Baylor's 3rd Birthday

Baylor chose Diego for his birthday party theme this year. When I was looking online for Remington's birthday party a few months ago, Baylor got all excited and wanted to look too. I told him that he could look through all of the stuff and get ideas for his party, and out of all of the themes on the Party City website, Baylor wanted Diego. When I saw that it was all half off, I decided to order everything early. So we've been ready for his party for a couple months. We finally got everything out on Saturday evening (July 9th) as we prepared for Baylor's birthday party. The boys helped me make Baylor's birthday cake and cupcakes. Baylor picked out Blue Suede cake mix and vanilla icing. We made one round cake which I decorated with white icing, green icing for his name, green sprinkles, and Diego candles as well as a "3" candle. We also made two dozen cupcakes which I decorated with white icing, green sprinkles, and animal crackers. We also made the goodie bags which we stuffed with Diego plastic cups filled with small play-doh containers and play-doh cutting tools. The boys liked being a part of the process.

On Sunday morning (July 10th), we loaded everything into the car and headed over to Landa Park for Baylor's birthday party. We had reserved the zero-depth pool before it opened to the public, and his party was from 10am-12pm. We served hot dogs, chips, fruit, animal crackers, and cake. The kids all had a blast playing in the pool.

After the party, we headed back to our house for gifts. Baylor's godparents, David and Sharon Moore, joined us along with Dustin's granny, my mom, and Josh. Baylor got lots of fun things.

After the gifts were opened, Baylor and his brothers played with a couple new toys, and then we all watched a movie together as a family.

The next morning (Monday, July 11th) was Baylor's actual birthday, but Dustin had to work, so the boys and I stayed busy by attending a playdate. It was a bike/scooter parade at Torrey Park. The kids all decorated their bikes and scooters and then rode them around the park. We also had snacks together. After the parade, it was time for lunch. We drove over to Sonic to pick up some food and then headed home to eat. After lunch, the boys had leftover cupcakes, and Baylor had a candle in his. We sang happy birthday to him, and he blew out the candle.

Baylor loved his custom-made birthday outfit. He opened it with his gifts on Sunday and wore it on his birthday Monday. The shorts were Paw Patrol, and the shirt had 03 on the front with his name underneath.

When Daddy got home from work, we all changed into our swim suits. Baylor opened his gifts from Mommy and Daddy, and then we all got in the car. Our first stop was the 7-Eleven where we got free small Slurpies (they do that every year on 7-11) and free smores. Then we headed out to the river for swimming.

I hope you enjoyed your 3rd birthday, Baylor! We love you.

Baylor's 3rd Birthday Interview

Baylor still can't talk, but he's starting to try to say more and more words lately. I normally start asking these interview questions at each boys' 3rd birthday, but since Baylor can't really answer, I'm going to do my best to answer for him.

1. What are some things you like to do?
Baylor likes to do anything his older brothers are doing, he likes to go swimming, he likes giving Dracky treats, and he likes playing with toys. Some of his favorite toys right now are Paw Patrol, trains, action heros (especially Superman and Batman) and figures of animals.


2. What sports do you like?
Baylor likes running and kicking balls. He's also really great at throwing balls. He's tried his hand at putting golf balls and hitting tennis balls. 


3. What things do you like to do around the house?
Baylor is happy playing with his toys for long amounts of time. He is also starting to get into puzzles and likes to watch DVDs with his brothers.


4. What are some of your favorite foods?
Baylor likes chicken tenders, pizza, carrots, salads, all fruits (most especially raspberries and bananas), bars, cereal, and ice cream.


5. What do you like to wear?
Baylor likes his clothes with animals or cartoon characters on them the best.


6. What's your favorite color?
Baylor likes yellow the best.


7. Where are some of your favorite places to go?
Baylor likes to go places where he can run and be loud.


8. What makes you sad?
Baylor gets sad sometimes when he can't get his way. 


9. What do you do when you are sad?
To comfort himself when he is sad, Baylor likes to suck on his two middle fingers. He also do this when he is tired or asleep.


