Alex's Birthday Party

Alex's birthday party was Transformer themed (of course) and per his wish, we had it at the local bowling alley.  All of our families were there and a few friends too!  Megan made his cake and he got lots of good presents (including some Angry Birds - his other current obsession)! 

Five Years Old!

I'm sad that I missed doing a special post for Alex on October 22nd, but we were just so busy that month I couldn't keep up!  Alex had his big 5 year milestone birthday!  I can't believe it has been 5 years since I delivered this little guy after 29 hours of labor. 

These days I couldn't imagine life with Alex.  He makes me laugh every day with a dance or a song or some little remark that I did not expect! 

He is obsessed with Transformers, new and old, which makes Daddy proud and is an interest they both share and revel in.  He also likes cars, jets, dinosaurs, and sharks.  He always likes the "bad guy" in all of the shows and movies. 

He isn't a follower and does things on his own terms.  He has no problem saying "no" to doing something even though everyone else is doing it.  It's not unusual to have a house full of guests and find him in his room playing or reading by himself.

Alex is also my little vegetarian!  He does not like meat so I try to accomodate that and substitute beans. nuts, eggs, and peanut butter to make sure he gets his protein.  This makes me a short order cook since my other two are the exact opposite!

He is my smart, funny, sensitive, unique little guy!  Happy Birthday Alex!



Birth



One Year



Two Year



Three Year



Four Year



Now

Birthday Celebrations!

We're all about the birthdays around here!  On the morning of Aurora's birthday, we had birthday cake for breakfast!   

And we gave her one of her gifts.

Then on Sunday we had her party at Putt Putt Golf and Games.  Despite the party being at a mini golf course, she still wanted a Monster Truck theme.  So that's what we did!

Birthday Girl

The writing they did on the party room door.

Birthday cake made by the talented Megan.

Aurora's name on the sign outside the center.

Golfing!

Alex had a blast too!

Me, Megan, and the kids.

The whole family!

Opening presents.  Her big present from us was family season passes to Cliff's Amusement Park.



Playing in the game center.

The kids really made out!  The birthday package included game cards and prize tickets so they went home with tons of little prizes.  I think it was a great birthday!

7 Years Old!

Well I'm a little late with the birthday posts this year, but better late than never, right?!


Around 11:00pm on a Friday the 13th in May, 7 years ago, I became a mom. SEVEN years ago - I can't believe it!

These days, Miss Aurora Christine is beautiful, smart, and talented. She is an amazing artist and I love to see her drawings and paintings.  She can read with the best of them, she's got my math skills, and she does great with all of her school work.  She's a social butterfly to the point where she gets in trouble quite often for interrupting or talking!

She's very witty and she's not afraid to say what she thinks.  She's a great big sister to Alex.  And she's just like her Great-Grandma with her love of animals.  I couldn't have asked for a better daughter!  Happy Birthday Aurora!

BIRTH

ONE YEAR

TWO YEARS

THREE YEARS

FOUR YEARS

FIVE YEARS

SIX YEARS

NOW

Alex's 4th Birthday Party

Last Sunday we had Alex's birthday party!  It was Toy Story themed (no surprise there)!  We had lots of friends and family over and ate Dion's Pizza, Alex's favorite!  Some highlights:

Pinata!

Pin the Tail on the Cat

Bouncing in the bounce house with friends

Eating cake!

And opening presents!

(Aurora hand-made Alex a card that said, "You are turning four.  Keep practicing your whistling!")

I think Alex had a great birthday this year!

The Plug Fairy

The 4th birthday is a milestone in our house - it is when we get rid of the nighttime plug.  What is a plug, you say?  Well, it's the name that my husband so affectionately gave pacifiers and has somehow stuck!  At one year, we wean them down to having one just when sleeping, and then the day they turn four, they give it up for good.

We prepare months in advance, talking about how four year olds are Big Kids and don't use plugs.  We read the BinkyBaba Fairy Book (which I change to say Plug Fairy) and talk about how, the night they turn four, they leave their plugs in a box and the Fairy takes them to new babies who need them and leaves a Big Kid present to thank you.

Aurora handled it pretty well when she turned four.  She didn't fuss, although she did stop taking naps and started coming out of her room at night.  I was nervous about Alex, since he seemed quite a bit more attached to his than she was.

Finally, the monumental night arrived!  Alex put his plugs in the box and got a cup of water (Big Kids get water, he says), and went to bed.  There was no crying, no fuss!  I heard him whimper twice through the night but both times he quieted himself down.

When he woke up, it was clear that he had not slept well...he was pretty grumpy and rubbing his eyes.  But he did not cry or fuss!  And he was excited to see what the Fairy had brought him....

A Cars TV/DVD set for his room!  He was so excited!  Big Kids have TVs in their room.  We set it up and he was so proud of it.

Then nap time arrived....and Alex realized his plugs were gone for good and not just for the night before.  A meltdown ensued - it was not pretty!  But he eventually calmed down, especially after I mentioned he'd have to lose his new TV if he couldn't act like a Big Kid...and went to sleep.  

And he's been doing fine since!

Four Years Old!

My little buddy is four years old today!  I can't believe it!  Alex may be small for his age, but he has a BIG personality.  He makes me laugh several times a day with his comments, songs, and other goofy activities.  Sometimes he will randomly break out in song, and sometimes he will do a little dance and shake his bootie.  If you ask him what his last name is, he will tell you, "The Great!"  (Alexander the Great)

He's very sensitive and affectionate and likes to be held, cuddled, or hugged.  Several times a day we have this exchange:

Alex: "Hey Mom guess what?"

Me: "What?"

Alex: "I LOVE you!"

His speech is no longer delayed, he is learning his letters, can spell his first name, and he can count to 20 in English and to 10 in Spanish, Japanese, and German.  He is also day potty trained! 

Alex really is the sunshine in my life.  Happy Birthday Buddy!!

Birth

One Year

Two Years

Three Years

Now

Aurora's Birthday

Aurora's birthday comprised of two special days this year, since it was on a school day. Thursday she got to take cupcakes to school, and she said she got to pick all of the activities and do everything for the day since it was her birthday. At home that evening, we had what she picked for dinner (pizza, mashed potatoes, and Jello), and then some cupcakes she had picked out. She also got to open a couple of cards and one gift from us and one from Alex. We gave her the old Alice in Wonderland DVD, and Alex gave her a bouncy ball. She also received some money from family and friends!

Her actual party was yesterday. You may remember that she chose to have it at Texas Roadhouse. We invited family and close friends and I think she had a great time. The kids (Aurora, Alex, and Aurora's "boyfriend" KJ) had goody bags to keep them busy until the food arrived. We had cake (decorated by my talented friend Megan) and she opened presents. She received many things on her list - play-doh, markers, coloring books, a nerf gun, and even Cliff's tickets!

There was also the part she had been waiting for since she began planning - saddle time! They brought out the saddle and huge hat and loudly announced her birthday while everyone cheered and yee-hawed! I would definitely say she got what she wanted this year! Still can't believe she's 6!

Sorry for the poor lighting, the lighting made pictures and video difficult!