Nathan's Birthday Continued...

Yesterday was Nathan's birthday, but it was a busy day as all Friday's are. We tried to make it as special for him as we could despite needing to get things ready for his actual party (which occurred today). He opened his presents when we got home from our homeschool co-op and then we ate our lunch. After that, party preparations began - and Nathan went outside to play with his new set of real tools!

One of the biggest tasks for me when it comes to preparing for the birthday party is the cake. And yesterday afternoon as I was trying to decide what size pan I'd need to bake Nathan's cake I made a discovery. My ovens in this house are tiny, tiny, tiny. I have a large Wilton square baking pan that I have used many times for the kids' past birthday cakes. I never dreamed that it would not fit in my new home's double oven. So for the first time, I had to take all of my baking ingredients to my mom's house (thank goodness we live only a mile apart!) and bake the cake there. It worked okay, and it also gave me some relaxing time visiting with my parents while I waited for the cake to finish baking. When it was done, I took it home to cool.

Nathan's requested birthday dinner was a happy meal from "Old McDonald's" (that's what the kids call Mc Donald's) and a picnic dinner in the den while we watch "Quest for Camelot". Sounded great to me - a dinner at home without me having to cook! After dinner the kids played, but Bill and I set back to work. Poor Bill ended up putting the kids to bed while I began my lengthy challenge of decorating the cake. This ended up taking several hours to complete, though for the most part I did enjoy it. I just wish I had a "helper" to mix all of the buttercream frosting, color it for me, and wash up when all is said and done. I'd bake a cake for anyone's celebration if they'd just do that part of the job for me. :)

Since I was busy with the cake, Bill did all of the decorating and planned all of the games. I also had to get the party favors together and label the bags for collecting the pinata goodies. I think I was so tired that after awhile, I just moved in slow motion. Bill just became more energized as the night wore on; he claims it was the coffee we made at one point but considering I drank from the same pot of coffee and it was doing nothing for me, I kind of doubt that was it. I did find "October Sky" on television and I think that may have been what did it. It's probably one of his favorite movies and I think he was determined to stay up and watch all of it (even though we have it on DVD and VHS tape). So we didn't end up going to bed until close to 3:30am. Nothing new for us. Actually, compared to many of the previous late nights preparing for birthday parties, I'd say 3:30 wasn't bad at all.

Today's party was great. Nathan had chosen a knight theme so we had the kids decorate shields, play a three musketeer race, go on a scavenger quest, and use an amazing wooden sword made by our very own Daddy and Nathan, to slay a pinata dragon. Then we ate pizza, opened presents and ate cake, which I had made to look like a knight's shield.

We are all a little tired now and I'm looking forward to turning in early tonight. But I so enjoyed seeing family and friends and watching the excitement of the kids as they all played together. And hearing Nathan say that his favorite part of his birthday party was every part of his birthday party made all of our hard work and little sleep well worth it! Happy birthday, Nathan!

Happy Birthday, Nathan!!!

My little boy turned 5 today...

Nathan, you have grown so much. You're excitement and enthusiasm in everything you do brings joy to all around you. I love you're beautiful smile and the sparkle of your eyes. I can't believe you are 5 now. But then again, you've been doing big boy things for a long time, always wanting to do what growns ups can do. And you are just like your Daddy. From your inability to sit down - always needing to be doing something - to your interests in rocks, hiking and tools. There is no denying you are your father's son!!! You beg almost daily to go outside so you can "seesaw", which to those of us who know you realize you are referring to using your daddy's saw to cut wood. I am so impressed by how well you can hammer nails with your daddy's hammer, and amazed by those occasions when you've accidentally hit your own hand and fought so hard to ignore the pain, not shedding even one tear. You're such a tough little guy, but you have such a compassionate heart. You are always looking out after those who are younger than you. What a special little boy you are and I thank God everyday that He trusted me to be your mom. I love you - Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!

In the Blink of an Eye...

You became 3 years old.

A blink of an eye... that's how it feels. I remember bringing you home from the hospital in your lovely white gown. You were so tiny and sweet. Before we knew it, you were smiling and jabbering, crawling and climbing, walking and talking... You potty-trained all by yourself at 2. We've joked in recent months that you were 2 going on 5. How quickly you've gone from our baby girl to our big, "I can do it all by myself" girl. You bring us joy each and every day and bless us in so many ways. We love you so very much. Happy 3rd Birthday, Amy!!!

Amy, home from the hospital

On her first birthday

On her second birthday

Today, 3 years old

We've all been battling illness this week, including Amy who was still running fever yesterday. Unfortunately, November is too busy of a month to reschedule, so the party went on. Thankfully, Amy woke feverless and had a wonderful day as we celebrated her birthday. God even served up beautiful weather for our little girl's special day. Even though we were missing some special friends (you know who you are :) ) and all feeling a little under the weather, it was a wonderful day at home with family.

Pink roses from Daddy

A ballerina birthday, including a small personal cake for one sick birthday girl!

Happy birthday, Baby Angel - We love you!