In case you were concerned...

In case you were concerned about Patrick after Thom's post last night, I took Patrick to the pediatrician this morning, as his right eye was still red.  She gave us some saline drops to use each hour.  It is looking much better.  Sigh.  Andrew says he was "giving Patrick a bath."  Bigger sigh. 

The Good Life

I love the fact that I can take a video with my phone. Though Andrew always thinks I'm taking a picture. I filmed this little pre-bathtime video tonight of Andrew and Patrick. This was the "calm" before a) Andrew repeatedly sprayed Patrick in the head with carpet cleaner prompting a frantic call to poison control, and b) James vomited all over Bridget after taking a full bottle. I tell you, it don't get much better . . .

Soccer!

Andrew had another fun morning at soccer. He is getting more into the game and enjoying it. He likes to help some of his younger teammates by holding their hands. Andrew kind of reminds me of former Purdue basketall player Brian Cardinal; he is on the ground a lot and he's dramatic. But he's having fun and that's all that matters. We really appreciate our coaches and their emphasis on having fun and learning. (The coach for the other team today was a little crazy.) Patrick slept through most of this week's game (being cute is tiring!) We've also included some videos - enjoy!

team photo - back row: Coach Grant Sketo, Andrew, Rocco, Clayton, Ian, Coach Tyson; front row: Ellis, Lilly, Allie, Ian

Mini-drama in suburbia

I think this solidifies our place as characters in the movie "The 'Burbs."

There is an empty lot next to our house and a house being built next to the lot.  The house is framed. The workers have had a fire outside each day. I haven't complained as it has been cold. Today (when it's 53 degrees), they had 7 (yes 7) small fires outside this house. Our house wasn't in danger, but some of the fires were large and quite close to the house under construction. I think the workers were trying to burn trash and scrap wood.  Andrew looked out the window and started shouting "Fire! Fire!"  The fires were getting out of control. Thom is reading files today at home; he heard Andrew screaming and came downstairs.  We called the fire marshal and Thom called the builder. (I'm just glad Thom was home as I don't think he would have believed me.  Katie Ann was at class and came home after the drama.  She doesn't believe us.) 

Here's a photo of the conversation that eventually took place outside. The fires are now gone. And there is only one worker left at the house right now. Thom likes the photo that shows the fire marshal's vehicle (red suburban). We are SO Tom Hanks and Carrie Fisher in "The 'Burbs."  Andrew said, "I think the firemen sent the workers to think time."

Andrew's 4th Birthday Party

We celebrated Andrew's 4th birthday today with a party at Gymini Athletics.  He and 21 of his friends (quite a large group) had a great time!  Gymini owners Heather Crouch and Erin Herndon did a great job facilitating the games and activities.  Even James and Patrick got in on some of the action!  Here are some photos from the party.  To see the entire album, click here. 

Dinner at Red Robin 2/20/2010

Red Robin is Andrew's favorite restaurant.  He loves that he can order from the menu by himself (the kids' menu has pictures).  The food is great and it's very family-friendly.  We love that it's a peanut-free restaurant too.  Nana and Papaw took us to dinner there on Saturday night (February 20) to celebrate Andrew's 4th birthday, Katie Ann's admission to the Accelerated BSN program at Belmont University, and Thom's leadership in Vanderbilt Admissions winning a national web-marketing award (50 Social Media Innovators in Higher Education).  We were also celebrating Andrew scoring his first soccer goal!  Andrew was really surprised and excited when the servers sang happy birthday to him and brought him some ice cream!

Andrew scored a goal!

At this morning's soccer game, Andrew scored his very first goal!  We were all very excited!  I've included some photos from the game, including the team huddle and cheer, "Go Bears!"  His cheering section, James and Patrick, had fun too!  Andrew was also excited to wear his new brown soccer sweatshirt from Gamma and Pop-Pop Golden.  It was also our turn to bring drinks for his team.  Andrew picked red Gatorade, of course! 

After soccer, we ventured to swimming (Andrew's favorite) and then home for lunch.  Nana and Papaw Williams are visiting this weekend for Andrew's birthday party (tomorrow).  Andrew and Papaw had a great time playing with his Cars Geotrax. 

Beard/Beer

So as I type this, James and Patrick are fighting over the remote.  The tv isn't even on.  I guess it must be a guy thing to want to have control of the remote.

As I was driving Andrew to preschool this morning, we were talking about the house that is being built on our street.  We couldn't see the workers today, but could hear them working inside the house.  We talked about what they must be working on inside (floors, walls, ceilings, etc).  Andrew asked, "Are they building the furniture?" I explained that the new homeowners would bring their own furniture. 

Somehow the subject changed to "couch beds" (we have a hide-a-bed in the family room).  He said, "When I grow up and move to my own house, you'll have to have the couch bed ready for me when I come visit."  (Gasp!  Choke!  How could he ever grow up?)  He said that he will get baby beds for James and Patrick so they can live with him too.  I tried to explain that when he is grown up, they will be too, but he would have none of that.  Andrew said Aunt KAW would live with them too.  I asked, "What will you do in your house?"  He said, "We'll play all day.  We might paint the floor too.  We'll have to go to a paint store to buy paint first."  He paused and said, "And I'll have beard for when Daddy comes to visit."  I said, "Beard?"  Andrew replied, "Yeah, the stuff Daddy drinks."  Oh, BEER.  Such a thoughtful kid!

Andrew's purchase

Andrew received a few Valentine's that contained a dollar.  Recognizing the value of currency, he saved his money and added it to his Cars wallet.  Then he said, "Let's go buy a new car!"  So we went to Target last night.  We spent at least twenty minutes in the Cars aisle while he decided which car to purchase.  It was a very big decision.  Ultimately, he decided to buy a new Lightning McQueen.  He carried his car ($4.99) to the checkout lane and proudly placed it on the conveyor belt.  He counted five 1-dollar bills and I helped him count his change.  He handed $5.45 to the clerk.  Andrew was SO proud of himself.  He has even saved the bag, the receipt, and the packaging!  He wants to show Thom everything when he gets home from Chicago tomorrow.  Here are a few pictures of Andrew this morning with his new car!

Carrie and Jeff Grimes sent Andrew a Cars coloring set for his birthday.  He loved receiving the package in the mail today and immediately went to work!