10. What makes you happy?
Baylor is a normally happy child. He is quick to smile and laugh. He likes to be tickled and kissed.


11. What do you do when you are happy?
Baylor has a great smile :)


12. Who is your best friend?
Baylor plays with his K18 (those starting kindergarten in 2018) friends every Friday morning - Maddie, Bethanny, Kylie, Grahm, Emily, and Ansel


13. What is your favorite movie and TV show?
Baylor likes Thomas the train, Diego, Dora, Sesame Street, Scooby Doo, and Paw Patrol best.


14. What are your favorite books?
Baylor's favorite books are the ones with flaps to flip or plastic bubbles to press.

Remington's 5th Birthday

We have had some really full days lately celebrating Remington's 5th Birthday.

His party was on Sunday at Torrey Park (per his request as that is his favorite park). The forecast was showing 80% chance of rain a couple days before, so we were brainstorming a Plan B, luckily however the rains held out, and we were able to celebrate at the park as planned. Remington chose a Wild Kratts party this year, which is one of his favorite shows.

We started the festivities by getting ready for his party. We spent Saturday evening preparing. Remington and Southern helped me bake Remington's cake. He had decided that he wanted a cake shaped like the Tortuga on Wild Kratts (their vehicle). While the cake was baking and then cooling, they helped me stuff the goodie bags. Each one was filled with a wildlife book, a magnifying glass, a few insect/reptile tattoos, and a couple small plastic wild animals. When the cake was cool enough to decorate, the boys helped me by deciding what color to dye the frosting (we mixed green with a little blue) and what design to pipe on the top in green frosting. We used their Tortuga toy as inspiration.

After we were done with the cake, it was time for bed. The boys went to sleep excited about the next morning.

When we woke up Sunday, we all got dressed. I pick out their clothes the night before to make for easy mornings. The boys wanted to dress up like characters in Wild Kratts, so they were happy to put on their outfits. Then we loaded the car and drove over to Wal-Mart to pick up the sandwiches, chips, oranges, bananas, and grapes. When we got to the park, we started setting up and decorating. That was not easy! It was so humid, and the tables were hard for me to move so I was a sweaty mess by the time the guests starting arriving. But it was all worth it!

We had a creature power game set up for the kids. Torrey Park has a big sidewalk that goes around the whole park, and the boys and I had taped creature power disks all along the path (I had printed them out on the computer the day before). Once a kid found a disk, they could lift up the top and read the name and description of the animal on the second paper. We also had "Bohemian golf" set up. Once everyone finished eating lunch, we did the pinata.

Remington picked out the pinata (it was a jungle scene), and he and Southern helped me stuff it on Saturday. We filled it with toy bugs. Everyone got a turn to hit the pinata with Remington going first, then going by age order, and then Remington finished it off at the end.

After the pinata, we did the cake.

After the cake, the party was winding down. We passed out goodie bags and cleaned up our mess. It took awhile to load everything back into our cars. We drove home and were joined by Granny Ehlers and my dad and Joyce. After we got everything moved back into the house, Remington opened his presents!

The kids played with some of Remington's new toys and games for awhile. Then we all took early showers and changed into pajamas. We ended the evening by watching Aladdin together upstairs. The boys had never seen it before.

On Wednesday morning (his actual birthday), Remington woke up, put on his new custom-made Wild Kratts shirt, and came downstairs to a surprise. He had a blueberry muffin with a lit candle in it along with some chocolate milk (his favorite drink) on the table under a Happy Birthday banner. We all sang Happy Birthday to him, and then he blew out the candle. He and Dustin sat down to muffins while Southern and I ran out the door to school (Southern had his muffins during the car ride). I walked Southern into school (normally we do carline since we have Remington and Baylor in the car with us, but Dustin had taken off of work that day for Remington's birthday so it was a rare treat for Southern to have me to himself. He was full of snuggles and kisses as I walked him, and held my hand the whole way).

