The Catchings Chronicles: Happy 5th Birthday, Tommy!! (March 2014)

Well, I'm a solid 6 months behind in writing this blog, but better late than never! Not to spoil any future posts, but by this point, you all know that we're expecting a baby girl in December :) While we're completely thrilled, this pregnancy has turned out to be the most difficult on my body thus far. So, with all the time I've spent laid up in bed, I finally took the time to go through all of the pictures from March-September! I have to admit, they really made me smile, and I just couldn't bear the thought of not continuing the good ol' "Chronicle"! I look forward to looking back on these blogs, and I hope the kids will enjoy them as they get older too :) While I unfortunately don't remember many of the specifics from March, I definitely remember that the main event was our firstborn, Tommy, turning 5!! What a milestone!! Here are a few fun facts about our big guy at age 5 (all answered directly by him!):

Favorite Books: Out of the Ocean, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Favorite Color: Red
Favorite Toys: helicopters, policemen, and legos
Favorite TV shows: Peppa Pig and Paw Patrol
Favorite Movies: Lego Movie, Toy Story 3, and Monsters U
Favorite Foods: Chicken nuggets, seashell spaghetti, creamy rice, and fish sticks
Best Friend: Ethan
What do you want to be when you grow up? recycle man or fireman and a police man
Where is your favorite place to go? Marbles, Monkey Joe's, and Grandma's, and Goggi's, and school

And, here are a few things we're super proud of. First and foremost, we love that others always brag on how sweet and polite Tommy is--and, we agree!! We also love how much you and Ethan are playing with each other right now--we hope you'll be best friends for life! And, a little Mommy brag moment--you learned how to read a few months before you turned 5--way to go buddy! I'm not sure how many more years (if any!) we'll be able to throw you a huge birthday party, but we sure had fun at this one!

The set-up!

"Make your own monster" craft for the kids!

The Big 0-5!!

Sully snack mix :)

Mike Wazowski pops!

I got these at Walmart!!

This one too--they did such a great job, the price was definitely right, and I didn't have to make (or, more importantly, clean up from making a huge layer cake!!)

The start of the "Scare Games" obstacle course!

Tommy and his pal, Leo, from school <3

Natalie moving through stage 2 of the Scare Games!

So, this was the "big present"...it was a HUGE hit, and although it did malfunction, it held up for the party (and, we were sent a new one pronto!)

"We worked up an appetite!!"

Time for presents!!

Happy Birthday to my big 5 year old <3

A great time was had by all!! As ever, I'm always so appreciative of the family and friends who come out to celebrate my guys' big days!! While Tommy's birthday took center stage in March, there were other days and more fun to be had! First up was a super fun project Grandma made for them to do on their weekly visits--a homemade pirate ship!

Captain Tommy!

Ethan is a great first mate--making sure the flags are flying!

Land Ahoy!!

One sleepy little mate ;)

Moving on to St. Patrick's Day! My good friend and old running mate in sports, Staci Pleasant Hicks, sent Ethan this adorable "Irish Swag" shirt so he could show off his Irish pride!

And, what holiday would be complete without window clings at Grandma's!

Tommy wasn't the only one getting presents this month! It was also Granny's birthday, and we're so happy she could come celebrate with us!

We love Granny so much!!

And, back to Grandma's for some more fun--starting with an impromptu trip to McDonald's!

Tommy snuggling up to Uncle NoNo before he opens his birthday present from him and Aunt LoLo :D

The boys showing off their sweet new outfits from Nolan and Laura!

I was thankful to be able to go to Tommy's class and spend some time with him and his friends for his birthday. I waited until the following week so I could also join them for "ACC Day" which coincided with March Madness, but also had a double-meaning of "Alphabet and Counting Competition"!

Mrs. Terri is the SWEETEST person on the planet--could not have asked for a better teacher for Tommy!!
As you can see, he absolutely adores her!

Who needs cupcakes?! Tommy requested that I bring in Reese cups and basketball eggs!

Tommy cheering for his fellow 4 and 5 year olds at the ACC challenge :D

Now it was Tommy's turn (no surprise, he "aced" the alphabet and counting portions of the competition, but making a basket proved to be his biggest challenge of all (despite those sweet Jordan's he's wearing!!)

The 4's and 5's Wolfpack fans!

Go STATE!! OMG...I just remembered this...I have no shame...they had me get up in front of all the kids and sing the NC State fight song hahahha :D

Ethan is one serious Wolfpack fan!!

Go Wolfpack!!

The weather was nice, and spring had finally arrived after a long and cold winter....so, where better to go than to one of Granddaddy's baseball games?!

My three guys <3

Granddaddy and his two favorite little guys!

Time for some special treatment--the boys always get to run the bases after Fuquay games!

I mean, just look at that elite speed ;)

After the game, Grandma and Granddaddy came over for pizza, puzzles, and rough-housing!!

Okay, there were probably 20 pictures of Granddaddy and Tommy rough-housing, and they were loud and all over the place. Ethan sat in that corner doing his puzzles the entire time without flinching or acknowledging their presence!!
The boy can be hyper-focused when he wants to!

Trying out our awesome new Batman cape-shirts from Aunt Donna!