Happy Birthday James!

How is my Baby Boy 1? I mean really, where did the time go? It seems like yesterday we were going to the hospital to have him and now he is a big monster baby who is crawling and cruising all over the place, demanding everyones attention at all times!



We decided to have a very small party, complete opposite from Michael's 1st Birthday Party! I love to do a theme for birthdays so we did The Hungry Caterpillar and made all of the decorations and invitations. There is something to say about small parties- although I love seeing all of our friends and celebrating our pumpkins life, it was so nice to have a small, intimate party. We were able to gather in the same room, hear what everyone was saying and not be completely exhausted from having to entertain and regulate 25+ kids. James had 3 little friends and Michael had 3 as well, so he felt like it was his day too, which it kind of was- we were also celebrating the day Michael became a Big Brother, which is a very big day as well:)

Nana was able to make it in for the celebration and we love when she is in town. The boys definitely missed Pops, but understand how busy he is and how much he has been traveling:) Luckily we will all be together in less than 2 months at the beach!!!

Easter

There is nothing better than holidays with kids. After Michael's first Christmas that he actually had some idea of what was going on, I can't imagine having a Christmas morning or any holiday without kids- it wouldn't be fun! There is nothing better than watching the magic in their eyes and the expressions on their face:)

This year Michael was much more aware of Christmas and Santa and Fiddlesticks, his Elf. That left lots of excitement for the newest member of magical characters to his childhood memories, the Easter Bunny. We talked about his arrival for days and when the blessed morning finally arrived, the boy forgot all about it. He woke up like every other morning, came downstairs, asked for his chocolate milk, Carnation Breakfast, and a show, Little Einsteins. I did as he asked, Michael is NOT a morning person. About 15 minutes later, I went in the playroom and asked him if anyone special came to visit last night...the boy sat and stared at his tv until the little lightbulb went off- THE EASTER BUNNY! Michael promptly flew from the couch and ran into the Breakfast Room where he found all of the goodies that magical bunny left for him:)

He could hardly contain himself and wanted James to share in his excitement, however, James decided to sleep in until 7:30, which never happens, so Michael went ahead and played with his new goodies in the playroom and helped me make breakfast until the rest of the house woke up:)

We had a little Family Brunch at the house and let the cousins play- it is always so great to get together with family. Michael loves his cousins and we were all worn out by the time the day came to an end.

The Easter bunny was great to our boys this year....I warned Michael to keep up his good behavior because he never knew when Fiddlesticks would be checking in on him:)

Day Before Easter...

Michael and Lindsey decorated Easter cupcakes and dyed Easter eggs- they had so much fun and it is so amazing to see how much they have grown in a year!!!

Go Fire Ants!

Michael is on his 1st soccer team... the Fire Ants! I love it! The coaches are a godsend and I have realized there is no way I could ever Coach 8 three year old children! We are having a great time watching the herding of the cats:)




Now, James can hardly wait for his first game:)

Here Comes Spring!!!!

We are having so much fun and are oh so busy! Michael has now finished up gymnastics and is now in Soccer- his team name is the Fire Ants! I love it! And I LOVE little Michael in soccer gear:) He is growing up so fast!




James is 11 months old and such a sweetie! He is in to EVERYTHING and wants to be anywhere Michael is- he loves him brother so much:)



Pop Pop took Michael and Geoff to a friends property in Prosper to go fishing last weekend with Ellen and Christian- they had a blast! Michael is still talking about it today:)



Michael and Geoff have been having Movie Nights the past few weeks- they make popcorn together and watch Star Wars. At first I think Michael was most excited about the popcorn, but now I think he loves "Dark Mader", "D2", "The Owl" AKA Yoda, and "The Bunnies" AKA the Ewoks:) They are so cute hanging out on the couch watching together:) Unfortunately, no girls are allowed:( Luckily it is the perfect time for me to catch up on my Real Housewives and Bethany Ever After, because she is my favorite:)



About a month ago I took Michael to watch Allison preform for her Cheerleading squad- I can't get over how fast she is growing up and how stinking cute she is!



This past St Patricks Day marked 7 years since that fateful night that Kim (Taylor) Pope magically introduced Geoffrey and myself- thank goodness for that Bailey's foam hat:) Luckily Geoff continued to call me even after he found out my family was not in fact from Ireland and I gave his hat away to a bartender at another bar for a free drink:) Oops- it makes for a great story though!



3 weeks from Saturday my little baby is turning 1! I can't believe it! Where has the time gone?
Seems like just yesterday he was teeny-tiny sleeping in Pop Pops arms...

Brothers

I love watching Michael and James play together. You can just tell how much they love each other- even though James knocks down Michael's towers and Michael is ALWAYS in James' face, they have a special bond that is so wonderful and precious-