The plan for the day was to head over to San Antonio to the Kiddie Park. Some friends from New Braunfels were going as well, and Carly, Claire and Cora joined us too. What fun! The kids had a blast, and Baylor didn't want to leave.

After the Kiddie Park, Aunt Carly treated us to a zoo train ride. Afterward I asked Remington what he liked most - the Kiddie Park or the train, and he said he liked them both! Baylor and Remington fell asleep on the way back to New Braunfels. We picked up Southern from school and asked Remington where he wanted to go eat. We had snacked after breakfast but never really had a lunch, so this was a late lunch/early supper for us (which worked out perfectly since Southern had his Cub Scout graduation that evening). Remington was super excited to have them sing Happy Birthday to him and put the sombrero on him. (Southern also had his 5th birthday supper at Mamacita's which I didn't think about until later. So maybe that will be our new 5th birthday tradition?)

 We had just about an hour at home to get ready for the Cub Scour graduation, so Remington was able to open the rest of his presents (the ones from Mommy and Daddy and a couple from friends at the Kiddie Park). He was super excited about the Wild Kratts creature costume and had to try it on right away. So fun!

 Remington's 5th Birthday Interview

1. What are some things you like to do?
I like to watch Wild Kratts. I like to play with little Legos. I like to play with bubbles with Southern and Baylor. I like to play with bug toys. I like to watch Penguins of Madagascar.


2. What sports do you like?
Dodgeball and volleyball and basketball. I like to play all of them.


3. What things do you like to do around the house?
I like to play on the iPad and I like to watch stuff.


4. What are some of your favorite foods?
Cookies, muffins, chocolate bars and vanilla bars.


5. What do you like to wear?
I like to wear my Batman Lego shirt.


6. What's your favorite color?
Pink


7. Where are some of your favorite places to go?
Target to buy toys, HEB to drink some lemonade


8. What makes you sad?
Whenever Southern doesn't want to play with me


9. What do you do when you are sad?
I play on my own.


10. What makes you happy?
Playing with Baylor


11. What do you do when you are happy?
I play with the stuff that I really really like


12. Who is your best friend?
Mommy


13. What is your favorite movie and TV show?
The Pengiuns of Madagascar Holiday DVD and Lego Scooby Doo


14. What are your favorite books?
Diego and Dora and Scooby Doo

Brown Bear by Remington

Remington "reading" Brown Bear by Eric Carle

22 Weeks Along

I am 22 weeks along this week, and our baby is said to be the size of a banana. We went to the doctor last week for an appointment - all five of us! - and got to see the baby live on the sonogram machine. I am so happy that our whole family got to be a part of this experience. The boys loved seeing their baby brother! They heard the heartbeat and asked the sonogram tech all sorts of questions. She was so good with them. She explained everything to us about what she was looking at and measuring.

Baby boy is growing well, and mommy is healthy. He weighed exactly one pound at the time of the sonogram, and everything lined up with being 21 weeks (his size. my belly's size, and the calendar) which is a first for me. My babies (and/or I) usually run big from what I can remember. Here are a few pictures from the day.

Southern's 7th Birthday

Southern's 7th Birthday was this past Thursday. He had school as usual, but it was a fun-filled and special day. We started off with dressing for school in his customized TMNT t-shirt (he had requested I put his name and a 7 on it with my embroidery machine) by using a free dress pass. Then we swung through the McDonald's drive-thru to get a McGriddle for his breakfast. (When I had asked him what he wanted for breakfast on his birthday, he said he wanted my homemade pancakes. I told him that I probably wouldn't have enough time to do that on a school morning, so the McGriddle was his second choice.) Then I dropped him off at school. The drive-thru line was pretty long at McD's so we were running late and arrived at school with only one minute to spare. We parked and ran/walked over to the gate, and even though he was running late and we were in a hurry, he took the time to turn around and hug me right before he walked through. He told me he loved me, and then he was off.

