Getting caught up on blogging. Here are some pictures from Easter weekend, which turned out to be a beautiful one!
The egg hunt on Saturday
Family photo
Our friends, Jacqui & Phil, and their kids, Hayden & Brooklyn
Easter morning
Avery flying his kite
What?! As in years? Where has the time gone? I feel like he was just born last month (oh wait, that was Silas). But really, it’s hard to believe that much time has passed already! At five, Avery is: a chatterbox, inquisitive, creative, imaginative, loves Legos, a little bossy, a devoted big brother, and as always, our darling little boy. He had his well child visit last week. He weighed in at 43 lbs (66%) and measured 44.75″ (84%).
We kept the party pretty small this year. A few close friends came and celebrated with us. Avery chose an Angry Birds theme, which ended up being a lot of fun to put together. I don’t consider myself a very crafty person, but have to admit, the decorations made fun projects to do with Avery.
On his birthday we had the fabulous idea to get out the video camera and interview Avery. We’re hoping to make a birthday tradition of it. Here’s the Q&A:
Favorite thing to do outside? Play in the sandbox
What’s it like to be five? When people ask how old you are, you don’t have to bend your fingers to show them (just hold up your hand).
Where do you like to go? Hawaii, the pirate ship, and farms, the fair, the theater…
What do you want to be when you grow up? I will work in Daddy’s office playing games on the computer. I will get my own office though.
What will you do for fun when you’re older? Get big kid Legos.
What do you like? Camping. I will be a boyscout.
Favorite animal? Gazelle… and giraffe, zebra, hippo, elephant, aligator, dragon, coyote, dog, cat, kitten, ostriche…
Favorite thing at school? Crafts, but not writing crafts.
What are you most excited about being five? I want to get all kinds of Legos. I will build a whole city!
Favorite TV show? Scooby Doo
Favorite movie? Imaginext video
Favorite game? Cartoon tag, when a person tags you, you have to sit down criss cross apple sauce and think of a tv show like Obama, Scooby Doo, Jake & the Neverland Pirates, Sleeping Beauty… What’s the Obama show? You know, where he does a big speech… (The State of the Union!)
We were going to call it quites, but then Avery came up with some more questions:
Favorite story? Thomas the Train books
Favorite thing about being a big brother? Holding Silas
Favorite fruit? Banana and pear… and lemon, orange, strawberry, blueberry, not raspberries
Favorite season? Summer
Favorite exercise? Riding bikes
Our handsome birthday boy!
Opening his present from Mommy & Daddy
I’m this many!
The party theme: Angry Birds!
Auntie Ashleigh with Silas
Playing pin the beak on the angry bird
Kieron loved the game
Hmmmm, what to wish for…
Benjamin
Hayden
Brianna and Avery
Kieron took all the paper to the garbage
Homemade decorations – Avery loved this craft activity
Thank you for this idea, Pintrest!
Nana and Silas
Last night as a four-year-old
A week later we celebrated Daddy’s birthday
The boys helped him blow out the candles on his traditional ice cream cake
Enjoying a beer at the local brewery
My Grandpa passed away last month. He was 89, and the last grandparent I had left. I’m fortunate to have been close to him throughout my life and have many happy memories. He and my grandma used to watch me after school when I was a kid. I spent many sunny days swinging on the rope swing he hung from the big tree in their backyard. The best tomatoes and green beans came from their vegetable garden. And we played endless rounds of pinochle together. I will miss our weekly phone conversations about sports, the weather, and the latest happenings. He was a really great guy and I’m so glad to have had his influence in my life. Here are a few pictures from my albums:
At Scott & Manivanh’s wedding, 1999
During a summer visit in 2001
In his garden
Grandma & Grandpa in their backyard
Christmas 1980
Christmas 1990
Grandpa & Grandma
After Grammy and Papa left, we were officially outnumbered by our little boys. It has now been fourteen days. Let me just start by saying that both Jonathan and I come from two-children households, each with an older brother and a younger sister. There are five years between Jonathan and Auntie Ashleigh, ten between Uncle Scott and me. Sibling rivalry was minimal, we had different interests, and things were just… quieter. So the whole three boys under five thing is totally unchartered territory. It’s busy, it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s fun, it’s exhausting!
So far Silas is a sweet, sleepy little baby. Then around 8pm he wakes up for the evening and gets fussy. At that point all he wants is to be held, rocked, and patted. He has a tough time settling back down, but eventually we all get a couple stretches of sleep. The novelty hasn’t worn off yet for the boys, thankfully. They both like to hold Silas and help “take care” of him. They can actually be quite helpful when they want to be. So far we’re navigating life as parents as three just fine, but it sure is busy!
The results of our first photo shoot of the three princes:
Rub-a-dub-dub, three men in a tub!
Getting kisses from Mommy
Tiny hands
Dr. Avery performs a well baby visit
Seventeen days old
We finally broke out Jonathan’s old Lego monorail for Avery – he was thrilled!
Kieron at the park, he’s getting so big!
After two days in the hospital, we headed home with Silas. Grammy and Papa had flown out a few days before the big day and were at the house with the boys. Coming home from the hospital with a new baby always feels like emerging from a time warp. Outside of the hospital things are still the same, but over the span of two days, our life completely changes.
It was great to get home and settle in with our new family. And it was wonderful having Grammy and Papa there to help us make the transition smoother. Here are some pics from the first couple weeks at home:
Daddy & Silas just before we left the hospital
Four days old
Tiny baby feet
A photo of Silas in front of a photo of Kieron in front of a photo of Avery
Avery is absolutely in love with his littlest bro
Kieron comes in for a hug
Avery posing with his Lego creation
Six days old
After a few days, Kieron finally decided he wanted to hold the baby – he looks so proud!
Giving Silas a hug
Eight days old
Kieron loves to help out with dinner
Grammy and Uncle Scott
Avery wearing the Batman mask he created himself
We had an early birthday celebration for Avery with Grammy, Papa & Uncle Scott while they were in town
We remembered to get a family photo!
