my big four year old

He turned FOUR over several weeks ago & I just didn't give him the proper "post" for his big birthday!  I really think this past year is the one where he did the most growing physically as well as mentally.  It was kind of like once we brought Fran home from the hospital he just knew that he was going to have to learn how to play on his own & become a big boy. It was about this time last year when he got his train table & just seemed to totally immerse himself into the train world.  He would either sit in his playroom & take those trains around and around on those tracks or sit on the floor and race his cars over and over again. Full complete concentration. It really amazes me sometimes how he can sit with so much intensity & focus in on those tiny little treasures like they are gold.

Over this past year he had so many new accomplishments- played on his first team sport of soccer, took some swim lessons, has learned to eat & actually like many new foods, really started to get into art projects (yay from mom), knows all about dinosaurs, is great at coming home from school & telling us what he learned, and has even started to get into football games with daddy. His absolute favorite things to wear are his football jerseys (which of course i said to myself in the earlier years- my child will never wear one). Cheetos would be his choice of favorite special snack when allowed & milk is still at the top for his favorite drink. And I can't forget that every night before he goes to bed we each have to give him a hug, high five and a kiss!

He completely surprised me with how he has treated his sister over this past year. I just knew he was going to be the child that would rock her out of the swing but he was actually the complete opposite! Loving on her at every chance he walks by, checking in on her at school, wanting to make sure she finishes her bottle, and giving her hugs & kisses at every moment. It really melts my heart as his mom. One day some girl is going to be very lucky!  

Henry:: you brighten our days with your elated spirit & devotion to us & others. May you forever have these great blessings & pass them along to others along your path. We are grateful to God for you each and every day. Love you so much buddy!

mommy & daddy

the new year

hello hello! happy new year! yes- we are still alive & made it through all the holidays.....or should i say 3 family birthdays, 3 holidays, & 2 out of town trips all within 5 weeks! Phew! I'm tired!! BUT- I am determined to play catch up with the blog this week and hope to fill it up with lots of new posts on all our adventures.  It sure was exciting & brand new with two in the house this year. Never a dull moment! So....check back in the next few days for some fun new pics! xo

ps.....yes...that would be a missing middle tooth on Henry! his hyper activity finally caught up to him....the tooth fairy and santa claus all paid a visit within 48 hours of each other.

ONE!!!

we celebrated yesterday & i made it through the day without crying! lots more to come with details & pics but i just wanted to post a picture of our princess on her birthday! love you sweetie! happy ONE!

ho, ho, ho

i think this is HILARIOUS!!! i am so glad we had all 4 of them together. this Christmas is gonna be FUN!!! 

11 months

11 months and she won't.....

sit still.....

for a picture!

all of the other outtakes are just as funny- it was hard to choose which ones to post! the only way to get her to stay remotely in his arms was to give her the lens cap but that didn't last for long! she was being a total ham this morning and loving every minute of it!
we have just a few new things in the past month......we have dropped our afternoon bottle (yay!), starting saying momma a few times & her other new word is ball, she slept till about 7:30 for a week straight (awesome)- but now is back to waking anywhere between 6:15 & 7:00, really starting to play with her baby dolls a little bit, has a total of 6 visible teeth & they are big & funky lookin', she cries at school when it is time for miss meghan (her fav teacher) to leave to go home (seriously- as soon as meghan reaches for her jacket Fran starts to whimper!), yogurt is one of her favorite foods, and is cruising quickly around the furniture & walls but just won't let go!

we love you franniepants! mommy CANNOT believe that you are almost ONE! i am definitely going to be crying the week of her birthday!!

FOUR!!!!

We celebrated.....A LOT! Here is a sneak peak of just the first celebration with a few friends making our own pizzas at Brixx pizza!

the aprons & party favors with whoopie cushions

a few shots of getting our pizzas perfect

charlie is intense with his work!

lucy is a pro in the kitchen

the dessert choice for this party- krispy kreme- and he chose a chocolate one for the first time

loving the singing attention

pizza, chocolate & sprinkles....what could be better???

a collage of some friends

back at home diggin' into the gifts

here is what sister was up to! at least when she was not demanding for mommy to hold her the whole time!!

More to come on the (extended) birthday celebration!

ooops!!!

....we have just been having too much fun over the past few weeks to update! we have lots to fill you in on....someone turned FOUR, we gave lots of THANKS in sea island, and we are hitting the 11 MONTH mark!! Time is flying by! Be back tonight hopefully with TONS of pictures!