cake shoot

I had so much fun shooting these pics of Blake.  I bought 6 cupcakes at Target and let him have at them!  I think he ate all the frosting, and about 3 of the cupcakes. 

   

Happy Birthday Blake!

Dear Blake,
Today is your first birthday! I know it’s cliché, but it seems like just yesterday you were a squishy, red-faced newborn laying in my arms. From the moment you were born you have brought such joy and happiness into my life. When you were a newborn, I loved just holding you close and smelling your sweet baby breath.  I loved our afternoon nap together, and I loved pinching your big fat cheeks.  (I still do!) As you grew, your first smiles held me captive, and your baby giggles were so contagious. Everyone said you looked like a little old man because of your mop of hair, but I cried when daddy finally convinced me to give you a proper haircut. 
You are such a people person, and light up whenever anyone even so much as glances in your direction.  You love your brother and sister, and are so content and happy when you play with them. 
You are such a delight, and at night when you fall asleep in my arms, sometimes it’s all I can do to lay you in your crib.  I just want to hold you forever.  You love to read stories and you also love when I sing to you.  But one thing you are NOT is a good sleeper.  One year old and still not sleeping through the night….sigh.
You are such a sweet, loving baby.  You give me hundreds of very wet, slobbery kisses everyday.  Whenever I get you out of your crib after your nap, you tuck your arms under your body, lay your head on my shoulder and say, “ahhhhh…” That has to be one of my favorite things ever.
This year certainly hasn’t been without its challenges.  Three kids is HARD work, and some days I thought I was going to lose my sanity. Grocery shopping became impossible, and most days getting a shower was a major victory.  But as you grow and become more independent, things are getting back to “normal” and I know I am going to miss these hectic days because it means you are growing up. 
Blake, I love you so much. You are a very special little boy, and I am lucky to be your mommy!  Happy Birthday my beautiful, sweet, giggly, loving, sparkly, energetic son. 
Love, Mom  

Blake doesn’t really like cake, so I made him a giant cookie.  Turns out he didn’t really like the cookie a whole lot either.  But he L.O.V.E.D. the M&Ms.  I should have just dumped a package on his tray and called it good.

WATCH ME GROW!    
PS—I made his hat and his t-shirt. It was fun and easy! (and made for some cute pics!)

Moving onward and upward

We held a little preschool celebration on the last day of our co-op group. I am so proud of the kids and all they have learned this year.  They wore cute little graduation hats, and all the “teachers” wrote down one good thing about each student on their “diploma.”  It was so cute. Thanks Joanna for hosting the party!

Halle’s class had an ice cream party on their last day of Kindergarten.  They also had a Beach Day where they played water games outside. Halle is a little sad to leave Kindergarten behind, but I know she’ll do amazing things in 1st grade.  

Our Trip to Cloudy San Diego

Be forewarned—there are entirely too many pics in this post.  But you know me—I can never just choose a few! 

We had an amazing trip to San Diego last week, despite the fact that the sun decided to go into hiding while we were there.  We started off with a magical day at Disneyland.  Brett and Kami (Rusty’s brother) and their cute kiddos joined us, which made the day even more fun.  Halle and Josh loved being with their cousins.  Our day at Disney was perfect—the lines were short and we got to do everything on my “must see” list. Halle’s favorite rides were Small World and Peter Pan, and Josh loved Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster and Peter Pan.  They both hated the Nemo Submarine ride.  They cried the whole way through.  Halle got adventurous and tried the Matterhorn, but she was terrified and kept her eyes closed the whole time.  I am proud of her for trying though! Blake has a great time on Dumbo and he was fascinated during Small World. 

   

The next few days we just hit the beach.  Despite the wind and clouds, we all had fun.  Halle was brave and played in the cold ocean, Josh ventured out a few times, and I kept safely on the sand.  BURRRR….  As you can imagine, Blake ate mountains of sand.  When Halle was a baby she’d cry if sand got in her mouth, but Blake just shoves it in by the handful. 
   

We also went to La Jolla to visit the Seals.  It was so neat to see them up close.  I think this was one of the favorite moments for the kids.  They couldn’t get enough!
(Those are the seals on the rock behind us)

Our last stop was to the San Diego Zoo.  My kids LOVE animals (like really really LOVE them) and so they had a great time running from one exhibit to the next.  Funnily enough, out of all the cool, exotic animals we were able to see, I think their favorite part was seeing a mommy duck with all her babies walking down a path.  We also saw a tiny baby meerkat and a baby panda bear.  My favorite animals were the koalas.  They are so adorable! 

This Peacock followed us all over the Zoo!

 

We had a little time to spare before we needed to be at the airport, so we let the kids burn off some energy (because walking around the zoo all day wasn’t enough!) at Balboa Park.  It was BEAUTIFUL and when we go back to San Diego, we’ll certainly spend some more time there.

  

Other trip highlights included swimming with cousins, and the cousin sleepover. (Which was also a highlight for Rusty and I—after Blake went to bed we had the whole evening to ourselves.)  A HUGE thanks to Brett and Kami who went out of their way to make our trip PERFECT.  We love you guys and miss you already! 

 

Rusty's funny Mother's Day Story

Read it HERE.

I was totally impressed with his dinner--it was delicious. I was spoiled all day long with breakfast in bed, a new printer, a blender, and headphones for my ipod! It was like Christmas. But, the highlight of the day for me is always the cards from the kids.

Here's Josh's. He told me that it is a dungeon and I am trapped inside with an Ogre.
Josh also gave his first talk Primary yesterday, and he did such a great job. He gave a very sweet talk on all the ways we can help and love our Mommies.


Halle's card had many pages, but this one was my favorite:


I am a lucky Mommy!