A Best Friend’s Birthday & One Night with Grammy

Sophia is 5!! Bradley and his girl headed off to Marbles museum on Friday compliments of the birthday girls parents.  Bradley had so much fun I heard and he was thankful to be a part of her birthday trip. 

Playing Veterinarian.  Life size stuffed animals are always a hit with kids. 

 

They ran into their friends Ava and Graham.

 

Whipping up a kitchen creation.  Bradley must be the sue chef judging by whose wearing the hat ;) and I’m sure he is making foods he does not even eat.

That was their fun filled Friday.  On Saturday morning we were supposed to head to Charlotte to my bro’s house.  We had to cancel because I wanted to keep Easton in an easier environment in case he had an explosion.  He had what looked like a stomach bug.  He is better now, Thank God, and that none of us got it after! I am happy to say that events resumed without us and Jackson responded to the alter call and made a public proclamation of his faith at 9 years old! He asked Jesus into his heart and is now lined up to be baptized sometime this spring which we plan to make it out to see.  

On Sunday my mom came to our house after she was at church in Charlotte with Jackson.  We headed straight over to see our birthday girl blow out her candles! Bradley is in the corner fingers gripping the counter like he doesn’t know how this plays out?  Or how many blows is it going to take her?  Come on just one more….. too funny!

 

When we got back to the house Grammy gave Bradley his birthday gift.  Ice Age Dinosaurs movie! He loves the characters in ICE AGE.  He cracks up at them and quotes them all the time.  He also has not lost his thrill for dinosaurs.  He loves them.   

 

Trying on there 3D glasses for movie night. 

 

Movie/Popcorn night on the couch with Grammy.  There was one catch! We don’t have a 3D TV.  We took the glasses off and watched the whole thing a little blurry.  Later we realized it came with the non 3D version in the case too.  DUH!

Bradley went to school Monday morning and Grammy had to go back home.  When Bradley got home from school he was sad Grammy was gone and said “I wish she could have stayed for more than one night!” but he gave Easton love instead. 

Coming around the corner and making him giggle!

 

Our Tiger who actually has underwear on at the moment.  I started being a tiger with him one day and now he asks for it saying “Tiger me mommy?” meaning be a tiger mommy and get me!

Last but certainly a highlight of my day.  This morning I caught Gavin naked with a lollipop he helped himself to and he was jumping off our bed onto kid table placemats shouting “extendo!”

** He’s not peeing here**

Then he decided to let himself fall backwards on the bed and he was cracking up. 

He is so sticky and dirty all the time.  No matter how much I clean this kid he finds a way to make a mess of himself.

 

A mess is what he is.  There really is no explaining this one as I have said before!

Daddy is out of town this week in Louisiana for his first week with his new job.  He will travel wherever to be an instructor.  I wont even try to explain or I would butcher it.  Right Babe? It is all stuff he was certified in when he was a PJ.  All part of what makes them bad ass and be able to rescue people.  The boys miss him and can’t wait to have him home.  We have been fortunate to have him home with us on a regular basis this year so the traveling again will take some getting used to all over. 

Rewind Valentine

Between our Anniversary and Bradley’s Birthday was Valentine’s Day and it was a heart filled day enough to not forget about it.  How could I not report on my four Valentine’s I am lucky enough to have.  They are each my world!

  

My Valentine’s gift from Brad.  And he did not forget the dessert either.  White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake (WCRC) I eat is so much I needed to do that, give it its own acronym.

 

A little Valentine for the boys. 

    

 

Thankful Liz watched the boys for me so I could go to school to be party mom. 

Prayer time gets my heart every time! <3

 

Giving me my Valentine gift.  I am totally loving my bling necklace.  

The photos I sent to Grandparents. 

 

That night Bradley went and switched his pajamas to Toy Story once he saw Easton had a pair from Chase.  He had to take a picture.  This kid is funny about matching pajamas.  I love it while it lasts. 

A lot of February parties.  Here is one at his friend Matthew’s.

 

Team Party.  I am thankful we have not moved away from all these wonderful people. 

Boozing it up by the bonfire singing their blues away.  Brad was on drums! No really…Brian brought drums for him to play!

I think I will see if I fit Daddy’s hats yet?

 

Waking up Daddy by horseback ride. 

When Bradley was away they were left to figure out how to play together.  The biggest thing I noticed having “one child gone” for the weekend was the house was SO SO much quieter.  I still had to be on my toes with these two roaming about but there wasn't as much talking, complaining, screaming and loud running going on.

