Isaac's Park Party

Isaac's Park Party!

Similar to Georgie's party, we invited a few friends to meet us at the park on Friday for cake and Ice Cream to celebrate Isaac.

For his cake he wanted the black platform from Star Wars with red lights running along the sides and then wanted to decorate the top with his Star Wars figurines.  (Great idea Isaac because that was sooo simple (except turning lemon frosting black...we couldn't get any darker than a blue-ish gray!!  Shoulda done chocolate;)

The kids mostly played around on the jungle gyms and swings but there were a few lightsaber battles and the above game of Anakin, Anakin, Darth (Duck, Duck, Goose).

He opened the last of his presents, his favorite one being the F-16 model plane that he asked for at the air show a month or so ago.  It turned out to be a really fun little gathering.  Isaac and I REALLY appreciate all of you that came on such short notice!  Happy Birthday, again Isaac!  We love you!

Happy 6th Birthday, Isaac!

Happy 6th Birthday, Isaac!!

Make a WISH!

For Isaac's birthday this year we were in Houston visiting Papa and Gaga.  We celebrated his big day the Saturday before by having Aunt Kathy, Aunt Reta, Grandma Nina, Uncle Rick and Horace and Jamie over for dinner.  Isaac requested cheesecake for his dessert and shrimp for his birthday dinner...how old is he?  40?  It was so cute watching him during every part of this years birthday because it was evident all over his face and body how much he enjoyed the special attention.   Note to self:  give Isaac special attention more often...he thrives on it.  

So darn handsome;)

Papa kept up his ongoing tradition for Isaacs birthday by renting a costume again....Batman.  I'm not sure what happened to all of my pictures but this seems to be the only good one I walked away with.  It was pretty cool and Batman even brought him a bat mobile toy!  

Georgie was scared to death.  We found her buried in between the couch cushions after Batman left. But she's no dummy...she knew what was up!  She asked me to dress up as Glenda, the good witch, for her birthday next year...I think I'll forward that request onto my Mom...haha;)

Grandma Nina surprised them with a visit from Pretty Bird.  Thanks Grandma!  You know my animal loving kids well!

Grandma Nina and Aunt Reta also treated them to a ton of bubble toys.  The kids spent hours almost every day that we were there playing on the front porch with the bubbles...AWESOME!

For Isaacs actual birthday he woke up to find notes from Gaga reading Happy Birthday Isaac all over the kitchen.  We treated him to Breakfast in Bed which I failed to take pictures of but he absolutely LOVED!  I let him play on Nickelodeon.com while he waited for it to cook.  Then we headed over to visit Aunt Kathy at her shop and then Aunt Reta at her work.  She fed us lunch.  We stopped for Ice Cream on the way home.  He spent the evening playing with Papa.  There was more to his birthday at the park in Altus a few days later but I'll post about that later.

Isaac, would it be trite of me to say that I can't believe you are 6 already?  Because I would mean it.  I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday.  I was 23...just a baby,  and now I'm 2 weeks away from being 30.  I remember life with you as an 18 month old as being pure bliss.  I truly believed that I had the cutest, most perfect child ever born to a woman.  And then you turned about 2 1/2...those were a rough couple of years;)  3 1/2 years later, I'm finally recovering.  What I see now is a smart little boy that has benefitted leaps and bounds from getting out of the house and making a life for yourself in Kindergarten.  I see an obedient, hard little worker with a VERY tender little heart.  Your feelings are fragile but I have even seen you grow out of this a bit in the past year as you have learned to laugh at yourself and find humor in your own quirkiness.  You are really good at sharing and are almost always the first one to give up your toy to make someone else happy.  You take care of and LOVE your sister and I think you will be an EXCELLENT big brother to the new baby. You are reading extremely well but are still a bit reticent to push yourself.  On the soccer field you are a hustler and you have a strong desire to play well and be a star!  You started Basketball this year and you were a GREAT sport about being a beginner.  You enjoyed it more than we expected but still don't usually choose to play sports when given any free time.  In your free time you love to be silly, make people laugh and pretend play and are soooo good at making battle and weapon sound effects!!  You love friends and family...people in general and people like you.  I've heard through the grapevine from a few parents that all the girls at school have crushes on you....hilarious:)  But I don't blame them!  

Isaac, I love you and am so proud of you.  I'm even getting all teary over here as I type this.  You hold a special little place in my heart as the child that I want to protect and fight for as well as to push harder and motivate to fill your potential.  I know that some of this is and will be overbearing for you in your life so I'll try and temper it by holding my tongue whenever I can resist!  Happy Birthday buddy!  It's so fun watching you grow.  

xoxo

Mom

The Life of Isaac...

Field Day:

My best Buddies from Kindergarten

Relay race...lost that baton!!

Isaac with his favorite kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Madl

First Lost TOOTH!!

Pulled by Papa!  

Cupcakes at the Park...for Georgie!

Instead of Birthday parties this year we did something a little more simple.  The kids picked out a cake or cupcakes to share with a few friends at the park.  Georgies park day was a rainy one so only our most devoted friends came;)  Thanks Bahr's, Alley's, Lilly's and Devin!  Sunny weather kicked in right about the time our party began...lucky Georgie!

