(Will with some of his loot)
We celebrated Will's 5th birthday at Chuck E. Cheese yesterday (although he technically does not turn 5 until Wednesday). Our family and friends drove to Jonesboro to take part in the "chaos" and we really appreciate it!! Here are a few pics...
Will started Pre-K today and loved it! His teacher said that he was one of the only ones that did not cry. (I almost did, but I held it together...) I was so worried that he would get upset when it was time for Billy and I to leave because he cried EVERYDAY for the first three years that he went to Under the Rainbow Pre-School. He rode a school bus for the first time ever, too. I think that was his favorite part (even if it was just from one campus to another!)
He only let me take one picture of him in his class. I think it thoroughly embarassed him, so I didn't push it too hard.
This is the note he had pinned on him. It is kind of hard to see, but it says, "Excellent behavior and listening skills on his first day." Yay!!!
Remember the time I posted about how Will likes to clean up?? (i.e., stuffing things in places they don't belong, etc.) Well, today he had to clean up, and this is how I found his closet when he was finished...
...right side of the closet
left side of the closet...
His closet floor is supposed to have a toy basket with balls in it (footballs, basketballs, etc.) and SHOES!! That's it! If you look closely, you will see the basket under all of the stuff and a few shoes scattered about. I have always categorized his toys. For example, all of the vehicles are together, super hero stuff, etc. In the last few months, I have given up on that, but this is too much for me to take!!
When I was young, I was bad about "stuffing" stuff in my closets and under my bed. I used to argue with my mom and say, "But, it's MY room...let me have it the way I want!" She would always say that it just gave her a headache knowing that my room looked that way. I can now say that I know where she was coming from...I am so sorry, Mom, for all the "stuffing" I did!! However, I did grow up and become more organized, so maybe Will will, too. Right???
My brother graduated from Basic Training/AIT this past Friday and returned home from Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri. Upon his graduation ceremony, he was served papers saying that he was going to be deployed and had 30 days to get his affairs in order. Needless to say, we were all pretty stunned. However, today he had a meeting in Jonesboro, and they informed him that they would not be deploying any more men/women from their unit at this time! My prayers were answered, and God is GREAT!
So with naivety, I assumed that it would not be so hard this year to get cute beach pics. I mean, I knew it would be harder with two, but, come on, I never thought it would be impossible. (See evidence below...)
We just returned from our vacation to Gulf Shores. It was Jake's first long trip and he was wonderful! Usually we spend most of our time at the condo's pool, but this year Will favored the ocean more. Jake loved the ocean, but not the sand! I will post the "posed" pictures later and you will see just how much he hated the sand!
Billy and Will rode the bumper boats and go carts.
Then it was off to play putt putt...while still soaking wet!
This is a picture of the Ferris Wheel at the Wharf. If you haven't been to Gulf Shores lately, this is a place to go see. It is a new shopping center with lots of restaurants and a theater. Billy and I went to see Mamma Mia. I loved it; Billy, not so much...
Will and I went on nighttime walks and hunted for crabs. 
Jake's first walk to Sea n Suds restaurant. He wasn't scared at all. Will wouldn't walk on the boardwalk until he was almost three. He was scared that he would fall through the cracks.
