Happy 5th birthday, Will!

"I'm 5!!!!"

We celebrated Will's 5th birthday with a family party last weekend. He had a great time playing with his cousins! We had his request - vegetable soup, along with chili, hot dogs, snacks, and yummy cupcakes. He was so thrilled to pick out all the veggies to go in the soup. It was really adorable to see. I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out, but I think it was pretty good!
As you can see, he got tons of stuff -- and he's been having such a great time playing with all of it in the evenings this week. He was pretty excited to get Monopoly and Operation. I'm so thankful he loves board games as much as I do! 

Oh my gosh, look at all this awesome stuff!

With his special request - chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting and chocolate sprinkles.

I love my new Woody PJ's! Thanks, Aunt Casie!

Both our kids had fevers after the party. Will was fairly subdued throughout the party, but seemed to have a really good time. Neither ate dinner. They had tylenol, lots of juice and water and went to bed. Thankfully, everyone felt better in the morning.

He had his school party on his actual birthday and had a great time there. When we got home, he was showing me all the stuff he got -- Legos, games, Rescue Heroes, and then he was ready to sit down and work on the 1st grade workbook his teacher gave him. I love this kid!
After opening presents from us, we had his b-day dinner of choice: chicken and macaroni & cheese. I tell ya, we should really be enjoying this time with such low expectations!!

A happy birthday boy with his dragon guys.

We had such a fun time celebrating this amazing little boy! I can't believe how quickly 5 years have gone.

Boy oh boy!

Before I left for the conference, we had a sonogram to see how things were looking. We were surprised to learn that we were having a BOY! Actually, Justin thought it was a boy all along; I just thought it was a girl. Regardless, our baby and I both looked healthy - that's mostly what we were hoping to hear! Baby was measuring a week to ten days big based on our anticipated due date. I assured the sonographer that this would be fine - I'm not a 40-week kinda girl :) I've been feeling lots and lots of movement lately, which I LOVE! It's one of my favorite things about being pregnant.

Will has thought the baby would be a girl, but he seemed just as excited to learn he would have a baby brother. The other day at school he was telling his teacher that he thought we should name the baby Max. And that his "big name" would be Max Junior Nichols. On the way home, I let him know that Daddy & I had come up with a name for the baby and told him what it was. Will got very quiet in the backseat. I assumed he was processing this new information. Soon, I realized he was crying. This marked the beginning of about a 30-minute meltdown in which I finally got him to verbalize what was bothering him. "I just don't feel like I'm getting to help with the baby. You and Dad decided the name and didn't even let me help."  Oh my. I walked right into that one and had no idea! Of course, I felt terrible. I love that he is so excited to help (we'll see how long it lasts after Baby arrives), but I just wasn't anticipating this. I gave J a heads up so he wouldn't bring it up when he got home. J's response: "Did you tell him this isn't a democracy?" Nice. We've moved past this hurdle, but still haven't talked much about the baby's name around Will. I tried to come up with other "big" things he could help with - choosing the paint color for the baby's room, helping get his clothes ready, etc. But Will has decided maybe he only wants to help when the baby is OUT of Mommy's tummy. Fair enough.

And all of a sudden she grew up

I traveled to a conference last week and Ellie Kate started preschool (at the school Will goes to) while I was gone. We were really nervous about this, but it really seemed like the best time. She is the youngest there right now, and was not particularly interested in potty training (a requirement to be at the school). But we love the environment and knew she'd enjoy being with the other kids. She did GREAT the first day - only one accident and even stayed dry through nap time. She had a couple emotional drop offs later in the week, but otherwise, has been wonderful. Literally, I was gone for 3 days, came back and she was potty trained and going to school. She was the one talking the whole way back from the airport, not Will. This was quite a change! We've made it through nearly 2 full weeks of school and she is doing better than we could have hoped. Thankfully, the transition hasn't been too tough for Will either.

potty training in the 21st century

Will is "so excited!!!"

We shared our exciting news with the kids last weekend. I so wish I'd had a recorder to capture all of Will's reactions. I'll do my best to record them here. In a nutshell, he's thrilled. His enthusiasm just brings us such joy.

First, Elle's reaction.
K: Elle, do you think it would be fun to have a new baby at our house?
E: Yeah
K: Will you be a big helper with the new baby?
E: Yep...I go play now.

Very age-appropriate response, I think.


