Ahoy Matey!

This year, I was really excited to throw a big Pirate bash for Logan's 4th birthday. Perhaps it was that we didn't have a party for him last year (spent the day at Sea World), or maybe it was that the Pirate theme just seemed too fun to not fully entrench myself.... or could it have been that my baby really doesn't feel like a baby anymore at 4.... but we really did it up this year, and it couldn't have been a more perfect day.

Each year, I am reminded at what a fun day June 21st is to have a birthday.  Being the summer solstice and the longest day of the year, it is truly the kick off to summer. And what better way to celebrate this special season than to enjoy the sun and pool with my Logan?!?!

We really soaked up our beautiful boy this year. His grin said it all, and his sheer delight in having the kids "walk the plank" was precious. We are blessed to have been surrounded by good friends and family as we loved on our LoLo's this past Saturday!!

SIX!

I am baffled at how I have a 6 year old. It just goes faster and faster each year I swear. And as much as I miss the 'baby' in him, there is something really fun about how Colin interacts with the world at six.

This year, he was very firm in his request to have a party at "Pump it Up" - a local bouncy/slide house party destination. We took it a step further by choosing the glow in the dark parkage, and all 16 children had a total blast. It was bizarre for me to hand over my party planning duties, but I enjoyed the luxory of visiting with the other adults and enjoying the smiles on his friends' faces without distractions of preparation. It was the first year he invited kids from his class, and watching him have so much fun was pure bliss. We followed the party up with a family gathering back at our house and all in all it was a great day!

New Year Beginnings

It's interesting how I have spoken with many who seem content in leaving 2012 behind, and are looking forward to the new year ahead with eagerness. 2012 was a tough year as it was filled with loss and sadness. And yet, I was reminded today about how such losses can in a strange way, give a renewed and heightened sense of hope and strength for the future.  And so our family has chosen a new path for this year - one that commits to health, to positivity, to doing better, to being better. I'm excited for these changes, and I'm happy to refocus with love!

Speaking of love, the holidays always bring a lot of that! This year was sure a lot of fun and I think I must have said "I love these ages" 100 times as we watched our beautiful boys 3 and 5, enjoy the magic of the holidays. As always it was a busy month making sure that we filled the days with special moments... But I'm happy to say we managed to not move past feelings of frenzy into chaotic, thank goodness! Here are a few of the many heart warming moments of the season...

Snuggling and stories!

Christmas Magic!

Santa showed up at our friends'  Christmas party... such fun!

Christmas Dinner!

Such excitement!

The year of BATMAN!!

Christmas Day! 

More Batman!!

Annual Baking Day with the world's best cook :)

Cousin Gingerbread House building!

Kindergarten Polar Express Day! 

So excited to go see Santa!

My beautiful boys with Santa!