We were asked to take some product photos of new ruffle jumpers being sold on Etsy.  We found the perfect model and thought we’d share!

Of course every model needs a good stylist.  That and Noah loved the pearls!

Unfortunately we have to make fools of ourselves to get nice photos of Kate.  We do this because when you ask her to smile… you get… this…

Aren’t my kids the cutest!?

Kate and Noah are really enjoying each other’s company these days.  They play so well together and have so much fun!  Of course they still argue like siblings but those patches are getting fewer and further between.  It’s really nice to watch but every once in awhile someone takes advantage.  Like this day when Noah used Kate as his rickshaw driver during his morning commute.  I wonder how much he got done on that Thomas The Train laptop he’s holding.  LOL!

The kids are back in school… since, like, August (hey, I’m busy, what can I say?)!  The work of editing photos has become incredibly more efficient with all the quiet but I do miss the fun times we enjoyed during their break.  Noah is in a new room this school year.  He’s in VPK which is one step from KINDERGARTEN.  I can’t believe it.

His teachers are on getting-to-know-you overload but we’re enjoying the effects of it.  Here is a photo he drew of himself with a little blurb he gave during an interview.  I can’t help but notice how sad his self portrait is!

They also measured all the kids.  I’m slightly excited that Noah isn’t the shortest… barely.  I can’t believe some kids are 6 inches taller than him!  I wonder if he’ll always be a peanut.

And through all these questions I’m even learning new things.  Apparently Noah’s favorite fruit is kiwi.  Um, I’m not sure he’s ever had kiwi.  LOL!

Noah’s also discovering new things this year.  While doing arts and crafts and cutting newspaper he became very curious.  He wondered if his scissors could cut fabric.  You know what – they can!

We had a small birthday party for Kate last night.  It was a very last minute affair on Yom Kippur so unfortunately a lot of our close friends were unable to attend.  We still managed to have a BLAST though!  The kids played outside all night!  They came in every once in awhile to muddy up the house and swipe a snack but nothing could slow them down!

The bounce house was a huge hit with everyone young and old!

Sidewalk chalk was for the more reserved (as bouncing got embarrassing the bigger you got)

And the playset was even put to use!

As it turns out though, Kate doesn’t like to be the center of attention sometimes.  While she liked the idea of cake, being sung to was not her thing!

This was right before she BOLTED in tears!

But her brother is always willing to help out!

Thank you to all who could come!  We are blessed to have such great family and friends!  A special thanks to Walter and his dad who resoded and mulched our entire back yard in the weeks leading up to the party!

Happy Birthday sweet baby girl!  We’re so glad you had a fun time at your party!

Recently we picked up some butterflies at Butterfly World for Kate’s room.  I feel in love with them the minute I saw them and knew they would be an adorable addition to her decor! 

The one on her monogram is my favorite!

And, yes, we still have the origami cranes from her baby shower up too!

The reason I thought this was occassion was blog worthy was because when I took this picture I got a wave of deja vu.

THIS picture is all I could think of.  It was taken by Amy Hill when Kate was 9 days old.  She was so tiny!

So I couldn’t resist -

Almost two years later she barely fits on her changing pad!  Baby no more!

Does that make sense?  I know it’s been, well, forever since I posted about his fourth birthday but between no internet (kill me!) and the hustle and bustle of life… well, I never showed you the other party he had.  So here it is.

We had this second party mostly for those that would rather have a root canal than hang out in a bounce house.  All of our child-free friends and family had a great time!

Noah and Kate actually ended up being the only kids there and they loved it!  They got all the attention and helped keep all the grown ups young!

Noah was very interested in the cake!

But then we lit it.  And while he still loves fire…

He still hates attention.  When everyone gathered to sing he took cover.

And refused to blow out the candles!

But Kate’s not shy.  And Grammy never says no!

After dessert the kids soaked up a little more attention…

from everyone they could…

It was a great night.  Everyone had fun and we are so grateful to everyone who made it! 

Thank you!

What a difference a couple of kids make!  Celebrating Father’s Day is even more special now as I watch our children honor their father.  The love and joy they have and the excitement of getting to spend every minute of Father’s Day with their dad is priceless.  I have to confess that watching my wonderful husband parent is also one of the joys of our marriage.  He is the most incredible dad any kid could ever hope for!

Walter always holds us up and holds us together!  He is most definitely the patriarch of this family!

He is patient, loving, caring and makes each kid feel very special for who they are and how they relate!  I feel that any other person is going to have to compete awfully hard to fill the BFF role in their lives when they’ve “outgrown” their daddy!

He is an amazing teacher!  He engages them and enjoys it as much as they do.

And more than anything, he has an incredible sense of humor!

Honey, thanks for being such a great father and doing it with a smile and so naturally!  Our kids are so lucky to have you – and so am I!

Love you!

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. 

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

And this is Kate’s “I love you” -

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

Kate, Helena, and Ayla -

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

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.

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

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

I love this series of Noah and Charlie playing basketball…

After bounce, we bowled…

And then we danced…

Chicken Dance!

And then we ate cake!

Miss Molly (Noah’s teacher) even came!

We all had a great day!

Even if we had to work for a few smiles!

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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?

Love you always,

mom

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.

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

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

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.

Happy Mother’s Day!