First Day of School

Yep, that is my little boy all grown up and going to school! We started kindergarten last week, which is beyond weird. He enjoys it, although he says that he misses his preschool where he could scribble scrabble. Now he has to color in the lines. He doesn't like coloring in the lines, apparently.

In other news, I'm not really sure where this blog place is heading. I'm obviously not in London anymore and thus my life is slightly less glamorous (or was it only me who pretended my life in London was glamorous?). Either way, I'll go out on a limb and say "stay tuned" even though I don't know for what you should stay tuned.

Birthday Party!

We had a wonderful time celebrating Wiley's 5th birthday back in May (and in London). We had a bit of an "old-fashioned" (read: low-key, low maintenance) birthday party in our across-the-street garden. Thankfully, the weather cooperated, and it was really a nice day to be outside. Here are a few highlights.

Wiley and one of his best friends, Fabian along with F's brother Kit and sister Imogen. They lived above us for a little while. Unfortunately, they moved outside of London last summer, but we still kept up. They are our best "English" friends and were sweet to drive up for the afternoon and stayed for birthday dinner.

Back to the party--nothing better than a little pile-on action. Which of course ended in tears.

Playing duck-duck goose

Divine cake from Primrose Hill Bakery.

A little pinata action. Wil was in the danger zone to protect the other children (and grab the bat if someone got carried away).

Red rover! No broken arms, thank goodness!

And finally, back to the beginning of our morning--Wiley with all of the Toy Story gang. He got Jessie, Slinkdog, and RC Car.

Five Cakes

Here's a little look back at Wiley's past birthdays! I can't believe we are celebrating #5 today!

Turning 4 in London with a bouncey castle and cupcakes (and military style haircut)!

Turning 3 at Wake Forest with all of our lovely college friends.

Animal cake to celebrate birthday number 2 on Davis Field.

Our first birthday at Crowne Polo with a smash cake that ended up all over his face!

Ready to go home from the hospital wearing his Daddy's outfit.

May 1, 2006. What an amazing day and incredible blessing from Him. We are so grateful for Wiley's life and cannot wait to watch him continue to grow up.

Do it to it Lars

Hubby's New Year's Resolution to exercise more.

Rainy day in London.

4 year old with more energy to burn than we've ever seen.

= Father-Son P90X Kenpo workout

Getting Wiley dressed was a bit of the equivalent of dressing up. Get those shorts on. Get that Under armour on. Just like Daddy.

Wiley's favorite are pushups. Nevermind his form is a little off. As you can imagine if you know Wiley, he did not particularly care for being told what to do by Tony. So, Wil stuck to the book, and Wiley did whatever variation of Kenpo he wanted to do.

Listening to them workout was hilarious. Then watching Wiley thrash around, throwing his body around in the name of kickboxing, and toweling off (because he was so sweaty!) made my day. Ah, living with boys.

*Title from Heavyweights

Rub a Dub Dub

Parr got to take a bath with his big brother. He enjoyed it much, much more than his previous baths alone.

I think it had something to do with the faces Wiley was making at him.

(warning: about to do a bit of a baby brain dump to update and remember for myself and family.)

Parr is doing well. He's almost 3 weeks old. He is getting much chubbier, especially in the face and neck area. He is pretty fussy/restless/doesn't want to go to sleep in his moses basket between 6 and midnight. But once he has his last feed, he is pretty good for the night, waking up to eat every 3 hours. Other than that he is really good. The mornings are especially best because he wakes up, eats, then goes back to sleep very easily. We thought we would make it without a swing, but with this restless/sleep strike in the evening, we bit the bullet and ordered a small travel swing (space is at a premium in our flat). I can't wait for it to get here. I also ordered a Moby sling/wrap so that I can "wear" my baby. Also exciting because honestly as much as we would like to be able to hold Parr all the time, we just can't. I hope he likes the sling...Wiley screamed bloody murder when I put him in his Baby Bjorn when he was little. My mom left to go back home this weekend, so that was a bummer. However, we are just so thankful she was able to come for so long. This week it is just the four of us, and it is kind of exciting to be doing it just us and seeing what it is like. We are thankful too that T is coming next week when Wil is back at work. SO thankful for all of our family. Wiley is continuing to be a sweet big brother. He did a little show this morning for Parr singing some worship songs in the microphone. This afternoon, he sang quite a few renditions of "she'll be coming round the mountain." It's hilarious to say the least. I'm amazed at how Parr is growing, and when I see pictures of the two boys together, I still can't really believe that I have two children. Two boys. Wow. And what a huge blessing.

Hopefully soon I'll do a post about Parr's arrival which might be fun to read (or might not be?) to see the difference in having a baby in the US and in the UK (on NHS)...

Brothers

Things are lookin' good here.

Um, mom, why is he starting to cry?

