My Oh May

May was busy. In a good way.

Wip wrapped up his choir club and can't wait to start back in the fall

 Wip continued to rock it with his school work (his handwriting has improved so much too!)

We continued to mourn the death of Prince (RIP)

 I got to experience Mother's Day Tea at Park Maitland...so special

 We celebrated our SEVEN year old with animals, presents, candy shop, milkshakes (with a french fry dip), Duncan trying to put on his shoe...a horseshoe, and finally celebrating Derby at the dog track

 I was showered with love for Mother's Day and could not be happier to be a mom to these sweet boys

We had lots of games of "2 truths and a lie" over ice cream

We celebrated this FIVE-year-old with donuts, superhero cookies for his class, presents, and lots of "ITS MY BIRFDAY!" shouts from the birthday boy

Thank you notes (coming soon)

I love that the boys wrote one for each of the gifts they gave each other

 We were invited to an Orlando City Soccer game and just letting you know if you plan on coming for a visit (and we always hope you do)...plan on going to a game...it was AWESOME!

We had such a fun family beach day with our All Saints Family

Duncan decided he needed a pre-beach nap before we arrived

 We got to enjoy the All Saints Pre-K Blessing Ceremony which was a bittersweet moment where Duncan is moving on from All Saints (which we have loved) and heading to Park Maitland (which will be one drop off...holla!)

We got to experience the K5 Bridging Ceremony at Park Maitland where Wip actually walked across the bridge to enter 1st grade. It was such a special ceremony and a sweet reminder that he is exactly where he needs to be (and SO happy)..he also got to announce the Head of School!

 We have already had one (of many) early pool times

We went to the Kids Fringe Festival and experienced art, ice cream, and a parade

We went to our first Orlando friends wedding and had a BLAST celebrating #jennandhughsayido

 We headed up to Ponte Vedra to hang with a few of my favorite folks (Francie's godparents:). Loved seeing how much Camille has grown and catching up with Tom and Elizabeth

Duncan got a new pair of shoes and he told me that he had to get them because they are "clean" and his feet will not be stinky anymore...little chance of that!

She was ready to get here in a hurry but we are THRILLED to announce the birth of Abigail Rigsby Parsons "Abby". I feel so lucky to be an aunt once again to a precious baby girl.

Congrats Mike and Kelly!!!

The Disney Experience

I remember asking a co-working if they had any advice about heading to Disney for the weekend and she replied, "I don't park". It took me a minute to process this statement, and then after a weekend at the park I got it.

Duncan said "look it is a hat on top of a hat!"...observant little fella

Instead of a birthday party for the boys we took them on a Disney experience. This took planning, learning about fast passes, budgeting, and much much more. We stayed at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort which advertised a great pool (with a slide), campfire, and movie night under the stars. We checked in around 4pm on Saturday to enjoy the amenities and then on Sunday the plan was to hit up Animal Kingdom in the morning and then Hollywood Studios in the afternoon and then head home.

Blue and Red Slushies with French Fries for dinner...go shorty, its your birthday!

The hotel was a convention center which gave a "we should be at a conference" feel versus a family vacation. The pool was HUGE and slide was a C-, but the boys had a blast (and that is all that really mattered). The campfire only allowed you to roast marshmallows with nothing else. The lady told us to bring our own graham crackers and chocolate next time (really Disney? you are going to advertise a campfire and then cut short the graham cracker and chocolate?). The movie under the stars offered huge bags of popcorn and the bar was still open for mommy and daddy to enjoy a cocktail so all was good with the evening;)

I'll have two doughnuts, please!

The only thing Wip wanted to see (randomly) was the porcupines...of course it was a "closed for refurbishing" exhibit!

The Wilderness Explorer program was cute (and intense!)...this lady took her job very seriously making the boys get every right answer before receiving a sticker.

One of the parent fails of the day was giving the boys options to play carnival-type games in which Duncan won and Wip did not.

For some reason, I had in my head that May would be a "light" month for Disney and especially Animal Kingdom. WRONG! There is no light month for Disney. We were walking into Animal Kingdom a little after 9 when the park opened along with thousands up thousands of others. Not even 10 minutes into the adventure this woman pushing a stroller and plows through the crowd and knocks over Duncan to get to a bug character from A Bug's Life...and I thought the wild animals were contained? A show here and lots of walking later I messed up and switched out our safari fast pass for a dinky dino ride that it ended up Duncan was not even tall enough for! I could not stop looking at the folks with soda and chips at 10am in scooters. The drain was already on half of the faces in the park and in fact one mother threatened her child within an inch of his life if he did not smile for the camera for an entrance photo.

We said see ya later to the Animal Kingdom and went to Hollywood Studios ready to take on some Star Wars. I was so mad when we walked into the Hollywood Studios park because this gentleman (clearly not thinking that I had planned and planned and planned for this trip) hands the boys a "1st Visit" button. I was so mad...a) it made me feel like we looked like first timers b) this was not our first time! Now, I will say that the Star Wars ride was pretty cool...in fact my favorite. Everything else in that park needs a major face lift...it was shocking to me that the Pixar area (aka the BEST part about Disney) was not even a block long and there is only one ride that was a 75 minute wait offered with all of those amazing Pixar movies. Thanks, but no thanks.

The only character without a line:) It is BOLT for those of you wondering:) 

3D Muppet Show and called it a day

By about 4ish the boys were done. Patrick and I were done and we were ready to bid our Disney adventure farewell. I am sure we will still do our Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and I am also open to heading to a park if friends are in town, but after it was all said and done, I realized that I too do not "park".

