Summer...

Once school let out for the boys, summer was upon us.  Gran and Papa mandated a stay-cation for the Anders crew so everybody came and stayed at our house for a long weekend. It was fun going to a few places around town we hadn’t yet enjoyed despite having lived in BR for over a decade. For most of the summer, DS and Drew got to attend a number of camps, have some fun play dates, swim (a lot), and they spent a week at Gran and Papa’s and MiMi and Poppy’s. It was jam-packed.  

One of our most fun weeks of the summer was spent at the beach. This year, it was Destin, and the Law Vacay group lived it up. 8 adults and 10 kids. The kids had a great time playing with each other, nightly slumber parties, snacking sessions, riding in the surf, and so much laughter. The adults had a great time too with much of the same activities (plus golf for the dads, and a Girl’s Night Out for the moms). It was a great trip to wind down our summer before school started back mid-August for the boys. 

Here are a few pics from our summer:

Despite the fun of the summer, we were ready to get back into a better routine for the school year. 

School Days...

In August, the boys went back to school (hallelujah!). David Scott started 3rd Grade and Drew began Kindergarten.

The transition to 3rd Grade was a little more difficult than I’d expected it to be. But we quickly figured it out and things have been great ever since. DS loves school and learning new things although he was disappointed that his best friend was not in the same class this year. 

For my little Drew Bug, the sweet child who smiles ALL the time, the move to K was a non-event. He also loves school and his teacher so that always makes things even better. Drew is learning to read this year and has made great improvements in his reading/phonics skills. I can’t wait to see how much more he progresses because he really seems to enjoy reading...until he gets frustrated and then he moves on to the next thing. 

And the little Mooster moved up at daycare to the Toddler class. She’s getting so big (not really; she’s still a little peanut), but her vocabulary is so great and she just talks and talks all the time. 

DS Turns 9...

My biggest boy turned 9 on November 18th!  I can’t believe this is his last year in single digits. The time has gone by so quickly and I know it’s just going to get faster the older they get. We celebrated DS’ birthday by taking him and a few friends to an LSU game. 

David Scott,

You are such a blessing to Daddy and me. You have a sweet and kind heart; that is such a good attribute to have regardless of where you go in life.  You’re a good friend to all who meet you. As our oldest, you are very responsible and helpful with your brother and sister. But, you can get a little distracted if you’re playing on the iPad. You love learning and building things. It’s been amazing to watch you build all your Lego sets and your methodical process for completing the process. You can do anything you set your mind to. I repeat:  YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU SET YOUR MIND TO!  You are brilliant and I know you will accomplish great things.

These last 8 years with you have been such a joy to watch you grow and learn. And I’m really excited to see what your future holds. It’s bright...I’m wearing shades...you should too (sorry...80s song reference slash mom health advice all in one). I love you. Daddy loves you. Drew and Maggie love you. Keep your head high, maintain a positive attitude, and there’s no stopping you, Lovebug. 

Love always, 

Mama

A walker...

Finally...at 14 months old, we have a walker. Maggie doesn’t stop now that she can get anywhere her little feet will take her. Look out world, I hope you’re ready. 

From a recent trip to North LA, Mamaw and her great-granddaughter. 

Drew turns 5...

My little Drewbug turned 5 on January 9th!  He’d been talking about wanting a party at the karate studio since last year so that’s where we had it. He was so excited to get to use the samurai sword to cut his cake!

My sweet, spunky, full of life, and always-smiling, Drew:

You are such a great kiddo!  You are very smart and a good friend to others. You look after your little sister and are always wanting to help me do things around the house. I appreciate your willingness to help but I think you just like spending time with your Mama. And this gal doesn’t mind that one bit because I know one day you’ll be wanting to get far away from us. We’ll be totally uncool in your teenage eyes and a desire to help out will be replaced with a desire to sleep all day, lol. But I love the little personality you have and how much joy you have for everything you do. I hope you keep that joy throughout your life. 

I know that you will conquer any obstacle that comes your way because you are smart, kind, funny, and determined. Keep it up, Big Guy, the world needs more people like you.

Love, Mama

DISNEY!!!

After numerous discussions of when we would go to Disney over the years, we finally bit the bullet and went over Mardi Gras break. We went wiith/met up with our Law Vacay group (the Devilliers, Truxillos, and McVeas). 

THIS WAS THE BEST TRIP EVER!!!  Seriously. We’ve been on numerous all-expenses paid cruises and other getaways (not with the kids), but this trip — it blew every other vacation out of the water. We used a Disney planner (along with our own Disney expert, Melissa), to get all the reservations, Magic Bands, all that jazz. And I’m so glad we did b/c this was MY own first trip to the Magic Kingdom. 

It was so magical from the nightly fireworks, to the low wait times, good weather, pretty good food, great accommodations, the kids all played well together (we had adjoining rooms with Carroll and Melissa’s family so the kids thought that was so cool). No one puked on any rides and Maggie was great and didn’t mind being in her stroller a good bit of the time. It was just all so perfect. We were asleep by 8:30 every night!  We will definitely go back to The Happiest Place on Earth again...and again...and again!

One Year...

Maggie Lee is one year old!  This little nugget that completed our family a year ago brings us so much joy. Since she seems to have outgrown her acid reflux a few months back, she is so pleasant to be around — ha!  She’s always smiling and has been saying a lot of words...but she’s not walking just yet. I thought she might be our earliest walker; but, nope. I’m learning that Maggie does things when SHE wants or is ready to do them. This is her world...hang on. 

Maggie Moo, at 12 months old, you are:

• 18 pounds

• 24 inches tall

• wearing 6 month and some 9 month clothes

• wearing size 2 baby shoes 

• just wearing size 3 diapers

• moving to a big girl car seat soon

• saying a lot of words, but “Mama” is your favorite

We had your birthday party (garden-themed!) the day after your actual birthday. It was a dreary day and ended up just being us and your grandparents who all came in to celebrate you!  

Ahhh...sweet girl, I didn’t know how much joy you would bring to us. But I’m so thankful that you are OURS. You are going to do so many great things with your life and make a huge impact on the lives of others. I just know it. 

Love, Mama