AJ UPDATE 5.10.2024

Well, where does the time go? With a snap crackle and a pop- YOU ARE 5!!!! What an awesome year we have had. You started a new school at St. Theresa for full day preschool with the best teachers yet! I get to pick you up every day at 2 and just hang with you until we get the sis which is awesome. You started playing socccer. You can brush your own teeth, ride your bike, write your name, spell words, complete math problems, sleep in your own bed, buckle your own seat belt, order you own food, get you wwon water, find a healthy snack, play independently. I mean how are you just 5!!! Kids in college can't do these things! I think you are the smartest boy I have ever met and your memory is like no other. You are very quick to get invovled in everything. You tell me that you need to eat healthy. We find you sneaking our phones and dominating different games. You can have a full on conversation about any topic and you are not to be fooled. You know when things are right and wrong and are a good judgement of fairness and of your own capabilities whichi is amazing. You are very compassionate and love to be around others kids. You are very kind and loving but super athletic and tough. We celebrated 5 with another birthday/Derby party, and your teacher said you are the most excited boy to be 5 than anyone she has ever met! On your birthday, I came in to your class to be the mystery reader and that was so exciting - especailly because you were so happy to see me, full of hugs. The next week we went early to school for Mom's and muffins. Every day when I pick you up you tell me that you just want a relaxing ride home. Sometimes we talk, sometimes we sing, sometimes we call people, sometimes we laugh but one thing is for sure consistent-- you have to go to the bathroom when we get home! We had your first kid party this year at the Park District and I ran the game party. We played parachute-"this is Aj's party and parachutes the game, you will run under when we call your name!" We had a bucket toss, pin the tail on the dinosaur, knock over the cans, simon says with a dance party, hulla hoop music game-- we just had to much fun! Then we had pizza and donuts! YUM YUM You received so many amazing super hero gifts from your parties I think we may have every toy in the world! When asked what you want you replied, "What they give me....just no girl stuff." And that is what you got buddy. You still are my Lukey Rantango-- but you say you want to be "AJ and then Alexander James".. we just have a lot of fun with it and all our nicknames for each other poopy! I love when we get to snuggle, but you are a sweat box that is for sure. You are in a puddle when you go to sleep! And most of the time that is while you are laying next to me. You have sandy bronw blonde hair with green eyes, big feet, skinny little legs, a little belly, and the same arms as me. You are taller than your sisters were at the same age and you are just quite lean rather than stocky. But on the soccer field you are mean green, and don't stay on your feet much but you sure like to score goals! I asked what number you want to be and you said, "21," I said that is Char's number then you said "43"-- I said that was my number-- then you said "78"-- where do you come up with this? Always making me smile. Making all of us smile. It is rare that you are ever upset and when you are you just snuggle in for instant relief. It is truly a pleasure being your Mom. I can reflect now that you are everything I ever wished for and I am so thankful that came true. You add a dynamic to my life and to our family that we so needed. Daddy even went to a wrestling practice with you and got you shoes and head gear, which you refer to as "the headrest." Daddy said, you have a natural bridge--- OH BOY!! You went only a couple times the season ended we will get back at it at a later date. But until then you have sisters to wrestle-- and oh how you love them, especailly your bud Charli. And you love to drive Danica nuts which is the easiest thing to do! We have had a school year with family gatherings, our annual trip to Florida. Last July we spent the month in Florida where we got to swim every day. We traveled for soccer, stayed at some fun hotels with friends. You run around the whole time at the games which is even more fun for you. You come home each day with a new amazing project you completed that I have covered the walls with and excited for whatever comes next whether it is hanging with family, playing in the house or in the yard, going out to eat, even trying on clothes. Which is 100% easier to do with you than your sisters! You have a good eye for lookign handsome and feel so good when you are properly dressed. You also love a good spike with your hair. In Florida, we did have to go through soem tears when your spike wasn't good enough and Eric had to help! It's the little things right AJ! This morning you asked if I can start taking you to school every day. The coolest thing is that next year I will! You will be in full day kindergarten and be in the same school as Danica- which is the coolest thing ever! You have so many adventures ahead and so many firsts - I look forward to every moment with you and so thankful for have you at this part of my life. You are turly a blessing in so many ways. Beyond blessed you are mine. I love you!

FALL 2022 and PRESCHOOL- where did the summer go?

