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Frozen 2 and first movie for Teddy!

Teddy’s class has a class ‘pet’, Earl the Squirrel, that the students take turn taking home for a week. Andrew’s class has the same tradition with their pet, Pete the Cat. The kids are supposed to take Pete and Earl wherever they go, take pictures, read books and create a journal entry to share back with their class the next week.

Ironically both boys were chosen to take home their respective pets last week. So our family grew from 4 to 6 overnight! Here are some of our fondest memories with Pete and Earl!

Come back soon Pete and Earl! We loved having you!

Teddy and Andrew attend the most wonderful preschool! Last week they transformed the school into the Polar Express. Each classroom became a station and each child recieved their ticket to ride the famed train.

They wore their pajamas, read the story, saw snip its of the movie and ate cookies and hot chocolate. It was so cute and the boys loved it!

Andrew is five! F-I-V-E! How is that possible?!? Just 3 minutes ago we were bringing him home from the hospital- scared out of our minds and questioning whether it was ‘ok’ to stop at Starbucks! And now he’s months away from kindergarten!

Admittedly I’ve put off this post because I’m not sure how to summarize my little boy at 5 into a single post. It’s felt impossible. However, what I can say is that Andrew has really blossomed this past year. He’s transitioned beautifully into his new school. He’s made AMAZING strides in his pre-reading skills, math and counting, ability to write is name and sound out other words. While not his favorite thing to do, he’s absolutely learning more and more with each day and I’m so very proud of him. Also, he has an abundant and obvious curiosity for all things science and has really taken to dinosaurs and animals.

Andrew is still obsessed with all moving vehicles and can apparently be found building with blocks at school all day. Perhaps a future engineer on our hands?! He likes dressing up as a superhero, getting into mischief with his brother and would live on his iPad if I let him. Simply though, Andrew loves people. He truly enjoys his time with friends and is a social, fun loving guy- as evidenced by the 20+ kids at his birthday party.

He’s a string bean weighing in at 40.5 lbs (50^th percentile) and toping off at 44 1/2 inches (82nd percentile). He’s still an INSANELY picky eater and getting him to try ANY fruit or vegetable is a battle. But with the proper bribe, he’ll at least try food. His favorites- no bribe required- are pizza, chicken nuggets, French fries, chips, apple sauce, waffles, yogurt and cookies.

I asked Andrew about himself at 5 and here’s what he had to say:

• Favorite color: blue
• Favorite food: bacon
• Favorite friend: Everett
• Favorite thing to do: Visit Farmer Frank‘s farm
• What do you want to be when you grown up?: Fireman
• What makes you laugh? Jokes. Q: What did the cat get for Christmas? A: Diarrhea
• Favorite book: Batman
• Favorite TV show: Spiderman
• What makes you scared?: Monsters
• What is something you’re good at?: Cartwheels
• What do you like to do with your family?: Go to the toy store
• What is your favorite special treat?: iPad
• Favorite restaurant: one that serves chicken nuggets and French fries
• Favorite ice cream: chocolate

What are my favorite things about Andrew? I love that he still has his dimple. I love that he still loves to laugh, he adores his brother and will still cuddle with me on the couch. I love that he challenges me (I like that most days) and teaches me how to be a better, calmer and more patient person. I love that he comes into my room every morning at 6:30 am on the dot (when his clock turns green).  And I LOVE that he gives me grizzly bear hugs and butterfly kisses each night.

Happy 5^th birthday Andrew William Phillips! You are so very special and can’t wait to see all that you accomplish in your next year! Keep shining bright!