Best Spongebob Party Ever!

It may not have been the best, but we thought it was! I think I put more hours into preparing for this birthday party than I did...well I can't think of a good analogy right now, but you get the point. I tend to get obsessive over all the details and go completely overboard with these types of things. Go Big or Go Home? I have just always had it on my heart that I wanted to make a really big deal of each and every birthday the kids have.

So, here are some photo highlights from the party.
Invites:
Birthday Banner:
The Water Works, bounce house water slide:

Jellyfish Fields: (Way cooler in person, of course)
Party Favors:


The Spread:
Officially the BEST cake I have ever made, both taste and appearance:
The Moment that make it all worthwhile:

Catching Up

My summer bucket list includes 4 blog posts a month. (Feel the need to update our log book.) As I opened the folder titled 'blog' on my computer I stumbled upon 11 folders holding pix just waiting to be added to the blog. I will most some must shares and then try and bring us to present day, considering most of these are from a year ago.

Guess Who...

Cambry on her 1st Birthday...

and her 2nd Birthday...

and her 3rd.

Check back in a few weeks, she turns 4 then. lol.

A Tidbit from the Performance

Cambry had a year end performance and gallery art show to wrap up the pre-k year. The book below is the newest version of her art portfolio. (You may remember I made one in Dec of 2008.) Many of the art pieces were created at home, however, towards the end of the book, you can see her work from school - studies and recreations of works by Monet, Picasso, Warhol, Kandinsky, etc.

Click here to view this photo book.

Here is a clip from one of the songs are their performance.



She was a sleepy bear for the play, the first part of the performance. She was not on stage two seconds before she started searching the crowd for us. Apparently the stage lights were getting in the way.


Complete hilarity!

Here she is during the play - acting her part as the sleepy bear.

Off stage preparing for the song and dance number.

Look Out World

(Photo courtesy of my friend, Courtney)

Do you even recognize this boy? Oh my goodness. My little guy is 11 months old now. He is super busy and super curious. His current favorites include climbing up onto the table, splashing in the toilet water, banging the computer mouse on the desk, tearing magazines, and emptying the drawers in his room. He loves to hide and does it often as a joke. He has quite the sense of humor. He loves to join in conversation with others; the delayed laugh he belts out (after everyone begins to laugh) is hilarious. He LOVES to play in the water and to sing. He likes to eat, of course, and is on all table food now. Although he enjoys most foods, he is very particular about what he wants to eat at each sitting. He is not afraid to 'send it back' if it is not up to standards.

Boston is 9 months! (Again, 2 weeks ago)

At his 9 month well check, Boston was 22lbs 14oz. and right at 30" tall. (Cambry was three pounds and one inch less.)

At Nine Months:

• No more pacifier!
  
• His top two teeth are starting to show, and he is working on two others.
  
• He loves all the sounds his hands can make on different surfaces.
  
  
  
• He loves to talk to, and attempt to eat, the "bay-be" in the mirror.
  
• He finds being upside down thrilling.
  
• He is terrified of the vacuum.
  
• He enjoys feeding himself.
  
  
  
• He finds hic-cups to be hilarious!
  
• He is quite the comedian. He pulls on Papa's leg and chest hairs and then laughs. (among other things)
  
• Enjoys playing with Cambry most of all. He follows her everywhere, imitating her along the way. When she screams, he screams. When she laughs, he laughs. Their favorite game is to be pirates sailing on the ocean in the beanbag boat. He watches for her ques...she shrieks as the sea creature attacks the boat...just a moment later, in a sort of grumbly low voice, he yells "Ah!" So cute!

Boston is 8mos (two weeks ago)

(So the list of blog posts has taken the back burner lately - more on that later.)

