Pirate Fest

We went to the "Pirate Party" at the end of January. This was my first time going. Tim said they had a lot more to do last year, but they still had fun with what was there. Grant went with us too.

Erika got to meet Pirate Parrot. She was way more excited about it before realizing what was holding her.

Much to the dismay of real baseball fans, the highlight of the night was Mike the Balloon Guy. We waited in line for 45 minutes, and it was totally worth it.

(And yes, that is me in a We Are Fam-A-Lee shirt behind Grant.)

Ryan's 3rd Birthday

Ryan loves all things cow related. However, about 2 weeks before his birthday he started talking about wanting a Batman or Toy Story cake. I wasn't about to give up on having a cow cake though, so we compromised. Introducing the Batman cow cake. Tim said it was the best Batman cow cake he'd ever seen.

Ryan was given lot of "Toy Stories" for his birthday (meaning Toy Story toys). And some super hero things. And what's a birthday without some cow presents?

And of course, no post about Ryan would be complete without a picture of the "Ryan face". What a cutie.

Ryan is such a sweet boy and makes us laugh every day. He's such a joy to have around and I'm so thankful for such a terrific not-so-little-anymore boy.

Erika Dancing

She loves that Fridge Phonics!

Thanksgiving to Now

My sister posted about our Thanksgiving on her blog, so here are just a few of my pictures.

Erika spent most of her first T-day asleep on her Daddy. He's got the special touch. He's holding up 3 fingers in this picture because this is the 3rd time that day she had fallen asleep on him. Cute.

Tim and his mom took the kids to a Candy Land party at the library. They had a great time... except for a slight fear of Lord Licorice.

I celebrated my 29th birthday on December 9. My very sweet husband sent me these very beautiful flowers.

Sometimes Daddy's are too comfortable for even themselves to resist a little happy nappy.

Thanksgiving Cookies

Ryan and I made the dough while the twins were at pre-school. Then after lunch we rolled out the dough and cut the shapes. I should have taken a picture then. They were completely covered in powdered sugar!

Erika really wasn't much help with the cookies, but she was quite excited about the frosting I let her lick off of the spoon!

1st Day of Pre-School

Things went well! They had a great time, and Tim and I weren't complete basket cases, so all things considered, it was a success.

It hasn't take Ryan long to adjust to being king of the castle at home while they're in school. His biggest concern is that I'm going to make him go to school too, which does not interest him in the least.

Erika is always eager for their return home.

The beginning of a new era...

I've always prided myself in being a mom who didn't want to hold her kids back, who let them grow up in the timing that they ought... I've changed my mind. They must stop now. Tonight, as a matter of fact.

Bekah & Joey start preschool tomorrow. I have no idea how this happened. I swear - this was them just yesterday.

But alas, all good things must come to an end, so it is with a heavy heart that I send my kids into the real world... Sure, it's just preschool, but to me, it seems like the rest of their lives are out of my hands. It certainly is good to know that they're held in God's hands (which I do realize that they've never been in my hands, but it feels even less so now).

They, of course, couldn't be more thrilled, or any less sensitive. Bekah just told me today, "Mom, I know you're sad that we're going to school because you'll hardly see us anymore." Yeah. Thanks. Just what I needed.

It seems hard to believe that these memories even ever happened.

I'm not sure who came up with the phrase that for those with little kids the days are slow, but the years are fast, but I'm finding that so very poignant right now.

Seriously, I must just be the most blessed mom in the entire world.

Update - Vacation

We spent some time at my aunt's shore house in Ocean City, NJ. While the weather wasn't fantastic, we still had a great time.

Update - September

It's been a while. We've been busy!

Tim turned 30 on September 12. We had a very fun party to celebrate.

I'd like to introduce you to Lord Stanley of Cake.

I based the sausage choices on some of my favorite characteristics of Tim: hot & sweet. hehe

Here is Tim showing off some of his cornhole skills.

I went away in September for a ladies retreat with my church. Tim took the oldest 3 mini-golfing. Cute.

Glasses

These glasses are from the doctor's kit we have. It's actually Bekah's, but Ryan is obsessed with the glasses. He wears them for hours at a time. Tim and I put them on Erika a few nights ago. She didn't mind, and probably enjoyed watching Tim & me laugh about it.

Summer has been going quickly. Here's a nice family picture from the last game we attended. It was give-away day - kids got a Ryan Doumit jersey. They were "adult small" size, so I got to wear Erika's.

Those Pirate games sure are exhausting. Even Tim fell asleep on the walk back to the car.