Grants first student conference

I just met with Grant's teacher, Miss Carol this morning to discuss Grant's preschool year!  She discribed him just as I expected!

- loves school

- extremely social

- extremely friendly

- best friend is cousin, Freddie

- chatty and always wants to share with class HIS stories

- kind of physical and extremely enthusiastic while the children have center time

- kids tend to follow his lead 

- happy

- takes his time on work but often needs to be redirected to pay attention

- can recognize all colors and shapes

- can count really high

- needs more practice with letter recognition

- sweet boy

Yup, that's our Grant C!!!!  We love this boy to the moon and back!

"Mom, it's me... Gwant!"

I hear that little voice fairly often between the hours of 2am-5am on the side of my bed. 

Grant holding his little blankie and little pillow tip-toes into our master bedroom a couple nights a week.

 "Mom, it's me...Gwantie.  Scoot over, I am wanna lay down with you."

You got it, buddy.  And he climbs in bed with us.  Falls right back asleep.  

We NEVER let our other two sleep in bed with us.  Ever.  We would escort them right back to their own beds.  But, something about this little one - knowing he is the final baby - lets me get over that and embraces it.  I don't care if it's frowned upon.  Go ahead and judge if you must.  

I love cuddling with this little guy.  

Especially during the cold dark months of winter.

And he is growing up before our very eyes.  Already in school and turning 4 next month.

I am going to savor this little age.

It's not going to last forever.

This saddens me.

So go ahead and climb in mom and dad's bed.

We don't mind...

I guess there are perks of being the youngest in the family.  

And this might just be one of them.

Happy new year!!!

May 2016 be our best year yet!!!

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Morning time

I cherish these slow mornings with my Grant!  All the big kids are at school and this little guy has no agenda except to stay in pjs for awhile, watch cartoons and play on the floor with mommy.  He is such a homebody at heart often saying, "mommy, I don't want you to take your robe off."  Which in his mind means we would have to leave the house to go somewhere.  Not today buddy!  It's just you and I spending this lazy, chilly morning together.

Shhhh....

He is ACTUALLY asleep.  Mid-day.  This boy never naps.  Ever.  He gave up his nap right after he turned two years old.  My other two took naps everyday til they were nearly five.  

I just walked in his room and found a rare sight.  So sweet and innocent.

Sweet dreams, Grant!  

Mommy is going to enjoy the quiet.

Grants preschool Halloween party

Grant experienced his first preschool class party today and it didn't disappoint!  I helped plan this fun morning which included pumpkin bowling, witches hat ring toss, Oreo cookies and a costume parade!  What more could a three year old ask for?  Dad even surprised him and came to the parade and mom worked the party!  Extra excitement for Grant!

A date with number 3

The perks of being the youngest of three - is clocking in mommy time while older siblings are at school!

Grant and I had a morning date at the zoo!  Such a great time with my little guy! 

Feeding the giraffes!!!

Grant and Freddie

I think it's extremely adorable that these two (2nd cousins) are in the same preschool class together.  They bring comfort to each other in the classroom.  A safety net.  And a fun playmate!

Grant's 1st Day of Pre-School

Grant's First Official Day of Preschool is here!

He is super excited!  He is equipped with a donut in his hand (first day of school tradition) and his blankie in his backpack (just in case...)

No tears from either of us.  We are BOTH ready!

Go get 'em, Grant C.  We love you, buddy!  Let your light shine!

Grant's Start to preschool

My baby is leaving the nest and spreading his wings!  Grant starts preschool next week and he is actually pretty excited about it!  

He will be attending Jacks old preschool and he is actually in the exact same classroom as Jack was last year.  He remembers it well from drop off and pick up last year.  

He is excited it is HIS turn!  

We attended open house and he loved every minute of exploring the classroom!  It was so refreshing to have an eager, outgoing and brave child with NO TEARS!  But we shall see how next Tuesday goes when I am not there wih him!

When Justin called him to see how it went - I heard him say into the phone, "dad, I am now Jacky's age!"  I guess he feels like a big boy now like his older brother!

There are two Grants in his class so he will be known as "Grant C" this year.

So Grant C had a great meet and greet and he is ready for this new sense of independence and bravery!

