Chandler is SEVEN!

Seven years ago today I was seeing this face for the very first time.

Chandler Keaton--about 2 hours new

For the past seven years, Chandler has been the reason to get up every morning, the challenge of every day, and the overwhelming joy and pride of every moment.  Seven has gone by so fast.  Here's what this kiddo has been up to this past year.

In September, he become a Tiger Cub.

As he so often does, he reminded me to stop and smell the roses in October.

He became a bona fide first grader in November with the loss of his first two (bottom) teeth.

And he got to play in snow (a bit) for the first time in a long while in December.

Carried on with his usual "Chan"tics in January.

And did some sweet snugglin' during an unusually cold winter in February.

He got pretty up close and personal with a black bear at The Knoxville Zoo in March!

And ran his first Kids' Marathon in April with a super fast time!

He became an avid tree climber in May and has since tackled many an oak and maple.

And he conquered Big Thunder Mountain Railroad during his first trip to Disney World in June.

Spent the lazy days of summer in the water one place or another during July.

And started his 2nd grade adventure in Mrs. Quinn's class in August.

And then there's today, his birthday.  Riding his new scooter since 7:15 this morning.

I knew being his Momma was gonna be a blessing.  I just had no idea how BIG!  Every day is a new adventure with this kid.  And I am enjoying every second.  (Okay, I could do without the sass mouth, but other than that ;)

Happy Birthday to the BEST birthday present I've ever gotten!!!

Love you, Chandler Man!!  Hope you're birthday ROCKS!

Mom :)

"I'll love you forever, 

I'll like you for always.

As long as I'm living,

my BABY you'll be."

~Robert Munsch~

Happy Birthday, Chan!

It is finally here.  The big S-I-X.  My oldest actually has to use two hands now to show his age.  How did this happen??

I know, I know. I ask myself that question on every birthday.  But seriously, how did this happen?  Wasn't it just yesterday that he was born?  Weren't we just rocking him to sleep, and changing his diapers, and taking note of all of his "firsts" in his baby book, like, the other day?? 

Well, ready or not for his Momma, six is here.  Here's how we celebrated the big S-I-X:

The first picture of Chan on his 6th birthday.  Little brother had to join in, too.

After school he got to open his presents from Mommy & Daddy.  He was pretty excited to get home to the surprise!

An easy button.  Easiest birthday gift ever.  He loves it.  (That was easy.)

No birthday is complete for Chan without more weaponry.

And his (and Daddy's) new favorite thing: Skylanders!

Momma & Chan on our birthdays.  Chan 6, Momma 32 29

Already getting in to the new Skylanders game.  As you can see, he has his Dad's video game face.

We celebrated with dinner at Cinco (our fave) with all the fam.  Chan, Momma, & Aunt Anna got the birthday whip cream to the face!

We had his friend party at The Koehns.  This is the goody bag & gift table (sans gifts). 

His pirate cupcakes.  I kept it super simple this year, which was nice for a change.  BTW: Thanks Publix for the black and RED cupcakes.  That RED looks awfully pink though.

His birthday invite to The Jolly Roger

Chan & Trev waiting on the crew to arrive

Chan and some of his buds playing swim/sword fight

And Liam and Harlan just cooling off in the tiny pool

Cake and ice cream by the pool

Captain Chandler's First mate

And my sweet birthday boy.  I mean "Captain Chandler".

Fun was had by all, and Momma didn't even get all stressed out and crazy about it this year.  Cause ain't nobody got time for that!  We had a great weekend of celebrating our big kid and look forward to all the fun that 6 will bring!

"Grown don't mean nothing to a mother.  A child is a child.  They get bigger, older, but grown?  What's that suppose to mean?  In my heart it don't mean a thing."

~Toni Morrison, from Beloved~

Happy Birthday my sweet Chan!  I love you to the moon and back, over and over again!

Momma

P.S.- Yes, I realize this post is a week late, but better late than never, right?

P.P.S.- Yes, I also realize that my 2 1/2 year old still has a paci, but in my defense, we have tried getting rid of it and he keeps hiding them places.  We're working on it. :)

The Grandest Grandparents Ever

You may or may not know that today is National Grandparents Day.  This day originated with a lovely lady named Marian McQuade who "hoped to persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage their grandparents could provide." (I don't carry around that wealth of knowledge, BTW.  I googled that.)

