Missing Mamaw

Tonight we had a lot of things going on and it ended up being a late night.  It was dark as we were driving home – Hagen was in Daddy’s truck, Mason in my vehicle.  We just happened to drive past The Conservatory… where my Mamaw lived before she moved in with Gran.

Mason said, ‘That is where Mamaw lives.’

I said, ‘Yes, well, that is where she lived.  Then she moved in with Gran, right?’

He said, ‘Yes.’ 

I said, ‘Then she went to heaven and now she lives with Jesus.’

He said, ‘Oh.’

My little babies, constant reminders of your age.  I have a milestone coming up that keeps surfacing.  I’ll do a post about it later. 

But I have to say, thanks Aunt Bee… as I shared this story with her, she reminded me – wow, they must have visited her a lot to know where she lives – even in the dark.  You are so right… and I’m so proud of it!

Birthday Celebration–4!!!

This year we decided to go to one of those bounce house places for the boys’ party.  It took a lot of the pressure off us with trying to entertain a bunch of 3-4 year olds.  With the guys outside trying to build the play set, it worked out great not having it at our house. 

Here are (some) of the kids lined up ready to go bounce.

My sweat-shop employee

The boys along with all the other little kids had lots of fun bouncing.

The whole group minus one or two that didn’t want their picture taken with the big scary lizard (I don’t blame you ONE bit!!!)

Then the lizard and our party host wanted us to dance… you think we will dance with you even though we wouldn’t even stand next to you for a picture??  Yeah, right!  But of course, Aunt Bee tried to get the party started…. and I think I saw Ms. Amber out there, too.  They tried to get me, Mommy, but yeah right?!

This picture was taken when they announced the boys’ birthday to the whole place

Here are the cupcakes… I had some ‘issues’ with my frosting… it didn’t help that it was hot in the building, so all the icing melted off the cupcakes.  The kids didn’t mind at all.

I found Diego candle holders for each of them.

Waiting for the pizza.

All the kids.

Singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Hagen and Mason

Sitting in the Happy Birthday chair.

Happy Birthday to my beautiful, spirited children.  Someone told me once you can’t always ‘go big’ because they will expect ‘bigger’ each year.  I hate that that was said to me.  I don’t plan to go ‘bigger’ each year.  I plan to celebrate your lives each year and thank God that you are here with us.  I have two children, and we celebrate your lives together on one day.

As you grow older and we celebrate each year of your lives, I pray that I will stress less each year and learn to just enjoy the moment.  I don’t do it for anyone else but you – Hagen and Mason.

A Present

The boys are outgrowing their jungle gym and we wanted to get them a bigger one.  With the help of Grammy and Grampa & Mamaw and Papaw, we bought them a much bigger jungle gym/fort/swing set thing.  Grampa and Jeremy found this one at Home Depot.  Basically you buy all the pieces separately and put it together.  It was pretty labor and time extensive… but I know the guys really enjoyed putting it together.

Starting Friday, they worked and worked and worked.

Working late into the night, they hardly took breaks.

Not trying to outdo them… but I had my own sweat shop in the house.  My sweat shop of one or two.  Brandi, my sister that God let me choose, came to help.  She made a beautiful cupcake holder while I worked on the dreaded icing.

Then we worked on the tedious task of making the cupcake ‘flags’, not sure what they are called.  I didn’t have a huge plan in mind, but Brandi helped me hone down my idea and make it work.

On the way to the party, chatting it up with Aunt Beeeee.

After the party and opening all the presents, not much rest, and the boys were at it again, this time Aunt Erin was there to help.

Hagen was such a big helper, he didn’t want to play, he wanted to help!!  Gran and Paucci got them flashlights that go on their heads and they LOVED them.  Hagen was wearing it the minute he opened the gift.

Aunt Erin building the rock climbing wall!

Grammy entertaining…. Hagen looking through the telescope.

Daddy, Grampa and Aunt Erin worked late into the night.

We had church and another birthday party on Sunday, so not much got done that day… but Monday, Daddy kicked it in high gear and finished it off.

And of course, I couldn’t get any non-blurry pictures of the boys playing… I think I need to learn how to adjust my camera for action shots….

Hanging up the swings.

On Wednesday, it was so nice outside, we had a picnic under the fort.  Our picnic table fits perfectly under it and the boys had so much fun eating there.

Too cool for school, Hagen, with his sunglasses on.

Mason with his green shirt and green flip flops, walking around with his drink.

'Look, Momma! A lizard!!’

‘Ooohhh, it’s a BIG lizard, Momma… come look!!’

‘NO Thank you!!’… oh man, is it time for the lizards to come out of hiding already

**I’m waiting for pictures that my lovely photographers (friends and family) took with their cameras from the birthday party before I post the birthday post…. **