Addison is 8 months old!

It's hard to believe but Addison turned eight months old on Saturday. She can sure win us over with that smile but she is a little princess. She definitely lets us know when she is not happy and she sees no reason why either mommy, daddy, Amelia or Luke should not be playing with her at all times.

Addison chatters all the time now. She says ma,ma,ma,ma,ma and dadeeeeeeeeeeeeeee and some version of ouuuut. It sounds like out but we are not sure what that is referring to yet. Soon enough she will start to put her chattering together with her first words. She is trying to crawl, she kind of does a modified army crawl but she isn't getting anywhere fast yet which is fine by me. I still haven't figured out how I am going to keep her away from 200 little star wars guns and light sabers and minuscule Lego pieces.

Mimi Jamming (2nd try)

Amelia is normally unaware of her surroundings, but with her head phones on, she is even more oblivious. We caught her singing "Days of Elijah" while coloring... in rollers no less.

Children's House Birthday Celebration

Luke started a new preschool this year. The Children's House is a Montessori school and it has been just wonderful. When a child has a birthday the school gives the child a birthday celebration. It is a very special day for the child and goes beyond just bringing some cupcakes to school. They celebrate each year of the child's life with pictures and mementos. Each year is then reflected by the child walking the earth around the sun (a candle). It was very emotional to watch Luke in his celebration and how big he has gotten. The picture above is Luke and Miss Mary Ann holding up the outfit Luke wore home from the hospital at two days old. So hard to believe he ever fit into it.

Luke showing his friends a picture of himself from his first birthday. He was so proud showing all of his friends his items. The children are so attentive at the celebration too, it was amazing.

This is a picture of Luke walking the earth around the sun, symbolizing one year of his life. The children sing a very cute song about it as he walks. All the items on the carpet are things from Luke's life.

Luke passing out his cupcakes to his friends. Luke decorated the cupcakes with green and blue frosting, (the color of his two favorite Star Wars character's light sabers). He also stuck four M&M's in each cupcake. The school is very into independence and allow the children to do everything on their own, if they are able. I, of course was having a heart attack watching them hand Luke a tray of cupcakes. I was thinking, do you know how long it took me to make and decorate 48 cupcakes?????? Needless to say, he did great. On the child's celebration day, they get to pick the other children they would like to have help them pass our their snack. Luke picked his crush Anna. They sit together nearly everyday and chase each other on the playground, his teacher has said she has seen their blossoming romance. Although, he must like older women, Anna is a kindergartner.

Little Miss Addison Kate. Isn't she adorable?? Thank goodness, because between her teeth coming in and an ongoing cold, she has been a little crank butt.

Amelia had a special week at school too. She was named Student of the Week. We were very proud of her. She had to fill out a special "All about me" poster that is hung in the hallway. Typical stuff, name, age, favorite color, best friends, etc. There was also a section about what you want to be when you grow up. Amelia said she didn't know, fair enough I guess, she's only six. So I said, "Well you could be a doctor, a nurse, teacher, tennis player, librarian, a mommy, etc." She thought for awhile and then she said, "Umm, no, I want to be a dancer." A dancer? I am hoping she means the ballet kind and not the "pole" kind. Reminds me of my sister, Traci, always wanted to be a 'solid gold dancer.' Maybe you can show Amelia your moves Trace!

Shiny New Tooth

Addison just got her first tooth!

May the Force Be With You

The day finally arrived, Luke had been counting down the days until his birthday party since we had Amelia's party. "Mom, I want a Star Wars party at our house with my friends." That's exactly what he got. The sign on the door says, 'Welcome Young Padawans to Jedi Training.'

Stephen made this cool light saber entrance for the kids.

Luke looking super excited for his friends to arrive. Stephen had decorated the house so cool. He hung Star Wars ships from the ceiling all over the house and had Star Wars "guys" on all the ledges all lined up. (You can see some of the guys lined up behind Luke on the ledge).

I made these light saber treats for the party. Luke gave them a thumbs up!

Luke ready to go through the Jedi Training obstacle course with Yoda on his back and his light saber on his belt. The kids had to go through tunnels, jump over hoops, throw balls at Darth Vader and Ventris and use their light saber to perform different tasks.

Concentrating so hard.

Destroy the Death Star!!! The kids got to throw hundreds of water balloons at the Death Star (drawn in chalk on the driveway) to destroy it. Poor Stephen blew up 100 water balloons the day before the party, when we woke up on party day, most of them had popped and he needed to do it all over again. What a devoted Star Wars geek, errr, I mean dad.

This game was great. We filled Luke's room with balloons, in each balloon was a picture of a droid but in one balloon was a picture of Princess Padme. The game was save Princess Padme and the kids had to jump on the balloons to save the princess. It was hilarious, the balloons were like indestructible so the kids had to get super creative. Look at Luke's super jump to pop that balloon. I thought the kids were going to break their tailbones on the floor.

A Star Wars version of pin the tail. Something about bringing order to the galaxy. Notice my husband, with Yoda on his back. He wore it the whole party. Cracked me up.

Star Wars cake, of course.

The Master Jedi, training the 16 Padawans.

What training 16 Padawans does to the Master Jedi.

Luke getting his first sip of Yoda Soda mommy made for the party (Green sherbet and Sprite).

WE LOVE STAR WARS!

Luke blowing out four candles after a quick re-do. I had the cake all ready with the candles and one of the father's said, "Is Luke turning five?" I said, "No, he's four." I had put five candles in the cake!!!! You can see the white spot next to the candles from my blunder. Whoops!

The grand finale for the young Padawans to become Jedi Knights was to destroy Darth Vader. They got to whack the Darth Vader pinata with a light saber, you can't get much better than that.

My sweet Star Wars boys. (And my littlest Jedi).

Luke's Birthday Weekend

Our little Luke turned four years old this weekend! Hard to believe my little baby boy has become a big boy, with big opinions. We celebrated Luke's birthday by doing his favorite thing, hanging out on the boat. Here is the birthday boy with his big sis and little sis.

Grandpa Steve came for a visit to celebrate Luke's birthday. Luke loved having Grandpa around to show him all of his favorite things about the islands. The kids couldn't wait to show Grandpa all the hermit crabs they like to catch.

Showing off some treasures they found on Deer Island.

Grandpa Steve, Daddy and Amelia and Luke went to a Mobile Bay Bears baseball game too. I think the kids enjoyed the game but I think they enjoyed the hot dog, cotton candy and hot pretzel more :)

With the mascot, I think it must be a bear right? I mean, they are the Mobile Bay Bears but Amelia insists it is a squirrel. Whatever, maybe their was a sale on squirrel costumes.

Birthday boy!

Stephen and his dad chillin' on our beautiful Mississippi beaches. This is the life right Grandpa?

Happy Birthday to Luke in the sand.

Grandpa Steve and Addison Kate loving the beach.

Time to open presents, the best part of the birthday! Four years old!

Luke got his clone blaster he has been asking for forever. He and Stephen have played with it equally, they are sharing well.

Luke in his Commander Coty outfit.

Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Lukey, happy birthday to you. Make a wish!

We love you sweet boy, we are so proud of you and what a great big boy you have become.