Birthday Fun!

For my family and friends that keep up with us here, enjoy pics of our big boy Elliott!

Considering our circumstances, we kept it low-key ... well as much as you can with 5 kids and sugary cupcakes. :)

a gift & card from his big brother

"Dear Elliott.  I am glad that you are turning 3."

so sweet.

He got "Let's Go Fish" game.  He's been pretending to fish everywhere (in the car, off the bed, outside) so this really was the perfect gift for him.

I love the tongue ... it helps him concentrate you know. :)

You can see how proud he was to do it all by himself!

*awwwww*

He got to choose who played with first, and he didn't want anyone but his brother.

*awwwww*

Then his Aunt Elizabeth (almost 6 years old) could play next with him.

sugar!

Elliott & Aunt Elizabeth

Samuel and Aunt Victoria (almost 9 years old)

Happy Birthday to Elliott!!

ps. I'm getting really good at fishing too ... we've been everyday.

the BIG 1!!

Happy 1st Birthday sweet Elliott!!

the days are long, but the year(s) are short

someone profound said this ... anyone know who?

such is the case with kids.  there are days I wish would end so much sooner than later, and of course there are other days where I wish I could freeze us in the moment.  this year flew by!

everyday Sam has tried to play with Elliott.  he loves to be the big brother, although I do have to fend him off most days.  I end up saying things like: "his crying is the way he says STOP IT!!" "your his big brother.  love him, don't hurt him" "just wait until he can hit you back"

hahaha!  boys are crazy!

Elliott started walking around 10 months, so now that he's 1 year,he's pretty good at it. He can say Mama & Dad, and just recently added Papa and ball to his vocabulary.  do most boys develop physically first?  this is how Sam did it too; his first word was duck.  so cute!

Since he is so physical and strong, I thought it was time to put him facing forward in the car.  He definitely likes seeing what is going on, as you can see in this picture.  He still takes 2 naps a day, so when he falls asleep in the car and the carrier is no longer an option to keep him asleep, I have to try and transfer him to the stroller.  9 out of 10 times, he wakes up and we all lose that peace from his naptime.  I can't go back now, that would be mean to him and a bit selfish of me, don'tcha think?   ... he is growing up after all.

We had a little birthday party for him.  He LOVED his birthday cake! Grandpa said "aw, let him have another piece.  you're only 1 once!"   so I happily agreed ... and then someone mentioned a puking baby and I quickly changed my mind.  luckily Elliott did not get sick ... but geez, why didn't I think of that?!

His personality is really emerging.  He is a very observant boy, mostly watching how his big brother does things.  He is also turning into a funny guy, just like my other 2 boys.  In this picture, he wanted to show me what he was eating while screaming!  the laughing kind of screaming, not the tantrum kind.

Elliott has taught me a lot about myself this last year.  We've been in a season of trials (still are) and since Elliott has required so much of me this year, I've had to learn to slow down and not get so caught up in all the "stuff."  Having a baby really, I mean REALLY, puts things into perspective.  and any good parent will know that no matter what is happening, family comes first.

hug and kiss your kids ... while they will still let you!!

31

happy birthday to me!

last year turning 30 wasn't a big deal. I was pregnant, so I had more important things on my mind. but this year turning 31 seems to be making a bigger impact. why? I don't really know.

hubby has been out of town for over a week, my sister wasn't going to come see me until later, and my parents are in SoCal and are planning to visit next month ... but my bday was here and now and no one was around.
my parents always made "my day" special. I do remember a few bday slumber parties, and a bowling bday, but mostly mom would let me chose what was for dinner. I always picked the same thing: lasagna. nobody cooks like mom!

I now live close to my in-laws, whom I don't know that well. we've always lived so far apart from each other, that I'm just now getting to know them. my MIL invited me over for lunch, and I thought "why not? nothing else is going on." I was bummed and a bit disappointed because everyone I normally spend my bday with was gone. not being too close with my MIL, I wasn't expecting anything extravagant.

boy, was I wrong!
I walk in and saw all these decorations of streamers and balloons, so I guessed right away she took the girls out of school to have a party for me. but around the corner was everyone I knew here in CoSprings. hubby was sneaky and came back into town, my sister and her hubby, a couple we met a few weeks ago, and co-worker/friends hubby works with. the girls attacked me with silly string, and I got hugs from everyone. my MIL even made me lasagna ... not like moms of course, but still yummy.

they also got a pinata. I thought those were only for kids' parties; turns out they work for 31 year olds too. it was fun!

there was so much commotion, I don't think anyone took pictures.
hubby had to go out of town again already, but when he returns we're doing something special, just us. I'll take pictures then.

it's nice to be reminded how much people care. I didn't really realize who and what I had until my party; it was a real blessing and a great way to begin 31!