AJ! OMG! You are 3 and started school at Little Vikes! What the heck is going on? Where did the summer go? From swimming to speeding down the block on your balance bike to takin gout every toy in the house and never putting it back. How did you get so big? You love cocomelon and pawpatrol. What do you want to be when you get big AJ, " I want to Save the day!" Yep that is my boy!!!! My blonde hair, long hair, solid as a rock, beyond smart, kind, sensitive, loving, independent, bossy busy little boy. I mean I worked so hard for you and all my hard work paid off! You are IT! You are actually beyond IT. Whatever IT factor is needed you encompass it all and I don't even know what the world has in store for you or what you have in store for the world. Your memory is lilke so other. Your music ability, you sense of your surroundings, curiosity and wisdom beyond your years. Your speech, vocabulary, and story telling... your sisters have really guided your path and it shows. I couldn't be more proud of your resilince and ability to go with the flow. Your trusting in Mommy and Daddy and love is like no other. You are such a sweet boy who is very aware of who you are and you really thrive on structure. I can't believe that you spend 3 days a week at school and you adjusted to it so well. ( we have has a hiccup after a trip to Colorado and not feeling so well, but we are hoping to get back on track ) you even pulled a fast one on Miss Beth that you didn't feel well, so you could see Daddy. We took you to the Doctor just to make sure and of course to prove a point. You loved the airplane and are so excited to go to condo. You let me know that you always want to go back to condo and hotel. Anytime you have a really great time you always say. "I want to go there again, I want to always to that, I want to do that." Music to my ears. When you are happy we are all happy. We have spoiled you with a phone to watch paw patrol so that is going to be a thorn in my side tyring to change that behavior. Sleeping also -- you had an awesome racecar bad and now a big boy full bed with paw patrol comforter. No more changer. I mean did we take about how you are potty trained since May. It only took one weekend and you were in spiderman underwear!!! WHOOP WHOOOP! and of course paw patrol underwear too, DUH!!! We are so proud of you. Danica has had more accidents than you and she is 8... she also is Danica and that comes with a lot of laughing. From boy underwear, to potty on the toliet or in the "cushions..which you call the bushes, " you are an potty machine!!!!! Daddy did a great job teaching you to aim. TBC

5.6 5.6 5.6 TODAY YOU ARE 3!!!

AJ my baby boy you are 3 today!!!!!! I can't believe it! You woke up this morning with a messy head of hair looking for your Dad, wanting to watch Paw Patrol, hungry for cereal, and telling me you are 3 and then 4! Holding your hand out and using your fingers to signal both. I sang happy birthday to you, you brought me presents and told me it was my birthday. We talked about going to cook in front of you for dinner today and blowing out your calendar. Then in the basement you kicked the soccer ball in the goal, put the basketball in the hoop, and landed youe helicopter on the boat. I'd say this was a super eventful morning for a 3 year old. Then we got dressed in. dinosaur shirt had some breakfast and changed your diaper. This will be the last birthday you will have a diaper on ( and then crowd went wild!) I hung a birthday banner Auntie Terry and the girls made up for your Kentucky Derbgy party tomorrow. The running for 3 year olds now has a new contender in the race and you told me the winner will be number 20 or number 3; only time will tell. I am so excited for your special day. You are heading to Lynn's house to play with the boys. She already gave you a present, an amazing Police costume with a belt, handcuffs, and even a walkie talkie. You look completely official, and even told me, "You are under arrest!" One of the best gifts yet. This is your last day at Miss Lynn's house then back to Beth's to finish the year. Just a few more weeks until summer vacation and maybe going to "my condo!" Tomorrow is supposed to be on the first days without rain in I don't even know how long! There is a new strand of covid, but knock on wood, we all feel well. Masks are not required any more so it is nice to have a party where people are allowed to hang out and have fun; not to say that we don't do that anyways. I even have booties for everyone to wear because our floors were redone. Tomorrow will be the first time Daddy's new family will be at the party and your first cousins along with Great Aunt. That will be a special day celebrating my special boy. I look forward to watching you blow out your candle tonight and tomorrow on your special cake. It will be a wonderful family filled weekend, followed by Mother's Day! My bright, funny, atheltic, smart, kind little big boy may God continue to bless you each and every day. LET ME NOT FORGET: I said to you the other morning, " AJ you have a little weenie," and you said "Miss Lynn said that too, and the boys have big weenies." I laughed so hard!!!!

April 2022- Where has the time gone?