Hey, Parr, just pose for the picture and then she'll leave us alone.

Pose is not working. Can you take him already?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Well, a lot like Christmas since it's 2 weeks away.

Here is Wiley at his school's Christmas party. They did a dance that followed the plot of the Snowman, and they sang sweet songs complete with jingle bells. And then Santa came and sang about how busy he is and did a little rap. Yeah. 5 brownies were later consumed by Wiley, and we crashed hard later that day.

Our Christmas tree! Nothing feels more like Christmas time than when you have your lights on, Christmas music on and you are with your little family.

In other news, we are just waiting. I need to get in the mindset of "December 29th" is the day. (It is, by the way). I'm currently in "Any day now!" mindset which while true, kind of just makes you more crazy than is really necessary. My bag has been packed and re-packed and I'm feeling good about that. I had Wil take a picture of me with my belly so that I could remember the end of it/I think there are maybe 5 pictures of me being pregnant this entire past 9 months. After looking at them, I was reminded why we don't take pictures of ourselves when 9 months pregnant.

Hope you and your family are enjoying the season!

Just because...

I'm not really entirely sure where we were going. Obviously a tacky Christmas party. But I had to share this one. I was going to do a sweet sentimental pictures of Christmases past, but this one was too good to pass up. Poor Wiley and his elf hat. Love you, Wil!

Strange

Strange strangers in London are just well, strange.

Some kids are shy around their teachers, neighbors, dog, you name it--anyone.

Some kids know no strangers.

I happen to have one of the latter. And living in a big city with lots of stranger action makes things...strange.

Like the time Wil was "in charge" on the tube and I looked over and Wiley was sitting in a Spanish girl's lap, and they were laughing and having the best time. Not okay, Dad.

Or the time tonight when we just had to be on what seemed like the longest bus ride ever. Sitting by the chattiest woman ever. Who I think legitimately thought that when we said we were from America, then Alabama (I always add "in the South" because some people actually have no idea where Alabama actually is situated.), that we were from "South America."

What do you say in "South American?" Can you say "Howdy do-di?"

Lady, I don't even know how to spell that phrase to even tell my friends back home about how bizarre this situation is. And South America is a completely different continent--where they speak Spanish.

"In England we say, Hello, Good Morning. Good Afternoon. Good Evening. Do you like my English accent?"

Lady, he's been here over a year. If he is like me, your accent does not phase him. It stopped phasing him after a month of being here. Nor is saying Good morning, afternoon, evening that English. If you want to roll with the stereotypes, you can tell him that in England you say "Cheerio Mate"-- a phrase used just about as much as Howdy do-di is used back home.

It got even weirder and continued with her being a nice, complimentary, overly chatty lady having me agree about his nice gloves and how nice he is ("Aye, Mom?" "Yes. (please stop.)" Needless to say, I have never been more keen to get off a bus than this evening, and proceeded to harp on stranger education to Wiley.

Good Evening Strange Bus Lady. Good Evening.

5

On Friday, Wil and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary. He took off work for the afternoon, and we had a delicious, delicious and long lunch at the Dorchester Hotel. It was so much fun to have a long, unhurried meal and to catch up on life. Wil was so sweet and gave me some beautiful earrings that I will probably never take off. Unfortunately for him, he had to get his gift a couple months early.

My friend, Emily Morgan Brown, sketched a portrait of Wiley. I think she did a fabulous job capturing Wiley--from his butter bean teeth to that little look in his eyes. Emily has such an incredible gift in her art, and I still have a watercolor angel she made for me when I had my appendix out in 7th grade (along with a hilarious poster)! Emily was amazing to work with- from helping tell me how to take a picture of Wiley for the portrait to doing the finishing touches to the portrait itself. If you or anyone you know is interested in a portrait, check out Emily's work or tell a friend!

We can't wait to hang the portrait up whenever we move back to the States (it was too big to bring to London).

We are so thankful for Wiley, and we are so thankful for our marriage. It has been a fun five years. As hard as living in London has/is been, I had to say at lunch that my favorite time with Wil has been in London. It has been such a blessing for us as we have grown closer and depend so much more on one another. It doesn't hurt that I don't have to share him on the weekends with anyone!

iPod/Phone?

Wiley: Ring of Fire!

Me: What?

Wiley: Actually, it would fill my bucket if I could listen to some music on your phone.

Me: What? Okay. Sure. You don't want Ring of Fire on my computer?

W: No. I want to listen to your phone.

Me: Okay. (looking at my iPhone for something about music. I find iTunes. I click.)

W: No! Not that. The iPod!

Me: I have an iPod on my phone?

W: Yes. There it is. (He points to it. It is orange if you wondered.)

Me: (Click) Oh. There it is.

W: Thank you.

And now he has set up "drums" in the den (all lights are out because he had a fort and all his animals were sleeping) and is banging colo(u)red pencils together and on the "drums." What is he listening to? Easy. Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You. On repeat.

