Henry Scott (Hank) turns 4!

Can you tell this cute boy was excited to have a birthday?! About the week leading up to his birthday, he kept asking if it was his birthday. The day before, he came down the stairs and said, "Mom, wake-up, it's my birsday!" He was disappointed when I told him one more day. Needless to say, the next morning was a repeat of, "Mom, wake-up, it's my birsday!"

This year I took him to Zuchers Party Store and let him pick the theme for his birthday party. He chose Batman...which surprised me because he seems to prefer Spiderman. He often says, "I love Spiderman, he's hilarious." This is in reference to a superhero cartoon he enjoys watching with Hugh.  But, back to the party. He chose a way over-priced Batman piñata, which when it came time for the piñata at the party, Hank had no interest in doing it. He was more interested in the toys he got from his cousins and friends. We did get him to take a swing at it, but when the candy spilled out, he collected none. I guess this really isn't that surprising since Hank's number one interest these days is toys. Nearly every other day he asks to go to Target to pick out a toy. Toys and presents were the real motivation for his birthday to get here. The day after his party, he was asking to get new toys! This kid! And as much as I want him not to care about toys, it really is the way to his heart right now...that and cuddling with him and watching a show (again, something I'm trying to curb...the show part not the cuddle part). 

It was fun to celebrate Henry and the perfect addition he is to our family. After we said goodbye to Hughie, I was hoping to have a little girl sent to our family thinking that it would ease some of the heartache of losing a son. But the moment Hank was born and placed in my arms, I knew he was just what our family needed. And Henry has proven that ever since. Henry also has a real interest in his brother Hughie. He will often ask about him and "when he's going to get alive again?" Recently, Henry even told me he said a prayer for Hughie. There are even times when he gets sad and tells me he just misses Hughie. I love this tender side of Henry and especially his real connection with his brother. 

Henry, I love you! I love your hugs and kisses that you give me so freely...even after I get mad at you (which somedays is more than I'd like). Thanks for being forgiving of my temper and helping me learn the patience I am always trying to get you to learn. You often tell me, "Mom, you just have to be patient." Your smile is gold, and gets me every time! And I love how much you love to cuddle with me. When you get tired during the day you ask for your blankets and for me to cuddle with you. 

You have the best imagination and will often blame your imagination when you get in trouble, "My imagination told me to do it!" You have also been known to tell me your ears are too small, that is why you couldn't hear what I asked you to do. You love to antagonize your sisters, especially Tildy. But you are also quick to comment how cute she is. And lately, you two have been playing so well together, which makes me happy to see you take care of her. I hope you two are always close friends and fierce protectors of one another.

You love the song "Hourglass" by Mindy Gledhill because I told you it was your song. I know she wrote it for her little boy...and it coins so well how I feel about you. 

Hourglass

Little boy, when you speak
I can’t help but kiss your cheeks
I love the way you grab my hands
And tell me all about your plans

Rocket high, comets fly
You and I could hitch a ride
And fly away to Neverland
And give our best to Peter Pan

When you reach for the stars
Don’t forget who you are
And please don’t turn around and grow up way too fast
See the sand in my grasp
From the first to the last
Every grain becomes a memory of the past
Oh, life’s an hourglass
Life’s an hourglass

Story’s read, prayer is said
Close your eyes sleepyhead
While angels linger in your dreams
And hold you in their feathered wings
Just like you, I was small
Not that long ago at all
I wish you all the happiness
That God gives freely if you ask

Mathilda Turns 1!

Peach cake for this peach of a babe! 

{peaches are her favorite}

She was not shy about her cake...also not very smiley about it either. 

Most of the night Tildy was trying to climb our cellar door like the big kids. Explains her to a T...always trying to keep up and be big.

**These gatherings for my kiddos' birthdays always remind me how wonderful family is. My kids are blessed with so much love around them and so many great people to count on. It is a blessing to me, too. I'm also feeling blessed for the little house we now call home. Nothing better than making memories in a place we hope to be for awhile.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tildy! 

