You're All Invited...

...to see what a great time I had at my first birthday party.  Man, if I had known birthdays were this fun I'd have been born the first time my mom went to the hospital to have me!

I had a monkey party...I think this may have something to do with me being a "chunky monkey" but I'm not sure.  We had monkey cupcakes, monkeys holding balloons and even banana splits. 

 

I stole a cupcake when no one was looking and ran off to eat it...before we even had dinner.  I'm pretty sneaky!

My family came and helped me celebrate and even brought me presents...wow.  I was a little too busy to open gifts but my big brother, Sam, didn't mind handling that for me. We had dinner and my three big buddies were all there for the fun.  They even let me sit with them at the "big boy" table!

 

My little buddy, Landry, came too and boy is she fun.  Mama says she doesn't know she's a girl because of all us boys.  She likes getting messy just like me!

We had hotdogs and hamburgers, but I preferred the chips.

The best part was the cupcakes and icecream.  I got really dirty and ate lots of icing. Mommy made me wear a really funny hat that had people laughing and talking about some man named Don King...I don't know who he is but he must be funny and cute just like me.

Pumpkin Patch

Sam picked pumpkins from his patch and sadly there were only four to choose from. We've learned that pumpkins drown very easily and apparently that is what happened to Sam and Jody's "crop". Next year we will have to make some adjustments and move the patch to a different location in the pasture to avoid this problem.  So this was a learning year and we have two full weeks to figure out how to produce 20 pumpkins for the kids to pick at our Fall Party (Note to Self: Check the patch before listing "pumpkin picking" as one of the activities on next year's invitation). 

A happy "little farmer"....

Sam insisted on taking his biggest pumpkin to his Mema & Papa.

Happy Birthday Jackie Poo Poo!

Jack had a wonderful first birthday...pictures, a trip to the park, three cakes to smash, pizza, visitors and presents!  He had his one year pictures this morning with his first cake smashing.  He was adorable.  The cake was between his legs and he sweetly and gently leaned over and stuck his face right in.  And this is how he proceeded to each it...bite by bite like a little dog.  He had fun playing at the park with Cade, Cannon, Landry & Sam and they all happily dug into the two giant cupcakes I brought.  Tonight a few family members came by to sing to Jack and watch him blow out his candle and destroy his third cake of the day.  Jack showed off a new talent...he can put out fires with his hands.  Yes, he reached right up before we could react and snuffed out the candle with his fingers...no grimace, no sign of pain.  Thank God for hands covered in chocolate icing!  His official party is Saturday but he got his gifts from us, G-Ma & Poppa and Nana tonight.  He loved his gifts, especially his new tricycle & mini dirt devil.  He has a real love for vacuums...a man after my own heart.   He is sleeping sweetly now...a one year old...I still can't believe it.  Happy Birthday  Jack!  I love you.  Sweet Dreams... 

Fun at the park

Let me show you how this is done...

Check out my new wheels.

Look ladies, I'm a pro at this vacuuming thing.

My third cake today...

I'm getting really good at this.

Dear Jack,

On the eve of your first birthday, I am overwhelmed with so many important things to tell you. Things I want you to know, to understand...in hopes that you may have an idea of how I feel about you. But there are no words. I sit here with so much to say and without the ability to articulate my love for you. How do I tell you about all the joy you have brought me...all the smiles, the cuddles, the kisses, the precious moments that have slipped away all too fast. You have brought so much to our family. Another precious boy to love and cherish...we are so blessed. Your birth made Sam a brother, your Daddy the proud father of two sons and me a better mom. Sam made me a mommy and that bond is indescribable, but Jack, you made me a better mother. The moment I laid eyes on you I was over the moon for you. Our connection was instant. You looked just like your brother...and that instant that I saw you and your striking resemblance to Sam I was the happiest girl in the world. Two boys so beautiful, so much alike and so perfect...how did I get so lucky? You are my cherry on top of an already wonderful life. Yes, there is a benefit to birth order...each child is special and yet so different. While I hovered over Sam with worry and uncertainty, with you, I knew that sleepless nights, crying spells, all the hard times would pass quickly enough and that we would be okay. You still don't sleep all night, but rather than letting you "cry it out", reading all the books or questioning your doctor, I just wait, patiently. One day you'll sleep all night...Sam did and you will too, when you're ready. Yes, Jack, you have forced this "OCD", structured, list-making girl to be a little more laid back, and I thank you for it. You have taught me that sadly time will just continue to tick by at a staggering pace and that these moments, the moments of babies and childhood, are the most precious years I will ever experience. You have taught me to soak these moments in, with you and Sam leading me along the way. You, with your messy hair, your dirty face, your wrinkled nose, your chubby legs, your sweet laughter and your open arms. You have taught me joy. You laugh for no reason..walking around the house you bend over laughing at yourself, causing everyone else to laugh too. Your smile is heartwarming. I can't tell you the number of times my heart has skipped for you when I turn around and glance at you in your car seat and your face is flooded with that smile...that smile that you give to me so freely not knowing how happy it makes me. You walk up to me all day, chubby little arms stretched out, and wrap those sweet arms around my neck. Free hugs, all day...what a life I have. I hope your first birthday will be full of running and laughing and more fun than you can squeeze into the day. Thank you for being such a precious, sweet, wonderful little boy. My Joy Baby. My Constant Smile. Jack, you have made my life so sweet and I love you more than you'll ever know.

