The Joe I Know

Six years old today. Can you believe it? My little guy is not quite so little any more. Capable of so many things. He is a kind hearted little boy, still on the shy side, lots of fun. He loves his sports, mostly baseball and football like dad. You can find him watching any miscellaneous football game now, just because he loves it so much. A big help around the house and crazy for video games. He's begun reading and loves to take his time when he draws. It'll often take him an hour to color a birthday card for someone, he wants it to be just right. Still likes cars, but loves Star Wars now too. And absolutely loves going to the movies. He's doing great in school...socially and academically. He is my sweet, sweet boy.

Today happened to be the day of his class fall/Halloween party, and I was lucky enough to be a parent volunteer for it. It was such a nice time..crafts, cupcakes, games. I love the chance to see him in that environment. I loved the chance to spend the time with him today.

Happy 6th Bithday Joe Joe!

Fall Fun

A Haunted Burleigh Elementary

The school costume party was last Friday night. All students, parents, and younger siblings are invited. I've been hearing about it for years now from my sister, but this was our first experience. There was a lot more to it than I had imagined. There were treats in the cafeteria, a DJ in the Viking room (disco lights and dancing too!), the small gym had all kinds of crafts and treat bags, and last but not least the large gym with tons of games and mazes (not to mention the plastic black cauldrons with dime store prizes). The kids had a lot of fun. It was especially fun for them to have their cousins Nathan and Lauren to share it with.

I'm pretty sure that our Packer and 50s girl had a blast!

The "Friend" Party

Boy was I wrong. I was so worried that this was going to be such a chaotic event that would leave our heads spinning...and I was wrong.

Joe had his friend birthday party last Wednesday at the indoor soccer complex just down the road from our house. It was a two hour party...the first hour was led soccer games down on the indoor field. They had so much fun. Joe's face was purple and his hair was wet, a sure sign of a great time. After that we went to their party room where the tables look like soccer fields. The pizza, popcorn, and pink lemonade were waiting. Four pitchers for these thirsty kids. Joe opened his presents, and they all sang to him before digging into the yummy cupcakes.

We're still getting to know a lot of the boys and their parents, so this was a great chance to visit a bit.

A really nice bunch of boys.

I'm so glad I was wrong.

The Family Party

With the kids birthdays only 12 days apart, we decided last year that we would just always combine their family party. Seemed to make the most sense. We had really nice weather considering, a lot of the kids played outside. A little football, some on the swingset, the pinata. It's always a house full, even when we try to keep it on the smaller side. But when it's so crowded, I like to look around and see all of the people that love them. It really is amazing. My favorite part...it's the look on their faces while everyone sings to them.

It's pure joy.

Happy Birthday to my Joe Joe and Katie girl.

The Pumpkin Patch

I kept telling Jason last Monday... that days like today are the reason I love Fall the best. It was in the upper sixtys, the brightest blue sky, and beautiful colored leaves. When Joe got off the bus that afternoon, we packed up and headed over to a local pumpkin farm. Seemed like the perfect thing to do with the wonderful day we'd been given. It's a cute little place, the kids ran around pulling the wagons and looking at the little kittens that were all around. Kate giggled every time one got near. After a little debate over which ones would be the perfect ones to grace our stoop, we loaded them in the van and headed home. I love going to get pumpkins. And I love the Fall. It's the best.

Two Cute

I am so behind with our blog...So many things/events/happenings sitting and waiting to be posted. We've had six weeks of school for Joe, which has brought us Safety Town, field trips...it's truly become fall which has brought us an afternoon of leaf jumping, our niece Lauren has turned eight...and on and on. I will at sometime try to get back to those things. But for today, well, I couldn't let it go by without a big, shout it from the rooftop Happy Birthday to our Kate.

Is she really already two? Sometimes it seems like yesterday, but most of the time it's as though she's always been with us...a part of us.

She was up early this morning, 4 am to be exact. She did go back to sleep at 5 for a bit, but who can blame a girl for being excited to celebrate her birthday? Especially at two. She opened presents this morning, the whole time telling us that "it's going to be my birthday soon." Donuts for breakfast, shopping with Aunt Renee, lunch with Grandma Vicki and Aunt Renee, home for a nap, and Culver's ice cream for dessert after dinner. There was some serious teeth brushing tonight. Ugh. In between, her day was filled with well wishes from everyone that loves her. And that was a lot of wishes.

These past few months have brought such changes in her. She talks in sentences, can put slip on shoes on by herself, feeds herself (even the above mentioned ice cream tonight), talks on the phone, tells secrets in your ear, started going potty in the little potty chair, climbs any size ladder if it means getting to a slide, colors, and drinks from a big kid cup with meals.

She is a dream come true. Our dream come true.

Our dolly girl, our Katie girl, our Kate.

Happy 2nd Birthday to you.