W: Mommy. I'm listening to All I Want for Christmas is You. I like it.

It's not even Thanksgiving. And we are on repeat already plus have watched Elf twice. This is in the house of the girl who refused to turn on 96.5 Magic (B'ham) or listen to Christmas music until December 1. (I strictly enforced this in high school carpool.)

I surrender.

...to the fact my 4 year old can do more with an iPhone than I can.

...to the fact that I didn't realize Thanksgiving is in 2 weeks until yesterday. Is that even right?

...to the fact that Christmas is trumping Thanksgiving.

...and to the fact that my 4 year old has an affinity for Mariah Carey and Johnny Cash. Oh, and now Michael Buble.

Shoot, must go. He somehow found a Glee episode on the phone. Someone please tell me how Glee got on my phone!?

October Re-cap

Here is a quick re-cap of the rest of October in pictures...

We celebrated Wil's Birthday at a friend's cottage in Great Rissington (near Bourton on the Water) in the Cotswolds. The house was fantastic since it had all the kids toys there along with a huge garden. They keep fruit trees and veggies in the garden as well. We ate plums and apples off the tree (Wiley loved this)! We also went on a walk and found these horses.

While in Bourton on the Water, we went to Birdland. While I thought it was going to be a bit lame, I'm realizing that I actually kind of like birds. We saw the best penguin show (I made everyone stay and watch it until the end.) and then as we were leaving, this cockatoo just cracked us up with dancing and singing. It was hilarious.
Later in the month, we went to Disney on Ice!

And that brings us to Halloween, which I've already done pictures of...I think I'm up to date now! November happenings will be coming soon!

*If anyone is interested in renting the Cotswolds cottage, I can give you the information.

Mercy/Merci

We are listening to Indelible Grace as we bake our pumpkin foods. Our recently carved pumpkin is watching us at Wiley's request.

The word "mercy" comes on in one of the songs.

Wiley: What does mercy mean?

Me: It's like forgiveness. You show mercy by forgiving.

Wiley: So, when I disobey, I can say mercy? (At this point he is definitely pronouncing mercy like "merci" and I am seeing some confusion coming)

Me: Well, no, you shouldn't disobey, but if you do, you ask Mommy and Daddy for forgiveness, right?

Wiley: Well, why can't I just say "Merci?"

Me: Okay, "Merci" is different that "Mercy." Merci means thank you in French. So it is a different thing entirely.

Wiley: How do I say "Mercy" in French, then?

Living in Europe + Southern Accent when saying French words = Lost in Translation 4 year old Theology

Lipstick

walking down our street today. or near it. we pass a young girl (okay, probs my age) wearing bright. pink. lipstick.

if it had been red, she might have belonged on pretty woman.

i can't even find that shade when i google "bright pink lipstick trend." it's like the color of bubblegum. of my iphone case.

so maybe it's not a trend.

wiley turns to me and says: oh mommy. look at that make up!

me: what?

wiley (about facing me): you need some of that!

me: what? (I know what.)

wiley: that pink lipstick. you need some that! i like that.

me: laughter. that is all i can give him.

wiley: (reconsidering, he is looking more closely at his mother who rarely puts any make up, much less lipstick) well mommy, i think you can stay just the way you are. i like you that way too. can i have a kiss?

and that is why four might be the cutest age ever.

and four is also a reason why i don't have to explain that that shade of lipstick is really not cute at all, that it shouldn't pass the doorframe of my house, particularly on someone on my precious baby's arm. but we've got some years before we start that talk...

Fall

Kensington Gardens in early October 2009

I'm taking a break from Junior League work (shhh, don't tell!) to do a quick post on fall.

Walking to school this morning with Wiley, we had a productive and positive conversation. While we had a few tears at the start due to the stroller getting parked back inside, we rallied for some fun, fall talk. (Pushing a stroller in the morning to school before caffeine doesn't usually lend itself in my case to lovely conversation with anyone. I'm working on it. And being honest.)

The leaves here are starting to change color. We talked about how tomorrow is October 1st. His aunt's birthday. And as I declared, the official start to we-bake-with-overpriced-imported-canned-pumpkin day! We also got excited about carving a pumpkin, jumping in leaves, dressing up for Halloween, and in my head I envisioned my door having a yellow mum as well.

Of course, Halloween leads Wiley to thoughts of Christmas. And, as he reminded me this morning, our new baby coming around Christmas. But before we get ahead to Christmas, I can't wait to enjoy this fall.

I want to bake my pumpkin bread and muffins from Birmingham's Junior League cookbook, Magic. Then I'm going to try this Pumpkin Roll via Fly Through Our Window. And after carving, I'll toast our seeds as that was a new-found treat last year.

What will you do to celebrate fall?

