Baby Boy

I have about three hundred things to do right now but today is a party day around here...our baby turns FOUR!!! 

It's kind of crazy to me. This morning, DH said, "It doesn't really seem that long, does it?". I don't know. It's a first for us. Usually there was a new baby within two years so the threes and fours got lost. How blessed we have been to have this guy be the one with whom we spend extra time. It's been a lot of fun. He is wise beyond his years and cracks us up on a regular basis. Like all good later-borns, he looks much smarter because he has so many opinions from which to choose. How blessed he is to be following all of these big personalities.

Our April boys...connected forever

He is blessed to have such wonderful godparents.

 

Wow...so not worthy of all of these amazing blessings.

I think being dragged along helps you have a more easy-going personality. Seems to have worked for him.

He is our intrepid traveler...always ready for the next adventure.

He will learn his faith, whether he likes it or not ;0)

He is, above all, a typical little boy. For that I am so grateful.

Today was a great day for a little boy. He put on his party hat at breakfast and didn't abandon it (it broke from his head being closer to adult size than kid size) until after lunch. Party at Mom's Day Out, lunch with great auntie at Armstrongs, home to watch some Gumby, then the best ever gift...an evening with Dad.

Gifts from sisters were delivered early

Not quite awake

Cards with breakfast

Brother is studying Matisse...he tells me it's a boy blowing out a birthday cake

Lunchtime (I told you about the hat)

His "gift" - two rooms of bubble wrap

Outfitted with his new shirt from Aunt Syl and ready to head out with Dad...Let's go Bucs!

Unexpected and unbelievable. We are so blessed by you. Happy birthday, Mr. G!

Happy Birthday, First Born Son!

May you grow up to be as brave as your birthday name Saint and rely on your heavenly support often. You came into the world backwards and it shows ;0) but we love you very, very much.

We are blessed.

Lucky Number Seven

Everyone says "I can't believe it's been (enter number) years since he was born!" Well, I sort of can with this one. If anything, it feels like about fifteen. I suppose we should have known when he was breech and "stuck" under my ribcage - nothing would go easily where he is involved. Not that I would trade him, ever. Still, I wish there were more of the loving-little-boy days and fewer of the pre-teen glimpses. I suppose I should be thankful for the practice!

Let me just say "I can't believe it's been five years since you were TWO!" That is true. I vividly remember little chubby, curly-haired boy.

Can't help but notice, the cake was better then too. Ahh, the joy of only two children. The amazing things you can accomplish!

Of course, siblings are far more important than cakes so I'll take the way we are now. I think, most days, he would too. I am so proud of my highly-emotional, deeply-loyal, art-loving boy.
Happy birthday, first-born son. You are loved so very much!

It's a Lego brick...with cupcakes (chocolate bricks/Lego men on top) forming a "7"...promise!

We are blessed.

Dino boy

Our #1 son thinks differently about a lot of things. Some days I wonder if he's really a little boy or a secret agent from the planet of loud and jumpy. At least once a week, though, he goes into dinosaur mode and then I know he's really just a 6-year-old boy.

This week he set up "Dinosaur Diner". Each dinosaur had a "dinner" consisting of meat, veggies, or whatever it is they eat. I don't know about dinosaurs and their diets but DH seemed to be impressed. I'm still not buying that any of them ate cheese ;0)

Then today he went to the Children's Festival with our sitter for a belated birthday present. Should I be surprised at what walked through the door?

cutie-pie.

Birthday Boy

Our second child's (and second in April) 6th birthday has arrived!

Not long ago, one of his buddies took him on an outing as part of a "invite two friends for your birthday" party. I thought that was inspired thinking. Smaller in the "show" department but much more meaningful. His choice was a baseball game with two buds...one from homeschool and one from preschool. They had a blast (even though it was freezing!). Hey, the Bucs even won the game!

Some pics of the happy trio:

I asked DH if he told them to pose like this..."no," he said, "they're just little boys"

 

 

For the actual birthday we started with Good Shepherd then went straight to Silvi's Little Artists. This is the greatest place, ever. Even a developmentally delayed artist such as myself was in awe of how much STUFF was there. The wall of paint was impressive, as was the wall of jars full of cool things like stickers, tissue paper, ribbon, bells, buttons, etc. I can tell we will be back. Heck, I think this will be our homeschool art-of-the-month destination!

 

Next up - lunch with dad at Bob Evan's. The art was good but all of our kids look forward to sharing part of their special day with dad. We are so blessed to have him close and available. It's so nice to have mom/dad/birthday kid time to relive the "big day" and talk about all the wonderful things that are happening now.

The evening party was for the family and nearby relatives. Again, I love this tradition. The friend festivities out of the way...time to spend the day with your family - especially your sibs. Eat bad homemade cake and good homemade dinner. Talk and be silly.

Have I mentioned I'm not a baker? That paired with the fact that little man is sick so I've been up like 40 hours straight...oh well. They can laugh about it one day ;0)

The party included his requested dinner of "peas and tuna casserole" then cake. This was followed by a serenade from older sister ("Happy Birthday" and a custom piece, "Painter Song") then presents. Lots of fun and family. Just the way I like it !

Oh, and now when you say "cheese" to tiny man, he squints and scrunches up his face. Adorable.

Happy Birthday, first-born son. We love you!