Celebrating Birthdays

Good Morning Birthday Boy!!

The Birthday Pile

We celebrated Jeffrey's birthday the way it seems we often celebrate birthdays this year.  With a very busy day. We had rehearsal for Seussical that evening so had to start the morning early with opening presents.  He'd already gotten his big present, his bike.  Still, he was very excited to find plenty to open birthday morning.  He got some Star Wars room decals to put on his walls when we re-do his room over the summer.  There were also the requisite leggos and Star Wars guys as well.  Grandma got him some Pokemon cards that he'd been asking for as well as a DS game he's really been wanting.


After school we headed into rehearsal early.  We stopped off and got some ice cream (Jeffrey picked out birthday cake flavor) and since it was really nice we played at a park for a while too.  It was a great relaxing way to spend an afternoon.

Time for a swing

Angry Cupcakes

Jeffrey's birthday party was on Friday the 6th.  He had been begging for an Angry Birds party so mommy did her best to put together a great one for him.  He had about 10 friends from school come and we played some target games, beanbag tossing, and just rolled down the hill -- what more could a bunch of 6-year old boys (and 3 girls) ask for.  Everyone seemed to have a really great time, and my efforts at some Angry Birds decorations even worked out pretty well.

Boys and 1 girl on the hill.

Daddy Distraction

All in all it was a great birthday spent with family and friends.
 Happy Birthday Big Man!!!

8 Wonderful Years!!!

So Alert in May 2003

My Beautiful Easter Belle

I can't believe it's been 8 wonderful and amazing years that I've called you daughter.  You are growing up every day right before our eyes.  It's beautiful, and a little scary sometimes.

Physical stats:
Weight -- 41 pounds (Woohoo we broke 40!!)
Height -- 48 inches
Pants -- 6, sometimes even a 7!!
Shoe size -- almost a 12!!
If you wear your big sneakers you're just tall enough to ride most of the awesome, frightening, rides at King's Dominion!!!

Today you are 8.  You are reading chapter books and having tons of fun writing stories about sharks, girls, and of course princesses and princes.  You absolutely LOVE science and want to do all kinds of science experiments at home.

When you were tiny I'd hold you in my arms and sing to you.  Now we sing together.  Silly Seuss songs.  Adam songs.  Hannah Montana songs.  You LOVE being on stage, especially when you get to share the stage with your special friend Natalie.  The two of you giggle like the adorable silly little girls you are and you always make everyone smile.  I don't have to carry you on stage any more, or even walk you into rehearsal.  You're just fine without me.

You have grown up so much this year.  You have taken on new responsibilities at the house.  You'll help with the dishes and the trash and taking care of Drake.  You know when to get your homework done, and when to play (most of the time).  You get your own breakfast and even pour the lemonade without spilling too much.  We've said goodbye to Thumbkin (even if it still sneaks in when you're sleeping sometimes).

You want so much to be a big girl.  You want to ride the scariest rides at King's Dominion.  You want to help read to Jeffrey.  You love sparkling lip gloss and nail polish.  You're having a big girl birthday party at the salon.

But just remember it's OK to be a little girl too.  To snuggle your mommy and daddy.  To play with your dolls and Petshops.  To sing silly songs and run outside.  Don't grow up too fast on me.  I'm not sure I can take that.

OK, time for the tissues. Here it is. Happy Birthday Beautiful.

Hello 6 Years Old!!

May 2005 Such A Little Sprout

April 2011, a few more teeth and definitely more personality.

Jeffrey Anderson Wallace

Physical Stats:

Height -- just about 50 inches

Weight -- Just about 48 lbs

Shoe Size -- 13, yep I said it.  13

Shirt Size -- 7

Pants Size -- 6

Number of jeans ruined by wearing holes in the knees -- 5

Your first year in "all day" school has been wonderful.  You're reading to me now.  I can't believe it.  The last report card your teacher sent home the 1st grade wall words because you've mastered the Kindergarten wall words.  It took you over a week, but you read all of Horton Hears A Who to me just last month.  When you write your numbers for homework we don't start with 1, but with 100 and write all the way to 200!!

You lost your first tooth on February 21st.  At school.  I wasn't there to help you work it out.  You did it all on your own.  Such a big boy.

Your favorite things to do are play your DS or play the Wii.  You've mastered several games I can't even come close to understanding.  You and daddy spend a lot of time working together on your games, and that's great.  You also love to build with your leggos and to set up battles between all your Star Wars guys.

