is sponsored by the town and I’d heard great things. And the best part- it’s next to the train station. So, we got spiffed up, hopped on the train and rode the rails to visit Santa. The 8 minute ride on New Jersey Transit made their day!

Train excitement!

Once we arrived there was a cute little village to visit before seeing the big man himself.

Almost time….so much excitement and a little peeking!

And the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Andrew had no fear and Teddy was all fear!

Merry Christmas 2018!

Somebody stole my phone. I’ll give you 3 guesses on who the culprit might be… 

It’s winter! But we’re tying not to let the chillier temps keep us inside. We walked to the new playground that’s been under renovation for the last few months to see the progress. Soon!

In the interim Andrew is perfectly content climbing the giant piles of dirt!

Please note my GIANT mom win- 2 kids, 2 hats and 4 gloves ON! #goldmedal

Teddy is pretty decidedly NOT a morning person. He’s quite grouchy whenever he wakes up so don’t even think of talking to him or worse- trying to play with him! ?This sums it up perfectly.

#notbeforecoffee

The picture may be a bit blurry but the obvious love and joy they get from playing with their father isn’t! ❤️

To celebrate Andrew’s 4th birthday we’re having a fire truck party in a few weeks. But given limited space at the fire station, we decided to have s separate small party at the park for his classmates. The plan was a park, an hour of outdoor play and cupcakes for Andrew and his 3 other buddies with November birthdays. Easy peasy. And no kids or mess in my house. But 6 unexpected inches of snow 2 days before decided that wasn’t going to happen. So on Friday morning (20 hours before) the party moved to my house. ?

Here’s an impromptu birthday party for 30 people! #gluttonforpunishment

On November 17, 2018 Andrew William turned four!

I am 1000% guilty of getting wrapped up in the day to day, loosing sight of the big picture or worse- loosing my cool. But when I take a moment to write an annual birthday post and step back, I’m truly amazed and proud of the little man Andrew is becoming. So here’s the impossible job of summarizing Andrew at four and what comes to mind immediately when I think of our sweet boy:

• He’s social! Andrew makes friends- ‘best friends’ EVERYWHERE. He has ZERO apprehension walking up to complete strangers at the park, the beach, the store and starting to talk to them. He’s always looking for new buddy and I think it’s just awesome.
• He’s kind. Like all siblings, he can get annoyed with Teddy or be a little too aggressive. But overall he really takes care of his baby brother. I watch him (unprompted by me), walk over to calm his brother down when he’s upset, wipe his mouth when he’s a messy eater, share his toys and include Teddy in almost everything. It’s incredibly heartwarming.
• He loves to play. Andrew is always up for a game of chase, a tickle-fest, digging in the sand, playing race cars, enjoying a bounce house, etc.
• He loves music. Alexa is his personal DJ and we enjoy the stylings of the Lion King, Moana, Bob the Builder, We Will Rock You, YMCA, Jingle Bells and What Does the Fox Say on a nightly basis
• He loves books. Andrew and I still head to the library each week and check out a big stack of 15-20 books and read them throughout the week. Bearenstein Bears, Arthur, Bob the Builder, Jimmy’s Boa and anything about trucks, firemen, and trains are among his favorites.
• He’s got bike skills. Andrew is fully riding a bike before his 4th birthday and the ONLY one in his school to do so. No training wheels!
• He’s picky. He’s still an insanely picky eater and lover of ALL carbs. But to his credit he’s trying more and more food each night.
• He’s skinny. Andrew weighs 37.5 lbs (50th percentile) and is 41 3/4 includes (80th percentile). His legs are little sticks and he has no butt to fill out is 4T/5T clothes.
• He loves a free ride. He’ll probably want to ride in the stroller till he’s 12.
• He’s started to ‘call it like it is’. For example, I asked, ‘who is that?’ to someone on the TV. He replied, ‘A fat guy.’ Or as we were walking he asked an elderly man with an eye patch, ‘What’s wrong with your eye? Why are you wearing that?’ We’re working on tact…
• He likes school. Andrew runs into school each morning and is really embracing life as a Rainbow at The Palmer School.
• He’s NOT into what he wears, coloring or crafts and he hates being in the basement by himself.
• He’s got a great sense of direction and really sharp memory.
• And lastly….Pride. I’m so proud to be Andrew’s mom. He makes everything better just by being there. I hope he always want me to come on his class field trips and read bed time stories!

But I’m clearly biased. So here’s what the birthday boy shared about himself when we sat at the dinner table on his 4th birthday. [Note: We’re starting a birthday quiz tradition]

• What is your favorite color? Blue and purple.
• What is your favorite food? Cornbread. (Note: we made some that morning so he may have been influenced….)
• Who is your favorite friend? JP and John Meany.
• What is your favorite thing to do? Play with Teddy.
• What do you want to do when you grow up? Play with cool toys.
• What makes you laugh? Teddy.
• What are you good at? The playground.
• What job do you want to have? Cooking.
• What is your favorite book? Toy Story.
• What is your favorite TV show? PBS Kids.
• What are you scared of? Monsters.
• What do you like to do with your family? Play.
• What is your favorite special treat? Cupcakes and donuts. 
• What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Vanilla.
• What is your favorite restaurant? The one with chicken fingers and french fries. 

Happy 4th birthday Andrew William! We love you!