Monster and Superhero Birthday Bash

Wip and Duncan decided on a Monster and Superhero theme for the dual birthday bash this year. We decided to do it at a local park {with a great playground}. I attempted {and failed} to have a little obstacle course for a little activity and it turned into complete chaos. We had snacks, booze {for the adults}, cupcakes, and sunshine...you don't really need anything else! Here is the play by play...

Wip waiting patiently for his friends to arrive

Snacks and Sweets

I found these perfect monster/superhero blocks for party favors from caravan shoppe

The children were supposed to put the glove on and swat at the bubbles {but they ended up popping the inflatable}

This was supposed to be putting the monster in the basket, but the monsters kept disappearing:)

My little monster

My other little monster {the ring pop was the "award" for finishing the disastrous obstacle course:)}

Wip and Jackson

sugar rush

I caught one of Duncan's best buds playing with his party favor {does he not have the sweetest face?}

Friends till the end

We loved having Mimi and Granddaddy in for the party {and the adult dinner!}

 Speaking of birthdays...May is a crazy month for the b word. Wip could not wait to turn 6. On the morning of his birthday I believe he woke us up at 5am...it was like Christmas mode for him. Here is a little bit more about the actual birthday.

Wip started his morning with a birthday doughnut

His buddy Gillian has the SAME birthday...so they are appropriately known as birthday buddys

Do they make them any cuter that Cade? Precious, precious child.

Cutest picture ever...I love how Jackson has the shoulder raise down pat!

We all sang Wip happy birthday and he requested to throw in a "cha cha cha" in between the versus

Duncan was a little different...we had to wake him up and as you can see he was a grump. Once he got that doughnut in his belly, he turned that frown upside down. 

Wip gave him a book of Superheroes...I think he was more excited to give than Duncan was to receive!

Walking into school the morning of his birthday {in his pjs...because it is D's world} he said to me "mommy, remember that time you wanted me to be three forever?...well sorry, I am four now". Cue the tears. 

Duncan wore his birthday crown the next day too...because it is actually your birthday week, right?

His buddy Bass had a birthday party the day after his birthday so let the good times roll!

Owen, Bass, and Duncan...buds

This is D's buddy Parker...she is so cute {I think D was being shy!}...and yes everyone in Duncan's class had blonde hair

Little cupcake for the birthday boy

Making a wish as his little brother looks on

sugar coma

Beautiful day for fun with friends

After all of the birthday celebrations, gifts, and sugar we did a little yoga. 

Namaste.

FOUR

Duncan,

I think I am ok with four {or as you would say "I fink"}. Sure, you are my baby, and I want you to stay little forever, but four is a pretty fantastic age that I can't wait to experience with you.

You. You, Duncan Lewis Mulloy, are so much fun to be with. Everyone needs your dynamite sense of humor. When I get frustrated you somehow crack me up to the point that I forget why I was even mad. Well done, son.

Wip is your favorite. If Wip is gone in the morning when you wake up, you get upset because you want to have breakfast with him. You are thick as thieves. Bros. Bonded for life. It makes my heart so happy.

I think one of my favorite Duncanism's {because there is a ton} is your mix up with timing. Just the other day you said, "we can go to the store next week, after school, tomorrow night, right?". Or when you say "lasterday" instead of "yesterday"...I don't know if I can ever correct that.

You love to dress up in costumes. Superheroes are your favorite. Chocolate milk {and regular milk} in a froggy cup is still what you need first thing before you even can think about saying "good morning". You are goofy, loving, and one of my greatest gifts.

Your teacher sent me a note the other day that sums it up best...she said "I have loved getting to know Duncan. He's loving and kind. I love his carefree attitude and free spirit! He teaches me to relax and enjoy life".

We need more Duncan's in the world. It is such a blessing that I get to call you my son. I love you more than you will ever know. Thank you for making me slow down and enjoy the little things.

Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mom

Keeping My Eye On You

Sneaky Thoughts

I learned this weekend that I cannot take my eyes off of Duncan. You see, Duncan is my "independent play" guy. He will sit for hours and play with his spaceship or pirate boat. He is really just content being by himself and in the world of constantly being entertained by machines or gadgets...it is kind of refreshing to see that he is perfectly ok with himself and a toy.

