Sunday, September 1, 2013

Maxwell is 4

Our big boy is 4!! He has grown up soooo much in the last year and I can't believe it is possible to love someone so much. He has really blossomed into a wonderful little man. He is sweet and sensitive and super loving. He is curious about everything, airplanes, trains, cars, engines, dinosaurs, he loves playing doctor, his favorite thing is reading stories.

At his doctors appointment he weighed in at 30 pounds and 6.4 ounces and he is 39 inches tall.

This year we went back to the bowling alley for his party. He had such a good time last year and he actually asked to go back for his party this year. We tried to keep it low key, but it never really works out. Lots of friends and even a couple of cousins came.
He asked for only a couple of things for his birthday so of course we obliged. The first thing was, a "gunner." We have debated it for a while and finally decided that we would do it with some rules.

He was soooooo happy when he unwrapped it on his actual birthday. He played with it for 3 days straight. Even took it to bed with him and tucked it in. Since then he hasn't asked for it. His rules are, no pointing it at anyone and only using it on the targets. We are teaching him basic rules about gun safety, no looking in the barrel and finger off the trigger. It gets put away on top of the gun safe also. Scary stuff but with a boy and having guns locked up in the house, it has to be done. And like I said, he hasn't asked for it in over 2 weeks.

Flash forward to the day of the party. Our buddy Jake and mama Bridget came to join in the festivities. Jake even wore a shirt he knew Maxwell would like. It had diggers on it. Jake told me special.

Maxwell hefting the ball toward the ramp.

A 5 pound ball gets pretty heavy after carrying it down the lane.

Aimng for his target. So glad the bowling alley has these helpers for the little ones.

Maxwell and Jake checking out the goodie bags.

Maxwell loves party blowers.

Maxwell and Jake having a blower contest.

The theme of his party was Transformers. His cake was chocolate with chocolate frosting with Maximus Prime and Megatron on it.

All the party goers, Maxwell, Kirill, Oisin, Ronan, Aoife, cousin Claire, Isabel and Jake. He had to go early before the cake, but as Bridget and I discussed, frosting is a beast with both of our kids.

I think everyone had a great time. I know Maxwell sure did. He is already talking about having another birthday party. Not sure he completely understands the idea behind birthdays. Our big boy starts school in a couple of days, 3 days a week this year. getting bigger everyday. Sometimes I want to stop it! I want to snuggle him just like he is now. My sweet, handsome boy.


Isabel is 1

Can you believe it?? Isabel is 1! Our beautiful girl turned 1 on July 23rd. She is nothing like her brother and has a personality that overflows with happiness. She is usually smiling and laughing her head off, or she is screaming her head off like a Pterydactyl!  She looks up to her brother and wants to do everything he does. She is already trying to do big girl things. She is starting to use a fork, she can walk behind her walker and she loves being in the water. She even dives into Pine Lake head first from the steps. It is amazing how fearless she is.
Our little one weighs in at 17 pounds 2.4 ounces and is 28.66 inches tall.

The birthday girl! 

Sitting pretty, waiting for the party to begin. 
We celebrated by having a party at my friend Hailey's house. She has a huge yard and great house. We had a few friends and some family join us for the festivities. It was a little more low key then Maxwell's 1st, and that suited us just fine.

"I have the crown, the cake...where are my presents?!?" 

 Pretty birthday princess.

"Oh, birthday candle, I get it!" 

 "Singing... for me... awwwww thanks!"

 Carrot cake with pineapple, chocolate chips and cream cheese frosting.

"Hey, when is my birthday party?"  

 Baby Daddy! Isabelly says, "Hey, that's my binky!"

"Nobody said anything about presents. Wait, what are presents?"

Isabel's friend Elliott, came and helped with presents. He received this same gift for Christmas so he was eager to help Isabel figure it all out. Thanks Aunty Judy and Uncle Dave for coming all the way from Bellingham and bringing presents.

Amazingly these kids were born only 9 days apart. Elliott towers over her.

We had a great day and she slept that afternoon for 3 hours. Quite the party girl!! Here is to another amazing year with our sweet girl and all the wonderful discoveries she is going to make.