Another Year Wiser....

There is some big news around here.

I heard Ms. Pettebone whisper to Mom that I was getting "better and better."

That's right! Less tears...and instead of clinging to Mom, I walk (slowly) into the classroom, put my lunchbox in my cubby, and hug Ms. Pettebone. 

We did some cool things in school this week (see!), but wait...that isn't THE big news.

Today, I woke up and I was FOUR!!!

I ran through these balloons...over and over.

This is what 4 looks like. I'm pretty sure I aged overnight.

Who knew I could get EVEN cuter??

Mom told me to rub the balloon on my hair and watch my hair stick up. It's called static. I had to look in the mirror for proof.

Then Jude and I gave ourselves Santa bellies (when we weren't fighting). 

I didn't think it was fair that I had to go to school on my birthday, but Mom said that Ms. Pettebone was planning something special. And the best part? Mom got to come to class today and bring cookies! My buddy Emmett had a birthday too, so his mom brought cupcakes and we got all sugared up.

Ms. Pettebone made us birthday crowns. 

And the whole class sang to us!

After school, I came home to more good stuff: presents and a doughnut cake! 

I bypassed the doughnuts, though, and went for the two motorcycles next to them. 

Jude woke up and went right for the chocolate doughnut. He's a pig.

When the doughnuts wore off, we hit up Fudpucker's. Funny name. And it was a fun place! Everything from the walls to the lamps were covered in people's names. Mom gave me a crayon and told me to write something on the WALL! That's never happened before!

But what really sold me on the place was the alligators. We saw three of them sleeping! Real ones! I was scared to pose for this picture because the alligator was giant but Mom and Dad promised it wasn't a real one. Thank goodness!

Jude found a slug next to him so we turned it in and got a free appetizer. Leave it to Jude to find a slug, then put it in a napkin and throw it on the table!

Earlier in the day, Mom spotted a baby rattlesnake and Dad chopped it with the shovel. And then lastnight a gecko crawled out of the toilet while I was trying to pee!

Florida has a lot of creepy-crawlies. 

It was a good 4th birthday! And tomorrow we are still celebrating! Actually, tomorrow will be the best part. Stay tuned. I have one word for you: go-carts.

Day #2: Tears and Smiles

Yesterday Jude was so sad when I went to school.

But I think he got over it today.

He did cry when Mom dropped me off, though. I guess he saw me crying and thought he was next!

I am still trying to get used to the idea that school is every day during the week...and that I have to spend three hours away from Mom. I cried a lot today and that wore me out (so much that I slept all the way to Destin and all the way back!). Ms. Pettebone took care of me though. She held me at first and made me feel better. I told her that my cat's name was Piper and she laughed. She helped me with my weekly job of handing the kids their water cups and I loved it. My favorite part of the day was when she tried to play on the seesaw with me on the playground!

But I told Mom in the car that I don't like Ms. Moon! She does the music. Mom doesn't understand why I dislike Ms. Moon so much and I'm not sure if I know either. I think I just like Ms. Pettebone and that's it. Mom said, "But Ms. Moon is a funny name, huh?" And I laughed. I might like her a tad better now. 

Tonight was fun. I got new school shoes, ate dinner at Moe's, picked out new snacks, and saw Ms. Pettebone at Tropical Smoothie. She gave me a big hug! I wonder what kind of smoothie is her favorite? Maybe I should ask her tomorrow. 

-Maddox

First day of school EVER!

I stayed up til midnight eating eggs with Dad. Mom said it was the night-before-the-first-day-of-school-jitters. I don't know what it was, but luckily I woke up at 7am feeling full of energy. My first words of the day were:
"I want to pack my snack and juicebox!"
I stuffed a ziploc full of cheezits and goldfish, tucked it inside with my juice and napkin, and zipped it up. Then Jude woke up and we ate breakfast (Dad came home from work and stayed up with us!). I brushed my teeth, got dressed, and said, "I'm ready to go to school!" But I guess I was early. Mom said we still had an hour for school to start!
So, we took a lot of pictures. The first day of school EVER is a pretty big deal.

Mom gave me a heart sticker from my newest favorite book, The Kissing Hand, and tucked it into my shirt pocket. It reminded me all day that no matter if I was scared or lonely, Mom's love is with me ALWAYS. 

It was pouring rain as we got into the car and this made me very worried. "Will my lunchbox get wet?"

