Big Boy Gets a New Room

I remember it like it was yesterday - only it wasn't, it was eight years ago.

I took a weekend trip to visit my friend Jennifer in Alabama - her new home. I was HUGE pregnant. It is affectionately remembered as the "eating trip." My friend April drove us there and we stopped at every gas station from here to there in search of the right salty snack, or a sweet candy treat, or an icee. Then, in Alabama there was frozen yogurt and Chick Fil A cool wraps. A trip of cravings.

While I was away, Tommy and my family painted the room that was to be the nursery. The walls went from white to light blue. And, the John Lennon Carters nursery print that I had picked out went from darling comforters to characters on the wall.

Uncle Brian painted a squirrel.

Daddy made this tree, that later became our own growth chart - with handprints each year to measure their heights.

There was the giraffe - and the bugs that Aunt Ashleigh, Aunt Nikki and both the Nana's helped to stamp in glow in the dark paint all over the room.

The elephant that was by my rocker where I nursed each of the kids at ungodly hours of the night.

And, my favorite - the story time tree that says "Love Daddy" etched in black ink in a heart.

I watched the nursery transform via internet pictures. No paint fumes anywhere near this pregnant mama - nope, the daddy sent me across state lines to be sure. Such a worry wart he is!

When Xander turned four he started to ask us to re-do his room - into a big boy room. The crib and toddler bed had been long gone by then. I said "sure, we'll do a superman room!"

But, I just couldn't. Couldn't bear to paint over these walls. Couldn't bear to accept that my baby was growing up. Just couldn't.

Now, two years since then, I just couldn't tell him no. Again.

So, big boy superman room here we come.

I will confess I could barely stand to watch the transformation without sobbing. I threw myself into buying new sheets, hunting down frames for comic books, anything but standing in the midst of the room..........watching.

But, now that the project is complete and the room really shouts "Xander" - I can't imagine it looking any other way.

His deks - complete with his own art work hanging above it.

His bed - vintage superman sheets, a superman pillow with his name on it, and his daddy's old comic books framed and hung on the walls.

The happiest little boy ever.

Xman!

And, to watch over him when he sleeps (slight chuckle for those who know Xman's sleeping habits) - Superman himself - or at least the pinata version!

Happy 6th Birthday Xman

To my Bubbe,

Wow - Where does time go? You are growing up so fast!

This year you went to Bright Beginnings Preschool for kindergarten. Your teachers were Mrs. Richey and Mrs. Ginn. You struggled at the beginning of this school year with all the responsibilities of a big kindergartener, but you and I worked hard together and you ended up loving kindergarten. You enjoyed all your friends - football throwing at recess, silly bandz trading with friends, and telling each other funny jokes and stories. You looked so grown up each week practicing for your spelling tests.

This fall you played football for the first time. I have to say - you nor I loved it. You liked your coach (Coach Mook) and your new football friends. You played lineman for the Falcons. You worked hard practicing and at games.

This winter you wrestled with daddy at his school for the first time. You were officially a Walnut Grove Warrior - complete with an end of the season certificate. You LOVED going with daddy - and only talked wrestling for months.

In the spring you played baseball for the second time. Man, do you love baseball. You played on the 5 - 6 Blue Jays. You love going to real baseball games. You went to the Gwinnett Braves and the Atlanta Braves this year. You also went to a Wilmington Sharks game when we visited Nana Barbara. You always sit through all 9 innings - you don't want to miss a minute!

You start each day watching Sportscenter. You want to know what happens on all the baseball games that come on after you go to bed!

This year you and I went each week for a while to work with Ms. Marni at UGA. She taught us how to help you with your worries. You are such an old soul in that little 5 year old body! It was tough for both of us - but man, I was proud of you for all your hard work. You are so much stronger and less anxious.

You love to play the Wii (video games). Your favorite is Major League baseball. You also love Wii Sports and Super Mario. You enjoy puzzles and board games.

This year you became a READER! I was so excited for you. You love to read old Dick and Jane books - those are definitely your favorite. You also like Dr. Seuss and Mercer Mayer. Once you've read a book, you don't ever want to read it again. You are reading signs and information everywhere we go. At Walmart you can't figure out why they say "Everything's Less" when not everything is really on sale - you are so adamant that they are lying!

You have the sweetest, kindest heart. There is nothing more satisfying than hearing you say "I love you Mommy" which you still do many times a day. You have the best sense of humor! You are always making us all laugh.

Each night we talk about what we are going to do together in our dreams. You love to go to baseball games, fly in the Star Wars ships, and go new places on new adventures.

Bubbe, I love you with all my heart - to the moon in the millenium falcon!

Mommy

5 years old - with your crazy Batman birthday hat

at 4, during your black blazer phase - which lasted all this year too!

at 3, Rock Star

at 2, at Gymboree playing your maracas

at 1, in your favorite gift - you LOVED that car!

my sweet baby boy - with his Ele

Dora, Dora, Dora - The Explorer!

Xander is still in love with Dora the Explorer. Daddy wants him to get more use out of his boy dress up clothes. Xander is so smart - he dressed up in the boyish
pirate costume, and named himself "Dora the Pirate." Good thinking! He can sing all her songs, do all her dances, answer any question she throws at him.