My mom had come over that morning so that the younger boys didn't have to be woken up and driven to school, so it was really nice for them to get a little extra sleep. She then accompanied us to Southern's school for lunch with him. He requested Rita's Famous Tacos for lunch, so he had bacon, egg, and cheese tacos. A few of his friends sat with us at lunchtime as well, and Southern really had fun.

We then all went back to school around 2:40pm to share cookies with his classmates. Southern wanted the smiley face cookies from Naegelin's Bakery, so that's what he got. Ms Aurora had asked everyone to get a tissue from the tissue box to use in lieu of plates, and Baylor ran up to help pass those out. My mom and I then passed the cookies out to his class, and everyone enjoyed a little treat. 

Southern's classmates singing "happy birthday" to him at the end of the school day

We headed home after that to await daddy's arrival. Southern had a few gifts to open from us, and we wanted to wait until he was home to do that. While waiting, the boys watched Wild Kratts on TV and had an after school snack. Southern requested his favorite "milkshake", so I made that. It is just milk, honey Greek Yogurt, and bananas. When Dustin got home from work, Southern opened his gifts after we sang him "happy birthday". He got two Sonic the Hedgehog Wii games, a Corvette police car, and a vintage TMNT Pizza Power board game. He was super excited about it all, and he picked up one of the video games to play for a few minutes before we went to supper.

Southern picked out where we would go eat supper on his birthday, and out of all of the places he could go (The Rainforest Cafe was even suggested), he picked Jason's Deli. So that's where we went! As a bonus, we got $5 off our meal since they have a birthday e-mail club that you can sign up for. Southern saw the sign about it just after we had paid, but the cashier heard him and said to mention it to the manager. The manager said it was no problem, that he would refund us $5 and to just sign up online when we had the chance. Yay! Southern had chicken alfredo, cantaloupe, a few bites of my salad, and a chocolate/vanilla swirl frozen yogurt cone (with a squirt of dark chocolate fudge in the bottom of the cone) for his birthday supper.

We then came back home, showered and got ready for bed, and then read a few books before the boys laid down. Each boy picked out one book that I read, and then I ended with Happy Birthday by Dr Suess. It was a busy, fun-filled day.

And Southern's birthday celebrations were not over! His party was just two days later, yesterday. I had found a deal on someone selling a gift certificate for a birthday party at Tiger-Rock Martial Arts last year (they were selling it for $30 when the party normally costs $150!) so I told Southern this year to pick a theme that involved ninjas - Ninjago, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, regular ninjas, etc., and he picked TMNT. The only downside was that the location was small, and we were limited to inviting only 10 people. A few of those friends couldn't make it because of t-ball or soccer games, but we had a good turnout, and the kids had a blast.

The party was from 12-2pm, and the first hour was spent doing ninja moves. The kids had a 45-minute lesson from the instructor after about 15 minutes of free time. Then we moved next door to Fox's Pizza for lunch. We ordered two Big Daddy's, one pepperoni and one hamburger, and they were gone in no time. There was a claw machine in the pizza shop that was filled with balls, and Southern asked me for 50 cents so that he could play. I had left my purse at Tiger-Rock, so I didn't have any money on me. Kason's daddy Fiddy overheard and gave Southern two quarters. He ran over to the machine and won a ball! The other kids played after him, but no one else won a ball that day.

The friends that made it that day were all from his school - Kason, Brandon, Tiffany, Wyatt, and Garrett. The family members that came were Parker and Carly, Claire and Cora, Grammy and Josh, D-dad and Joyce, Kate, and Allan and Granny Ehlers. (We had asked Allan to drive Granny E up from Yoakum with him.)

After everyone's tummies were full, we headed back over to Tiger-Rock for cake time. We all sang "happy birthday" to Southern, and then he cut his cake with a real katana sword. His cake was made to look like a pizza (his request). I used butter yellow cake mix topped with red icing to look like tomato sauce, shredded white chocolate to look like cheese, Reese's Puffs cereal to look like meatballs, and Swedish Fish to look like anchovies. I also had cupcakes - some made with "sauce", "cheese", and "meatballs"; some with "sauce" and "cheese", and some plain. 