This spring you are playing with the bigger kids in soccer and holding your own.  You run hard, but have difficulty staying on your feet.  That happens to mommy sometimes too.  You've made big strides in your swimming lessons.  At your last lesson Mr. James had you swim 100 meters in 3 different strokes, and you didn't look back.  Flew through it.  I was watching your every stroke from poolside.  So proud of you.

You and your sister are best friends.  Sure there's that sibling rivalry.  There are arguments and disagreements.  There are tears.  There are silly games.  Special story times.  Hugs and loves.  You know it, you love her.

Mr. Silly has not gone away.  Toots and burps are particularly funny.  Sometimes Mr. Silly gets in trouble.  He doesn't like to listen very much.  But we put Mr. Silly "in a box" and give Jeffrey a big hug.

I can't wait to see all our adventures we will come across in the next year.  

And now....let's look back at our Big Man.

Spring Break Week

We decided to do more of a "stay-cation" than a vacation for Spring Break.  One might think that would be nice and relaxing, but man am I exhausted!!  The kids and I had a great week together though.  Daddy even came along to play one day.

The break started by supporting mommy in her 5K race.  Mommy had been excited about running her first race in a long while, and of course the weather was not ideal.  That might be the biggest understatement ever.  The weather was horrible.  Horrible, wet rain.  But Tom and the kids came along to cheer me on.  And once the race started, it was a fun run.  I even posted an awesome time!!

The rains continued throughout the day and we watched the stream behind the house evolve into a raging torrent.  Wow.  It was pretty impressive.  A bit before dusk the rains broke for a while and the kids and I went down to investigate the waters.

On Monday, Tom took the day off and we took our first trip with our new King's Dominion season passes.  Some good friends joined us, and we spent the day dashing from ride to ride.  Erin just barely hit the 48" mark so was able to ride most of those rides she's always asked me to ride.  Her first foray into daredevil rides -- an upside-down boat ride.  What was I thinking letting her get on that.  But she loved it, and begged to ride it again before we left.  She and her friend also tried out one of the older steel roller coasters that had 2 loop-d-loops.  I believe the number of trips on that one totaled 4.  Jeffrey doesn't quite have Erin's desire to fly and flip upside-down so he stuck to some calmer rides (even though he could ride everything she does).  He has a favorite ride that is a bobsled coaster.  It's a very cool ride too.  It was an awesome, and exhausting day!!  Can't wait to go back.

That's Tom and Jeff in the Last Car

Mom!  You Are Nuts!!

Tuesday, Jeffrey got to spend the day with a good friend from pre-school.  We've been trying to get the boys together for a while and Spring Break worked out.  Erin and I got her hair cut, did some birthday shopping for Jeffrey, had lunch out and hit the grocery store.  She was a big helper and we had a great time together.

Wednesday we decided to go to the gym and use the swimming pool.  Both kids had an awesome time splashing around and practicing their dives (and a few swim strokes).  On the way home we stopped off for a special ice cream treat.

Thursday morning, mom had soccer and the kids came along.  I packed the bikes so they could ride around the parking lot.  Then we joined some friends for a picnic by the river.  There's a great bike path by the river and the kids LOVE to ride there.  Unfortunately, the recent storms have washed an amazing amount of sand onto the path making it impossible for young riders to navigate.  We still got to play on the playground and sit by the river.

Friday turned out to be rainy and cool, so we headed back to the gym and then out to catch a movie.  We caught the new Rio movie (in 3D of course).  It was definitely cute, but I'm not sure if it was quite $50 cute.  I mean seriously, that's the price of one day's ticket to King's Dominion for 1 person.  Still, hearing their giggles and laughter are definitely worth it.

Saturday was pretty low key.  Erin came with mom to a make-up soccer game.  She made a new friend and planned out a fort in the woods.  Tom and Jeffrey stayed home and played Wii, baked cookie-pops and hung out.

Today is the last day of break.  I'm thinking that I'm really glad it is.  Because I need a break from their break.

Flower Power

I Love My Sister

It was in the 80's yesterday so I took advantage and snapped a few photos of the kids with the daffodils.  My tulips aren't blooming yet, but I'm afraid that by the time they do, the daffodils will be done.  So here are some shots of the kids sitting with the daffodils.  They've grown over the years huh?

