Five

Dear Wip,

Today you are five. Five just seems so official. You are officially expected to use those manners we have been teaching, officially responsible for making good decisions, and officially becoming a positive role model for your little brother.

Your favorite meal is a hot dog, (juicy) grapes, and carrots. This menu equals a "happy plate" every time. Your favorite movie switches up between Dumbo, Wizard of Oz, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but the top favorite of the year is Frozen. Your favorite shows include Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Wild Kratts, and My Little Pony. Your favorite books change with the wind, but the one thing that sticks is that you love being read to. As much as I would like to write that I limit your screen time, I don't, but I will say that you get just as excited about a book as you do with playing on the ipad, so I am hoping that I am not completely failing as a parent in this area.

I could write an entire page about your favorite songs. Your typical requests include "Thriller" by Michael Jackson (you appropriately refer to the song as "The Creepy Howling" song), you can sing every word of "Step" by Vampire Weekend (you often say that this is "your" song). Both you and your brother go crazy over "Black and Yellow" (clean version) by Wiz Khalifa. But, I think my favorite of your favorites is "Mango Pickle Down River" by M.I.A. because you always crack up when the children sing (and you love pickles, only the long kind, not the slices).

The way you love your brother makes my heart hurt in an amazing kind of way. I had no idea that such a young soul could love someone else so deeply, but you do. You cheer him on, you share with him, and the way you make each other laugh creates enough happiness to turn any bad day around.

You are still set in your ways. When you learned about patterns it transitioned into your wardrobe. Each day you switch between wearing a collard shirt and a t-shirt. You lay your clothes out every day. I love this about you. Flexible because you do not love putting on the collard shirts, but also organized because you know what to expect each morning when you wake.

I think you are o.k. about the upcoming move. You talk about how much you will miss your house and your friends. You have a nice house, but even better friends. Preston, John, Caroline, Kaylen, Harrison (just to name a few!) will always hold a special place in your heart.

I know I have said this before, but I am just so happy you are mine. Even in my moments of complete frustration I look at you and wonder how the heck I got the opportunity to have you as my son. You make me so proud.

Before I ever had children, before I even met your daddy, I would daydream about being a mother. I would never think that I wanted my future child to be the biggest, or the fastest, or the smartest. I really just wanted my child to be kind. You have taken any expectation I once had before motherhood and exceeded it beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you for being kind. Thank you for being mine. Thank you for being you.

Wishing you the happiest of birthdays doodlebug.

I love you so much,
Mom

Happy Place

Before reading this post I must state the obvious...Yes, I realize that my children need a haircut. Yes, I realize that Wip has a hole in his pants. Yes, I realize that both outfits are very monochromatic. I give you full permission to judge. 

In honor of Wip's birthday week, I told the boys that we could hit up the zoo today. I knew it would be one of our only opportunities and the weather was begging for us to be outside for as long as possible. We arrived around 4:30 giving us an hour and a half (much longer than I usually spend) to see some animals and maybe hang on a monkey bar or two. When I got up to the gate, the lady informed me that my zoo membership expired on April 30 and I would need to go and renew it. Well, shoot. I told her we were moving in a matter of weeks and a zoo membership would just not make sense. She did not care. I clearly could not turn around...Wip was beyond excited naming every animal he hoped to see. $30 later...we had the place to ourselves.

Wip was in his happy place. Seriously. His smile was from ear to ear. He was being so kind to his little brother, pointing things out, letting Duncan know when he was correct about the name of a particular animal. He even went by himself to ask for a map (and I witnessed some good manners!). As we strolled around, Wip insisted that we take a picture at every statue. He took it all in. He was such a good listener. He even helped his brother go potty, cheering him on the entire time. When Duncan was finished, Wip turned to me and said "I think that is like the (wait, what comes after 10?)...yeah 11, I think that is the 11th time he has gone to the potty!". So precise. While it was a bummer that I had not realized my membership had come to an end, it truly was worth every penny to see how happy an afternoon zoo trip could make a little boy.

