Jake Turns Six-And-A-Half

We celebrated another half birthday over the weekend. Our oldest is 6½! Since Leighton's truck wasn't running and we were down to one vehicle when Jake's actual birthday came, we were not able to celebrate the day just the two of us. We  made up for it 6 months later.

Since he's not strange like his brother, we started the day with pancakes. Pancakes with syrup, cinnamon whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry, to be exact. 

Hours later, we dropped off the other kids at my parents' house and went grocery shopping. What a way to celebrate! Friday is always my day to shop. We spend the day at my parents' house every Friday, and they watch my kids so I can go grocery shopping by myself. It's my me-time for the week. Plus, it makes shopping much faster and less stressful. This week, I had only a couple things to buy so it didn't take long. We even stopped to look at the fish in the pet department. Then, I let Jake pick out his one half-birthday present. As we walked through the toy department, he casually said, "Oh, look - the LEGO aisle." Big surprise there. The real surprise came when he chose a small set within 2 minutes!

After Meijer, we headed to lunch at McDonald's. We almost never eat fast food, so Jake was pretty excited. This restaurant even had a play-place, but he decided not to "waste our time" there. He just wanted to get back home to spend the day together. 

Back at Leaf Manor (did you hear my Batman narrator voice???), we ripped into the box and assembled the new LEGO set. 

When I say we, I mean he. Jake loves to have people "help" him build and create, but really, he just takes over. I was content to hand him the necessary pieces as quickly as he needed them. For an hour, Catwoman zoomed around on her Catcycle, trying to get away with the precious diamond. Boxes and newspapers were flying everywhere. Batarangs were zipping through the air. It was not a pretty picture. In the end, Batman caught the thief and sent her to jail. All was well in Gotham City once again. 

That is until the Joker was on the loose . . . again. A Super Hero's work is never done. We helped restore order in Gotham City on the Wii until it was time to head back to my parents'.

We ate pizza for dinner before making the hour drive to watch my niece graduate high school. I forgot my camera (oh, the horror!), but I have this one picture of all of us.

It was late by the time we left, but we still had one more stop before heading home - doughnuts! It was National Doughnut Day, but since we already had so many other fun things to do, we bought them instead of making them. (Don't worry, we're making some today to celebrate!) I even took some pictures with the iPad of the doughnuts oozing with icing and sprinkles. Or at least I thought I took some pictures.  I never checked the settings and actually took videos of the doughnuts. Pretty exciting stuff.


Pancakes, McDonald's, pizza, and doughnuts - not the healthiest of days, but certainly a fun day filled with lots of Batman, lots of LEGOs, and lots of love.

Happy Half-Birthday, Jake! I'm glad I got to spend the day with just you!

Wordless Wednesday: 2/22/12

Pantry Surprise 4/9/11

I joked on Facebook a couple weeks ago that I should start a series on the blog called, "Things I Find in My Pantry." Oftentimes, the kids will have a toy in hand when they head to the pantry for a snack. Of course they can't set it down. One of their siblings would take the beloved toy for sure. So, the toy goes to the pantry with them. Once inside, they need 2 hands. The toy gets placed on a shelf, and a yummy treat takes its place in the child's hand. They close the door and walk away, forgetting all about the toy.

Sometime later, I come waltzing (yes, waltzing) by, minding my own business. I open the pantry door, looking for something for Zac, ingredients for dinner, or . . . something for Zac. Yep, usually something for Zac. What I find is a surprise.

This time, I receive a double surprise - a 16" Batman action figure and Sparky pilot wings from AWANA.  Mind you, we had lost for Batman for nearly 20 hours. (Still not quite sure how we didn't see him there.)

Really though, I should know better. If you can't find something . . . check the pantry!

Jake's 5th Birthday

I'd never really believed in "love at first sight." That is until 5 years ago. And then I fell. Hard. The moment my baby boy was placed in my arms I knew a love that is "instinctual, unconditional, and forever."

Jake has an uncanny ability to drive me crazy and make me laugh all in the same breath. He's witty, intelligent, stubborn, and goofy like his papa. He's creative, handsome, and handy like his daddy. Sometimes I wonder if he got anything from me. Then he'll say something like, "Mommy, I love your (insert variable here). It's so neat an organized!" And I'll think, "Yeah, that's my boy."

I asked him some of his favorites. Here are his answers:

color: red

food: chicken, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes

toy: Trios

place: "anywhere I get to spend the night" (Is he trying to tell me something?)

thing to do with mommy: make stuff (crafts & baking)

thing to do with daddy: watch Myth Busters

song: Patch the Pirate

candy: all of it

restaurant: Red Robin

show/movie: Batman

drink: Pepsi, when asked "What kind?" he says "Root Beer" (Pepsi is the northern Coke)

occupation: everything (but his top 2 are chef and firefighter)

We celebrated Jake's 5th birthday last Saturday. Let me tell you, I don't want to have a party Thanksgiving  weekend again. I blame my sister-in-law since she picked the date. But she brings the cakes, so we forgive her!

The Birthday Boy

Taco Time

Zachy stole cupcake #1.

Completely edible Batman cake (minus the cape.)

"Happy Birthday to you!"

"The Joke's on you, Batman!"

Reading his own birthday card.

Cupcake #2

Trying to steal cupcake #3.

He was very excited to receive his own "video game" from Daddy & Mommy.

He greatly enjoyed turning 5, but wouldn't you know, he already asked, "When am I going to be 5-and-a-half?"