The "Party"

This year we decided to go somewhat low key for Sam's birthday. We invited three families over Friday night for pizza and cake and had a great time watching all the kids play together. Between all four families, we had eleven kids here, and everyone had someone to play with. At one point, the girls were playing upstairs, the big boys (4 & 5 years old) were playing outside, and the little boys (2 1/2) were inside. Where was Sam? Outside with the big boys, doing everything they did! I don't think he really knew it was his birthday until we brought out the cake and headed toward him singing "happy birthday." He knew just what to do with the candles, though! He had a great time and thanks to everyone for helping make our boy's second birthday special!

Waiting for friends to get here.

This is Sam's favorite way to swing these days.

Jack and Sam headed outside to eat dinner and then everyone else decided it was too hot and stayed inside!

The babies hanging out together.

Cake time!

Everyone waiting patiently for their cake.

Presents!

The Daddies with their babies at the end of the night.

I think we all had a great time at the party-that-wasn't-a-real-party!

Two

Happy 2nd birthday to my sweet Sam! I just love how excited he was when he realized this cake was for him. More on the celebration later, but we've had a wonderful day celebrating our boy today!

My Girls

Shiner

Jack got to experience his first real shiner today. I was the official party mom for his class party today and about 15 minutes before I was supposed to be there the preschool director called to let me know she had Jack in her office. He was in Learning through Movement (similar to PE) and the kids were playing freeze tag in a big room. When he "unfroze," he managed to fall and hit a table - with his eye! When I got there a few minutes later they had ice on it and he looked pretty pitiful. After a pep talk, a hug, and a kiss, he was able to rejoin his class and get ready to party! I continued to take pictures throughout the day and it really is a REAL shiner! Thankfully it hasn't really slowed him down - even if it does look pretty nasty.


This was taken shortly after it happened.

About three hours later.

I think this one was taken at dinner.

Tonight before bed. At this point his eye was almost swollen shut!

Sweet Sisters

look what we did today

Three Amigos

These three really do have so much fun together (when they are in the right mood)! It really doesn't matter what they are playing or doing, they just enjoy each other so much and I love peeking in on their activities.

Playing dress up is BIG at our house these days.

Apparently so is watching Jack play his explorer. He will ask, "who wants to watch me play my game?" and they all shout "me!" and come running to sit by him.

I'm not exactly sure what was going on here but we were in the process of changing clothes to go somewhere and got delayed so this is how they ended up in the yard. Anna told me they were making a bird nest. Hmm . . . .

Even though this little girl isn't ready to join in to the fun yet, she sure does love watching her brothers and sister have a good time together.

No Training Wheels

Jack took the plunge yesterday and tried riding his bike without training wheels for the first time. It was hilarious, and he fell a hundred times at least, but he was determined. Here's a short video of his progress. He hasn't exactly figured everything out, and he's certainly not ready for the open road yet, but I think he did a great job. I'm so proud of my boy!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the fabulous mothers I know. Especially my own mom who is always there for me and continually gives of herself and her time to our family. Also, happy Mother's Day to my mother-in-law who does so much for us and nurtured the guy who I married almost eight years ago. Without him, I wouldn't have these precious people who call me "Mommy."

We love you, Ninny and Grammy!


I will leave you with this little gem from our Mother's Day photo shoot this morning.
Yes, this is the best one.

Bumbo Sitting

It starts with an uneasy look.

Then moves to a whimper with the pouty bottom lip.

Finally it's an all out wail to "get me out of this thing!"

Our Baby Buddy

I haven't really done a "Sam" update in a while and boy has this kid changed over the past couple months! He suddenly seems like such a big boy. He can keep up with Jack and Anna when it comes to pretty much anything. He started speech therapy in January and at the time he had less than ten words and wouldn't even attempt to repeat anything. He's turning into quite the little communicator these days. Most of his words are still only understood by us, but he can definitely let us know what he wants. He still loves balls better than anything else, but he's also pretty good at flying Buzz around while wearing high heels! This boy who could care less about TV will finally sit and watch something . . . Tangled! He's obsessed with that movie and will watch the whole thing. He even requests it when the other kids aren't around. Anna still calls Sam "baby buddy," even though he's stronger than she is and can probably run faster. They have the best time together I love just sitting back and watching them play. He's loud and rowdy and continues to get into everything he not supposed to, but that mischievous giggle still melts my heart.

Happy Birthday

Happy 32nd birthday to this guy.

Wonderful husband for almost 8 years. Exceptional father of four. Not bad with the power tools. We love you!

love them

We have a sleeper!

I think I can safely say that Lucy is truly sleeping through the night, and it is so wonderful! For the past two weeks she's gone to bed between 8:00 and 8:30 and wakes up anywhere between 7:00 and 8:00 (usually around 7:30). Jack started sleeping 11/12 hour stretches at 8 weeks and Anna was 12 weeks, but Sam didn't do it (consistently) until 11 months, so I was hopeful, but somewhat prepared for Lucy to take her time. Thankfully she is turning out to be a great little sleeper, which I think is directly related to her new found thumb sucking abilities, but at this point it's totally worth it to me!