EIGHT?!

Yep, It's true.  My first baby has turned eight.  Crazy.  

We had a great, relaxed day celebrating O.  

 We started off  the day at O Donuts (Owen is convinced it is his own personal donut establishment!), where Owen consumed the largest apple fritter I have ever laid eyes on.  Gigi and Papa got up early on a holiday to join us.

Next stop, a visit with our pal Chuck E. Cheese.  It was crazy crowded since school was out for MLK Day, but we managed to keep track of all our buddies.

 I love it that O got so excited to wear the generic Chuck E. Birthday sticker.  I'm so glad he's not growing up too, too fast.

We had celebrated with my parents (and delish frozen yogurt pie!) the day before, but we had to show them what eight looks like!   

Our second cake for the day.  O chose yellow cake with green icing.

The common themes in all these pics?  A smiling O and tons of hugs.  This is one blessed, happy Boy and we couldn't love him more!

Happy Birthday, Son.

Wishing You the Happiest of Birthdays, Gramps!

My Dad never wants gifts for his Birthday.  If asked what he'd like, anything at all, he always responds, "I just want to spend time with you!"  Sometimes, this can be frustrating.  We spend time together all the time!  I want to do something special and out of the ordinary for him!  This year, though, I had the perfect idea of a gift:

Tickets to the newly opened Perot Museum of Nature and Science.

The boys and I had been with friends the week prior, and I just knew Dad would love to explore this place.  It is incredible!!  We loaded up the minivan bright and early and headed Downtown to see what we could see.   Here are just a few pics of our day.  Actually, I was having way to much fun to take many pictures.  

I LOVE this picture!!  To me, it captures the essence of Dad and O.  Dad is telling Owen some crazy story and O is trying to decide if Dad is "pulling his leg" or not.  I love their relationship!

This Museum may be our new favorite place in Dallas!  We've been twice now and still have not seen all the wonders that it holds.  What a great addition to our homeschool curriculum! And thanks to Daddy's gift of a year long membership, we may visit every week!

A bunch of worn out people grabbing a very late Birthday lunch at Chipotle.

Happy Birthday, Dad!  Thanks for spending time with us.  It is really we who are gifted with such wonderful memories.

Reading with Gramps

On a cold, blustery, pajama-wearing, keep-a-fire-going-all-day kind of day, Gramps braved the elements in the afternoon to snuggle up and read with Noah, while O and I finished up his Math lesson.    Noah's reading has taken off, and it is so fun to watch him really enjoy a good storybook.

 Such a tender moment between these two.

Check out Nosy's legs: all banged up and bruised and scabby.  This Guy is all boy, for sure!

LouLou's Christmas

On the day we were to celebrate Christmas with Kyle and LouLou, our whole fam came down with a snotty, coughy cold.  The McCracks were heading out of town just a few days later, so we chose to keep our germs to ourselves and spare them from this misery on their vacay.  We were all so disappointed.

Finally, we found a time to get together and exchange gifts and a few Christmas yummies.

 My beautiful Sister. We are so night and day different, and yet we are the best of friends.  I am so thankful for her!

Thanks to Lou, there are archers in the house!

Jones, My Handy Helper

Jonah made a mess.  

Never fear!

He knows just what to do!

 He ran and got the broom and swept the mess right up.

I love his happy, helping heart!  Now, if I can just learn from his enthusiasm...and spread some of it to his Big Brothers.