Your first year of life has gone by too fast and brought more love and joy into our family than I thought possible. It also brought some good lessons on how to be a more patient and loving mother as I'm learning to juggle my time between three kids. It hasn't always been easy (and there have been many rough moments), but one year later, I feel I've grown as a mom and a person. I'm feeling grateful to all three of my little munchkins for helping me be a better person.

Henry Scott turned two!

And he was not pleased...at all.

Seriously, he had a blast!

In true Hank form, we had a little Buzz Lightyear swim party to celebrate. Thanks to our great families for coming and spoiling our little man. He really did enjoy himself. For Hank, nothing is better than Buzz, pizza, swimming, a beach ball, and birthday candles.

We sure love this little man...wildness and all! My favorite thing is putting him to bed at night and after telling him "I love you, Henry" having him say through his binky, "I lub you, mommy." Makes all the crazy moments from the day disappear. He wears two well!

Happy "two august" my little Hank!

Who needs gifts when you have Buzz and gang Pez? 

And a special thanks to my assistant party planner. Putting the party together would not have been nearly as much fun without Ruby's help. She was so excited for Hank's party and even more excited to give him her gift. She wanted to get him a dreamlite because Hank likes hers. We went to Walmart together and picked it out. Such a sweetheart.

Ruby turned 4 and wanted to celebrate in true Ruby fashion...Star Wars style. She had fun celebrating with all her cousins, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, and uncles. Ruby loves a good birthday party.

**Note: Ruby started the night in her Leia outfit (not pictured below) but once she started playing with Smee and Astrid, she quickly went through a number of outfit changes....also in true Ruby fashion. And a big thanks to Call and Cory for the Luke stand-up...it was a hit!

***

 Ruby eating her breakfast of choice on her actual birthday

She enjoyed a blueberry muffin and about six breakfast sausages!

***

Ruby ended her big day with a J-Dawg and a family movie night watching "The Adventures of Tin Tin" while devouring the ice cream and licorice from Aunt Mal. As I sat next to her on the couch, I was overcome with gratitude for this special little girl in my life. I loved how she narrated the entire movie for me and how content our little family of four felt snuggled up on our small couch together. Happy Birthday Ruby! You are one-of-a-kind and I hope you always know that you are loved.

A birthday party for Henry Scott...

"This cake is awesome....and the mess I made is even better!"

....and what's a party without a little entertainment? 

December flashbacks begin.

Ruby's had a great time at her cousin Astrid's birthday party. Ruby and Astrid were born 5 days apart, one year apart. True to her Mexican heritage, Astrid had a pinata at her party...it was a hit!

Ruby waiting with her best pal, Gwen

More waiting...and squinting

The big moment

Pleased with her results as she prances away

The looting

Fancy Nancy...and a party for Graham.

Ruby went to her first friend party last weekend. Cute Graham turned three and had a dinosaur and costume party to celebrate (the party was great, Jess!). Ruby's Charlie Brown costume isn't finished...so Ruby went as Fancy Nancy because it was the easiest costume I could pull together. Her aunt Jasmine made her darling skirt...Ruby calls it her "Princess Tiana" skirt.

All these pictures crack me up because of Ruby's funny faces. She was pretty quiet the whole time while she was staring and soaking everything in. She even kept those glasses on the entire time...they are the best part of her costume :)

Although she was quiet, she did enjoy all the activities my cute friend Jess had planned. Digging for fossils in the sand and coloring petroglyphs. So clever! She even got to take home two of those dinosaur rubber duckies she was eyeing and playing with in the first two pictures.

And here is the man of the hour...handsome Graham. I just love his curly locks! This was the best picture I could get of the two of them. Ruby really is at such a fun age. I love watching her experience new things...especially interacting with other kids. She is shy when she is around them, but once we are home she tells me all about them. I hope she always likes talking to her mom.