AJ, ALEXANDER JAMES, you are the smartest little boy I have ever met. I cannot believe in a couple weeks you are going to be 2! Well, since no one can believe with the vocabulary you have that you are 2, I can guess turning 3 is just par for the course. You are the busiest little guy who loves everyone and everything. Life with you is way more fun. Your long blonde hair, hazel green eyes, bruised legs, strong belly, little freckle by your eye, one a kind, BIG boy. With an absolutely hilarious sense of humor, descriptive sentences, problem solving skills, and continuos "Watch Me Watch Me!" Who wouldn't want to wath you? You are so creative and have a wonderful sense of spacial awareness. You continue to be an amazing singer and have mastered counting to 20 along with your ABC's. You love wathing cocomelon, and Spicable me 2, ( Despicable Me 2), and Cars! Along with going to Poicable moothie ( Tropical smoothie) Sometimes words are just too cute to correct. Kind of like, "Uppy" I love upppy! You are Daddy's litle boy, he is definitely your favorite, followed by Charli, Me, and Danica. It's okay what comes around goes around! You have an amazingbond with your sissies, you fit right in with whatever they are doing and playin...even tennis-- you grab your racket and hit the ball too. As soon as the weather warmps up I am sure you will be riding your bike around the block with them in your spiderman helmet. What an entourage I have! What great times we have to look forward to, these 2 years with you have an absolute joy and I am so thankful to have you in my life. You are a light in all of ours lives. I think it is incredible all you have accomplished in your short life and all that you are going to become one day. You have the biggest fans in your corner and I just love watching you learn and grow each day. We have started to get in to some Mommy and Daddy bad habits as you are back in our bed and fall asleep watching trains. You defintely kick me all night and when you wake up too early the first person you look for is Dad. If you can't find Dad that is a nightmare! Breakfast lunch dinner... You continue to eat everything on your plate. Like clockwork each day when you get home you ask for a cookie, I wonder who is teaching you that habit! At Beth's house you have a bunch of friends who you do find a way to get in trouble with, but you are all boy I wouldn't except less. You love firetrucks, and police cars, and ambulances. You dress up as first responders whenever you can and even as Dr. AJ. You give us shots, check our ears, and our hearts. When you play restuarant, you always ask, "what do you like?" What do you have?" I always love my menu choices, I think you are yet to turn down my selection. In the morning you are quite independent, once you know where your Dad is, and then you play with your cars, eat breakfast and watch TV, along with driving your sisters nuts. Then we take them to school and you say, "Mommy I miss Sissies." Then I get you to laugh we head home and clean up and get ready for the day. On our way to Beth's we listen to "Under the Sea" and ABC's in the car and we talk about directions and "the light is greeen, go cars go!" I love our morning sing alongs and conversations. You are easy to drop off which makes life so much easier. I love giving you are big hug big kiss and an I love you. I remember the couple days you would not get in your seat, you were spitting, you wre kicking my seat, you kept hitting the lock button, kicking the side of the car and the more mad I got the more you would laugh. These days were far and inbetween but they for sure left their mark. I hope your teenage years are easier!!! Miss Beth is having her baby so now you are playing with Miss Lynn (Dylan as you call her) and the boys (Nate and Ray). Last week you were the policeman, Ray was the fireman, and Nate the garbage man. I'd say that was a great day. Miss Lynn said you were so polite. I think so too, please and thank you and kindness seems to always excude from you, excpet sometimes when you are being funny or completely overtired. Then you become crazy boy, scratching, hitting, biting, spitting. Yes from 0-60 when you have no gas left in the tank! Bath before bed time is always fun and Mommy is better than Daddy! Finally at something! Mommy gives warm baths; Daddy's are cold!!! I love to blow dry your hair with your little curls at the end of your hair and get you in a matching outfit that you feel so good in. I love when you look in the mirror and smile. You have great hygiene and want a toothbrush in your mouth all the time. You even have a spiderman brush from Aunt Tam! Easter is this weekend and this will be the first time you will meet Funny bunny! Can't wait to take a picture and have fun at Aunt Ter's house and meet your baby cousin, Nora! What exciting times ahead for an ahead of the curve guy. The Pandemic is on its way out. Masks are no longer required and life is feeling more like normal. This summer should be an amazing time if the weather would please warm up. It is April and it snowed. Your 3rd birthday party is a few weeks away and we have new Aunts and cousins to celebrate with. Looking forward to a sense of normalcy filled with lots of family, friends, and love. I can't wait to take you back to see Mike's tow truck you get so excited when he calls to hear about the tow truck. Over spring break we did a staycation and stayed at a hotel. Let me tell you, you were an absolute fish in the water. You now lay on your back in your floatie and you put your toes altogether, all by yourself. It is so cute!!!! You also love hotels, but you really want to go "back to my condo!" I guess Florida really makes a mark on your too. Maybe we will plan a little trip this summer to go back to your condo. It feels so great to know that you are so excited for each new day, yesterday you told me you and Dad were going to Uno taco Dos Tequilas...maybe we will go today. It's always a great day to celebrate. You were just telling Uncle Eric it is almost your birthday party, YEAH, and you are going to be three. You can even do the 2 and three fingers for your age, you know your birthday date month and day... and Yes you are AJ ALEXANDER JAMES named for 3 people who may have never met you but I promise you love you and would be mesmorized by you like we all are. I see big things in your future Sipderman. Big things!!! Love you OMG! I ALMOST FORGOT! We are in the process of potty training ( well we did it for one day over the chaotic spring break) and you went potty o the toliet! We will make sure to master this as soon as the school year ends. one month and we are in full potty training mode- PAW PATROL ready for ACTIONS!

