Sea World - Part 1 - The Drive

A few months ago, Andy and I decided it was time to take a family vacation. We really want to start making family memories that our boys will remember as they get older. Cooper is still too young to remember this stuff... but I bet Drew will.

With the car already packed up, and gassed up, we picked Drew up from school a little bit early on his last day, and headed straight for San Antonio. We wanted to get a head start on traffic, and get to San Antonio in time for dinner. The boys did great in the car and we only had to stop a couple of times for potty breaks.

This was our first stop at Dairy Queen for a little afternoon treat. Okay, yes, that was more my idea than Drew's. And, yes I had to wake him up to go in.

While watching the Food Network a few days before our trip we saw this restaurant featured for their "puffy tacos". So we decided this would be our dinner choice in San Antonio on our way into town. It was great food and the kids were still in great moods!

Cooper really enjoyed his tortilla and queso.

Andy actually did order the puffy tacos they are famous for.

After a delicious dinner we hopped back in the car and headed for our hotel. I will blog more about the rest of our trip later.

Memorial Day at the Ranch

Just a few pictures of our Memorial day at Daybreak Ranch with Andy's family. It is always nice to spend time out there, when all the kids are asleep it is so quiet! Drew loves getting to spend time with all his cousins, and Cooper just has fun exploring a new environment.

Just chillin' on the porch with the grownups.

Playing at the "treetops". That is what Drew has always called the playground at the ranch. This was the first trip where Cooper really got to play out here since he is walking now.

Drew at the treetops, telling us something important.

The big kids spent some time playing in the water. It was such a hot day they loved the water guns and sprinkler. The sprinkler was mainly used to reload the water guns.

Preschool Graduation

We have been fortunate enough over the last 3 years for Drew to attend a terrific preschool program at a church pretty close to our house. He has LOVED it there, and we have loved him learn so much there. Since this was his PreK year, it is his last year at this school. They held a little graduation ceremony for all the 4 year olds. It was really sweet to see these little kids all decked out in their caps and gowns.

This pictures just makes me picture him 13 years from now graduating from high school.

Drew and his best buddy Jake goofing around after the ceremony. Can't you picture this same scene 13 years from now?

He will probably be this much taller than us then too, but we will be standing.

I know it is just preschool, and he really didn't need to accomplish much to graduate, but it is just one more reminder that he isn't going to be a little boy much longer. He is growing up so fast! Some days I am afraid I am going to blink and miss it all. He is so excited about Kindergarten, but I know there is no slowing down after this.

Drew's Birthday Party

Drew's birthday party was the Sunday after his actual birthday (better late than never for this post right?). We had a Star Wars party for him this year, complete with a Darth Vader pinata (that got knocked down before the party even started.) But Drew took it like a champ and had a great time with is friends hitting what was left of the helmet.

Darth before the party, and before the fatal hit.

Drew with his new Star Wars shirt and birthday button.

The Yoda cake made by the wonderful Sandy. The cake was actually green just like Yoda.

The boys hitting Vader's helmet after the pinata was knocked down.

Much like last year, once the festivities started to calm down, we realized that Drew was running a fever. Later that night he ended up getting pretty sick. But as least he got to have a great birthday week.

Five Years

I can't believe my first born is 5 years old. It has been a great 5 years too. I am so proud to be Drew's mommy (although he has started to call me Mom more and more). He is a sweet, thoughtful, funny, and smart little boy. He has brought so much joy and laughter into our lives. I cannot wait to see what God has planned for this little life. Thank you God for trusting me to look after such a precious gift.

May 12, 2005
8lbs 11.5 oz
21" long

May 12, 2010
46 lbs 4 oz
46.25" high

Four... for one more day.

Today is the last day that my sweet Drew will be 4 years old. Five years ago tomorrow, this little guy was placed in my arms. What an amazing blessing he has been in our lives.

I will have a full birthday post soon. But for now, I just wanted to leave this one picture, and enjoy my last day with the most awesome 4 year old ever.

Going Green

For a couple of years now Drew's favorite color has been green. If there is a choice of color for something you can bet he will pick the green one. So I guess it shouldn't have surprised me that he decided it was time for the Milliorn house to "go green".

In Drew's class at preschool they have been talking about how to help the Earth. They evidently have talked a lot about recycling, and practice it at school. He has been telling us for a few weeks that we need to start doing it at home. (No, we haven't been recycling. Yes, I know we have curb side pickup in Mansfield. Yes, I know we are bad people.) So last night we finally stopped being lazy and got out our recycling bin for Drew. He told us that this had to be his project, so he went around to all the trash cans and got out all the water bottles and soda cans and put them in our bin in the garage. He made sure first to empty them all out... including the almost full bottles of water Andy and I had on our nightstands. I guess maybe we should have been supervising a little bit better.

First of many trips to the bin.

How many water bottles can a little boy carry?

He was proud of his hard work.

But he was a little disappointed that our bin was wide and green and not tall and blue like the one at school.