Drew's First Day of School

Maternity leave is almost over, boo!  I love being home with the boys (though having Mike home too so we can be 1:1 with them is ideal!).  Drew had his first day of school today - just a couple hours to get introduced to his teachers and new friends, and give mommmy a little time to weed the garden.  He's got the same teachers as Evan had, and Evan is thrilled that Drew will be going to school with him in the mornings.  We warned the teachers that he'll want to check on his brother all the time!  Today the boys celebrated their new school partnership by dressing alike.

(Although Drew's cheeks are definitely filling out and he's getting the pudgy baby look, the blog seems to have squished the photo a little, making both boys look more squat than they really are.)

Happy Birthday, Mike!

Evan came home early from school today.  "I coughed right there in the hallway, mommy," translation: he got sick in the hallway right after morning snack.  Likely it was just too much food and fun at once, as he didn't have a fever or any recurring "coughs."  While he was sad to leave his friends, he was giddy happy that he got to help mommy decorate a cake for daddy's birthday while Drew napped.  It was a little heavy on the sprinkles, but beautiful and yummy regardless.  Since he's only 2 1/2, luckily we didn't have any expectation of surprise when Mike came home, because Evan said, "Hi Daddy!  Happy Birthday!  I eat your cake now?" 

Happy Birthday, Mike!  We hope this is a great year and we can't wait to celebrate many many more birthdays with you. 

Grilling Out

When she was here, Auntie Chrissy bought Evan a grill of his very own. Now he proudly stands with Mike as they cook dinner.  Hamburgers and hotdogs, anyone? 

Dailies

A couple shots from the daily Drew archive...

Yes, Mommy DOES Rock!

Handsome?  You bet!

Practicing my Heisman move already.

First Bottle

How time flies... it'll soon be time for Drew to go to school, so in preparation we tried a bottle for the first time today.  Since this first venture he absolutely flat out refuses to take it from me, but grudgingly accepts it from Daddy, and even Evan.  Hopefully he'll eat when he goes to school!  You'll see Evan's little fingers helping to hold the bottle in this shot too.  He loves taking care of his Drew!

Superhero!

All it takes is a blanket and a chip clip, and KAPOW!  We have Evan the Superhero!  He happily flew around the house over and over, insisting I take more and more photos.  He couldn't have been more excited to fly in his cape.

Note Ernie in the background... we probably did 20-30 "takes" of Evan flying through the kitchen, and Ernie just sat and patiently watched the show as Evan flew by over and over.

Picasso

Today was an art day.  What fun!

Happy Father's Day!

We had a great day celebrating Mike today!  Everyone slept in (wonder of wonders), we had a great brunch out, and spent the day playing and enjoying being together.  Drew proudly sported his "My Daddy Rocks" shirt, Evan helped make and decorate brownies, and he kindly signed both his and his brother's names to a handmade card for daddy.  Evan's spent the better part of a week going around the house loudly saying, "Shhhhh!  Don't tell Daddy!!", so he's clearly been making a Father's Day Surprise at school.  Unlike his Mother's Day Surprise, however, he never once spilled the beans on what it actually is.  (Mike took it to work, so I don't have a photo - soon, though.) 

We are so very lucky to have Mike as the daddy in this family!  We love you, and Happy Father's Day!

Baths

Drew got a bath this morning, and Evan was eager to join in.  He very carefully bathed Doggie, imitating every step of Drew's bath and helping Doggie to keep the water out of his eyes just like Evan does in his own baths.  He was a great helper bathing Drew too.  Finally both freshly washed boys were wrapped up in snuggly warm towels and dried off. 

Even More Visitors

Last but not least, Gramma Kay and Grampa Arnie came to Virginia to hang with Evan for a couple days and meet Drew.  They were able to stay for 4 whole days, and we made the most of every one.  Both boys were showered with gifts, and had a blast with all the attention.  Swimming, playing, eating... we did it all!  See you back in WI in just a couple months!

Drew hanging poolside

Ice pop break!

Hiding!

It took nearly three years for Evan to realize he can climb in the cabinets.  I'm shocked (yet thankful) it took this long!  Today he decided he was going in...  While our back was turned, he quickly took all the cereal boxes and food out and snuck in, then yelled, "Come fine me - here I am in the cabinet!"  He might not have the finer points of hide and seek down pat quite yet, but it sure is fun to play together. 

Drew had a little photo shoot with mommy today!  Here are my three favorites, out of about 200 shots, of course. It's easy to take tons of photos with a great camera, and of course with a very willing and handsome subject.  The hard part is editing them down to the best few!  

So Big!

More Visitors

This weekend it was Grampa Chuck & Grandma Mary's turn to visit.  It was a quick trip, but Drew got in lots and lots of snuggle time with them both, and Evan wore everyone out with trips to the pool and park, rounds of golf and baseball in the yard, and even a UVA baseball game.  Evan made Mickey Mouse cupcakes with Mary, and was overjoyed to put the frosting on himself.  What a treat!  In Evan's words, "thanks for visiting at us!"