Four

My littlest man is 4! He is not a baby at all anymore. In the year since turning 3 he has completely given up the pacifier (thanks to cousin Colten for telling Cole "cowboys don't take binks"), he starting going to school two days a week, and he is enrolled to start Pre-K in the fall. Nope, all traces of baby are gone. Well, except for the occasional fit but who doesn't need to throw a fit every now and then?

This year for Cole's birthday we had a little party with neighbor friends. Seven boys ages 3-11 swam and played in the sprinkler in our backyard, sang happy birthday to Cole, and enjoyed ice cream and cake. Cole had a wonderful birthday party.

The party was held this past weekend. Today is my little man's actual birthday. Last night we was so excited he couldn't go to sleep. The trouble going to sleep thing happens most nights but tonight I let it slide a little longer than any other night. He asked me if he was going to look different when we woke up as a 4 year old. He thought he'd wake up as big as Bubba! Today he woke up ready to take on the world! He was so happy to have birthday pancakes and to have Jase and I sing happy birthday to him. It was a great morning.

At age 4, Cole: is still mommy's baby, loves his cowboy boots, loves t-ball, can ride his bike without training wheels, loves Batman, Lego's, and chips. He really loves donut holes, milk and swimming. I really could go on and on but I'll stop here. Perhaps now would be a good time to update that baby book that hasn't been touched since his first birthday. I am not proud of this. Anyway....

Happy 4th Birthday Coley-oley! We love you to infinity and beyond!

The night before his 4th birthday. He couldn't sleep. Was so excited & wanting to know if he was going to wake up different!

Birthday waffles! Whipped cream, syrup, chocolate syrup - all the sugary badness for the birthday boy and his Bubba!

He's 4!!

Never Grow Up

I think it's about time I quit lying to myself. For the past 6 years, while truly trying to enjoying every minute, there were times I wished for the boys to be older. Not just so my load would be a little lighter but so that they were in school participating in activities and such. Well  now here we are - Jase is in school, playing sports and just turned 6. Cole, my baby, will be playing t-ball this spring, turns 4 this summer and starts pre-kindergarten this fall. Sigh. Where is that box of tissues? 


Yesterday was Jase's birthday. I went to wake him up - I just stopped and stared a minute. When did my first born go from binks, diapers and squishy cheeks to boxer briefs, big stinky feet and long legs? I actually did not cry here. Really. I just laughed at the thought and then Cole and I serenaded him awake with "Happy Birthday".

Sitting in the hair salon later in the afternoon is when I had a moment. A little boy around 2 comes into the salon with his mom and aunt. Hearing this little guy talk in his sweet tiny voice hit me in the gut. I was immediately reminded of Jase being that little. I seriously had big tears in my eyes and an even bigger lump in my throat. Thank goodness my stylist (yes, I have a hair stylist now and I do plan on visiting her more than once a year..hehe) was running behind and I was the only other person in the waiting area...I would not have been able to speak. Then last night, after boys are in bed, I came across a song that just did me in. Hit play. Listen.

My little men are no longer as the little men in the pictures below. They are growing up and they are doing it much too fast. Yes, I'm crying now. Dang Taylor Swift for this song that makes me cry.

So like I said in the beginning, I am going to quit lying to myself...I don't want them to grow up so fast. I want them to stay little and simple. Perhaps admitting this to myself, I will enjoy all the simpleness a little more.

Six

Jase turns 6 today!

We celebrated this weekend with a party at home. Jase invited his neighborhood buddies (6 of them) and they played for two hours straight. He had a wonderful day.

Today he will celebrate with his classmates with cupcakes. Tonight is dinner out - his choice.

He's 6.

Happy Birthday, Bug. We love you.

The Big 3-0!

I did it. Said farewell to my twenties and hello to my thirties. This morning I woke up (Thank God!) a 30 year old, wait scratch that, a 30 year young (that's better) lady.

The hubs surprised me with a birthday party that he had planned while away. He was in cahoots with my bff, Amy. He couldn't have done it without her great party planning skills! I was totally shocked as we returned from the airport, opened the garage door and I see things have been moved around. I think the words I spoke were something like "What the he**??" Much to my surprise Amy and Eddie and our neighbors from down on the Coastal Bend jumped out and wished me a Happy Birthday. It was awesome! All except for the number 30 all over the place - I did not need that reminder!! Kidding. Totally kidding. I loved it!!!

This morning no tears were shed, nothing was thrown, and surprisingly I didn't grow a hump or a wort or a gray hair or anything that would or could give away my new age. I think I really thought I'd wake up with an ailment or age spots when I turned 30. Only partly kidding here!

It's official...I am 30!

Woo-hoo!

So Long Twenties

Today is the very last day of my twenties. Sigh.

I feel like I should have a last meal or something. Do one last crazy thing that a 30 year old wife and mother of two kids should not do. Wear something that I will not be able to get away with tomorrow. Get a tattoo of something to remind of being young and carefree.

Not likely I will do any of the above. Nope, no tattoos. This day will be just like any other day spent with my husband and the little men. It will be a good day. Tomorrow? Well, tomorrow will take care of itself.

Three

My baby is now three. Three. When did this happen? Ok, I know when it happened so I won't play the part of a crying mother who is sad because her baby is no longer a baby. Nope, that is not me. So lets start over.

My baby is three! Three! No more bottles, no more diapers - Hooray! Wish I could say the same about the pacifier. Oh well, we'll celebrate the positive and deal with the negative later.

We celebrated with some of our Oklahoma family on a hot, somewhat muggy Sunday. Bounce house, hot dogs, cake and ice cream were enjoyed by all. Cole loved playing with cousins and was happy for those who came to celebrate his third birthday with him. He had a good day.

I am so thankful and have been so blessed to be the mommy of this little guy. Happy Birthday Coley Oley!

Now to Google search for ways to get rid of the pacifier.

Five

He's five.

He's ready to turn six.

He wants mommy's kisses a little less often and daddy's high-fives more often.*

He's ready for kindergarten.

He's ready to take on the world.

He's five.

Happy Birthday Bug! We love you more.

*Kisses from mommy may be welcomed a little less often when in public but I am cherishing nights when he wants to cuddle with me. He tells me he'll always want to cuddle with me. I am going to hold him to this.