Happy New year 2022!

AJ! You are a Big Boy! You are closer to 3 than you are to 2! Oh my gosh are you smart. That is the first thing that comes to my mind. I mean SO SMART. Whether it be how well you speak, your memory, your vocab, your numbers. You can carry on a conversation, you can advocate for yourself, and you can Sing! Winter break was an absolute blast as you thoroughly enjoyed your time in Florida. I can also tell you that it will be our last trip in diapers. Can you believe it! You are a hop skip and poop in the toliet away from potty training. I think that will be our spring break task. Florida was 19 days of absolute bliss. You were in the pool almost every day and you loved every minute of it. You even started to float on your back, by yourself. "Watch me!" You would get out fo the pool and then jump in and then do it again and again. You have a puddle jumper on so that gave you wings to fly and it didn't matter shallow end or deep you went by yourself. Mr. Independent for sure, except for when it comes to sleeping. You have started to act a little like Danica where you need us to be next to you to fall asleep. I blame Daddy for this one. However, you are not sleeping in our bed so that is a step in the right direction. In Florida, you slept next to us in "condo bed" and that was a success. Nap time was also pretty successful in the stroller while at restaurants and when you would wake up you would have the biggest smile! Your smile lights up a room and so does your really long hair. I know, Mom and Dad, why didn't you cut my hair????? Mom, did someone really say what a beautiful girl? Yes they did!!! So fine I will give your bangs a little trim. LOL Your blonde locks AJ, no one wants to see those gone at least not Daddy and I. Let's get back to Florida talk, you weren't such a fan of the beach, you would much rather be in the pool. You had a lot of different adventures including the big cat habitat where you feed a giant bear, YES, a giant bear. We saw lions, and tigers, and a 900lb. LIGER! You eveb rode a pony. You were like a pro on that pony, must take after your new Grandpa! There was a petting zoo and you really liked the goats. It was just truly a pleasure watching your independence, your ability to go with the flow, and your excitement. Every day, "Mom it's sunny!!!" I can tell you that you, like your sisters, are a Florida boy and we can't wait to go back. When we left for Beth's today you said, "Mom it's freezing" then you told Sissies that we are going back to Florida. I too am dreaming of the sun and the beach. Dont' worry we will be back soon! Every day is truly a joy with you from the minute you crack open your bedroom door and shuffle to our room. You LOVE cocomelon and your Christmas gifts had a cocomelon theme. AJ doll, socks, shirt, "cocomelon jamas...cocomleon jams." How much fun that was! You are a terrific eater of all foods and you want to do it yourself. You even put your dish in the sink when you are done. Such a great boy. Then we head to Beth's house We listen to "under the sea" and the "ABC's" amony some classic rock. We also talk about yellow, green, and Red. GO DOGS GO! I also let you pick which direction we are going to head in the morning and you tell me what color cars, gas stations, and a lot of other landmarks are along the way. Today I said Aj it is almost you birthday to which you responded, "May 6" and I asked how old you will be to which you responded, "5" :). This also goes for you name, "what is your name?" Alexander James. Daddy Asked Aj, do you know how much I love you?" You replied "15 hours." Playing waitor, "What do you have, kiddie cocktail or grapes!" Daddy look at my excavator ( truck) Mommy I got in trouble at Beth's because I wasn't following erections!