The Sun Is Too Bright So I'm Only Going To Look At The Flowers

Our First Year of Daffodils -- 2006

Smiling Eyes

Goofy Boy

OK, I'll Smile For One Shot

The Shark

Erin wrote a story about "The Shark" for her word study homework last week.  It was just so cute, I had to post it.  Not only that, but her handwriting is starting to get neater when she takes her time.  She had to use her word study words which focused on "R" sounds in words (fair, fare, shark).

The Shark

Once upon a time there was a shark.  The shark has very sharp teeth.  He wants to go to the fair in the square.  What will he wear?  On the way to the fair he met a bear covered in dark hair.  The bear said if you want to get past you have to pay a fare.  The shark was bare and had no fare.  The shark has a trick!  When the bear fell asleep in his chair the shark would sneak past the bear.  Then he can run to the fair.

A Weekend With Grandma And Grandpa

Grandma and Grandpa are on their way back to NY with their RV.  They've been away for over 70 days.  We were very lucky to have them stop by VA on their way home and spend the weekend with us.  They parked the RV at a nearby campground.  They spent the days here with us at the house and headed back to the RV to spend the nights.  Unfortunately for them we've had a cold spell (even had some snow) this weekend.  Spring is definitely on hold here in VA.

They arrived on Friday and we all hung out at the house.  Tom cooked dinner and then we played some cards as a family.  Saturday AM was the kids' first soccer game.  It was a whopping 36 degrees out.  Everyone played hard in the cold, and Grandma and Grandpa enjoyed being able to watch both kids play.

Brrrrrr

That afternoon we went over to the campground to check out the RV.  The kids took turns sitting in Grandpa's driving seat and exploring the rest of the camper.  Then we took advantage of a "jumping pillow" at the campground.  Kind of like a big open moon bounce.  Even Tom and I joined in the fun (until daddy took too big a bounce near Jeffrey and knocked him down).  On the way back to the house we stopped at a winery and enjoyed a tasting.  That night we had dinner at a local hibachi restaurant.

Ready To Drive

Love You Grandpa

Love You Grandma

Family Bounce

On Sunday we hung low at the house.  Grandma and Erin played pets in Erin's room and Jeffrey and Grandpa watched some basketball.  We headed into town for an early dinner before Tom, Erin and I had to take off for rehearsal.  Grandma and Grandpa took Jeff back home so Grandpa could watch the B-ball game.  We got home in time for some good-nights.  Poor Erin always gets so upset whenever any special visitors leave.  She cried herself to sleep that night, knowing that Grandma and Grandpa would not be there in the morning.

I got a cute surprise when I opened Jeffrey's backpack yesterday.  Jeff had written his journal about the weekend.  "My grandma came to my house for two days.  We played cards for a game."  And he drew a picture of he and Grandma playing cards.

So glad they were able to stop by for a few days.  Hope to see them again soon.

Bye Bye Thumbkin

July 2003

This is my little baby girl only 6 weeks or so old.  Yep, she was an early thumb sucker.  And continued this until just after New Years.

2006

May 2009

December 31, 2010

We've been trying to curb this action for a while.  Mostly because her permanent teeth are definitely coming in.  Also, some kids have been making some fun of her (mostly behind her back).  We knew it was going to be a project.  She's tried before, but we never get far. Band-aids only worked for a day or so.   Thumb stuff on nails didn't work.  Hot sauce?  She just asked for more ;)

In September, I started a chore chart for the kids, and we've had great progress with it.  So I wondered if we could use something similar with her for her thumb.  She got to choose out a calendar and set up her "reward chart" for not sucking.  It started off with 6 special bags sitting on the piano.  Each day she didn't suck her thumb, she got to open a bag.  It worked great, the perfect starting point.  She could see that there was definitely something (dollar aisle stuff from Target) waiting for her.

Her second reward was after 1 consecutive week of not sucking -- pizza and movie night.  Her choice of toppings and movie.  Next in line was 15 days (starting back at zero) and she could go to the local kids salon and get a manicure.  Well, today we went to Snip-its and got her manicure.  And she got to brag to all the ladies there why she was getting her nails done.  So proud.  As are mommy and daddy.

This really seems to be working.  I haven't caught her sucking her thumb in quite a while.  Not even in the car or watching TV.  Way to go Boo!!!  One more month and she'll get a new DS game.  Hey, whatever works!!