Nathan's Birthday Party

On December 5th, we had Nathan's birthday party. We had it early to try and avoid some of the Christmas craziness. This year, Nathan wanted to have his party at IHOP. I offered, instead, that we could have a pancake party. So, that's what we did. Nana (and Grandma and Grandaddy) cooked pancakes and we had all sorts of toppings for them. Nathan even blew out a candle on the stack of pancakes.


Nathan didn't put any toppings on his pancakes, but the rest of the kids did. Here is Caroline's plate.


And here are Nathan's friends. I know you are going to think that we only let him invite girls, but it's just not true. He was actually supposed to have one boy there, but he was sick. Oh well, Nathan had a good time and doesn't seem to notice the gender of his guests. (As a side note, the one next to Nathan who is wearing purple has a plan to marry Nathan when they get older.)


Daddy made a frying pan and Nathan cut out pancakes for a Pin the Tail on the Donkey-type game. However, we couldn't find a good place to play it. Instead, we played throw the pancakes at the pan. The kids thought it was good fun. Nathan made a paper "winner" ribbon. Each round, whoever got closest to the center got to wear the ribbon. I think everybody won eventually.


Towards the end, Daddy read all the kids a Curious George book about making pancakes. The little girl on the right wasn't actually there for most of the book. She had gone back to eating pancakes with chocolate chips.


Later, after lunch, we had cake and ice cream with just the family...well, with the grandparents. Nathan blew out the candle and we sang to him again.


And then he decided that he wanted the candle on his piece of cake as well. Grandma quickly fulfilled the Birthday Boy's wishes. Nobody can say that he missed out by having him birthday near Christmas! (Plus, on his actual birthday, we took him to eat for lunch and had hamburgers at Grandma and Granddad's for supper.)


After lunch, Sara went down for a nap. And after cake and ice cream, so did Caroline. Nathan was itching to get into his Magnetism set (even though he didn't know what it was when he opened it). Granddad and Nathan spent quite a while doing some of the experiments. Nathan had a great time and so did Granddad!


We also took a few videos for the people who sent gifts but weren't able to be there. They are over on Dropshots.

December - Pictures #1 (generic pics)

(Lots of new posts below.)

November Pictures

Making baby food.






Sara's first tooth (she now has four).



I pulled out the comparison picture that I had done with Nathan and Caroline and added Sara to it.

October Videos

Nathan's First Catch



Caroline Singing "Victory in Jesus"



Sara Crawling (and she still crawls this way - just faster)

October - Pictures #3 (old camera)

Yes, I am going back to October. I'm going to try and get caught up...so look for lots of new posts coming soon.

Camping and Fishing with Daddy



Georgia National Fair with Nana




Nathan's Fall Festival at School



Camping and Fishing with people from church

Happy Birthday to our boy!

Happy Birthday to Nathan! He's six today!

another one...or two

Sara's third tooth broke through. I found it this morning. And the fourth one should be through sometime today. The bottom middle right one is through and the left one is coming. We'll have a four tooth baby very soon.

And yesterday, she pulled up to standing in her crib for the first time. She did it for her Daddy. And her Daddy was sweet and took pictures for Mommy. She's growing up WAY too fast!


She said "Daddy, that's a bright light first thing in the morning!"

Evening Update: The fourth one has broken through just a bit. AND...Sara started picking up Cheerios and putting them in her mouth tonight. She had picked them up before, but not put them in her mouth. This is another new step and another tiny bit away from babyhood.

another tooth

Sara's second tooth broke through yesterday. It's the right middle top one. It's bittersweet. I'm "losing" my baby. She's getting teeth, sitting up from laying down, pulling up on things, moving around everywhere, and jabbering. She's getting big. And sometimes I just miss the itty bitty baby stage.

a couple notes

I have more to put up here, but I just haven't gotten to it. Between appendicitis and stomach bug, the last couple weeks have been hectic. But I wanted to get a few notes anyway.

Sara's first tooth came in (or started anyway) last on Wednesday, November 11th.

Sara is very expressive. She makes a variety of sounds that let you know just what she thinks - good or bad.

Caroline loves to color.

Caroline says "ofgot" instead of "forgot" and "anything" instead of "nothing".

Nathan has started drawing more involved pictures - instead of just pen drawings and stick figures he has gone back to crayons and is giving people more substance.

Nathan has a hard time saying "Goodbye" to family. He's an emotional creature.

Ok. That's all for now. More to come when I take the time. :)

October - Pictures #2 (trip to N. Ga)

October - Pictures #1

maybe He did

Nathan was sent to bed early tonight. After I fed Sara, I stopped by his room. He told me that he didn't have William and wanted him. I told him that I would get him for him in a few minutes. Nathan replied "Mommy, I wonder if God answered my prayer about William and that's why you said you would get him for me?" :) The faith of a child. And yes, I do think God cares about a child's desire to have his stuffed animal near. The big and the small...we can go to Him about it all.

three kiddos sitting

I have lots of pictures to put up and lots of things to talk about...if I ever take the time. For now, though, here's a taste of things to come.

a few updates

Sara
- started moving forward the day she turned 6 months (September 14th)
- is now moving from room to room
- her "crawling" does not involve getting her belly off the ground
- for her 6 month doctor visit, she was:
    - 18 pounds, 4 ounces (90%)
    - 27 inches (90%)
    - head at 97% up from 75% (she has to have a special visit to check her head size)
- is the wiggliest child you ever did see
- gets vocal when she gets tired
- can sit but doesn't do it much

Caroline
- has been dressing herself for quite a while, these days she needs no help from picking out her clothes to putting everything on
- knows parts of lots of songs including many hymns
- talks with the vocabulary of an adult
- has no fear, does not know strangers most of the time
- is rather independent but is Nathan's "monkey do"
- loves to give hugs
- mixes up opposites (ie dark/bright, skip/repeat, any/none, etc.)

Nathan
- remembers things easily when he wants to
- can hear everything unless you want him to listen
- is a most wonderful big brother
- has a very active imagination
- is writing pretty well holding his pencil correctly
- acknowledges that he's more respectful and obedient when not at home
- LOVES to read