Moose and Bo: Riley Boys in 2018

2017 was a tough year full of change and growing for me. Since Alan died, it's been tough to find my way back to my words and the continual sharing of my life. In 2018, I want to return to keeping an online record of our story. I love being able to go back and see all the memories and funny stories of my boys. Cheers to getting back to my roots and flourishing. 

Moose Riley - 4.5 years old 

Size: Moose continues to grow like a sprout. He is wearing a size 1 shoe (in children not toddlers), and he has bigger feet than nearly every kid we know in his age bracket. He is wearing a size 6 and NOT slim in pants. Size 6 jeans dig into him, but he's not ready for the 7s. He wears 6/7 in shirts which is a youth small. (Where oh where did my baby go?) He is in a 7 pajamas, and we are definitely going to need shorts this year. 

Food: He is his mother's child, and he LOVES ketchup on just about anything. He loves french fries and cheese only pizza. He likes to eat strawberry pop tarts, and he loves spaghetti with NO meatballs. He can eat half of a large pizza by himself, too. We are going to be broke when they are teenagers. 

School: Moose is in Pre-K two days a week. He can write his own name and his brothers. He is working on his last name, but we haven't gotten reading down yet. He can do some basic addition, but subtraction is still pretty tough. He is very excited to go to kindergarten. 

Favorites: His favorite stuffed animal is still the one and only Buddy. He loves TV, but he says he hates movies. Unless, they're at the theater, and he gets popcorn. He still loves the color red. Lately, his favorite snack has been Lucky Charms, but he and daddy just had a big talk about not eating just the marshmallows. 

Best Friend(s): Moose loves his friend Henry at school, and he tells me he wants to marry Audrey who lives across from Ga. He says he wants to get her a turtle ring. 

When he grows up: He wants to be an artist. 

Other Stuff: Moose is taking gymnastics (tumbling one) and getting better at bridges. We still have some serious work to do on our cartwheels and backwards rolls. He is also taking Hip Hop Dance class, and he is loving it. 

Bo Riley - 3 years old 

Size: Bo has hit a growth spurt recently, and he is in the tough "in between sizes" phase. We are buying 4T pants, and even though they are long, they fit better than a 3T. He is wearing 4/5T shirts, and his feet are a 12 toddler shoe. He is wearing 5T pajamas. He only wants to wear "fast clothes" which are dri fit, moisture wicking style. He is already into Nike and Under Armor, so I guess I need to start shopping at Ross for discounted items. Sheesh.

Food: Kid still LOVES his watermelon. He hates when it's winter, and it's out of season. He's not a great breakfast eater because he doesn't really enjoy breakfast food. He is a hit or miss kind of eater. One day he will eat everything and anything, but the next day it's all icky. Bo gets particular about things, but you never can anticipate what or why. I have to remind myself often: he is still only 3. 

School: Bo goes to Mother's Day Out 2 days a week. He is less interested in learning than Moose, so I am grateful that he has the extra year. Moose will go to kinder in the fall, but Bo will get two more years at home with Ga. I hope that the one on one time helps him develop some of the skills. For instance, he knows his ABCs, but he won't tell them to you when you ask. He can count, but he thinks it's more fun to count out of order. Pick your battles.

Favorites: Bo loves his blankies and Donut Buddy. He is obsessed with Team UmiZoomi right now (to everyone in the houses chagrin). He is a big snuggler, but he also wants to punch and wrestle. He loves the color blue and trash men, trash trucks, and all things garbage. Bo's favorite song is "Enter Sandman" by Metallica. 

When he grows up: He wants to be a trash man. 

Other Stuff: Bo LOVES to be a big helper. You will find him perched on the counter helping with dinner. He screams if you don't let him carry the bags in and out. He wants to work hard.