Let's Break it Down

For anyone who needs a laugh today...Picture this:

Wiley is standing on sofa.

Wiley: (singing some tune) Come on, let's break it down.

Me: Wiley, what are you saying again?

W: Come on, let's break it down.

Me: And what exactly do you mean by 'let's break it down.'

W: I mean come on and sing.

Me: Oh, so when you say 'let's break it down' you mean it's time to sing?

W: Yes, and it means you can dance.

Me: And where did you learn that?

(I was betting on Aunt B)

W: Well, when I was in your tummy, before I was born, God was making me. He told me that when I get my mommy and come out of her tummy that when it is time to dance with her, I'll say 'let's break it down.'

Me: So, God told you to say 'let's break it down?'

W: Yes.

(pause)

W: So, come on Mommy, let's break it down.

I just revisited this to confirm, and I quote:

Me: Tell me again who told you to say 'let's break it down.'

W:God of course. When I was in your tummy. Before I was born. Why do you keep forgetting this?

Birthday Wrap-Up

Well, turning 4 is apparently exhausting...for the mom.

After our big Diggerland adventure, we spent the next week preparing for Wiley's first birthday party with children his own age. Our previous parties had included our friends from Wake (all aged 19-22) with the addition of 3 Teasley children + Wiley. That is like at least quintuplet, probably sextuplet, coverage of children by adults. Not to mention, that getting a cake, balloons, lemonade, and a table was not exactly the most strenuous birthday exercise for a mom. (Although, I do remember hard-core deliberating at Harris Teeter over Mickey or Animal themed birthday cakes.)

A birthday party with 18 or so 3 and 4 year olds + their parents who you don't exactly know super well is downright intimidating. I mean, you don't want to have thrown a totally lame party. Thankfully, we co-hosted this shindig with Wiley's friend Fabian, so I had the benefit of 2 brains are better than one. Allison, F's mum (because they are English), was so great and laid back, and thus fun to chat about parties with. In true London fashion, our garden party was, of course, rained out. But thankfully, a rain location was found and booked a mere day before the party.

The night before, 3 dozen cupcakes were baked and icing made. The morning of the party, sandwiches were assembled (no cucumber sandwiches...thank goodness), and the icing was re-whipped and put on the cupcakes. Whew. And that was before 9:30.

Somehow I did not end up with very many good pictures. Was I in a fog the entire party? Most likely. The kids, however, were on complete sugar highs which resulted in a major crash, at least for us, about 45 minutes post party.

The only good picture I have.

This is how the party ended. I thought this was funny because Wil is in a choke hold by a 4 year old.

Mmm Cupcakes. Mmm Bad Haircut. Mmm We're in the Army now.

Busting the pinata...which was eventually busted by us because there is no way a 4 year old was going to crack that thing in under 4 hours.

Look, Mom, more sugar!

Here is(are) something(s) I have learned: don't schedule a single thing the rest of the day after your child's party. Unless that thing is a family-wide enforced nap time. Because that is all you will want to do. After you have a stiff drink of course. (I kid, I'm being dramatic. But I'm serious about the nap.) It is also a fun social opportunity to hang out with other parents or meet parents for the first time. If it's the weekend, suddenly all the Dads appear! I think that lollipops falling from Buzz Lightyear's derriere might be a safety hazard to 4 year old noggins and I found myself deflecting the hard candy from assaulting the poor, unsuspecting kiddos (who were too hyper focused on nabbing candy to care if they had a goose egg from the strawberry flavored lollipop that landed square on their head). So maybe stick with softer landing candy...like Starbursts. Oh, and candy kept in cardboard box containers do not withstand the fall from B.L. (Buzz Lightyear, not Bud Light)'s derriere very well, and whatever chocolatey goodness was in there will now be spread and crunched all over the floor. After which the younger siblings of the party goers will scavenge as their own treats. Ew.

Four

I can't believe it. We have a four year old! We had a wonderful time celebrating yesterday with pancakes for breakfast with Allyson, a trip to Diggerland, and pizza and cake for dinner! Wiley loved playing with his new remote control helicopter too. I have only been hit by it once, and I am considering myself lucky. Both Wil and Wiley are trying to earn their wings.

We started our morning lounging around after opening presents and having pancakes.

Counted how old Wiley is...

and took a group picture before leaving for the train station...

We took the train out to Diggerland. It is this small little park with just enough diggers and bumper cars to keep you busy but not overwhelmed. You can dig and move dirt, lift up (pretend) ducks, drive small ones, and go on a train. We could not imagine this ever happening in the States...too many lawsuits.

Scooping some dirt!

Driving the helicopter!
On Friday, we took brownies to Wiley's school to celebrate his birthday. We played games with the children, including Duck, Duck, Goose. Yes, I was even the goose. We loved having Allyson here to play and celebrate with us!

Happy Birthday Wiley!