Worn Out!

When the days are really long, and I'm really tired (but fighting sleep), Mom will drive me to Starbucks. I usually fall asleep as well pull into the driveway. Mom gets her pumpkin latte and I get a full night of sleep! It's a happy ending for everybody.

But, not lastnight. The trick didn't work. And then Yani came over and I had to show off. So did Jude - his ear infection never slowed him down! I eventually got sleepy though and passed out sideways on the couch. 

Today was show and tell. We had to choose something of ours that starts with the letter "A." I picked my ambulance. My friends loved it, but I don't know what Ms. Pettebone thought. She said, "Ohh, that is loud!" 

After school, I had zucchini, grapes and a turkey sandwich for lunch. Do you know what I loved most of all? Zucchini! I am crazy about that stuff. But I tell you what, I'm not crazy about shots. I had to get three of them today and boy did it burn! Mom rewarded my bravery with a trip to Bippy's. They had cookies n cream frozen yogurt and I topped it with gummy worms, strawberries and cheesecake bites. It was heaven.

And then, at 5:30 p.m., I closed my eyes for just a minute in the car and then I was gone to dreamland. I need some serious sleep after such a busy day! 

The Best Birthday Ever

So even though my actual birthday had already come and gone, we did the real celebration on Sunday. It's what I had been waiting for and talking about day after day after day.

It was....THE TRACK.

But there is more to this place than just a track.

There are airplanes. 

I was fearless and rode them twice. 

Jude did it once and said never again.

 There are also bumper boats that shoot water and a ferris wheel (that was me at the very top in the yellow cage).

I'm brave now that I'm four. Remember what I thought about amusement park rides at age two?

That is what Jude looked like on the airplanes. I said, "It's ok," but it didn't seem to help.
He only liked the slooooow choo-choo train and the quarter-eating Batmobile.

 Oh, and the gorilla. 

I liked everything.

But, my favorite thing in the whole wide world?

....The go-carts. 

I'd say turning 4 was a huge success! 

-Maddox

Go Gamecocks!

I don't know how the weatherman keeps his job. He said it would rain and storm all day and Mom listened to him and said we wouldn't be able to ride go-carts. Well, it rained twice, and the rest of the day was pure sunshine. Maybe tomorrow we will finally go, but I'm not getting my hopes up just yet.

So what did we do today? We helped Mom decorate for fall (and found out Piper is not a fan of fake black crows), watched football (well, mostly Dad did) and ate lots and lots of popsicles outside. How about you?

 Notice Jude is mad. He told Dad, "you mean" (his latest favorite thing to say) because Dad wouldn't let him backwash in his water. Also notice he is wearing my old jersey...remember this?

TGIF!

Now I know why people are always thanking God for Friday!

I'm excited to have a break from school and ride go-carts tomorrow.

And so is Jude!

This week in school I made a book all about ME.

Take a look.

 I wanted to know what I would look like with red hair.

I think I will stick with blonde, though. That red is a little too flashy. 

My book is pretty fun.

And 20 years from now, it will be even more fun to read. 

-Maddox

Show and Tell

Thursday is "Show and Tell Day" at school. This week's theme was "about me." I had a hard time choosing just four or five things to put in my brown paper bag but I finally narrowed it down to:

-my green turtle (for my favorite color...although it's currently tied with orange)

-my favorite book "There's an Alligator Under my Bed"

-my mini 4-wheeler

-my net, for my love of the beach

-a picture of Jude and I cruising around in my car, sunglasses on of course (we do it right!)

For a treat today we got Bippy's. I'm tall enough to get my own frozen yogurt now. I chose the Cable Car Chocolate. Jude just likes the toppings - you know, cheesecake bites and cookie dough. 

But I did let him try my chocolate. 

Whatever didn't go in my tummy, went on my mouth (and face...and hands). 

It was soooo good!

While I was at school earlier, Jude played with the markers. He drew on the wall (a little) and Mom's desk. He also drew on the paper too.

He told me he drew grass. See?

He also drew a "J" and an "M," but I don't think he realized it.

I'm glad he drew an "M" though.

That's the most important letter EVER (according to me).

When we ran away from Hurricane Isaac

Part 2 of my birthday - the go-carts- never happened (not yet, anyway)!

Thank you, Hurricane Isaac! Dad had to evacuate with the airplanes from our base and Mom didn't know what to do. She stocked up on food and the only flashlight left at Target and said we were going to weather the storm. But then panic set in and she decided to pack up the car and leave town. The four of us (don't forget Piper) met Papa and Nana halfway and we headed to South Carolina.

Turns out, the hurricane decided to hit New Orleans instead of Florida and we got more rain at Papa and Nana's house than at our own house! Mom also got sick for most of the time and a few of us threw up, too. Was it the cheesecake or a virus? Who knows. I'm just glad it's over.

I had fun seeing all my family and of course, not going to school for a week!

Tummy Yummy time!

We drove back to Florida all day Friday. It is a loooong drive and after about 5 hours, the DVD player just doesn't do the trick anymore.

Papa and Nana left early Sunday morning. It was so early that I was still asleep.

I cried and cried when I woke up, but then I remembered all the fun I had showing them my car, our house, our pool, and I even got to show Nana my school.

The hardest part about living far away is saying good-bye.

Today was Labor Day. We spent the morning at Postal Point.

Jude and I rocked our sunglasses and then Jude lost his. Typical little brother stuff! 

We saw fish, boats, jet skis, and lots and lots of people. 

Tomorrow it's back to school!

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.