~~ Party for Two ~~

To celebrate Jesse & Michael's birthdays this year we decided to try something different--one party for both boys. They both wanted to have a party at the pool, so I needed to figure out how to make that happen. After some smooth talking and negotiating I had a plan, so I headed on down to the Y.....

The pool actually closes a week before Jesse's birthday, so I knew that in order to make that happen for him, his party would have to be early. After checking the availability of the pool for the Saturday nights in September we decided on the 11th at 6pm. It worked out beautifully. Michael had to wait a few weeks after his actual birthday for his party and Jesse got lucky and had his a couple of weeks early.

Normally I buy all the theme cake, plates, cups, napkins, tablecloth, etc., but I thought since it was a pool party and it was for both of them that would just be too much. Michael wanted Iron Man and Jesse wanted Toy Story 3.

I talked them into making all the decorations blue and green and get themed candles. They agreed. This also took care of my need for two different themed cakes. I suggested blue and green cupcakes. They agreed. It was cool and it worked out beautifully.

It was an amazing party. The weather was perfect (we tried a pool party last year for Michael and it got rained out). My boys were so happy and had a fabulous time. I overheard several friends say what a great party it was and what an awesome pool it was. Yes, success!

Another first for me this year was not opening their presents at the party. I have considered this before, but this was the first time we actually took them home to open them. I'm glad we did. We only had the pool for 2 hours and the kids were having so much fun swimming. Also, because it was a party for both, there were double the presents and that just would have taken too long.

I would totally do this again next year if the boys let me, I mean, want to.

*I was worried that I might actually miss their party today because after running club I came home and was so sick. It was a tough workout today and it was so hot, I'm thinking maybe I was dehydrated.!?!.

~~ FIVE ~~

My little angel baby turned 5 today!

This morning started with him waking me up-just like he did 5 years ago. He hopped in bed and proudly told me, "It's my birthday!"

I hugged him tightly and insisted that he stop growing so fast! Really, stop it! The past 5 years have flown by so quickly, it amazes me. You know how people always say, "it seems just like yesterday." It is so true, it really does!

We spent the day talking about the day he was born and when he was a baby. We looked at his baby album and he saw pictures of his family seeing him for the first time. When he met his brother and sisters, the first time he met his grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and neighbors. He got to see and hear the story of his baptism and lots of firsts, including his 1st birthday party. Ah, the memories. I love looking at the pictures and scrapbooks, but I will admit that I am a little bit of a slacker and there are some finishing touches I need to put on that baby album--5 years later. I felt bad that it wasn't/isn't completed. Of course, he didn't care, but I did. I'm determined to find some time to finish that album!

We celebrated his birthday on Saturday, with cake and Phillip's family, so today we just had small cupcakes today. Memaw and Aunt Sandra stopped by to see him and drop off cards for him. He'll be having a swimming party in September with his brother and all his friends.

Happy Birthday sweet boy! I ~LOVE~ YOU!

~~ NoNo's Pool Party ~~

Tonight we celebrated Nolan's 6th birthday!

lighting the candles.....

thinking about what he is going to wish for.....

giving it all he's got!

He's an August baby, born on the 4th, and well, it is HOT in August. So what better way to keep all the kiddos cool, and wear them out, while celebrating than have a pool party?

I can't believe he is already 6, man these kiddos are growing up SO fast! The kids had a blast jump in and out of the water and they were just all over the place, they would not sit still for pictures, but here is one of the birthday boy and his pretty mama!

*It was a great party and that part about wearing the kids out.....it didn't work for mine! It is almost 10 and they are wide awake. Also, ya see that big red balloon in the 2nd picture? Miss Amy gave the boys that balloon to share. When we got home we let it go. I thought that was what they both decided to do with it, but once it was long, long gone-barely a dot-Michael's eyes fill with tears and he says, "I wanted to keep it." His feelings were hurt and it really broke my heart. I promised him I would get him another one and he could keep it forever!

~~ T-ball & Legos? ~~

Today was an absolutely fabulous day!

It began late, because my guys were SO sweet and they let me sleep in--until 10:00am!

After a cup of coffee it was off to the ballpark for Michael's t-ball game. It was cool and windy, totally opposite from yesterday's heat. Grandpa and Deborah drove all the way in to catch the game. It was great to see them! The boys always get all silly and excited to see them.

And, today is Deborah's birthday.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Deborah!

Back at the house after the game the boys were so good; they just played and played together for hours with NO fighting. Usually at quite time I have them go to their rooms and relax with a movie and today they actually asked if they could watch the same movie in the same room. I was leery, but I agreed and to my surprise it was not a mistake.

There was one thing that happened this afternoon that was kinda funny. I was sitting in the living room, most likely on the computer, and Michael walks in talking to me. I was only half listening, it was something like this.

Michael: “Mommy, blah, blah, blah, Jesse and I put these in our ears.”
Me: “Wait, what?” “You put what in your ear?”
Michael: “These.” He shows me as he is pulling it out of his ear.
Me: “OH MY GOODNESS!!”

I freaked out a little, but after I talked to them, I think they both understand that it is not a good idea to put anything, ANYTHING in their ears, nose, or mouth EVER.

Here is a picture of the little Lego pieces next to a dime, just to show how small they are.



Boys, always keeping me on my toes. You never know what they are going to think of next.

~~ 39 ~~

Yup, I turned 39 today.

the last of my 30's,

the end of my 4th decade,

the year befor the BIG 4-0.

Michael asked me if he could come to my party, it was so cute. I tried to explain to him that my birthday isn't like his birthday, there is no party. I haven't had a party in years.
It was seriously a GREAT day filled with lots of phone calls, emails, texts, and wall posts on facebook. I have amazing friends and family, I wish I could see all of them and celebrate with them.
Who knows, maybe next year I will have a birthday party at the roller rink and invite all my friends just like when I was, um, younger.