Duncan also has a HUGE dog crush on our neighbors dog, Jack. He has knocked on sweet Ms. Laura's door numerous times asking if Jack can come out and play {it really is pretty adorable}. A few times when I have not been able to locate him I just tip toe in the front yard to find him throwing a tennis ball to his new BFF. This has made me be a little more cautious about Duncan's whereabouts.

On Friday, we had the most glorious afternoon because we did not have a single plan. Nothing. It was awesome. This was pretty much what we did all afternoon. I was playing with Wip on the patio {trying to catch lizards} and if someone would have asked me where Duncan was, I would have bet a million dollars that he was in the playroom. Seriously...a million dollars.

Wip and I had been working in his bedroom and then moved out to the patio, so I had probably gone without seeing Duncan for about 30-45 minutes. Imagine my shock {and a little embarassment} when my neighbor from across the street came over hand in hand with Duncan saying "are you missing someone?". I jumped up and apologized asking if he had been playing with her dog "Holly" to which she said "no, he wanted to come in and play with Lauren's toys {her daughter}". She said, "I would have let him stay because he did not want to leave, but I have to run to the store."

So. Now we know. All eyes on D.

SIX

Dear Wip,

You are six today...SIX! Six is serious. It is an age of discovery and wonder and I have a feeling it is going to be a "little bit great" year for you.

You are such a curious student. You immerse yourself in books. The other day on the way home from the beach you studied the Animal Encyclopedia for a solid hour and fifteen minutes barely looking up. You love school. This year you were introduced to drama and it sparked something inside of you. I know that you would have preferred to be an animal in the play "Are You, My Mother?", but you made a fantastic plane and I can't wait to see what other roles come your way.

You are such an encouraging teacher. I am sure you get this trait from your daddy, but you are such a cheerleader when it comes to teaching others. Anytime you are in "teacher" mode and ask a question, depending on the answer you will give the response "good try" or "good jooooob!", I would love to be one of your students one day...you believe in everyone.

You are a bit of a celebrity. Everyone knows you. From the older kids at your school to the little boy in line at the ice cream shop whispering to his mom "there is Wip". It seems that you are known wherever we go. Even Father Lord {yes, that is the real name of the priest at our church} loves to mention you during the service {one time you told him that you wanted to be a priest and now you are one of his favorites}. You have a love of life that is infectious, people just love being around you.

You are the best big brother. Ever. I know I go back to this year after year, but watching the love and laughter between you and your brother is the greatest gift I could ever receive. You love him more than anything. You also love your family. Family is everything to you, and I hope you always remember that family is what matters.

I have watched your excitement about turning six {we have been in countdown mode since February} and yet I just want time to freeze. I know six will be amazing. This has been a year of transition and I am so proud of you for embracing it {even though it was hard}. Leaving your house and friends and family is hard. I am sorry that I was not more in tune with your feelings, but I know now that your feelings mattered. I will always support and love you and I am so proud of how you have transitioned into our new home.

I want you to be "almost 6" year old Wip forever. Seriously. The joy and happiness you have brought to me and your daddy cannot be measured. I love you Wip. I will tell you until I am no longer around. I love you. I love you so much and I will move on from my "please stay five forever phase" knowing that six is going to be a pretty awesome year too. Happy birthday, doodlebug.

Love you more,
Mom

Q and U Get Married!!!

From the moment I stepped on the Park Maitland campus, I have heard about the Q and U wedding. What is the Q and U wedding you might ask? Well, let me explain...

All year the students have been learning about letters through the letter people. Every week Wip would come home and get very excited about the new letter person introduced. Mr. G was his favorite {he chewed gum}. The end of the year celebration is a time when Mr. Q married Ms. U.

We received this:

The funniest part is how both Patrick and I overlooked the communication about bring a "dish" that started with our last name. The morning of the event, Wip told us that he needed food that started with his last name. Patrick was going to put dry macaroni in a bag and then we discovered a few marshmallows and threw them in a ziplock bag. Off to school he went. I cracked up when we arrived at the wedding and the spread of food was spilling over on the tables...apparently the 3 marshmallows that we brought did not make the spread:)

So the event brought together the entire class. 

The children made placemats and we also received a book with a handprint animal for every letter {this took a LOT of work}.

The children sat on quilts for the ceremony {I mean the details of this event!}

There was an actual ceremony when Q married U...and entertainment here and here and here.

 I mean the details...

We had so much fun hanging out...

Telling secrets...

 And of course eating cake!

I think the best part of the entire event was seeing these best buds...I never get tired of it.