Thursday, July 30, 2015

This and That

We've had such a busy week.  Last week Fashionista Holly and her children came to visit, this weekend we had Charlie's birthday party and that night Shelley and her four children came to visit!  It was such a treat to see Skrelley.  :)  Our children get along so well.  And we even had a chance to go to lunch with Shana and her NEW BABY VICTORIA!  If you haven't heard- Shana adopted a baby two weeks ago out of the blue.  She is beautiful and precious, and we are thrilled!


You know Auntie Donna is going to love on this baby girl!


Also, Marc started football practice this week.  REAL football for a real middle school.   Please angels keep him safe!







In the meantime Julia is taking six little summer lessons for horseback riding.  The one-on-one lessons in the summer really help her move forward.  She's always brushing or washing Swayzee when I go to pick her up.





Charlie opened his family presents the other day.  Yes, he wears Christmas jammies year round.  :)  He got superheroes from his grandparents and gears from Aunt Amber.  Tucker wrapped up his favorite "Sir Topham" hat and a small FSU helmet and gave them to Charlie.  When Charlie opened the helmet he said, "this is too small for me", and Tucker said, "it's for Sheepy."  :)












Marky, of course, put his toys together for him.  Speaking of Marky....because Shana is organizing to make room for baby she found some pics of baby Marky she sent me.  I had never seen them- so precious to see our young family!



Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Charlie is four

Well sweet Charliebear I guess you are four now.  Why does that sound a hundred times older than three?  I have so loved having your sweet little spirit in our home these past four years.


Such a sweet boy- you are always quick to share whatever you have.  You love to be read to, and even when I am reading to Tucker you always pop in to see what the story is about.  You are still so cuddly.  Any time I pick you up you rest your head on my shoulder and melt my heart.  Anytime I say, "Charlie, want to snuggle?" you come running and jump in my lap.    You talk like a baby.  You say "Dis and dat", "wittle", "nakin", "superhewoe", etc.  Yesterday you said a fact and then said, "mommy, is dat wight?  Is dat cowwect?"  You can't say r's or l's- thank goodness.  Otherwise you aren't very babyish at all.


You are so smart.  Tucker has trained you from day one.  You now have his vocabulary and mannerisms.  All the time when you do something (like shout, "nonsense!") we say, "that's Tucker."  You can read- it was easy for me to teach you.  You always complained about starting the lesson, but like it once we got going.  You can count by any number- you can count by 3s, 4s, 6s, 8s- it's amazing.  You, of course, know all the states, all the planets (and dwarf planets), most countries, and most of the flags of the world- Tucker made sure of that.  He won't rest until you know them all like he does.  The two of you get scissors and paper and try to make the state shapes and color them for fun.   Oh- I've also noticed that you know and notice the directions more than any of the others.  When I'm driving you are always telling me where I should turn or asking why I don't take such and such shortcut.  




On the other hand, you are a lot more like Marky than Julia and Tucker ever were.  You are very masculine and love knights, cars, superheroes, trains.  You love sports and love to tackle Marc every day.  If you see Marc and Daddy throwing the football you run outside and get in on the action.  Daddy says you run very well.  This morning you and Marky painted a froggy bank someone gave you for your birthday.  You get along very well.



You and Julia are very similar in that you are both laid back and let things go.  She followed Marky, you follow Tucker.  You both are used to going with the flow.  You both get tired quickly.  :)  You still say, "I'm tiyuhd about all dis walking."  You are also both very content to just piddle around and not be entertained.  Many times you only let her put your to bed.


I want to remember what a helper you are.  You love to help me shop for groceries, unload the car, sort the laundry and put things away.  If you walk past shoes on the floor you pick them up and find their owner.  It's adorable.  



You did not like moms day out or vbs this past year.  You want to stay with your siblings.  We aren't even trying moms day out this upcoming year.  :)  When you are upset you put your head down and your shoulders down with your fists low and slowly walk away.  It's like a Charlie Brown cartoon.  You never stay mad for long though.  I've even had baby sitters remark on how fast you get over being upset.  I always say it's because you learned early that "resistance is futile."   Momma doesn't change her mind when you fuss.   :) 

Charlie you have been nothing but a blessing to this family your whole life.

 

We all adore you.  You are just a sweet, easy-going little boy with a tender heart.  Everytime I ask you, "who does mommy love?" you grin and shyly put your head down and point to your tummy.  "Dat's wight" Sharshee- Mommy and Daddy and all your siblings wuv YOU!



Monday, July 27, 2015

Charlie's 4th birthday party

Sunday we celebrated Charlie's fourth birthday!  We had a pool party at our neighborhood pool- it was great!



I had Publix make blue cupcakes and then I added the teddy graham bears in gummy "swim rings" and  peppermint "beach balls" under a beach umbrella.  They turned out so cute!






We had Zaxby's chicken strips, fruit salad, taco dip and chips, cheese and crackers, goldfish, and bear lake trail mix, chips and brownies.   







I made this Bear Lake Trial Mix with Swedish fish-



We had 30 kids at the party and almost 20 adults.  Everyone had a blast.  






There's the sweet birthday boy!  We love you, Charlie!














After we sang Happy Birthday we said, "blow out the candle Charlie," and shy Charlie just looked down and shook his head no!  :)  I knew he would be nervous with all the attention on him.  He likes to lay low.  :)  (mom says I did the same thing at my 3-year-old party.  I cried when they started singing!  I obviously got over my shyness).  



This morning he said, "Mommy, I didn't bwoh (blow) out my candle at my parwty."  And I said, "it was your party- you could do whatever you wanted to!"






My partner in crime- BB always picks up the balloons for our parties and helps me get the trash and decorate.  Thank you BB!!!!






After the cake many of the children went to play tennis and ride scooters on the tennis courts.





At the very end of the party the rain started pouring.  Thankfully there was no thunder or lightning and we all just came inside and opened presents before everyone headed home.  We love you so much sweet Charliebear- so glad you had such a fun birthday party!