Dear Xavier - Four Years

We had crab legs, at your request, for your birthday dinner.

Dear Xavier,

How can it be that you're four now?  A big boy for sure.  You hate being in your sister's shadow and so you insist on doing everything that she does, sometimes much to her chagrin.  You also refuse to let anyone call you little, even though you are the smallest (yet oldest) kid in your class.

You're also the child who gives me the most anxiety.  You're my wandering child who loves to explore and who has never had a problem approaching just anybody for a free hug.  Yep, you're always finding ways to get yourself into trouble - like the Lego incident when it got stuck in your mouth when we told you not to put it in there to begin with.  Because if something is off-limits, it becomes all the more intriguing to you.

But, at the same time, you're also oh, so loving.  I melt every time you randomly come up to me just to tell me you love me or when you just slip your hand in mine.  And, seriously, your hugs are just the best.  They are so squeeze-able and tight, it's no wonder you love to give them away to anyone who happens to be near.

You can still give me a good tantrum, though, but it seems you save the best ones for me.  Like all three (now four!)-year-olds, rationalizing with you can be tricky, and you always have to be right and this can lead to some difficult situations.

But you're definitely growing up.  You're so smart and active and always willing to learn.  You pay attention to everything and you ask oh, so many questions!

We spent your fourth birthday camping for the first time with friends.  You had a blast, except when Lissie decided to play with her friend instead of you.  That feeling of being left out was a difficult one for you to grasp, and it took you a while to recover from being hurt.  But you did love all of the camping food (yum, s'mores!) and sleeping in a tent, even during a thunderstorm.

We ended your birthday with a feast, at your request: Lola's pancit, butterfly shrimp, and crab legs.  And an ice cream cake of your choice to top it off!  Whew!

You are just so uniquely you, and it's so hard for me to express exactly what that means.

Some of your loves:

• Swimming
• Your sister
• One-on-one time with mommy or daddy
• Riding your bike
• Ninja Turtles (despite never having seen the show/movie)
• All things turtles
• Playing games
• Food
• Cooking with mommy

Some of your dislikes:

• Not getting your way
• Not having all of the attention
• Being left out
• Being called "small" or "too little" to do something
• Being wet (hating any type of wet clothing - you need to change immediately after swimming)

Stay sweet and hug-able forever.

Love always,

Mommy

And, as always, our yearly interview:

And some pics taken throughout the year:

Turtles are your fave.

More turtles.

Mangia is your favorite restaurant.

Eating out is seriously your favorite hobby

Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue!

Swimming is your favorite.

Your signature cheesy grin

This is typical, silly you.

The birthday boy with Father Bala, who baptized you only a few days after your birth.

Kickstart to Summer!

School wrapped up on Tuesday, and we've already started the summer with a bang!

As soon as I found out that the Franklin Y had opened their pool early, you bet we made it there right after school ended to get the summer off on the right foot!

Lissie's starting to be a budding photographer.

Another photo courtesy of Lissie

On Wednesday,  Lissie asked Lola to take her shopping with her graduation money.  And of course a shopping trip isn't complete without a treat!  Luckily Xavier was content with riding bikes and going to Kroger and getting a cookie with me.....

We laid low on Thursday - a park, the Y, and lots (and lots) of games.

But Friday was more of a production as we went with a friend and her two kiddos to a newfound Nashville "beach."  The kids had a blast with the sand and splashing in the lake.  We easily could've stayed longer than we did, but we wanted to get home to see Daddy.  I can see some more trips here throughout the summer!

Because it is important to water the lake.

This was the kid who spent last year hating sand and water!

Saturday was my intended pool day, but a quick glance at the forecast when I woke up made me change plans.  The pool would be freezing and there was a good chance of storms, so we postponed the pool for Monday and, at the last minute, hopped in the car for the two hour trip to Chattanooga where we went to the aquarium, splashed in the rocks nearby, had a yummy picnic, and walked over the bridge to Coolidge Park to carousel, splash, and have some ice cream.  So fun!

The penguins were off exhibit when we visited in March!