My Grant time

I am absolutely loving my time spent with Grant while the big kids are at school!  We have a lot of time devoted to slow mornings full of cartoons, puzzles, art work and playing "school."  

This little boy of mine is the sweetest little thing I know.  He must tell me 10 times a day how much he loves me.  Be still my heart!!!

My little pirates....

These two just melt me....

Having a great time together on this last week of summer!

Soaking up the family time! 

Wild Thing

....I think I love you!

3 years old is so much fun!

Grant is having the best summer ever!  Sleeping in, swimming everyday, riding bikes with his siblings, and playing outdoors most afternoons!

He is so much fun to have around.  Always joyful, always independtly creating his own fun, and by far the most affectionate child ever.

I could eat this child!  He melts me.

Having a hard time seeing him grow up so fast.  I will be fighting back the tears this August when I send my baby off to school....

Grants first friend

Grant has a new best buddy/playmate and he can't get enough of him.   Mason and Grant are inseparable when they are together.  Their little friendship started as their older sisters are in kindergarten together and they would see each other at drop off and pick up.  And then the girls would get together for play dates  so the boys would always be in tow and now...while the girls are at school we get the boys together to play.  They have their OWN playdates.  And being third in line that usually doesn't happen.  You're usually on your older sister and brothers play dates as a tag-along.  Grant always asks to see his "best friend Mason." 

They are so comfortable with each other that mason's mommy will take Grant home with her to play back at their house without me.  Little buddies!  I love it!!

And my goodness could these two be any cuter?!?!

My boy

Grant and I met Justin for lunch today while the older two were at school!  I absolutely am in love with this boy and our one on one time together while the big kids are gone.  He is the best date!

He is by far the kindest soul and is such a gem of a kid!  I am blessed.  

What we are up to around here....

Grant is THREE now - it is time.  He has shown very little interest.  Actually, he has been on an antibiotic for a double ear infection that has caused diahrea so we couldn't give potty training a fair shot.

I bought him new Mickey Mouse underwear to pump up his excitement - but he could have cared less....

Enter big brother, Jack as Grant's "potty coach" and interest levels are at level high!

Jack has been encouraging Grant to use the potty the same time he has to use the potty so then can go together.  This has been effective!  And Jack even cheered on Grant as he went number 2 on the potty.  I had no idea this was going on.   But Grant was wanting to impress his big brother desperately.

I have a goodie bag they BOTH can earn items from after Grant goes potty.  One for the toddler and one for the "teacher."

The best part of potty training is feeling very much like a big kid washing his hands and flushing the toilet.

It's the little things in life that makes me so proud.  I love the teamwork I see in my children.  Makes me smile!

Forever my baby

I am savoring this boy and his cuddles....

Happy 3rd Birthday, Grant!!!

My baby boy is three years old today! 

 I find this young boy to be the sweetest and most tender hearted child of anyone I've known.  Ever.

It amazes me - even though he is third in line - he ALWAYS considers others before himself.  (Example: if we go through the drive thru at the bank and the teller hands him a sucker he will instantly request to take one home for his brother and sister also.  "I need one for jacky and ya-ya please.")

He is also an exceptional sharer of his belongings.  At three years old - most toddlers have the tendency to not allow others to play with their toys.  Not my grant - he will allow anyone to join in and play with his stuff.  He is so very generous.

His current obsession is a sword.  Anything and everything he owns quickly becomes a weapon of some sort.  Right now everything is a sword.  Sometimes the sword gets taken away as a result of stabbing his brother too hard.  He even sleeps in bed with a plastic pirate sword in his hand.  It's adorable!

At three years old, Grant is an exceptional talker.  He can carry on full blown conversations and can communicate his feelings very well. It's amazing how well he can verbalize.  The pediatricians usually say your youngest child will be a late talker as older siblings do all the speaking for them.  Not the case here.  He has been our best talker yet.  

I am absolutely IN LOVE with this boy.  Head over heals in love.  He is so sweet, beautiful, caring, smart and well mannered.  

I am so proud of my little three year old.  

His compassion for others is remarkable. 

He shows me affection like no other person in the world can.  Everyday he tells me "mommy, I love you the most.  I love you most, mommy!"

I know you do, buddy!  And I love you MORE than you will ever understand or could comprehend.

You are the light of my life!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Grant Lee Conger!

I love you forever,

Mom