October 2021

ALEXANDER JAMES COLLINS---- WOW------- 2 years 5 months old tomorrow! It has been 7 weeks since you started at Beth's house. Everyday is a new experience for you and everyday when you come home is a new experience for Mom. The first day of Beths' there were tears and since then you wake up with a smile and say, "Beth's house, Mommy pick me up." It is the greatest feeling in the world that you look forward to going there everyday. You have so many other boys to play with and she loves keeping you outside which is awesome. Riding on toys, playing with sports equipment, even cooking on Wednesdays it has been awesome. When you having "cooking Wednesday," she bought all your own apron and you each have your own ingredient to add in the recipe- so far you have made delicious cookies and cupcakes- and we get to sample all of them, thanks Beth :) There is the cutest girl Keeley and you remind me everyday that keeley went to the dentist. You have the memory of an elephant. It is really unbelievable. A boy of many words has lately come home acting like a baby since being around 21 month old Graham, but that is okay we try to reprogram you each day. When I would pick you up we went from cuddling on the coach to picking up sissies then Aj's crib for a nap. Then it turned to snack and nap...and now it has turned in to AJ screaming in his crib like a teradactyl, yelling Mom, singing, and straddling the crib railing. At first I would go in and try to reprimand you and put you back down in your crib but you laughed each time I did that and continued the behavior so that got frustrating and I just took you out. Then Daddy just let you do all those bad things and eventually you laid down and slept so I am trying. I just don't want you to get hurt. You aren't sad to be in your crib you just know at Beth's Graham is not taking his nap so you are imitating the bad behavior. You like to tell me "AJ bad boy" and say "damn it," so we need to work on that too. Your song choices you sing in your crib are but not limited to: Pour Some Sugar on Me, We Will Rock You, Burning down the house, ABC's and Teapot. Lately it has been a lot of, "So, before you go." Let me mention that all songs are on key. You have an amazing singing voice, I keep thinking you could be the next Frank Sinatra, John Bon jovi, or Justin Bieber, only time will tell... However, you do like to wear a fedora so maybe you know something I don't know about the genre of music you already identify with LOL! From stading in your chair turning the lights on and off, putting you cereal bowl in the sink when you are done drinking from it as it spills all over your clothes, pulling your sister's hair, wanting to do everything yourself...We are officially in the 2's. Restaurants are a hit or miss and trust me, living in a pandemic I want to go to restaurants, but time there with you is a thin line. You really like cook in front of you and sushi places. We give you your own sake cup that you pur water in and drink. You try to order sushi and sake yourself. It is beyond adorable. You say, "thank you buddy" to all the servers. You are a very smart and vocal boy, so when you come home acting like a baby that just screams, that is where the reprogramming comes in. I can't wait until Graham gets his words because I would love to be a fly on the wall for those conversations. You like to pick out your won clothes and are very proud when you look nice. I have evened out your mullet in the back and continue to cut your bangs straight across. We will give you a real hair style soon, just not yet. Mommmy does not want you to grow up although I keep telling you that you are a big boy not baby. On our morning rides to school after dropping off sissies and saying hello to the door attendants at school, we get in the car listen to music, you remind me every time we pass the gas station to get a lotto ticket. Then you remind me, "Mommy pick me up." We walk up to Beth and you have to have your bag and buckled just like your sisters, even for our ten foot walk to and from Beth's house to the car. It really is adorable. You have so much presence in your walk too so it makes it even more a sight to see. Each day I really don't know what AJ I am going to getm but you went from Daddy clingy and now back to Mommy clingy and I am not going to lie I LOVE IT. Having a little one hold your leg or ask for "uppy" melts every parent's heart especially mine. I couldn't ask for more kind kids then I have. You all love each other so very much and that is all we can ask for.

FIRST DAY AT BETH'S HOUSE

Let the flood gates open..... for Mom and Dad. Spiderman you are off and running! OMG! Honestly, the pandemic gave us TIME and now that time has flown by! I miss you already and more than ever. I can't believe what a big boy you are, but I know you are going to have the best time making new friends, playing with kids, playing with BOYS. We just dropped you off...and "I will be right back," to get you. If I haven't mentioned earlier you really like spiderman, although I am pretty sure you don't really get it. You can identify him and you like to cast webs with your fingers, so today you wore your spiderman shirt to beth's house. You keep repeating in the car, in your big boy car seat "Going to Beth's house." I hope you have the best day, I can't wait to see you! 25 months and such a brave, strong, smart, loving, big boy! I miss you SOOOOO much! First day SUCCESS! no more tears since!!!!