The Big Party

On Saturday, we had a few people over to celebrate Ryan's birthday. It it always to fun to gather with friends and family!! 

We also rented this big old bounce house. The story behind the bounce house is that Ryan played in this exact one at a festival back in October. He wanted to continue playing with it. I told him maybe for his birthday he could play with it again. He reminded me of my promise several times after that. As his birthday approached, he didn't mention it, so I wonder if he forgot. But I didn't want to take the chance and I wanted to keep my promise anyway. 

Evan  after a trip down the slide. 

Grandpa looks on. 

Ryan takes a trip down the slide.

Joey hilariously attempted to climb UP the slide. 

Here is Evan trying to imitate Joey. 

Shooting hoops inside the bounce house. 

Evan takes a quick rest after throwing himself down inside the bounce house. 

Ryan wanted another train cake, just like he had last year. I tried to suggest other cake options, but he knows what he likes, I guess. Wonder if we'll have to make this every year. 

Blowing out the candle.

Grandma & Grandpa got Ryan a new big boy bike. 

It'll will probably take my cautious little 4 year old all summer to warm up to it. 

Evan had to try it too. 

Ryan and Christine play catch. 

Joey & Christine gave Ryan a ball and glove for his birthday. 

He loves it!

Adorable birthday boy smile!

Ryan and Evan watch them take the bounce house down. 

Ryan was cool with it.

Evan did not appreciate them taking it away. 

He kept saying, "I want that thing back."

Hope you had a happy 4th birthday, Ryan!

Thank you to all our family and friends, both near and far, who helped make Ryan's 4th birthday so special!

Ryan's 4th Birthday!

What a wonderful celebration we had for our little man yesterday. The day started with Burke making a special cheesy omelet breakfast for the boys. Grandma and Grandpa arrived in time for the birthday dinner. 

It's bittersweet that he's 4. 

I love watching him grow up, but I just wish I could slow it down a little bit. 

My signature cupcakes.

Singing "Happy Birthday" to Ryan! 

I think this video turned out so well. 

After cake, Ryan opened a few gifts. While Ryan was ripping open wrapping paper, Evan occupied himself with basketball and his guitar. I was so impressed with his patience and tolerance - not at all jealous or whiny about Ryan's situation. Such a good boy!

Happy Birthday, Ryan!

We love you so much.

XO

Mama, Dada & Evan

Basketball

We've had this hoop set at 4-5 feet for a while, and the boys weren't really using it. I had forgotten that you can take the inner post out and plug it into a spot at the front of the base making it about 3 feet. Evan was not able to use it at 4 ft. It was a touch too tall for him. But now that I remembered how to lower it, he is a basketball machine. AND a side benefit is that Evan playing with it has re-inspired Ryan and now he's using it more again. Ryan's also playing at 3 feet, although he can easily do 4 ft. and sometimes 5ft. But whatever... When you make the shot every time, I guess it's more fun, especially when you play with your brother. 

Painting

The first week of April was Burke's spring break. He was very productive, completing many projects. One big project was taking down the wallpaper in our entry way and then painting the walls. It looks so much better. We are making this house ours after renting it for over a year and hating that wall paper! 

Ryan tries painting. 

Evan gives it a try too. 

Any time Burke does anything interesting (yard work, uses tools, etc.) the boys are enthralled and like to watch. Sometimes they go get toys and use them to do similar work right along side Dada. 

Easter 2012

Dyeing eggs on Good Friday.

 

Finished products. 

Searching for plastic eggs on Sunday morning. 

Found one on Dada's guitar! 

After naps, we searched for our dyed eggs and Easter baskets. 

We were thankful to celebrate the day with Steve, Joey & Christine. Burke made us a lovely dinner. We even got to play outside a bit. It was a beautiful, spring day!

Before bed, Ryan wanted his sucker. He had really focused in on that sucker - out of all the candy that was available. I told him to put it in his room and he could have it in the morning. And, of course, he held me to it. First thing this this morning, he asked if he could have it. I told him he had to wait until after breakfast. He waited patiently. But as soon as he was done eating, he giddily ran to retrieve his sucker and giggled as I opened it. Kinda cute...

Monday morning, he finally got to eat his sucker! 

Before Bed Photo Shoot

I think what happened was this...

After stories one night, the boys ran out into the front of the house to get a drink and plopped themselves together in the rocking chair. I thought it was cute and took a picture. Now almost every night, they squeeze themselves into the rocking chair and tell me to take a picture. Of course, how can I not oblige them? We now have quite a collection of before-bed-rocking-chair pictures. I wonder how long they'll keep this up. 

March 26

March 29

March 31

April 2

April 4

3rd Place!!

Burke spent many months preparing his Chamber Orchestra for the National Orchestra Festival. The event took place March 23 in Atlanta. Ten orchestras were involved in the competition. Their hard work paid off and Burke's group placed 3rd!! 

Downtown St. Joseph commemorated the achievement by recognizing the group on their city billboard. 

We are all so impressed by and proud of Burke and the SJHS Chamber Orchestra! 

Mid-morning Crash

I use this term to describe the period of time (around 9:45am) when Evan begins to fade. He whines, needs his paci & blankie, gets clingy. He usually rallies after a few minutes. But when this happens, I say, "Are you having a mid-morning crash?" I knew that the term was official when Ryan started to feel tired in the morning and say he was having a mid-morning crash. 

Here's what a mid-morning crash looks like.