My little guy started pulling himself up to stand just before we went Omaha in June (about 7 1/2 months). It all started one morning when I went to get him up and he was standing up in his crib - beaming of course.
By the time we were headed back home, he had it mastered - pulling up on anything that would provide even slight stability.
He has two teeth on the bottom now, and is not afraid to bite for comfort. He is doing well with his words too. He uses Ma-ma and Pa-pa to call for us. He also says 'Bay-be' when we talk about him or play in the mirror.
My boy is busy as ever now that he can get where he wants to go. Our church group used to ask "Where's Busy?" when I didn't bring Cambry along. I agreed with them until I had to chase Boston the last month. Wow! He won't even sit still on my lap to eat - too much to see and do out there. :D He loves to be with Cambry every chance he gets. It's bitter sweet to think of him running after her - soon my little bear, soon.

Katy Sunrise 5K

Last weekend was my first official 5K. I had some pretty tough leg trouble earlier in the week, and was afraid I wouldn't be able to run the entire race. Lots of ice, massaging, and 240 oz of water later...I finished the race! This is quite the accomplishment for me. I believe I was still in high school the last time I ran a mile, and never before had I ran 3 miles. I finished the 3.1 mile race in 37:43 - more than 2 minutes under my goal time. If I can work through these leg issues, I am going to commit to running the 1/2 marathon here in Houston, in January. Want to join me?

Because My Family ♥s Videos

The next two are videos I made for the Mommy Madness Promotion. Mommy Madness Houston Site Joe votes the bottom one as the 'Best Video Yet.' :) Enjoy!

Wordful, That Leaves Me Speachless, Wednesday

Oh bity girl, you have graced us with your presence a mere 1012 days now (2 yrs, 9 months, and 8 days). I was sitting, rocking, in the chair with Boston today when you woke up from your nap. I became lost in your eyes as you asked questions and carried a conversation to bring yourself up to date on the household happenings. I quickly became speechless as I soaked up everything you are. It is unbelievable that you are not even three years old yet. You have wisdom and personality far beyond your years. You make precise requests, offer assistance, give predictions and detailed descriptions - all unprompted. You provide optimistic evaluations and solutions. You have a genuine concern for the well being of others; and are quick to lend a hand, encourage, and congratulate your friends. You respect our mother / daughter relationship yet demand equality in our friendship. I am SO proud to be your mama! You are one of the most beautiful souls I have ever had the pleasure of spending my life with. Keep up the good work kiddo. I love you!

Life is Good...So Good

Boston can hardly wait until the day he can run around with the older children. It may be because he doesn't really have any baby friends, but I think he would want to be a part of the action regardless. At our usual library craft time today, the children were finger painting. A baby could do this, right? So long as he didn't eat it. He had been watching Cambry for a bit, and when it was his turn, he knew just what to do. We began rubbing his hands in the cold, gooey paint. He then looked up at me beaming. This was his proudest moment in all six months of life. He kept at it, looking up every so often to remind me how awesome it was.

After art time, we headed over to a friends house for water play and crafts. My little buddy was again thrilled to play with the big kids. They were splashing him in the face, and he didn't mind a bit. He was just glad to be a part.


Our day ended with an awesome 2.5 mile run (no walking, our furthest distance so far) and some time at the park. Life is good, so good!

I Don't Grow Older Everyday, Why do You?

I do know the answer to the question, yet I still wonder why it goes by so fast. Boston has two teeth coming through (on the bottom); he is up on all fours, ready to crawl, and I think he made his first sign today. He had just finished dinner and was sitting next to me while I ate. He was going nuts every time I took a drink. So, I offered him some water out of the lid of my water bottle. He became quite upset with me. He then stuck out his arm and began to squeeze his hand - to say he wanted milk? I celebrated and praised at though it was a sign. I hope to see more soon for confirmation. If this is so, that would mean he is signing a whole month earlier than Cambry did. Yeah! Oh yes, and my favorite thing lately...he is over the moon about his daddy! (Video to come) (The frames below hold a picture of the children 6 months ago as well as a current picture.)