You also may or may not know that my kids have the grandest grandparents ever!  They are such a big part of our lives and love our kids with their whole (VERY BIG) hearts.  They are so much a part of our lives that I totally couldn't do this parenting thing without them!  I know how lucky Chandler and Liam are to have them in their lives and I hope that they look back on each of these memories and remember how much they are loved and cherished by each one of their grandparents.

And, of course, I had to go looking for pictures today.  I'm going to go ahead and apologize for the mass quantity, but I simply couldn't narrow it down any further. Some of my favorite shots of my kids with their grandparents:

Nana meeting first grandson, Chandler, for the first time.  He was exhausted after those 13 1/2 hours of labor obviously. September 2007

Chan had to open his eyes and get a glimpse of Baba for the first time. September 2007

Grandma falling in love with her first grandchild. September 2007

And proud Papa showing off the new little guy. September 2007

One of my faves of my Dad with Chan, December 2007

Chan spitting orange with Baba during his first UT game, September 2007

and celebrating his first Christmas with Grandma & Papa, December 2007

Chugging some milk with Grandma, January 2008

and cheering on the VOLS with Baba. January 2008

All set for the game in our orange and white, January 2008

Chan with Nana & Baba, March 2008

About to take his first dip in the pool with Grandma, May 2008

Learning the art of grilling with Papa, July 2008

And checking out the ocean for the first time with Baba, October 2008

Going through their Halloween loot together, October 2008

Gearing up for some UT football with Baba, September 2009

Being a beach bum with Nana & Baba at Inlet Beach, October 2009

Christmas movie cuddles with Grandma, December 2009

Motorbike riding with Papa, April 2010

Climbing the rock jetty with Baba in PCB, October 2010

And watching Titans football with Grandma, October 2010

Meeting Liam, May 2011

Papa & Grandma with grandson #2, May 2011

Chan having Cinco (our fave) with Nana & Baba, June 2011

Liam & Papa, July 2011

Chan's first Titans game with Papa & Daddy, August 2011

Chan mowing with Baba, September 2011

And Liam's first venture into the ocean with Baba, October 2011

Papa & Liam watching Chan's soccer game, October 2011

Chan's first Preds game with Baba & Daddy, October 2011

Liam getting cheered up by Nana at Vanderbilt Children's.  All of his grandparents came EVERY DAY of his 5 day stay there to give snuggles, hugs, and love.  So thankful for that.  January 2012

Hanging at the Jolly Roger with Papa, March 2012

And Chan doing some more motorbike riding with Papa, June 2012

Chan & Baba celebrating the 4th, July 2012

A boy and his Baba at the Wilson County Fair, August 2012

UT football ready with Baba, August 2012

Cuddles with Grandma, September 2012

Visiting the Old Mill with Baba & Nana, October2012

Liam & Baba rocking, October 2012

Ready for Titans football, October 2012

Liam early voting with Baba, October 2012

Nana & Chandler, November 2012

Liam getting Nana lovins before school one day, January 2013

Liam napping on a Friday afternoon with Baba, February 2013

The boys hanging with Papa on his birthday, March 2013

Celebrating Easter at Nana's, March 2013

Baba's boys, April 2013

Helping Baba mow with his new tractor, May 2013

Liam loving on Papa, May 2013

Chan with Grandma & Papa at his spring kindergarten program, May 2013

Grandma & her boys on Memorial Day, May 2013

Chan & Papa, best buds, June 2013

Nana & her boys at Symphony on the Lawn @ CU, June 2013

Chan & Baba listening to the symphony, June 2013

Swimming with Grandma, June 2013

Nana & Liam at Sesame Street Live, June 2013

Grandma & her handsome Chan at Dougie's wedding, July 2013

Down at the river with Baba, July 2013

The boys at their first Sounds game with Baba, July 2013

Chan with Nana & Baba on his birthday, September 2013

There certainly is a wealth of wisdom and heritage to be learned from these amazing, cherished, "grand"parents that my boys have.  I hope and pray that they soak up every little bit of it.

Happy Grandparents Day to the bestest ones ever--Nana, Baba, Mimi, & Papa!!  We love you all so, so, so very much!!

"Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do.  Grandparents sort of 

sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children."

~Alex Haley~

Till next time friends!

Brittany :)