Birthday Girl!

A few weeks ago we celebrated Londy's 3rd birthday.  That's right....I said 3rd!!! Seriously, where did those three years go??  I have decided I am no longer a fan of my kids growing up.  It was fun and all when they were babies, but I would be just fine if they would stop it now.

At age 3, London is still a ball of energy.  She is so funny, and crazy, and sweet.  She is good at sharing and helping mommy, and is a wonderful big sister.   She is a girly girl, and loves to wear beautiful dresses, shoes, jewelry, and make-up.  She loves princesses and puppies.  She is very out-going and loves to make new friends and meet people.  It's a good thing we adore her, because listening is not her forte, and she knows how to give us a run for our money.  Overall, she is a gem and we couldn't imagine life without her!

We had a little birthday party for her at a park with some of her friends in Michigan.  It was a mermaid/ under the sea theme.  We kept it pretty simple, but I think it turned out OK.  London, was super lucky and was able to have her "Grandma Sue" and "Grandpa 'Lon", here in Michigan to celebrate with her.  It made her day extra special and of course, they spoiled her rotten.  

I am so terrible at taking pictures, but here are a few of her little party:

Friends!

birthday craft

 

painting kept the kids busy for a long time...except London, she was ready to play after a few minutes

Birthday lunch: PB&J starfish sandwiches, goldfish crackers, grapes, marshmellow pops

singing to the birthday girl

opening presents

our birthday princess

water balloons!

close up of the cupcakes and water bottles

 

opening presents from the grandparents, mommy and daddy.

We couldn't forget about Mase, he got to open a present too. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

NFL Game

Wow, summer is just flying by.  I can't believe it is almost September. We have had a fantastic summer so far.  The kids and I were able to spend all of July in Canada, which was awesome.  Darcy stayed back in Michigan, for school. But now we are back in Michigan and the weather is still hot and sunny...and humid.

A few days after we got back we were able to go to a Detroit Lions football game.  It was our first time going to a NFL game.  We met up with a bunch of our friends there, so it was extra fun to see them and catch up on their summer.  Come to think of it I must have been doing more visiting than watching, because I am not sure who won.  The kids had a blast too.  Mase, of course was scared of the screaming and cheering at first, but was having lots of fun half way into it.

Here are a few pictures.  I will have to post more of summer in a later post.

Mason turns 1

On June 8th, Mason turned 1 year old!  Sometimes I think, wow, that year went by super fast.  But it also feels like we've had Mason forever. 

We celebrated his birthday twice that week.  First we had a combined birthday party for Mason, and his friend Madelena, with our playgroup friends.  Their birthdays are only 3 days apart and they both turned one year old.  We had balloons, snacks, cupcakes, and a pinata.  The kids loved it!

Then on Saturday, (his actual birthday) we celebrated it again with just our little family.  Where we had more balloons and cupcakes.  We opened presents and went to the park and the pet store.  Pretty simple, but I think Mase had fun (Londy did for sure).

At 1 year old Mason likes to:
- say "mama", "Dada", "bye-bye", "Ba"for ball, "mo"for more
- imitate lots of sounds and actions
- walk along walls and furniture
- crawl really fast
- get into the cupboards and pull out pots and pans
- read books (or rather be read to)
- play with his sister
- eat! Yogurt is probably his favorite food and broccoli is his least
- play with balls and anything with wheels



Mase with the Sponge Bob pinata

The Birthday Babes!

Cute decorations made by my friend Marcella

playing

We couldn't leave out a picture of Londy at the party....of course we had to sing happy birthday to her too....twice

He loved the balloons

opening presents

new toys!

riding his new horse

 

cupcakes!

 

Eating cupcakes!

 

We love this one year old!!!!

Spring!

I cannot tell you how happy I am to be done with winter.  This is our first spring in Michigan, and it is beautiful.  Super green and blossomy (is that even a word?).  It rains quite a bit, but lately it has been pretty hot.  I'm guessing around  20-25 C.  We are loving the sunshine.

Everyday, London will say one of the following phrases:
"where will my feet take me today?...maybe to the park"
"It's not raining, it's a sunny day.....we could go to the park!"
"We hope we can go to the park today!"
"I have an idea... we could go to the park...is that a good idea?"
Needless to say we go to the parks often.  There are lots of them around us and they are quite nice, they usually have little streams with ducks and geese.  It's so fun to play outside with my 2 favorite people.

These pictures were taken in April, therefore the cold, drab scenery (imagine everything green now)

 

 

Darcy and London also went to a Tigers baseball game in May.  The weather was awesome and Londy loved game....and all the people there.  Darcy said by the end of the game everyone in their section knew her name and said goodbye to her.  She is such a character!

not the best self pic of the two of them but cute idea!

Perfection

Since Mason, was born, Darcy and I have always said if he would just sleep through the night he would be the perfect baby.  Well, it has taken a long 11 months but it's official: He's Perfect!!

It is seriously a miracle!  If you remember Mason, started out as the typical newborn sleeper, waking up every three hours.  (which I was totally okay with).  Then suddenly at 3 months he started waking up every hour on the hour at night.  (which I was not okay with).  I read books, tried a million things to help him sleep better, but no luck.  We tried letting him cry it out for a while, but he was so little and would cry for so long, I just couldn't do it.  This went on for over a month, gradually he started waking up every 2 hours, then at 6 months he was back to his newborn routine of every 3 hours.  Up until last week he was still getting up 2-3 times per night.  Something had to be done!  Since, we live in a 2 bedroom apartment, Mase has always slept in our room.  We decided to move him into Londy's room all by himself and move her bed into our room.  Then I mentally prepared myself.... we were just going to let him cry.  My plan was to go in 1 time during the night at first and then not at all.  So the first night went really well, he woke up once, to which I got up, fed him, and put him back to sleep, and then slept until morning!  The next night he totally slept through the entire night and has ever since, what the..... he didn't even cry.  Now he sleeps a full 12 hours at night, I guess he just wanted his own room.

Mason is a delight.  He is still so happy and easy going.  Whether his is teething, sick, being bossed by his sister, or running errands with me all day he never complains.  He LOVES his Daddy, and usually prefers him to me, which Darcy loves.  I don't mind, he still snuggles me and crawls around the house all day saying, "mama, mama", and gives me big slobbery kisses! He is pure sunshine and we all love him to pieces!

silly face

striking a pose

Best Buds

Loving his first Popsicle! ( Don't worry he didn't eat the whole thing)

My  handsome lil' man!