hangin' out

We spent some time at the park yesterday and I was happy to get some pictures of my crazy kids. No more babies here...playtime yesterday proved it. 

Here's my "baby" ready to hit the monkey bars. 

He grabbed onto the first bar all by himself and he is actually hanging by his own strength here. It kind of looks like his feet are on the platform from the angle...but they're not. When did this happen? And I was slightly worried but, obviously, not worried enough since I decided to snap a picture instead of helping him. Mother of the Year. Yep. But you knew that already.

Liam could barely fit into the swing. I practically had to butter him to get him out of it when he was done.

And Daredevil Mikey over here...jumping off of a four-foot-high ledge. Fabulous. I'm happy to report there were no broken ankles or other injuries sustained. That's all that matters, right?

Now, this. This moment was my favorite of all.

A little history...from when Liam was about 10-months-old to 3 years, I have very few pictures of him because he refused to sit still for a camera. He didn't just not sit still, he would burst into a fit of stubborn frustration no matter where we were. 

Let me tell you, it's strange, yet relieving and exciting to see how things have changed in just a short year. I tried to go all ninja on him and snap a picture as he came down the slide, mostly because I didn't think he'd let me take one of him if I asked. But when he heard me snap the picture, he said, "NO, MOM! Let's do that again. I wasn't ready!" and proceeded to go back up the slide and slide down again. Then he stopped himself at that very spot, threw his arm over the side of the slide, positioned himself in a pose that he deemed acceptable and said, "Take it like this, Mom. This is a good one." Followed by, "Now, post it on Facebook, ok?" Oh, how that last request killed me. I about passed out from joy right then and there, but I didn't want to get tan bark in my hair.

This last picture, my friends, is just for the Mister. He hates this cheesy heart-y overlay so, of course, I had to take a pic of us...and use the overlay. Duh. And then post it on Instagram and blog about. Double Duh. What kind of wife would I be if I didn't? Love ya, Babe!

super reader

3-year-old liam reads a book to me!

swim! swim! by lerch

occupy mommy's phone

it's an understatement to say that liam loves to play on my phone. and i love for him to play on it because he learns lots of words and phrases from all the great apps. but, seriously. someone get this kid his own phone, stat. he's taken over mine and mommy is having a really hard time sharing! if i try to make my own phone even slightly efficient for my own use, maybe add a shortcut to my home screen, he promptly deletes it and replaces it with his shortcut ABCs for Toddlers. 

le sigh.

what's more amusing than liam's obsession with my phone are the places he chooses to plop down and play. 

like on the kitchen floor in front of the oven.

or maybe in the laundry basket. a little odd, but he sure looks comfy.

at least he gives me an excuse for why i couldn't put the laundry away.

on the ottoman, which he pushed to the very middle of the living room.

anywhere but on the sofa. sitting in front of it is perfectly acceptable, though.

this "occupy mommy's phone" movement is getting a little old, buddy!

embrace the camera - jan 12

the bigs and i checked the weather online this morning and then couldn't resist some morning sillies in front of the camera.

isaiah and mikey are into exposing the whites of their eyes. 

but they aren't skilled enough to do it without using their hands...yet.

i love how liam is getting silly with his brothers in these pictures.

on another note, he is transitioning to full-day preschool today - 9a-2pm! 

wishing my sweet boy an extra great day.

embracing the camera with the anderson crew!

liam's first day

liam had his first day of preschool on tuesday and this new adventure had our entire family excited yet anxious for our sweet boy. it was definitely an exciting day. i did take some photos, but they don't do justice to the excitement. did i mention it was exciting? (hahah it's getting late....and my vocabulary shrinks as the night progresses.)

liam eats breakfast.

liam fiddles with his backpack strap.

liam and mommy trying to pose in front of what looks like the gate to a juvenile detention facility.

daddy trying to get all creative with the camera angle. fail.

liam finally showing a little bit of excitement. 

walking to his classroom.

he walked into the classroom, found a puzzle, got completely involved and forgot that i was even there.

so, we turn to leave and i'm slightly disappointed that it wasn't as dramatic as i expected it to be.

oh, but wait. 

liam notices me and shawn leaving, so he starts to cry. 

let the drama commence. 

i proceeded to cry as soon as i heard him cry.

 lord, have mercy. 

i turn toward the door to make a break for it and walk right into the door jamb.

thank goodness my face was there to take the hit. 

at the same moment, i let out (or in?) an embarrassingly loud snort amid my crying. 

i finally rush out the door, successful this time, but red-faced and defeated nonetheless.

doesn't that sound exciting?

oh, it was. believe me.

later that morning, when the redness in my face finally began to fade, liam's program assistant calls me and says, "liam's totally fine. but i was calling to see how YOU were doing." 

i'm immediately red-faced, once again. fantastic.

 it did make me happy, though, when his p.a. sent me this photo of my sweet boy. 

smiling. pretending. having fun.

i'm one super proud mama.

thankful

ever feel so blessed and thankful that your heart feels like it's going to explode?

i do. right now. 

and it's because of these happy, smiling faces that light up my days.

#3 turns 3!

liam alexander.

it was three years ago that you came into my world and instantly made it a better place.

mikey, on the other hand, wasn't quite sure about you. he was concerned that the two of you looked too much alike.

 isaiah seemed a little worried, also, but has since grown to adore you.

 you were the perfect little addition to our family.

you brought joy everywhere you went.

 

it took a lot of self-control every night for me to abstain from eating your chubby little toes for dinner.

and i'm sure you'll beg to differ, but you definitely have your not-so-cute moments. kinda often, actually.

but with that cute little face of yours, you could get away with anything.

even with wearing a dress (as your dad called it) to your baptism.

your smile is contagious.

with you, life's a beach.

you make me fear our food bill when you're a teenager.

you keep dad in shape. relatively.

you have always been one silly little goose.

and already a lady's man.

how can the ladies resist you when you flash them your "blue steel" look.

you make this journey of life so much more worthwhile.

the happiness you've brought to my life is more than i ever imagined or can even comprehend.

when i try to comprehend how much i love you, i just cry. it's too much. more than i can even hold within my body and it all leaks out as tears of joy.

you know you have my heart, but you've been your daddy's boy from the start.

you're a wonderful little brother - always cheering for your kuyas.

and you're just as amazing as a big brother. wyatt is so lucky to have you watching over him.

you like to sleep naked. even when we're camping in the freezing cold.

and such a tough guy. always all smiles - even through tears right after you face planted during our camping trip.

you even locked yourself (and lilybeth, oops) in auntie lacy's car at yosemite. i'm convinced it's because the two of you wanted to eat all of the chocolate cookies in the car.

with you, there's always something new every day.

and i will never tire of your sweet surprises.

you're one of best things i've done with my life.

and i know it's only going to get better.

thank you for choosing me to join you on your journey.

i have a lot to learn and i'm so glad that you're the one to teach me.

happy 3rd birthday, sweet boy.

i love you to the moon and back.