Yesterday Brad gave Bradley his first ever BB gun for his birthday.  We have had so much fun shooting at cans in the backyard! We all know Daddy wishes we had property we could shoot all guns on so this has sufficed since it is still a gun!

Yesterday we met our friend who moved to Georgia at the park.  She was here visiting.  Ashlyn is my friend below but above Gavin thought this red headed women was his mommy or something.  He was totally smitten and he was her little shadow.  I should consider dying my hair red but Brad would never go for it!

   

We ended the day with cupcakes and as the saying goes “If the answer is cupcakes, the question is irrelevant!”

There you have it.  The missing pieces from Valentines Day to yesterday.

Happy 5th Birthday Bradley!

Today I have to give a big birthday shout out to Bradley Bear on this grand occasion of turning FIVE!  We love you buddy and we know you have been waiting for this day with great anticipation so I hope it was extra special for you and all the birthday festivities you had.  Daddy and I are hoping five is a magic number just like you think it is too.  We look forward to seeing how much you learn and grow this year in so many different avenues because at FIVE your still small world opens up a little bigger.  There will be more freedom that comes with more responsibility.  Kindergarten  and more sports.  It’s going to be exciting!! To kick off the excitement we had a party for you Friday afternoon at our church’s FUNZONE.  You had about 11 of your friends there and all their siblings.  The FUNZONE was filled with happy kids.

On our way to set up.  The half choc/ half vanilla whipped mint cake with Oreos I made you in SPIDEY style. 

  

This place really is very entertaining for the kids.  It keeps them playing nonstop and they work up a sweat and then sleep good after!

From left to right: Gavin, Alex, Lauren, Ava, Chase & Easton.

   

Right Picture: Davis, Jack and Wyatt

    

Jordan                                                               Alex

 

Wyatt and the Birthday Boy hiding from my camera

 

Lauren

 

Bradley & Harlan wrestling. 

   

Happy Birthday To You!

   

Making a wish and really blowing out those candles! Mommy wishes you would like taking pictures with me.

  

So many friends around a tiny table.  They barely all fit. 

We opened gifts at home so you didn’t have to break from playing at the party.  Everyone was so great and we are thankful but I really was not expecting Christmas all over again and certainly did not want that.  We will be donating a lot of old toys.  I am far past running out of room for toys for three boys. 

One cool toy was a stomp rocket from Wyatt and his parents.  You can see Brad’s smile and Bradley’s dimple showing.  Anticipating this toy that non the less they shoot off in my house and practically hit the chandelier.  It doesn’t matter how old of a boy you are….they are destructive, plain and simple!

I managed to get one smile out of him. 

On Saturday morning we let him open his gifts from Mommy, Gavin and Easton.  I got him two new games for his PSP.

Gavin picked out a Scooby Doo movie for him and from Easton he got a National Geographic’s weird & funny facts book. After this you packed up and left with Daddy, Zach and Wyatt for a road trip to Arlington and then on to Pennsylvania.

Once you got to Mimi and Dunka’s you split ways with Zach & Wyatt for the night and went to Uncle Billy’s & Aunt Devon’s.  It was Uncle Billy’s Birthday so the two of you had a combined party! Neat!

Picture sent from Mimi.  She let you have a cupcake for breakfast on your birthday! By the looks on his face his Birthday away from Mommy is going just fine but I still miss him. 

     

Then not a whole lot of hours later out at lunch apparently from the next picture sent from Mimi you got spoiled AGAIN! I’m feeling a belly ache just looking at these. 

Tonight on your birthday you took the Metro to Arlington National Cemetery to visit the grave sites of Dan and John.  Then you went to lunch and got back in the car for a two hour drive to York Pennsylvania to stay with Dan’s parents.  Mr. & Mrs. Zerbe.  Tomorrow you will go with Daddy to a hometown unveiling of a memorial built in Dan’s honor.  Daddy and Zach wanted to go and be there by the Zerbe’s side so they weren't alone.  They also love the distraction of having little ones visit them.  Especially the children that their son cared.  This was the point of the trip and I am glad you and Daddy have this time together.  After the service tomorrow you will be driving eight hours home.  I can’t wait to see you tomorrow night.  You are starting off five with adventures and big boy learning experiences.  We are so proud of you Bradley!