Happy Birthday Jack!

My sweet little baby turned two today and I just cannot believe it.  I couldn't help but think back to the day we found out our family would grow.  Brian and I were content with out two boys, but open to more kiddos.  God saw fit to add the perfect addition to our family in Jack.

 His shy little grin just melts my heart.  He tries so hard to keep up with his big brothers and it is too cute.  He can't quite run as fast or climb as high, but he gives it his all.

Jack takes one nap a day and he wakes up in a bit of a funk every afternoon.  The quickest way to cheer him up?  Head outside.  When I ask if he wants to go outside he instantly pats his head and says 'hat'.  Then bolts for the door yelling 'outside' as loud as he can.  Navigating the steps is a little tough for him and as soon as he gets to them he reaches out to me to help.  I love when he reaches for my hand.  I know there will come a time when he won't need my help.  I'll enjoy it while I can - no matter how sticky and grimy his cute little hand might be.   

I look forward to all the adventures in Jack's future, and I have no doubt that there will be many.   Two years ago today my heart grew to love another little man more than I ever thought possible.  It really is amazing just how much I love these boys - to the point that it hurts.  I'm so lucky that I just have to pinch myself. 

Of course WIll had to get in on the sidewalk chalk action too.  So stinkin cute!

Party Day!

Sunday afternoon we had our family over to celebrate Will and Jack's birthdays.  It was a great time with our wonderful families!  We are so fortunate to have so many people that love our littlest men!

 Max was disappointed that there weren't any other kids to play with.  He perked up a bit when he showed Nonno and Great Uncle Mike his snap circuits.  T

 Of course what party would be complete without a yummy dinner?  Daddy did a great job manning the grill and the salciccia was perfect - especially when we put it on the rolls from Vitale's.

 Lately Will has been into all things Octonauts.  When I asked what kind of cake he wanted he said he wanted the Octopod.  I don't think it was my best work, but the boys were pretty excited about it.  I told Will to find two of his Octonaut characters to put into his cake.  He brought me Captain Barnacles and Dashi.  This is super cute because he always pretends that he is Captain Barnacles and I'm Dashi - she is the only female Octonaut. 

 Luckily Nonna remembered that last year Will got upset that we only sang Happy Birthday once and put in both of their names.  This year we did a bit better.  We sang to each boy individually and Will was happy.  Jack was just enthralled with the fire until he got shy that everyone was singing to him.

 After cake and ice cream, there were gifts.  The boys are so fortunate and have so much!  This little horse has been quite the hit in our house.  In fact all three boys fight over whose turn it is to bounce.  I hope we don't pop it!

Happy Birthday William!

Four. . . Really?!  It just doesn't seem possible.  I swear he just turned three last week, but I guess time flies and all that stuff.  He and I worked hard to make that oh, so beautiful cake.  Icing a cake with help from a four year old is a bit tough.

We celebrated four years of Will with a dinner at one of his favorite restaurants.  He and Max both love the cheese and crackers.  Honestly I think he picked it because he knows Max loves it.  Their relationship is so cute.  Don't get me wrong, there are times when they fight like crazy, but there are also lots of sweet moments.

Like when I hear Will tell Max he loves him - totally unprompted.  Or when we pick Max up from the bus stop and Will yells "I missed you Max!"

 Our sweet and silly little four year old is doing so well.  He has made huge gains lately on all things academic - counting, letters, writing his name.  It's so funny how Max just had all of that stuff down by three and Will just really wasn't interested until now.  As his teacher says, Will is a play based learner :)

He is also Mr. Social.  He makes friends everywhere we go.  You can't spend ten minutes with Will without laughing out loud.  He is just so funny!

We are so grateful for an amazing four years with our little William.  He brings so much love and laughter to our house.  And a bit of chaos.  We wouldn't trade it for anything.  We love you so much William, and we are beyond lucky to be your parents!

Ring Bearer Extraordinare

Jack's godfather got married a little over a week ago.  It was a beautiful day and the best part was knowing that our family grew by one.  Maybe in a few years there will be more little ones running around at our family parties.

Jack was honored to be Tony and Allison's ring bearer.  The rehearsal was a bit rough.  There was no way he was walking down that long, beautiful aisle.  Then the big day came.  The doors opened and Jack and the flower girl started to walk down.  I was thrilled and for a moment I thought he was really going to do it!  Then the flower girl saw her grandma and ran down the aisle.  Poor Jack kind of didn't know what to do.  He spun around once then headed back out the door.  Mommy had to help him down the aisle in the end.  It wasn't what we planned, but it was adorable none the less.

 In the end it was perfect.  He looked too cute in his little mini tux, even if Doggy was clutched under his arm the whole time.

The wedding was at the same Church where Brian and I got married almost 12 years ago.  In fact the same priest did the ceremony.  Here we are now, a family of five and life is even better than I could ever have imagined on our wedding day.  I hope that Tony and Allison can say the same 12 years from now.  