I was a little bit excited when Georgie picked out the Garden Party cupcakes from THIS book.  They were adorably fun to make!

Isn't this the sweetest!!  

While all of his friends played at the park Isaac remained aware that his time with Gaga, Papa and Uncle Bryant was fleeting.  He stayed close by them the entire time.  I know I have a VERY sweet boy on my hands but I am reminded just how tender he really is when my parents come into town and actually Uncle Bryant too.  These three folks bring out the tenderest most thoughtful parts of him!  Nothin' better than a cupcake with Papa!

This takes a close second on the sweetness meter!  

Ashton and Kade...the two little people that came to celebrate G.

Georgie as Queen for a day and Snow White...her two gifts from us at the party!

Happy Birthday Beba G!!  We LOVE YOU!!

My First Dance Recital

On May 15th I danced in my first recital!  I was so excited to wear my costume, so poofy, pink and pretty.  It has roses on it!  And Gaga and Papa came to see me!  Even my uncle Bryant came and took my pictures!  I love my teacher, Mrs. Gabrielle.  Here's what I did on May 15th:

Hi Mom!!  I'm standing on my X!!

...staring at my X!!

spinny, spin, spin!

 

I obeyed my teacher really well and smiled (my nervous smile) the whole time!

"A kiss to build a dream on!"

Every Prima Donna gets Roses.  Aren't they beautiful?  

But I was kind of a sour puss for the encore/bow!  Good thing I danced so pretty!!  I can't wait for next year!

Here and Now

Do you want to see what's going on at our house tonight?

This:

& this:

& this:

oh, & this too:

We're trying not to remember that "this" is going away from us.  That we'll be losing "this" in just a few short days.  And we keep asking ourselves what we are supposed to do when such a huge, loved part of our life has to move away?  And we just don't know... so, we're getting loves from our favorite Bahr friends tonight, trying to soak up as much of them as we can before they leave us for San Antonio.  This is our here and now, and we're enjoying it!

xoxo....

Georgie turns 4

 Georgie turns 4

According to Georgie, turning 4 is a rite of passage marking total independence.  I was met with gentle reminders of this fact the entire 12th of May.  "I can brush my hair by myself...Mom, you stay out here, I can do this by myself now...Is this shirt for 4 year olds?...Are 4 year olds in my Dance Class?...Mom, I can't go to that class anymore, it's not for 4 year olds...4 year olds can cut their own pancakes.."etc.  These were real discussions yesterday, no lie.  Even her smile seemed more in control, and self assured.  Yesterday evening, as she struggled with the button on her pajamas for the first time, finally accomplishing her goal, I hugged her tightly and gave her my "proud" smile.  "Wow,"  I said, "you must be 4!"  "Well, I think I'm almost 4 and a 1/2!" she replied, sheepishly.  Four and 1/2 has been the subject of today's discussion.  Four was working out so well for her that she felt deserving of a promotion!

Her day yesterday was spent in as much celebration as I had energy for.  We started with a breakfast of blueberry pancakes, sausage and grapefruit in bed.  Isaac got up early to help prepare it and sing to her.  He got really into this tradition this year.  

Georgie opened a couple of presents, including a new dress to wear for her birthday, took Isaac to school and then we took some pretty pictures of her out in the yard. 

For lunch she and I went out to a cute little girly restaurant called Grapevine Cafe.  After this sophisticated lunch, with her climbing under the table and lifting up my skirts the entire time, we headed off to her dance recital practice.

Her friends sang her Happy Birthday while she giggled.  

We watched movies all day in the car (a real treat), went to a friend's house for cake, and she buried her face with her hands while we sang this time.  We then came home for her dinner of choice.  She wanted Swedish Meatballs, Noodles, Broccoli and fruit.  She didn't have to help set the table or clean up her room.   Isaac and I filled in the gaps and she felt quite pampered!  She opened a few more gifts, the rest of which will be opened tomorrow at her play date with cupcakes at the park.  We're not doing birthday parties this year.  

As your mother, Georgie, you might guess that I am in awe that 4 years have passed, that your childhood seems so fleeting, that today I am remembering your toddler years vividly...yadah, yadah, yadah.   I won't deny it.  But it wasn't a sad day for me.  You were having way too much fun for me not to completely enjoy what you are right now!!  At dinner last night I listed my favorite thing about you as being your fun, quirky personality.  You're always surprising us with your confidence, independence and your take-charge personality.  You love playing and being anything that makes you feel big.  The most ridiculous things come out of your mouth and in your actions to manifest your "big-ness", which only sometimes includes being bossy.  So far you've found that balance and we wouldn't list bossy as one of your defining features.  Your Dad's favorite thing about you is your resilience.  You seem to be somewhat level headed and unemotional.  Your feelings are rarely hurt and if they are, it's only moments before you are on about your business.  And Isaac loves that you play with him.  You two are truly the best of friends.  Happy Birthday, baby G.  We love you!