Sweet Andrew

"Mommy, I just want to hug you all day.  I will never stop hugging you.  Well...until snack time.  I have goldfish for a snack."

And then he brought this gem home from school.  Look how nicely he can write his name!

To bed as a 4 year old...

And awake as a 5 year old!

Happy Birthday Andrew!

Over the weekend we celebrated this cool guy's 5th birthday with a family pool party.  Weather was amazing and the party was a great success. 

Since our little buddy does not like cake, I made him a rice krispie birthday cake.  So easy and fun!

Andrew stole the camera and took a selfie.

The highlight for Andrew was opening his presents, in fact he wanted the party to be over about an hour after it started just because he wanted to see those presents.  The lucky little guy got a lot of great toys.

No party would be complete without a goodie bag!  Andrew's friends got a teeny tiny little bucket (I mean really really small), filled with swedish fish, a fish squirter and some cool shades.

Safety town

Andrew just completed his two week safety class called "safety town".  It is a super cute program through the rec department for kindergarten age kids.  They learn all about how to cross the street and ride bikes safely.  They take field trips to the police and fire stations.    And they sing songs with safety messages.  My personal favorite goes,

"If you ever play with matches, 

If you do, if you do,

You may burn your house down.

That won't do.  That won't do."  

Andrew liked Safety Town, but really didn't talk about it.  Grace used to come home every day with a safety lecture for us. 

Below are some pictures from the "graduation" on the last day.  (Why on earth every kid class kids these days involves some sort of graduation or parent observance session is beyond me-that is a discussion for another day.)

He appears a little skeptical of his diploma.  Probably because he didn't remember the words to any of the safety songs.

There is a little town set up on the playgrounds and the kids demonstrate obeying traffic signals, safe crossing, etc.  Andrew was a little big for the tricycles!

Best buddies

I was going through old photos on my phone and couldn't resist a post of pictures of these two.  They are so cute together and just love to play little made up games.  

Andrew could not be sweeter to her, and Mae just adores her big brother.  As Andrew always says to her, "We love each other Mae." In just the cutest matter-of-fact tone.  

I guess it is an update to this post from 4/28/12- http://themalonefamilybridgetmalone.blogspot.com/2012/04/andrew-and-mae.html?m=1

God is a cool guy

Me: Andrew, you are such a gift.

Andrew: "A gift from God?"

Me: That's right.

Andrew: "God is a cool guy.  Because he gives us other people as gifts."

Something tells me this sweet little guy will do just fine at St. Jude next year!

Farm field trip

Today was Andrew's big school field trip to the farm.  He was so excited to pack his lunch (salami, cheetos, applesauce and a juice box- packing lunches for him next year is going to be interesting!) and ride on a big yellow school bus.  He got to milk a cow, ride on a pony and pets lots of animals.  When I picked him up he could not have been more exhausted.

Life with Andrew

Yup, that would be my little buddy running in the (very public) front yard of my parents house...without pants.  

And here we have Andrew demonstrating some impressive nose picking skills.

Mae is thinking, "Jeez, have a little pride Andrew."   Look how Mae is eating licorice in my bed!  I am clearly picking my battles lately.  Or not really fighting any battles at all.

2+2=4

After a marathon Christmas break, the kids are all back to school.  Thank you Jesus!  I was officially done with Christmas by 12/24, so getting back to our routine has been long overdue. 

The rainbow loom saved me from losing it with Grace.
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse saved me from losing it with Mae.  (Actually, I can't imagine getting sick of her cute little face...I mean really, look at her!  But the TV sure came in handy.)

But nothing has saved me from losing it with Andrew.               

Some intense milk drinking at Alterra.  Note the 2 straws. 

After I told him I wanted to drop kick him into Lake Michigan (don't worry, he knew I was kidding)...  I came to the realization that 1 four year old "Andrew" is equal to 2 two year olds.  Naughty, whiny two year olds.

Lots of this...
"But Mommy, I cannot clean up this mess.  My hands are soooo small.  I am soooo tired.  My back hurts sooooo much."
Followed by:
"I am the strongest person in the whole wide world!  I am the Incredible Hulk!  Look at my skin!  It be turning green.  AHHHHH!"

"Mommy, I cannot eat that because my nose is runny.  And I cannot stop crying, until someone gets me a tissue!!!!!"
Followed by:

"I not want the syrup on that side of the pancake.  I want syrup on the hodder (other) side!  AHHHH!"

"Oh Mommy, I love you sooooooo much.  I just want to kiss your face all day."
 Followed by a big hug and:
"Oops, I got a big booger on you."

But he is cute when he sleeps.  

And he is cute when he crawls in bed with me and asks to cuddle.  

He is cute when he dances to songs we shouldn't let our children listen to.


And he is cute when he wears these glasses.

So we will keep him....for now. 

Oh Andrew

Today, another installment of "My Kids are Crazy".  

Andrew asked for eggs for lunch.  Since we never make anything easy over here at the Malones, he asked for blue eggs.  Frankly, I was thrilled that he was willing to eat something other than Mac and cheese or a hot dog. So thrilled that I didn't even bat an eye at the "blue" request.  

Of course Andrew said half of them were "ucky" and set them to the side of his plate for me to eat.  Appetizing.  I am guessing I got 90% of one egg in his tummy.  I call that a success.  I am estimating it will be 22 minutes until the first of half dozen afternoon snack requests is made.

Watch out Uncle Mark

 

Last week, Andrew and I were discussing how he is never going to grow up and leave me.  Or I was telling him he was never going to grow up and leave me.  He said, "But Mommy I can't live in this house forever!"  I told him when he got married, he could move out.  I asked him who he would want to live with.  "Aunt Maura, she be really fun."  Then he put his hands over his mouth, like "Whoops!  Did I just admit I have a crush on Aunt Maura?!"

Andrew's 1st day of 4K

Andrew started at Jefferson School today.  He is very excited to be going to a big boy school, get to carry a backpack and bring a juice box everyday!   Here are some awkward first day photos. 

 

He was very excited and I didn't see any tears.   

            

An