UPDATE: Wip has informed me that he is going to be an artist when he grows up, not an animal doctor...we shall see about that:)

Derby Week!

I might not have cashed a ticket, but I can mark this year as one of the best Oaks/Derby experiences I have ever had. Patrick and I were lucky enough to be invited to Oaks with Mimi and Granddaddy. We got to hang out with one of Mimi's high school friends who was in town with her husband from New York. At one point in the afternoon, I was in the box with Tony (Karen's husband) while everyone else was off placing bets. He looked at me and said "I just want to pinch myself. I can't believe that I am here at Churchill Downs. This is so cool." I smiled. He was right. 

It was a little chilly for Oaks

Loved getting a visit from this crew

Beautiful

Derby day was spent with girlfriends. The Amin's were kind enough to include me in a girls day at the track. I don't know that I stopped smiling the entire day...we. had. a. blast. It started with brunch at the Pendennis Club (yum!) and then we hopped on a bus to the track. So many fun memories were made...#sweetieyouknowthereisawrapperonthat, the mean girl that almost ruined my day (but then was told she could not come in our section), sleeping man, hanging with Kim Kardashian's ex, and the amazing weather was just a few of the things that made the day one to remember.

Derby Divas

Yes, that is Miranda Lambert!

This man would just fall asleep. Cracking me up.

Sleeping man and John Locke from Lost

Hilarious

Of course the boys had many Derby themed activities throughout the week...

This is Duncan's horse...he named the horse Lulu.

I bet on Chitu...with no luck

Wip with his Derby Float and Horse (Chitu)

The weekend was capped off with my goddaughter's first communion in Lexington. Such a special time. She looked beautiful and I am so lucky to have her in my life.

Spring Sing

I was so proud of Wip and his classmates and the Spring Sing performance. Let's just say it was much different from when he was in the Turtle class...you could (somewhat) understand the songs:)

Playlist:

Boker Tov

Alligator

I'm a Little Teapot

Old MacDonald Had a Band (Wip was really excited about this song. He was a cow, with a bell).

Mom's Day

Duncan's class hosted a Mom's day on Tuesday, and what a treat!

All the moms (and one dad) in the group were greeted with hugs and doughnut holes upon arrival. We enjoyed our snack and went to music class with Ms. Terri where I learned many (many) versions of the hokey pokey. After music class we gathered in circle time where Ms. Marie gave us each a gift. She created a silhouette of each child and had the child paint the background. In an effort to prove that it was in fact our child, she even sent an envelope home of the picture used for the silhouette. That Ms. Marie is one of the craftiest teachers my boys will ever have.

And now for some Duncan art...

Afternoons

Just giving his brother a lift

Repaying the favor

Playing golf with a tennis racket and basketball

Creating a Jack and the Neverland Pirate scene

*if you are thinking "those children never wear pants", please know that we are in full potty training mode here at the Mulloy house. Wip is doing his part to make Duncan feel like it is completely normal to walk around the back yard without pants on. Such a supportive big bro.

There is Something About Duncan

Duncan is one of those "funny without really trying" kids. He mannerisms, comments, and (of course) deep voice just make me so happy to be around him (most of the time;). Click here to hear him talking about crying babies in Jackson Hole. Click here to listen to him tell me that I am so sweet. See what I mean?

The other day he kept telling me that he wanted liquor for a snack. It took a while, but I finally figured out that he was saying licorice!

We met Mimi for dinner last week. Granddaddy was out of town. When Mimi walked up to the table Duncan said "Mimi, where dat man you go with?". A little confused she asked him to repeat himself. "Where dat man you go with?" he stated again. A little perplexed she said "do you mean Granddaddy?" to which he responded "yeah....Grandaddy, where Granddaddy?". 

I hope these Duncanisms continue...cracking me up.