After the kids ate their dessert, they had more free time to just run around and play. I think everyone had fun! When it was time to go, I passed out the party favors (little TMNT buckets filled with a TMNT figure keychain, a TMNT slap bracelet, and TMNT fruit snacks). We got a few more pictures of the birthday boy with various family members, and then we left for home. Allan and Granny Ehlers followed in their vehicle.

At home, Southern opened his presents. He got lots of good stuff, but I told him to pick only one toy to try that day. He decided to open his remote controlled Transformer, Knock Out, from Grammy and Josh. He played with that for awhile, and then we headed off for Cabela's for Allan's birthday present to Southern. He bought him a spinning reel. Granny Ehlers pitched in to buy the rod. We walked around the store looking at all of the animals, and then Allan and Granny E headed back for home. We invited them to eat supper with us at Cracker Barrel, but they were in a hurry to leave. So we looked around the Bargain Cave for awhile longer and then headed for the check out. We drove to Cracker Barrel and had a nice supper together. Afterward, the boys played checkers for a while, and then we headed home. Another fun-filled day!

Southern's 7th Birthday Interview

1. What are some things you like to do?
I like to play Star Wars Wii and I like to make Legos and that's all


2. What sports do you like?
Basketball, tennis, and soccer


3. What things do you like to do around the house?
Watch TV and play video games


4. What are some of your favorite foods?
Pizza, doughnuts, and that's all


5. What do you like to wear?
costumes


6. What's your favorite color?
Black, red, and blue


7. Where are some of your favorite places to go?
Cub Scout meetings, Target, Tiger-Rock Martial Arts, The Jumpy Place, and Grammy's house


8. What makes you sad?
Whenever my brother breaks my toys


9. What do you do when you are sad?
Cry


10. What makes you happy?
Whenever I get to play video games all day


11. What do you do when you are happy?
Play video games


12. Who is your best friend?
Garner


13. What is your favorite movie and TV show?
Ant-Man and Sonic the Hedgehog


14. What are your favorite books?
Ant-Man and The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks

Surprise!

If you haven't heard the news already - Surprise! Another baby Wyatt is cooking and is due to arrive September 20, 2016. It is not "Facebook official" yet, so please don't mention it on social media just yet.

Here are a couple pictures taken at our first appointment on February 15th. Dustin was off of school that day for President's Day, so I had a friend come over to watch our boys while Dustin and I went to the appointment. She had her two kids with her (the older one is Remington's age, and the younger one is a little younger than Baylor) so they were all able to play. My doctor had gotten an ultrasound machine upgrade since we had Baylor, so we were treated to a real show. She now has a big flat screen TV coming out of the wall that shows the sonogram, so the moms no longer have to crane their necks while laying on their backs trying to look at the little screen on the machine.

And here are a few more pictures that were taken at my latest appointment just last week. It was supposed to be just a typical tummy check appointment. The nurse drew blood (more on that later), and then the doctor came in to check on me. Remington and Baylor were with me for this appointment, and they were being nice and quiet sitting on a chair watching my iPhone which was tuned into a Wild Kratts episode on YouTube. After asking me questions, she had me lay back so that she could listen to the baby's heartbeat with her little wand/radio thing, but she couldn't really find it. I thought I heard a beat or two, but then I didn't hear anything. And again, I thought a heard another beat or two, and then nothing. She rubbed all over for quite a while, and then she told me that I could sit back up and to be prepared to move rooms. She was very calm and efficient, but she was also in a hurry. She called out to her nurse to ready the sono room now, and then she headed out of my room after telling me that they would get me in a few moments. This is one of the things I really love about her - she's not one to panic, but she's really on top of things and I feel comfortable with her looking out for me and my babies. The minutes-long wait was nerve wracking, and prayers were said. As soon as I got moved to the sonogram room, she bustled back in and told me to lay down. Right away we could see the baby moving! She said, "well it's kicking!" And it was! Literally, the first thing I saw on the screen were two tiny legs, each kicking alternately up and down, up and down. Then she moved the wand a little, and we could see the whole body. It was turning, rolling back and forth, back and forth. So I guess it was just playtime for baby, and that's why she couldn't get a read on the heartbeat monitor in the other room. So I got a few bonus pictures of our little one.