Y'all (Yes, I said it.) already know that Miss Cambry is over the moon about her Papa. :) Today I was helping her get dressed for the day. "Ohh, a dress, I'll be so pretty," she said.
Wednesday, after paying for lunch, I received about $2.45 in change. She asked me for the money. I gave her the coins. "Can I have the cash?" she asked. She continues to be a sponge for knowledge as well as the Princess of Literalness.
And then there was tonight, the reason why this whole post came to be. I was laying next to her bed, holding her hand before she went to bed. Ever since she was a baby, she holds hands by holding my pointer finger; I then wrap my hand around hers. Tonight, she shook out of this mold we have created, clasped my hand in the typical hand-holding position, and said, "Like this Mommy." There goes my baby.

Don't Blink

"My sister calls me Boston Chatterbox and my Mom calls me Little Bear."

I can hardly believe Boston is already 6 months old. He is growing soooo quickly. At his 6 month well check today, he was 19lbs 12 1/2 oz and 27" long. (Sorry to those of you who I told 28".) Cambry was also 27" at 6mo, but weighed just 17lbs 2 oz.

Just like we did with Cam, we have begun signing with Boston. Although he has not yet produced a sign, he does look for them, and will put his hands on mine when I sign to him. He is completely crazy about his big sister; their special bond is growing everyday. Lately she tells him about all the things she will teach him when he gets bigger - including how to drive. (Yes, she is already asking when she can learn.) Boston loves it when Cambry helps to take care of him too. She brings a humor that I couldn't to every situation. "Mommy, I need a towel! He's dripping," she will say as he drools all over his toys. The three of us read stories together often. Boston is fascinated by books and stories; he bangs on the pages in excitement. Oh, and remember the monotone 'singing' Cambry does? Well Boston has picked up on too. Bedtime is often the noisiest time of the day around here. lol.

His bottom two teeth have erupted now. Thank goodness! They have been bothering him for some time. He has been doing pretty well with sitting on his own - starting just this week. But he still loves to stand and walk assisted. He is talker, just like his big sister. He favorite sounds are ba-ba-ba and ma-ma-ma.

Just to humor you, I will try to get a video of him 'crawling.' He has the legs down to a science; the arms, well they are just in the way. He pushes his head into the floor, arms flopping at the side, and crawls forward with his knees. Awesome!


Boston Boy loves to be loved. He soaks up attention from anyone who will give it. He has a laugh that could light up the world. Lately he enjoys singing to the radio with Cambry and Mommy. :P We love you silly boy!

As We Grow...

This year has brought many changes for my Spunky Lady. As expected, she has had some issues adjusting. The most obvious changes being our move to TX, a new brother, and no more childcare friends at home, and Papa Joe being gone more than normal. The extra drama she ads to the day is certainly understandable. Although, with some special efforts and plans on our part, everything is smoothing out nicely. I can hardly believe how fast she is growing. She loves to have conversations that include the details of how things work or happen. Rather than the typical 2yo. 'Why?' she always asks, "What does that mean?" She knows that when we don't know the answer to something, we can go online and find the answer. Yesterday we were writing our grocery list and I asked her what else was supposed to be on the list. "I don't know," she said. "Look it up online." :) She is building social skills, manners, and a genuine care and concern for others - so sweet. Making decisions is something she still struggles with. She will often reply, "I do, but I don't," when asked if she wants to do things. She is becoming quite athletic and still loves music and art. Digging in the dirt is a new found love; we also use this time to learn to write letters with a stick. We are still very active in playgroups, and she is making lots of new friends. My spunky lady is more beautiful to me every day. She helps me to see life in that pure, innocent, unbiased way only a child experiences life. I love when we revisit the events from the day, talking about our favorite things. She always ends with, "You're the best Mommy in the whole world." I know I am the only Mommy she knows, but it is no less meaningful to me. Thanks for sharing your days with me Cam! Love you!

-This is the Sass I Get

- Loves to teach her brother about all the great things in life. #18 - Wagon Rides

**I will post Boston's update after his 6 mo check next week.

P.S. It's almost 9AM, and my kids are still sleeping! Wow!