They happily walked with me over the pedestrian bridge when they realized that ice cream was in store on the other side, haha. 

Missing his nap and wanting his ice cream.

"I'll watch your bag, mommy."

Happy with his chocolate chocolate chunk!

Ice cream cheers!

Yesterday was Mass day, of course, and we had the bonus of having cake after church in honor of Father's ordination anniversary.  We also ventured to Pegram for a friend's cookout.  It really was a perfect Sunday.  (I just don't have the pics to prove it.  Haha.)

And today, after a morning at one Y to get in a quick run, we made our way to another Y and spent the rest of the day there.  We used up an expiring Groupon for Jet's Pizza for our picnic by the pool, and the kids loved grazing on all of the fruits and snacks that we packed to enjoy at each rest period.  We stayed until the pool closed and ended the day grilling on the fire pit and having some s'mores.

Five hours at the pool and they couldn't last the five minute drive home.
 (Neither could Justin.)

So I left them in the car (it was running) for a little bit
while I enjoyed some alone time on the hammock.

And then I felt bad, so I got them from the car but they were still tired.

And eventually, somehow, they kicked me off the hammock.....

The rest of the summer is bound to be full of excitement, as well.  We've got our Myrtle Beach trip planned in July, a few mini getaways - to Nashville (haha- using our leftover timeshare points for a little staycation), Atlanta, and most likely a camping trip or two, as well as a return trip to Chattanooga, summer camp at school, VBS, and Fun & Laughter camp.  And, of course, trips to splashpads and pools to round things out.  Whew!

Happy, happy summer!

Aunties, Uncles, and Cousins Galore!

Even though I was raised as an only child  (my baby sister died two months after she was born, when I was less than 18 months old),  I grew up in Michigan surrounded by a myriad of aunts, uncles, and cousins - all just on my dad's side.   Needless to say, there was always a celebration - a birthday, graduation, wedding - just around the corner.  And if there wasn't, someone would find an excuse to have a family gathering.  It was the best.

And even though we moved to Tennessee when I was in the fifth grade, I've always loved every opportunity for a family reunion.  Several times a year, we'd either host some relatives for a long weekend or we'd be in Michigan crashing at an auntie's house for some gathering or another.  In fact, even before we were married, my cousins adopted Justin as one of our own.  And Justin, who didn't have the same opportunities to be as close to his own family, has loved becoming a part of our crazy clan.

Sadly, it's harder to make it to family events now that we have kids and jobs, but I'm grateful for every occasion that warrants a big get together.  And I'm also especially thankful for social media to help us keep in touch with each other's lives.

Last October, my family had one such big celebration that brought together relatives from coast to coast - the wedding of one of my cousins in Indiana.  It was so much fun seeing everyone again, and my kids loved being spoiled by the lolas and lolos, aunties and uncles, and other cousins.

Most of my first cousins

Cousins' children

Cousins and our families

Then, in December, one of my cousins passed away after a yearlong battle with cancer.  Many of us gathered again to say our goodbyes to one of the most honorable men around.  And since Cliff was in the military, he had his burial at Arlington Cemetery a few months later - this past February - so we all reconvened to say one last goodbye to Cliff, as well as to remember his brother Patrick who had passed away the year before.  While it was a sad occasion that brought us together, I relished the time spent with my loved ones.

Somber family gathering

Arlington National Cemetery Burial

Maggiano's surprisingly had room for all of us at the last minute!

Catching up with the cousins

The next generation

Showing my cousins my former city

With the juxtaposition of the joyous gathering of Stephanie's wedding followed almost immediately by the somber passing of Cliff,  I was reminded of just how special, important, and amazing my family is.  And  also how blessed I am to have so many people in my life who support and love me.

Sometimes I wish that Lissie and Xavier could experience what I had in childhood - a constant influx of family everywhere.  But I am glad that they have had several opportunities already to get to know their cousins and aunties and uncles, with at least one more gathering coming up at the end of the summer.  In the meantime, I am cherishing the fact that my kids have such a close relationship with my mom and dad.  These kids definitely have an abundance of love on their side - they don't know just how good they have it!