Things Will Says

I just have to document these somewhere because otherwise I'll never remember. . .

As he climbs into bed with me every morning:

Will : (grabbing my arm to put it around him) It's William, let's snuggle.

As he climbs in to bed with me after watching lots of Octonauts, his new favorite show:

Will: (grabbing my arm to put it around him) It's Captain Barnacles, let's snuggle.

While getting dressed for bed I see a fully clothed Will but his underwear are still sitting next to him:

Mom: Will why didn't you put on your clean underwear.

Will: I don't want to wear underwear.  My peepee feels happy.

After watching me bump my head on a cabinet:

Mom: Ouch that really hurt!

Will:  I be right back Mommy!

Will: (returning to the kitchen a moment later)  Here Mommy, this make your booboo feel better.

Mom:  Thanks Will, that's so sweet of you.

Will:  (waits 10 seconds after he puts the bandaid on my head) It feels better now?

Mom: Yes, lots better.

When getting in and out of the car without having to put on a coat:

Will:  I just LOVE going coatless!!!

Mom:  Yep buddy, me too.

At the babysitting service at the gym:

Teacher to another kid:  See you can do it, it's easy.

Will yells across the room : Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!

At an Easter party where I catch him eating another Oreo ball after I already cut him off:

Mom: William, I said no more oreo balls!!

Will: I have something to tell you 

Will leans in close to my face and holds up what is left of the Oreo ball.

Will:  This is REALLY HEALTHY!  It will help me grow strong.

He just cracks us up.  How can so much personality fit into such a little person?

Happy Easter

I really should have though to get a picture of the boys in their Easter finest this morning before church.  We were rushing all over the place to make sure we got there early and I didn't think of it.  Then within five minutes of begin home Jack spilled water all over his cute Easter clothes and once he was out of his clothes the big boys wanted to wear play clothes too.  Oh well.

Silly boys.

 This afternoon we headed over to Great Aunt Carm and Great Uncle Mike's where there was another egg hunt and just a whole lot of fun.  Max and Will had a great time with their kinda sorta cousins.  Brian makes fun of my family all the time becuase we are all cousins:)  I just love the look of pure joy on Max's face here.

They were moving so fast during the egg hunt that I didn't get to many pictures - especially of Max and Will.  They were just a big blur!

 After his warm up hunt yesterday, Jack knew just what to do.  In fact he wandered around for an extra five minutes looking for more eggs long after they were all gone.

 Max and Will didn't do too shabby either.

Does it get any sweeter than this?  I really don't think so.  Happy Easter everyone!

Eater Egg Hunt

We registered for a huge egg hunt at a local park for yesterday morning.  Nonna and Nonno were able to join us and the boys were pretty excited.

The boys patently waited for the first egg hunt to begin.  This one was for kids 0-2, so Jack was going to get his first chance to pick some eggs.  He was all excited on the sidelines and we actually had to hold him back from a couple false starts.

The big boys were super cute cheering Jack on for every egg he put into his basket.  I have to say this was a pretty great hunt.  There were kind families and no pushing for shoving all in the name of a generic Tootsie Rolls.

There was some drama with the big boys' hunt.  Somehow their hunt began - and was finished - while Jack's was going on even though it was scheduled for 20 minutes later.  Once we realized what had happened we let the big boys come into the little one and get some eggs.  There were so many eggs!!  They did pretty well even with the glitch.  Will's little evil grin cracks me up.  I think he was envisioning himself disappearing under the dinning room table to eat all the candy in one sitting.

Then there is Max lovingly holding his basket while envisioning how long his candy would last if he only ate one piece a week.

Then there was poor Jack.  Who was just all kinds of done by this point in the day.  Naptime, anyone?

Stirring Up Some Stone Soup

Towards the end of March we had a big family event - Max's first school musical!  Now music isn't necessarily Max's strong suit.  He can take it or leave it and he doesn't feel the most confident in this area.  We have really been working with Max to try things that might be a bit tough for him - soccer, swimming - and the more he does it the better he will get.  We want him to learn to persevere even when things are a bit tough.  The musical was a chance for him to shine at something that isn't necessarily his thing. . . and it was fabulous.

Grandma, Grandpa, Nonno, Mom and Dad were all in the audience for his grand debut.

We love Max's school.  His music teacher is wonderful.  I decided how great she was when she was more than willing to let Max attend music with other first grade classes rather than sitting on the sidelines of PE after he broke his arm.  She really let everyone shine.  There were several musical numbers and Max really got into them - especially the grumpy song where he got to stick out his tongue

In addition to the songs every first grader had a line to say.  Max's line was "And they were happy to have made a difference once again."  Seeing Max up there in front of a huge crowd saying his line loud and clear was just so sweet.  Afterward he was super proud of himself and he said he can't wait for the third grade musical.