Archive for May, 2010

Noah’s Birthday Party – Part 1

Sunday, May 23rd, 2010

This year Noah had quite the birthdays!  Turning 4, he was at the age where he was full of opinions.  From the moment we asked him (6 months ago) he wanted his party at Jumpers.  We tried to tempt him with so many other things, including a trip to Disney, but he was sure – Jumpers it was.  Being that Jumpers is most definitely a place for kids we decided to let him choose his guest list and we would do the family/adult party later.  We didn’t realize that his list of good friends was so short but it’s who he wanted so a small party with his nearest and dearest was what we had. 

_DSC5913

Kate was our greeter.  She sat in the lobby and welcomed everyone to the party.

_DSC5519

And this is Kate’s “I love you” -

_DSC5522

_DSC5530

Ayla the “supa-star”!  The world’s most natural model and Noah’s oldest pal.

_DSC5533   _DSC5535

Kate, Helena, and Ayla -

_DSC5542

Once we were finally allowed in to play it was full speed ahead!

_DSC5557   _DSC5562

_DSC5564   _DSC5569

Aunt Rachel even got in on the fun!  If you ever go to Jumpers, don’t wear a skirt.  You will end up down a slide, eventually.

_DSC5578   _DSC5582

This is Charlie.  Noah’s BFF from school.  He is really into Charlie and they seem to be very similar in many ways.

_DSC5678

_DSC5592

I told you, we all end up on the slide!  I think Gena had more fun than Spencer in the bounce area!

_DSC5599

I love this series of Noah and Charlie playing basketball…

_DSC5623

_DSC5624

_DSC5625

_DSC5639   _DSC5634

_DSC5658

_DSC5683

_DSC5696

After bounce, we bowled…

_DSC5703

_DSC5711

And then we danced…

_DSC5728

Chicken Dance!

_DSC5758

_DSC5761   _DSC5760

_DSC5759   _DSC5998

_DSC5766

_DSC5786   _DSC5859

And then we ate cake!

_DSC5912

Miss Molly (Noah’s teacher) even came!

_DSC5914

We all had a great day!

_DSC5928

Even if we had to work for a few smiles!

_DSC5938

And Now You Are Cuatro!

Friday, May 21st, 2010

Dear Noah,

I can’t believe it’s been four years since you were born! It seems like just yesterday we were having pancakes and waiting for the glider to be delivered before we went to the movies… when my water broke. We still have pancakes every year and laugh about that morning even though we no longer have the glider and it took us forever to finally see The Davinci Code.

DSC_1840   DandN

These days though are much more interesting and, usually, far less painful. You are figuring out your world, testing your limits, finding out about yourself and my tolerance for toddler antics. I love you so much. I love how much we’re alike, even if it means we butt heads constantly. You are stubborn, opinionated, feisty, active, and hard headed. It’s more politically correct to say you’re “strong willed” but you are far more challenging than that implies. You are the kid I got when my mother said “I hope you have one just like you!”. Often I wish the same for you!

_DSC3607

You’re also way awesome! You are very mechanically inclined, inquisitive and curious. You love counting, numbers and trying to read.  You’re fascinated by Spanish and practice it constantly (and some days you remember seis and siete!).  We try hard to let you figure things out without squashing who you are but sometimes that can be frustrating and in case you ever remember the hard spots, I would like to tell you I’m sorry from now. I promise I’m doing the best job I know how to.

NoahYap_01

I love how much you love our family!  Daddy has always been, and will likely always be, your number one.  We joke about how great it is to be “the favorite”, like when you want a glass of water in the middle of the night and I just won’t do.  Trust me, he loves it as much as you do.  You’re crazy about your sister – when no one is looking!  You watch out for her, you speak up for her, and your protect her even if you also yell at her and swat at her for the silliest of reasons.  You want to include her in everything, whether she’s old enough or not, and you always save your banana at lunch time so she can have a snack when we pick you up.  You may want to be careful about that, since you’re so petite, she’s quickly gaining on you!  You are in the 25th percentile for height and 20th for weight.  You just broke the 30 pound mark and you mostly wear clothes made for children between 12 and 24 months of age.  I’m sure you won’t go to college that little but it is my job to worry! And the love of your life, our 5th member of the family – monkey.  Although he is far beyond tattered, his shine has still not warn off! Take it easy on him though, I’m not sure how many more washes he can handle!

Noah

You are very shy.  I’m not supposed to say that around you but it’s all I can offer up when a stranger is trying to engage you and you look at them like they’re crazy.  You won’t tell them what your name is, how old you are, who your sister is, or which balloon you want when they ask, no matter what.  It’s just not your thing.  You also don’t do group activities.  You will wait for your entire class to finish a project and move on to something else before you’ll do yours.  It always has to be your way.  Lucky for you, your teacher, Miss Molly, loves you and caters to you.  Your preschool best friend, Charlie, is your partner in crime.  You two are like long lost brothers, he’s the only little person who gets you at the moment.  Ayla is still your “girlfriend”, or so we joke and if you don’t marry her we’ll be shocked.  You get along, share, and fight like an old married couple.  It’s adorable and you do a great job at tolerating her when she gets bossy.  You’ll even give in to a hug every once in awhile just to keep her from being heart broken.

DSC_5793_fx

You are such an amazing boy!  I can’t wait to see how you grow and thrive throughout the years.  I’m certainly not wishing any time away but if you could be a little more reasonable or mature, that would be great!  For now I will remain as patient as possible and cherish the moments of love, cuddling, and kindness that creep in when we’re at home.  I love you to the moon and back and wish for you everything you could possibly need to thrive and succeed.  One step at a time though.  Pancakes?

_DSC4233

Love you always,

mom

Happy Mother’s Day!

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

Happy Mother’s Day hun! You always doubt yourself, but I just want you to know, I think you’re the most amazing mother. You have the biggest heart and go out of your way to try to make everyone happy. All your friends can certainly attest to that. You love and take great care of the kids and me too. You make life fun and interesting.

_DSC4126

You’ll take the kids to the middle of circle time and to see Handy Manny when they are being shy.

_DSC0318

And you’ll feed the lorikeets even though their little claws skeeve you out a little.

_DSC5300

So here’s to you hun.  I wish I could give you more or show you more properly how much I love you and how amazing you are.

_DSC3479

Happy Mother’s Day!