Will's first reaction was literally jumping with his fists in the air and saying over and over "I'm so excited!"
Then the questions started. And they lasted a good 30-45 minutes. Probably would have lasted longer, but it was bedtime, at which point he asked, "Mom, can we skip reading a chapter tonight and just take turns asking questions about the baby? Me first, then you. We'll take turns." And so we did. :)

He initially indicated he wanted a brother, but that quickly faded and the baby has been "she" ever since.
W: Girl babies are so cute, mom! I bet she will be so cute. Can I hold her, mom? But what if I drop her? That would not be very good.

W: When will the baby's birthday be?
K: Sometime near Valentine's Day. We don't know for sure - it will be surprise.
W: But, mom, if we don't know when the baby's birthday will be, how do we get cake?

W: How do they get her out of your tummy? (I explained a c-section in 4-year-old terms)
W: Where will she sleep in the hospital? (after explaining there were baby beds at the hospital) I think the girl beds will have flowers and the boy beds will have polka dots.
W: Can we come see you when you're in the hospital?

 I explained that in a few weeks, he might be able to feel the baby kicking in my tummy. It could be the baby kicking, or the baby's hand, or even the baby's head.
W: The baby's head?! That would be crazy.
The next day when I was picking him up from school he put his hand on my belly and said, "Mom, I think I feel her. I think it was her head."

W: Mom, what can I help with for the baby? (I gave him plenty of ideas).
W: Mom, can I tickle her toes?
W: Mom, where will the baby take a bath?
W: Mom, we need to get her some PJ's. And some baby food. We have a lot to do to get ready for the baby. I need to check Jason's list to get everything we need. (Glad to know the imaginary friend has a checklist for babies.)

Will's name suggestions:
For a boy  - How about Pauly? Or maybe Sonny? (seriously - doesn't he know we're not Italian?!) Or how about Rock Star? (now, that's a winner)
For a girl - I like Anna. Or Madeline. (very sensible - what's the disconnect with boy names?)

He, of course, told everyone at school all about the baby in mommy's tummy. He has proceeded to ask me just about every day how big the baby is now. To which he replies, "oh, that's not very big".

We'll have months more filled with questions and a lifetime filled with entertainment from these three. Loving it already.

Rock Chalk!

Game day with my little Jayhawks!

They did awesome at our first game of the season (well, the first one we attended). Despite a little rain and being sleepy (Will was too excited for the game to sleep during nap time), we stayed the whole game, got to practice waving the wheat several times, and saw the Jayhawks win in the last seconds! Rock Chalk!

Vacation!

We took a brief family trip to Minneapolis over Labor Day weekend. We had a law school friend getting married there, so the old crew from UM decided to get together -- kids and all. We had a great time! It took us about 7 1/2 hours to drive each way (stops included). Neither kid slept for a moment either way. "I no sleep in the car!" Ellie would say incredulously anytime it was suggested. Oh well - we made it. We rented a van with a DVD player - the kids were in heaven! I also collected several new workbooks, pencils, activity books, coloring books etc. that were reserved "just for our trip".

All ready for the trip!

I think he finished his huge book of mazes before we even got out of Missouri.

Incidentally, these pictures were taken during our first stop (at Wal-Mart about 3 minutes from our house). I was double-checking with Justin to make sure he had everything - belt, shoes, socks. Dang! Forgot the socks. Hence, the stop at Wal-Mart. Apparently I should have been more thorough in my checklist. Upon our arrival in Minneapolis a look of horror came over J's face. He had forgotten his suit at home and had nothing to wear for the wedding (except a belt, new socks, and shoes, of course). Had to do a Macy's run before the wedding :)

We spent Saturday morning/day with our friends from law school and their kids. We had 5 under the age of 5. Everyone got along so well! We spent the morning at the Minneapolis Children's Museum - such fun! After naps, the babysitters arrived and the parents headed to the wedding.

Shopping

Checking out

He was doing great matching the X-rays with his body

The water room was by far EK's favorite.

boat races

The Lego room with Piper ("Piper, you're my best friend")

I think this was Will's favorite area.

Aren't they cute?! They were such pals!

Prince & Princess

Ellie Kate the turtle

Sunday morning we went to a park to play with hopes that we could wear the kids out so they'd sleep in the car. No luck on the sleep, but they sure had fun!

Cutie pie!

This makes me flash forward about 10 years and get VERY nervous! :)

Adorable Owen

Teeter-totter

somehow, I don't think the sides were evenly balanced

It was a quick trip, but a nice vacation and so great to catch up with friends. Will's favorite part of the trip? "Piper". Hopefully we'll get to see them again soon!

T-ball party

Will had his end-of-season T-ball party a few weeks ago. What could be better than pizza and cupcakes for bunch of little boys?

Coach talking to the team

So proud of his trophy

Even little sisters got cupcakes!

Hours of entertainment