 And as for the blood test, we got the results back yesterday. The nurse called to say that all of the screenings for genetic abnormalities came back negative. Yay! And she also had the results of the gender. She asked if I wanted her to tell me right then over the phone or if I wanted a sealed envelope to come pick up. I opted for the envelope so that Dustin could hear the results with me. And when he (finally) got home from work, we all went outside to the back yard as a family and opened the envelope.

Southern was SO super excited. He jumped up and down cheering when he heard the news. He had said he didn't want to have any girl toys in our house. And he and Remington had already picked out names last week thinking it would be a boy. Southern wanted to name the baby Western, and Remington wanted Hank Williams Wyatt. Needless to say, we are still brainstorming names. ;)

Read Across America

To celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday, this week was declared Read Across America week, and Southern's school participated by having a fun dress up each day. 

Day 1 was Monday Madness, and the students were asked to dress in a "Suessy" or mismatched look. Southern picked out his own outfit - basketball shirt on backward, blue camo shorts, two different socks, and he requested crazy hair so I spiked it up with gel. 

Day 2 was all about the book Oh the Places You Will Go! Students were asked to dress in a college shirt with uniform bottoms (and that TLU shirt Southern is wearing was mine when I was in college). Baylor and Remington wanted to get in this morning's picture with Southern

Day 3 was about the book The Cat and the Hat, and students were asked to wear a hat with their school uniforms. Of course Remington had to put on his hat as well.

Day 4 was the day of the 2nd Annual Storybook Costume Parade. Last year, the children were asked to wear a costume, dressed as any storybook character, and to bring that book along with them to school to carry around in the parade. This year, some teachers had a class theme picked out. Southern had been planning his costume for a month or so now (he wanted to be Luigi), so he was bummed to find out his teacher was one of those with a theme. She picked fairy tales and wanted only the ones that they had learned about in class - Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin, The Frog Prince, Hansel and Gretel, and Jack and the Beanstalk. Out of those choices, Southern picked Jack and the Beanstalk. I figured there would be a lot of Jacks in his class already, so I suggested he dress as the cow in the fairy tale or as the beanstalk. Southern said, "okay, I guess I'll be the beanstalk". Not very exciting, but I figured he could just wear camo and we'd call it done. Easy enough. 

Then last night, after the lights were out and the boys were tucked in bed, Southern asked me if I could make him a vest with leaves on it. What?!? We had decided on the camo almost a week ago. But he said that no one would be able to tell he was a beanstalk in the costume parade so he wanted a vest with leaves on it so that he would look the part. I told him, "I don't even know if I have any green fabric." He said, "well green or dark green or light green or anything like that, Mommy. Please?" How could I say no to that? So last night after bedtime, I went through my fabric (luckily I had a good size piece of light green and a little bit of dark green) and got to sewing. I made the vest first, then the leaves, and then attached the leaves. If it hadn't of been the night before, I would have probably made more leaves, but as it was, I am pretty happy with the results. And nothing could beat the look on Southern's face this morning when he proudly tried it on. The icing on the cake was overhearing Southern's teacher after the costume parade this morning talking to another parent and saying that the most creative costume of the day was the beanstalk! She then saw me walk up and congratulated me on such a cute costume for Southern, saying that he had told the whole class this morning that his Mommy made his beanstalk vest. :)

waving at us as his class walked into the gym

walking in the parade

with a few friends/classmates

brothers 

Southern's class (1A)

Day 5 is Mass Day, so no costumes. But it is early release. Yay!