how to beat the heat

we cut the curls....

but they are still there!!

Here's the before:

 During:

After:

not the best picture but it's so cute, and still really curly!  Maybe we didn't lose them after all!

And just as a comparison, Neland sat in a taxi for his first hair cut as well (at 2.5 yrs, not 15 months).

(and he had a lollipop, goldfish and stickers just to get through it.  Teague completely loved every minute, but I'm pretty sure it's because last time we were there for Neland, he sat in a car next to Neland and watch every part of it with a smile, so he knew what was coming)

 notice Woody in the hand...seriously he's everywhere!

the actual birthday

On Monday night, we said goodnight to our three year old.

On Tuesday morning, I woke Neland up.  He jumped out of bed and said, "Let's see how tall I am now!"  This kid constantly wins the cuteness award (from his momma at least, although I think I know a few people who might agree). 

I let him pick a place for breakfast. His choice, of course, Panera.  Although instead of our usual pumpkin muffin and apple juice, he asked for a cinnamon scone and orange juice. 

We took our annual 9:11am birthday picture to celebrate when we first met.

By the time we arrived at camp, he had a tummy ache. Wonder why?  After camp, I gave him the choice to go anywhere he wanted, the splash park, Monkey Joes, the toy store, the playground.  Without hesitation he chose the toy store.  We spent over 2 hours there!  After the first hour I mentioned to NJ that he could pick out one toy.  Honestly I probably should have given him the choice of three, the poor kid was completely overwhelmed by all the choices.  He ended up with a playmobil dinosaur car.

Dinner was Neland's choice as well.  We ended up at his favorite place, Chick-fil-a (specifically he wanted "the new one").  Dad made it home early to have dinner with us.

We sang Happy Birthday at home (a candle in a klondike bar, I was not about to make a third chocolate cake- although Harris Teeter did for the party).  Then it was time to open gifts!

The night ended with sparklers!

still partying...

 NJ's party was Thursday afternoon.  He could not stop talking about a party at Space Kidets up until about two weeks before the actual party.  I'm not sure if he forgot, or just thought it wasn't going to happen.  When I picked him up from camp on Thursday and told him we were going to his party he was so excited. 

Here are my two Space Rangers before the party.

Neland gave everyone a hug when they arrived.  He really is the sweetest kid!

Look at the personalities in this picture... cracks me up!

Another chocolate cake... this makes 3!

No denying it, he's FOUR!!

And a complete side note, but here are the invites I made, along with the favors.

We asked for donations of non-perishable food, especially peanut butter to help feed hungry children in our community (that's the little note).

The older kids received this book.  It's really cute!

The babies received some sidewalk chalk and sand molds, since they are too young for space exploring.

party like a rockstar

Neland's birthday celebrations started Saturday morning with the arrival of two packages.  Packages are definitely exciting any day of the week, but on a birthday, extra excitement.

Lunch with family (and with the toys from the package, playmobil firetruck and helicopter). Then dinner and a special cake made and decorated with help from the birthday boy himself.

Then there were a *few* presents... well a lot of presents, we are talking about grandparents here.

Teague claimed one (he is slightly obsessed with Woody, in the picture above Teague is screaming at Grandpa to get Woody out of the box faster)

Neland wanted a big Buzz just like Andy got for his birthday.

A family picture, with our new four year old!

Fantastic 4!

 Baby You're a Firework!

Happy 4th Birthday, July 19, 2011

I love you so much, and for so many reasons!  Just a few listed here:

You want bunk beds with your brother.  Even though he's loud and takes your toys.

You do not like to wear shirts with animals that bite on them. And whenever you ask if a certain animal bites and I say yes, you always tell me that you are nice to them.

You like for everyone to be happy.  When I was in labor with Teague (back when you were 2), you kept asking me if I was happy.  At school, a new student arrived who was very upset.  Your teachers told me that you started telling him all the things you love about school and the other students joined in.

You call the aisle at Target with Iron Man and such, "the mean aisle." (the Spiderman book was probably not the best gift I idea I've ever had).

You told us that when you grow up, "if there are children without daddies then I will be their daddy". (I'm guessing this is because the job of Teague's daddy is already taken).

On Saturday when we celebrated your birthday with a family dinner, you went the whole day talking about the people that would be there to celebrate, not the presents you would get to open.  

It doesn't matter what type of day you're having, if we get Icee's and look at the toys at Target, you're a happy kid (and I've never had to buy a toy, you're just fine looking).

little helper

Someone wanted to help make his chocolate, chocolate birthday cake.

 

Wonder why?

Goodnight? Goodmorning?

Not sure what this little guy was doing on our patio, he seemed a little confused.

 After breakfast Neland wanted to read a book (right beside the door so he could still see the baby opossum)

 "What are you taking a picture of mom?"

be still my heart....

I was getting ready the other day and left the boys in the playroom.  When I returned, they were snuggling on the couch.  Ohhhh the sweetness of it!!

calling all rabbits

Finally we have edible carrots!

pretty sure this made his day

tman's new obsession

Both my boys love shoes (especially NEW shoes).  These were a clearance find and Teague wears them constantly - at home. 

*He is pretty cute in them though*

Teague 1 Wall Plate 0

Teague's head crashed into the wall plate - there were no tears.

Multitasking to the Extreme

The boys had a very busy morning.  Today they...

 Drove a boat

went for a swim

 fixed a car

 did some plumbing

drove a race car

 explored a sunken ship

rode a dolphin

 explored the sea

climbed through a whale

 volunteer their medical expertise

milked a cow

drove a tractor

picked some eggs

  

worked at a restaurant

rode a bumble bee

took some phone calls

 flew off into the sunset

 learned some physics

and that was all before lunch....