April Happenings...Part 1

Well...I know it is already May, but I am still going to blog about our crazy month of April. We managed quite a few exciting milestones in our family this month. I will work this blog starting with the happenings from the end of the month and work my way backwards. We celebrated Nathan's 4th birthday with a small family party at home (with a walking fieldtrip of fun to the park). Nathan really enjoyed playing on the slides, being pushed on the swings by Grandpa, racing in Derek's red car...courtesy of Uncle Jon's speed, and doing somersaults down a little grassy hill with all the other kids (and this was only the excitement at the park).

Here he is blowing out the 4 candles on his Lego cake. The Lego character cake was a surprise for Nathan. David, my father-in-law (Bill) and I all helped decorate the b-day cake. We had Lego Indiana Jones racing across the cake in a raft and the "good" Lego Star Wars guys battling with the "bad" Lego Stars Wars guys. Nathan really seemed to like the surprise and that was all I wanted.

How can Nathan already be 4 years old? Here he is loving his birthday breakfast in bed. He wanted pancakes and a piece of his leftover strawberry cake for his breakfast. Let's just say, he didn't eat much of the pancakes. I just can't believe how fast time has gone. He seems like such a big boy to me now. He has such a funny and silly personality. He loves to make others laugh. I love that about him. He makes the funniest faces and sound effects. He constantly changes his clothes throughout the day (and that drives me nuts) and he prefers to wear shorts and colored socks. He cracks me up!
I love you my little Nathan William.
Happy 4th Birthday you crazy kid!


We had a few warm days in April. One Monday evening we spent time outside having squirt gun fights and washing David's car. Derek discovered the hose. He had such a good time playing with it. He later managed to find the soapy bucket we were using to wash the car. He dove right in while no one was looking, and his mommy had to rescue him from drowning during the car wash. He had solid bubbles from the top of his head all way to his belly button. You couldn't even see his little face.
Babies + buckets = trouble.

Here is a picture of Matty and Nathan riding bikes together in our court. Nathan is loving his new bike and helmet. He is really coming along with his bike. And notice, Matty is riding without training wheels! He had set a goal (homework assignment from a few weeks ago) to learn to ride without training wheels...and he accomplished it. He has never really been all that into riding his bike. We had practiced a couple of times before with taking the training wheels off, but he just wasn't ready. Well on this particular night, we took them off, I held on to the back of his bike for about 20 seconds and let go...he rode off without any problems (he even turned and came right back towards me). He was so proud of himself and he now just loves riding his bike. He actually rides better without the training wheels. It's one of his favorite things to do now. Great job Matty Boy!

Derek loves riding on the back of my bike. David rode around with Derek during Matty's exciting night of bike riding. I just think he looks so cute with his little bike helmet (he doesn't mind wearing it anymore...thank goodness).

Well like I said, this is just some of the April fun for our family. I still need to catch up on Easter, our Spring Break trip to R.P. and Bodega Bay, and of course Baseball Season 2009 has begun! Have I mentioned that Derek is now walking???

Wet & Wild!

It was raining & pouring at our house Monday after school. It was raining so hard...we just had to go outside and enjoy it. Looking back, I have no idea why I had my kids get jackets and boots on. It would have made much more sense to put on swimsuits and flip flops! They got soaked and absolutely loved every minute of it! Derek and I watched from the dry garage. As I took pictures of the little wet maniacs, I felt grateful for this silly moment they were having together. I am grateful I get to be home with my kids and experience moments like this (even though there are days I don't feel so grateful for the opportunity).

Matty and Nathan just getting started out in the rainstorm.


Nathan loved splashing in the puddles with his new fireman rain boots and matching umbrella!

SPLISH, SPLASH!
Yes, Matty is using the princess umbrella (his BOY umbrella broke weeks ago)

They were trying to see who could make the biggest splash!

All wet and totally worth it!

(of course when we were finished, one of the kids...guess who...didn't take his clothes off in the garage and decided it was a good idea to walk through the house... leaving a small river in my hallway and living room!)

Big Morning for Nathan!

Nathan was very proud of himself!

This is a picture of the actual note Nathan made for Matty.

Working hard on the envelope.

On Monday morning, Nathan asked if he could make Matty a card. Matty and Livie were at school and Derek was taking his morning nap. It was a perfect time for Nate and I to make something together...only he did NOT want my help. First, he wanted to use some fun stamps on the paper. Then he asked for a pen to write Matty's name. I got Nate the pen and the next thing I realize, he has written Matty's name on the top of the paper. He needed a little help with the "y". I was impressed he remembered how to spell Matty's name and with how well he wrote it. He said he needed to write "Nathan" at the bottom of the note. I just sat and watched with my mouth wide open as he proceeded to write the letters in his name. He couldn't remember what an "h" looked like, so I wrote one on a separate paper and he copied it onto his note. He then finished the other letters in his name. It was a very exciting moment in our morning. I cherish experiences like this with my kids. I absolutely enjoy observing them learn and accomplish something new...but I do have to admit, it is a little sad for me too. They are growing up so fast.

Nathan put his special note in an envelope and wrote Matty's name on the front of it. He brought it with him when we left to go pick Matty up from school. He instantly gave the note to Matty and this became a big moment for Matty. He took the note and said, "Thank you Nathan. DID YOU WRITE MY NAME?" Nathan replied, "Yep. All by myself." Matty opened the note and said, "Nathan I am so proud of you. I am going to keep this forever...even when I am all growned up." How great was that? Matty could have blown him off (like he sometimes does)but he really celebrated Nathan's accomplishment and that meant the world to Nathan (and especially to me). Nathan and his mommy bragged about the note all day. I am proud of you Nathan!