And he's 4...

Cliche.

I am a cliche.  But here I stand, uttering the same words of mothers everywhere. 
"Where did my baby go?" 

Technically, he hasn't gone anywhere, but it feels like it sometimes.  My big, fat, baby boy has turned into a 42 lb. string bean.

As Sam put it his "actual birthday" was Monday, but we had his party on Saturday.  It was our first real-deal birthday party with all of his classmates receiving invitations.  Big time. 

The little girl in pink pants is his "best friend."  I can't tell you how many hours we spend talking about this precious child. 

They loved sticking their heads over a fan.  Super safe.

And the cutie with pigtails is his other "best friend."

Sam likes the girls. 

Somehow I was able to convince him to have a dinosaur party instead of a fireman party. 

Blowing out the candles.

 

Happy birthday, buddy.

Derby Day 2012...

So, I have a dear friend.  And this friend loves to throw parties.  When she throws these parties, she goes ALL OUT.  For someone like me who loves a theme party and is no longer in college, this works out rather well. 

This year I attended her 2nd annual Kentucky Derby Party.  Do I know anything about horses?  Nope.  Do I like to gamble?  Not really.  Did I get to wear an awesome fascinator?  You betcha. 

I have wanted an excuse to buy a fascinator BPK, (before Princess Kate)  but she has amped up my desire to own and wear one.  Saturday presented the perfect opportunity.  I will be wearing it to future derby parties for awhile, and if I had the guts to wear it somewhere else, I would.  Anyway, on to the party. 

Sherm and I splurged and got a babysitter so we wouldn't have to chase children.  Smart choice on our part.  The fare was somewhat of a potluck, but everyone tried to be in keeping with the theme--cucumber sandwiches, mint juleps, bourbon balls--it was quite the spread.  I don't really "do" mint juleps because I'm not a bourbon girl.  That and the fact that I probably wouldn't be able to tell you my name at the end of the night.  I stuck to wine and a Pimm's cup. 

What might have been the most fun is that we kept up with the odds, and one of the hostess's friends has betting software.  You just enter the horses, the odds, and the amount of money in the pot, and it does the work for you.  We chose 4 different horses--El Padrino, Rousing Sermon, Daddy Nose Best, AND I'll Have Another.  Some of them we picked because of odds, and others we picked because I liked the name.

Last year not a single person at the party won, so we donated the pot to a local charity.  This year the Shermans broke even. 

Apparently, my husband likes to photo bomb. 

My rockin' derby crew

I definitely recommend attending or having a derby party.  The seersucker and hats alone make it worthwhile.   

Sandbox...

I'm not really sure how they're maintaining the amount of sand in the sandbox at Sam's school.  I'm pretty sure he comes home with at least a pound of it in his shoes.

Everyday.

That's all. 

Alex's christening...

This Saturday Alexander Porter Sherman was christened at St. James Episcopal.  It was a wonderful (if exhausting) day.  We had family and friends in town to celebrate the occasion. 

Lately I've found myself thinking about my family's good fortune.  I count my lucky stars all the time that I am blessed with an indescribably fabulous husband, loving and supportive parents, awesome in-laws, close relationships with siblings, beautiful children, and an unbelievable circle of friends.  We certainly felt that love this weekend. 

We had the christening that morning at the church and then had a luncheon at the Shermans.  Later that afternoon we had our friends over to our house.  It made for a long day and a long weekend, but it was well worth it. 

As usual, a chaotic family picture.

Anthony's sweet grandmother and her great-grandchildren

Alex's awesome godparents

The Sherman crew

(Most of) the Skelton crew

Godmother and dear friend

Godfather and dear friend

And as for Alex, he's been rolling over like crazy.  He loves to talk, and constantly coos.  He had his 4 month appointment today, and he weighs 16 lbs., 12 oz.  Good grief.  

Weekend Review...

Sam started t-ball this weekend.  One word--hilarious.  I'm pretty sure that I had more fun watching than he had playing, so it was a win-win.  Or as Michael Scott would say, "Win, win, win." 

And Lord, did I ever have flashbacks.  How many summers did I spend at ballparks around the state watching my little brother play ball?  I think the only time I wasn't at a ballpark was the one week hiatus I got each summer for cheerleading camp. 

I'm also pretty sure I ran into everyone I knew in college.  It's still bizarre to me to see people I hung out with at a frat house coaching their children in t-ball.  Throwing multiple beer cans on the ground for your pledges to clean up later doesn't exactly conjure images of a sweet and patient coach, but I guess that just goes to show you how much people change.  Too funny.

My child was the only one who absolutely could not keep his shirt tucked in.  And is anyone surprised that he's on a team (coached by 2 MSU alums) that wears maroon?  I think not.  They swear it was just luck of the draw, but I don't believe it for a second. 

Pretty sure the fastest he ever ran was when they were headed to the dugout. 

The good news is that he seems much more adept at baseball than he was at soccer.  He did run towards 3rd instead of 1st at least twice but so did everyone else. 

Alex was super-concerned.

Post-game celebratory icee.  Did we win?  I have no idea.  For that matter, I don't think anyone knew. 

After the game, we dropped the babies off with my in-laws and headed to Greenwood.  A friend of ours was turning 30, and her husband & sister had coordinated a group cooking lesson at Viking.  We had a great time.  After the class, we bellied up to the bar at the Alluvian.  I highly suggest this if you're looking for a quick getaway.  We had a good time...a very good time. 

We got home Sunday and went to pick up the kids.  This is what we were greeted with. 

Yep, that's a toilet.  While we were gone, Sam decided to perform a little experiment on my in-laws' guest bathroom toilet.  Let's just say it involved a lot of toilet paper and a tennis ball. 

Eventually....

I will blog about my life in a somewhat timely manner.  Until then, I guess I'll continue to post randomly, about random events, in random order.  You get the point. 

Oh, Fireman Sam.  When will my child get over his obsession fascination with all things firefighting?  It's seriously out of control.  This has been going on for almost 2 years, people.  And he's never wavered.  Not for one second.  We have every firefighting book ever written.  We have to ride by fire stations constantly.  He's on a first name basis with Captain Bradley. (I kid you not.) 

Well, apparently it had been a busy day at the fire station.

I have convinced him to have a dinosaur themed b-day party.  His response--"Okay, Mom. I'll have two birthday cakes.  One with firefighters and one with dinosaurs."

And Alex...my sweet, sweet, baby.  Sam always gravitates towards men, but this little guy loves his mama.  I'm taking advantage while my celebrity status still holds water. 

I call this "What you talkin' about, Willis?" 

Sam NEVER sucked his thumb, and he never liked a paci.  This kid will take down his thumb like it's covered in sugar.  He looks as if  he's been caught doing something bad. 

And his hair.  When it's freshly washed, he looks like a little baby chick. I love it. 

Easter

For the first time since we've been married we decided to head to Senatobia for Easter.  The Easter bunny followed us there, and thankfully, he realized that Sam and Alex's parents are totally over having to sneak crappy toys and gizmos into the garbage/recycling bin when the boys aren't looking. 

Sweet bunny.  He's so thoughtful. 

Instead, he brought Sambo and Alex books.  A little candy, but lots of books.  That bunny knows me

so well.

                                                

Yes, Sam has on a smocked outfit.  Yes, he'll be 4 next month.  Yes, I know it's the last year I can get away with it.  (And yes, he was adorable.)

The following are all what I like to call, "Awkward Family Photos."  It's hard to look cute when you're holding a drooling baby and wrangling an almost 4 year old.  It's the best we could do. 

Post-Easter ride home

Not much is sweeter...

than two little boys.