Choo Choo Party!

Henry LOVES cars, trucks, trains - anything with wheels - so I knew his party theme would be vehicle related.  We started visiting Choo Choo Bob's regularly a month ago and both kids fell in love with trains.  Choo Choo!  The party theme was set.

I found a great Brio train table on Craigslist (thanks Grammy for picking it up!) and Grammy and Pops found an awesome deal on a HUGE collection of wooden trains and train tracks.  

Happy Birthday Little Man!

It's Party Time!

(Pictures are a collection of mine and Patti's - thanks for helping photograph, Patti! You got some great pictures!)  

5 cousins in a Teepee!

How old are you, Henry?

Big Sister noticing that Little Brother needs some water.  Never mind that his is the water in focus in the background... still so thoughtful:)

Can I ride this now?

My Engineers.

Enjoying a little snack with Pops.

The coolest Birthday Pinata that Aunt Sally and Uncle Manny made.

The kids know the drill - birthday boy first then youngest to oldest.

I got it, Dad. Lemme show these kids how it's done.

Ok.  Just lift me higher.  Then I got it.

Great job, Buddy!

Ava put on the most serious game face I've ever seen for her turn.  She was soooo determined to smash it open, and she came pretty close with a lot of great hits.  I love the cheering crowd in the background.

Miles is up and it'a a nail-biter -- will he smash it open before Emmett this time?!?!?!!

It's going going...

Sorry, maybe next time, Miles.  Emmett's up.  The crowd is confident again as they cheer him on.

Hooray!!! Fiesta time!

The kids raid the field for goodies.

For awesome things like bracelets,

snakes, parachute-guy-things, and gold fish.  Thanks for always skipping the candy, Sally and Manny:)

Cake time!  Cuppiecakes made by Yaya's coworker - YUM!  Thanks Yaya!

(I couldn't help myself with a little last minute train craft:) )

Happy Birthday, Henry!!  We are so proud of you and you brighten our lives every day.  We love you so much!

A huge Thank You to all of our families to helping celebrate Henry's 1 year and for making his party so much fun.  We all had a blast!!  

Happy Birthday, Henry!!

Happy 1st Birthday to the happiest little boy in the whole world!  

(Full Birthday Party post and long overdue posts to follow this week.)

No Plans

After a busy weekend, I was thrilled to wake up to a day of no plans or errands with the kids.  We had some bread that went bad so we armed ourselves with a bag of pre-cut bread and headed for the duck pond.  

After we unloaded an obscene amount of bread in minutes, Ava enjoyed running around while the ducks stayed happily fed in the cool pond below. (Sorry for the grainy phone pictures.)

Since we were in the neighborhood I made the call for a much needed haircut.  I concede that she wants nothing to do with ponytails, clips, or bows right now and we both love her new 'do.

Then we headed to the library for a new haul of books.  Ava chooses her own and couldn't wait to get home and start reading them.  She parked herself on the porch and dove into half a dozen books before we got inside.

 Henry was thrilled to see his trucks. 

And who let you become a big boy over night?

There is something so magical about new (used) books.  Not only for the imagination and education, but I love hearing Ava repeat words for the first time in a new book.  I smile and dive right in when she brings me a book to read to her and wants to sit on my lap.  She always says, "More reading" book after book at nap and bedtime.  You got it, girl.  We'll keep reading.

After naps we took advantage of the hot weather and spent the rest of the afternoon in the pool and shade out back.

Henry practiced letting go and standing hands-free - 10+ seconds.  Keep it up, buddy!

Pure joy.

With trucks always close at hand.

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone enjoys a day of unplanned bliss every once in a while.  It's so worth it.

More Mowing

 We start 'em early around here. 

"Nahnie!" (Normie)

Goofball.

 Big Boy!  So proud.  And so close to walking.

End of Summer

If he isn't cruising along the furniture Henry can be found playing with this.  Maybe someday I'll look for the people and cars on ebay, but he doesn't seem mind for now.

 Ready to go on our daily walk.

 We are LOVING the new bike that Cousin Arthur lent us.

 Peek-a-Boo! Playing in the coolest tent from my co-worker.

We found the first signs of fall - beautiful maple leaves turning amazing shades of yellow, orange, and red, so we collected dozens of our favorites for a quick little craft.

Happy Helpers.

And finished our craft with a little coloring before lunch.