I got the same answer every time.

"Probably, but it's ok and it will dry."

I didn't like that answer.

When we parked at the school, Dad and Jude wished me well from the car and Mom walked me to the classroom. It was too messy for all of us to get out. I gave Dad a big frown but held it together. 

In the classroom, Ms. Pettebone was all smiles and she showed me my very own cubby. I put my lunchbox inside. Each spot at the table had a different color of Play-doh. I wanted orange and it was of course the one color that wasn't there! I settled for red and Mom found that awesome cutting tool I used on Friday.

Then, the moment of truth:

Mom hugged me quick and said, "I love you! Have a good time. I'll be back in a little while." 

My face crumpled.

I sort of cried, sort of whined.

Mom was gone in a flash.

But you know what? My newest friend came over and sat next to me and it made me feel all better.

Even though it rained and I didn't get to see the playground, we did get to play in the gym. We spent most of the time getting to know each other better.

When Mom picked me up, I told her, "I had fun! I'll tell you all about it in the car!"
But, being a man, most of my answers were "I don't remember" and not very detailed.

I did tell Mom, though, that I love Ms. Pettebone and want her to live with us.

And also that this one kid at snacktime had a chocolate thing and some Cheetos and I wanted what he had.

Funny, the things you remember the most!

Back home, Mom surprised me with donut holes and then for dinner we celebrated my first day at Buffalo Wild Wings.

I think Jude got to the donut holes first, though, because some were missing.

Oh, well! He must have missed me and needed some comfort food, right?

Now, time to sleep because tomorrow it's back to school for Day 2!I didn't want to fall asleep, but Mom said I needed to stop and listen to my body. I did. She was right. My body was telling me, "Go to sleep, Maddox, you had a big day! And tomorrow we have to do it all over again!"

The last day of my babyhood

Well, it's a big day for me. Today marks the very last day before I start the first day of school - ever. I wanted to enjoy every minute of this day so I woke up at 5 am. I also wanted to re-live that babyhood nostalgia so I took a nap in the afternoon.

I have not shed a tear yet over going to school. Mom went over the schedule with me and I am pretty excited about my "helper" job and finding out what the new playground has to offer. I think I will be fine. The real person you should worry about is Mom. I think she might cry more than me!

Yesterday I had a "daddy date" with Dad. We went to the Longhorn to eat man food (steak, of course). We also picked out my lunchbox and it matches the bookbag I already had.

Back home, Jude got a taste of life without me! Mom said he sat in the pool and looked around. She asked him if he missed me and he nodded "yes." What's he going to do without me for three hours every day? Guess we'll have to find out!

Check back tomorrow on how the big day turned out.

Ms. Pettebone

I had open house at preschool today.

I finally got to meet Ms. Pettebone, see my classroom and meet a few classmates.

One girl was wearing fairy wings. I asked Mom, "Does she think she is a butterfly?"

 I sat at a table with some Play-doh after getting a tour of the room. Jude followed me.  I think he is jealous that he doesn't get to go to school.

At the end of open house, I gave Ms. Pettebone a big hug. She said she would see me Monday and that my job for the week would be the "water helper." I get to help her pour water for the other kids and hand the cups out. I told Mom I would give the kids a LITTLE water but I would pour myself a LOT.

When we got home, I played school with Mom. I "drove" her to school and said, "Have a good time! I'll come back in a little while!"

I am going to try this Monday and see if it works.

-Maddox

The Vest

Mom started my "back to school" wardrobe tonight, even though I probably won't get a chance to wear those long sleeves until October. It's hot here.

My favorite is the orange vest. It has pockets! If you know me, you know I am crazy about pockets.

Some kids sleep with a stuffed animal...or with a million blankets (ahem, Jude).

I sleep with my vest and my pockets.

Mid-Shift

Today I was going to Starbucks with Mom (to get a cake pop) when I passed out as soon as we pulled into the parking lot. That was 6:30 pm.

I woke up at 9:30pm and assumed it was breakfast time. I wanted a cheesetoast and some Carnation. 

Piper was happy when I decided to give her my leftovers.

I guess I will be up all night doing the mid-shift thing, like Dad.

I hope Mom is ready!

-Maddox

The Lego Takeover

Legos and Mega Bloks are so much fun! We build cars, houses, and boats with them. And guns. And pretty much anything you can think of.

The only thing is...they have kind of taken over the house.

-Maddox