Is It Really October?

It sure didn't feel like it today. I love Fall...it is my favorite season...especially October. I was married in October... Jack joined our family in October...we have our fun Fall party for all the kiddos...cool nights...open windows...Halloween...I could go on and on. It was a beautiful day and the fab five took full advantage of it. Cannon & Cade thought it would be great to go swimming but settled for hooking up the sprinkler in our front yard. They rode bikes and riding toys and had a great afternoon together. Yes, I'd take this weather all year round...and so would they.

Positioning each sprayer...

With a little help from Sam

Pure Sweetness

Not sure if she likes it or not?!?

Partners in Crime

He's a big boy too!

Laid out on Lala's porch...love this picture.

Looking a little too comfortable behind bars...

Good Job, Cade!

Cade did an awesome job tonight in the Homecoming activities. He looked super handsome, didn't seem the least bit nervous and looked right at home in the back of that red Corvette. Cannon and Sam cheered for him through the fence and must have been cheering a little too loud because Cade shot them a look and put his finger to his mouth for the universal "HUSH" symbol. A little embarrassment from his two biggest fans...forgive them, Cade they just adore you and can't contain themselves...you're their hero. Jack and Landry enjoyed the track and the balloons. Jack walked all over the place fighting a balloon while Landry took a few steps now and then. I sure hope she starts walking soon...her wardrobe and shoe collection isn't made for dragging her knees and toes along asphalt.

Cade & Delaney

So Handsome

Loving that shiny car!

Precious

Cheering for Cade

Taking a break

Cannon with a sucker...imagine that!

Trying to pop it...

Happy Birthday JP!

Yesterday was JP's birthday.  Cade, Cannon, Sam, Jack and Landry wanted to wish  a super special birthday to their one and only JP. They put a little something together for you Daddy...it's a little spastic to say the least, but we all hope you enjoy it!  Happy Birthday!  We love you!

*Pause the playlist before beginning the movie in order to hear!

Future Comets

Sam, Cannon and Jack were in their first parade today...Clayton High's Homecoming Parade. They rode with the "Future Comets" and proudly wore their new t-shirts (Thanks, Nana).  I, unfortunately, had to ride too.  Of course I wouldn't have dared to let them ride with anyone else, but a 45 minute parade, crouched on my knees in the bed of a truck holding onto the shirt tails of three boys to prevent them from tumbling over the side was a little exhausting.  But they sure had a great time.  Cannon and Sam tossed candy, even when no one was standing there, waved and shouted "Hey" to total strangers and delighted in seeing people they knew. But Cade was the real star of the show.  He got to dress up and ride beside Miss Clayton High School.  He will present the crown to the new queen tomorrow night at the football game.  He did a great job waving and tossing candy and he sure looked handsome.  Little Landry watched from the sidewalk...but don't worry sweetie, fast forward 16 years and you'll be one of those pretty girls riding in a bright red convertible with the rest of the homecoming court...no doubt about it.

The Fab Five

Homecoming Queen 2025

Handsome Cade

Sam, honey, stop stealing the candy.

Future Comets

Comet Cuties