FIVE

Duncan,

Happy 5th Birthday!

You know how there are some mama bear types out there that are so protective of their children and it is mostly because they are so worried about what will happen to them in the outside world? Well, you are the type of kid that does not need a mama bear type because I rarely worry about you. I watched you with your friends at school giggling on the playground and the same day I listened to you playing by yourself with your legos and creating some imaginative story in your head. You are a good friend while also being fiercely independent.

Doggie is still a huge part of your life and your daddy and I scramble to find it for you almost every night before bed. I think we are on Doggie v.4 at this point in your life (thank goodness Doggie has clones!). Part of me feels it is time to give up the lovie, but when you make me give Doggie a kiss goodnight and I see how it makes you so happy to snuggle up with, that thought dissipates. I am thinking Doggie might be your "Woody" like in Toy Story and you will pass it along to a deserving "Doggie" owner when you head out for college.

We always joke that you are a little pokey. The truth is that it is one of the things I admire most about you. In this world where most of us are living on autopilot, you seem to understand how to take it all in and live in the moment. You continue to make us belly laugh each and every day. What a gift. Your random thoughts and hilarious comments have created a following on social media. I hope you continue to use this talent to bring joy and laughter to everyone around you.

There is nothing you love more than your brother (okay, maybe babies). Watching you look up to him, pester him, but most importantly love him with all of your heart is one of the most special and amazing things to watch as a parent. It is you and Wip against the world and I can't think of a better duo.

I love you so much Duncan. You brighten up my day. Everyday. I can't wait to see how much fun five is going to be for you. Now, hurry up we have somewhere to be (j/k).

Love you more,
Mommy

Magic Moment

You have so many emotions as a parent. Worry, joy, frustration, hope. You want your child to be happy. You want your child to enjoy learning. Honestly, you want people to like your kid.

As some of you know my relationship with Wip's school has been a bit of a roller coaster. Lots of ups and downs. I have always held out hope for this little school because of the teachers who believed in my child. It was not an easy road and I learned what it means to be your child's biggest advocate. I can't say that everyone at the school rallied around us during our tough time, but a few did and it is because of them that I had a magic moment during Wip's parent-teacher conference this afternoon.

The parent-teacher conference started with his teacher saying "there are a few conferences that I dread...and this is definitely not one of them". She went on to tell us about a meeting that she had with some of the other teachers in which they went around and shared something that they were proud of for the year. Mrs. Parkins said, "I only needed to say one word at that meeting...Wip". Cue the tears that started streaming down my face.  Not only is he thriving academically but also socially.

Some of the comments from his progress report include:

Wip's behavior is outstanding. He showed respect for peers and adults, displayed a positive attitude, followed class rules, was well-behaved in class, was friendly and well-liked by classmates, used knowledge to solve problems and extend thinking, participated in class discussions and followed directions nicely. Wip, it has been a really pleasure having you in my class this year.

Wip, you are the definition of creativity! You are such a gifted young man with a heart of gold. I can't get enough of you. Love you lots and see you in first grade. 

Wip is fabulous! His energy, creativity, and enthusiasm are unmatched. I couldn't ask for anything more. His smile and laugh also make my day!

Wip is kind, happy, polite, funny and then some! He is a wonderful game and team player.

I walked out of the conference feeling so much happiness I thought I was going to explode. My little man...he is going to be alright.

SEVEN

Ms. Carrie Nepple K-5 Teacher (aka your biggest cheerleader!)

Dear Wip,

Today, you are seven on May 7. Your golden birthday.

Out of all of the seven-year-old boys in the world, you are my favorite. I did not know what to expect when you came into my life in 2009. There is no doubt it was love at first sight, but it was unclear just who you would become. Fast forward seven years later, and you have exceeded my expectations as a smart, steady, and sweet oldest son.

Your mind is always running and never empty. When I put a show or a movie on I can almost create a countdown before you are heading to the art cart to put something from your brilliant, creative, incredible mind on paper. It could be a drawing, a story, a game. Something always sparks and usually the outcome is pretty darn good (of course, I am partial:).

As a six-year-old you climbed mountains. You worked through some challenges and with the help of teachers, doctors, and a loving family you found your path to not only succeed but excel. I have watched you over these months become steady. By becoming steady you are a loyal friend, a curious student, and a good, no great, little boy. I can't even count how many times I have been told how awesome you are...as we were leaving the Mother's Day Tea your music teacher went to give you a hug and looked up at me and said, "you have no idea how much I love this kid". Your choir club teacher raves every time you perform how much she loves having you in the club and how well behaved you are. Your hairdresser, Ms. Sandy comments every time about how what a wonderful boy you are becoming and she never lets you leave without a hug. This stuff matters. Sure they could be saying it just to be saying it, but I have a feeling that they are saying it because they mean it. You are an awesome kid Wip Mulloy, and I am not the only one that recognizes it.

You lead with your heart and your kindness is contagious. If asked who your best friend is at school your response is "ooooh, that is a hard one...I like everyone". If you were President of the United States there might be three First Ladies...Preston, Caroline, and Delia.  You make it very clear that these ladies hold a special place in your heart and I hope that they always will. The innate bond that you have with your brother is nothing short of amazing. He looks up to you and there is no one that can make you laugh harder than Duncan.  Brothers for life.

Basically, you are killing it at being Wip Mulloy. Just never forget who you are...smart, steady, and sweet. Seven is going to be your year to shine even brighter than you already have. Know that you have a mommy and a daddy that will support and love you through it all and we could not be prouder. Every day we are so proud to call you our son.


Happy Birthday!


Love you more,
Mommy