Noah's Birthday Party

Noah decided on a pirate party this year & hand delivered all of his invitations dressed as a pirate. We all went in the car with him & couldn't stop laughing at how cute he was saying things like, "Aargh, here's in invitation to my party!" when people would open the door. And then one house he just walked right into without knocking while we all yelled, "Noah!!! No!!!!!" from the car. Thankfully our little pirate was shortly returned before Tyler made his way up to the door to retrieve him. 

Noah had been anticipating this party for a solid month & was set on having a bounce house with a waterslide just like Ruby. He was pretty excited when the big day finally came. This was his first "friend" birthday party. 

Noah couldn't get enough of this waterslide & was adamant that he wear his goggles the whole time. Sometimes I feel like a genie on my kids' birthdays trying to grant every birthday wish within reason. A really stressed & exhausted genie. 

Kid soup.

Happy Birthday, Noah!!!

Noah is FOUR!

Noah had a birthday & is now a 4-year-old. It's official - my kids are growing up. At four Noah is happy, loves to make people laugh, is always willing to share whatever he has, & still is cuddly & affectionate. It's not uncommon for him to walk up to me (or anyone in our family) & give a hug & a kiss & say something like, "I love you SO much!" He adores Ruby & can usually be found wherever she is. He has the best smile that he can hardly suppress even when he's mad, & to know him is to love him. Happy Birthday, Noah! We love you!!!

1. Appreciate the little things in life - there's beauty & goodness all around you. Don't forget to see it. 

2. Be a builder. Builders look for the good in others, compliment others, & share in others' successes. Builders are happy. 

3. Share & be generous with those around you. You're already so naturally good at this one. You're willing to give anything you have no matter how much you love it, & you do it so happily. It's such an amazing quality you've been blessed with. 

4. Always talk to your mom. I know you're only four, & I know this one is almost entirely for me, but I hope you'll always do it. I love knowing what you're thinking & feeling. I love hearing about what you did at school or at a friend's house. I love listening to anything you have to say & no matter how old you are, I know this will never change.

Ruby's Birthday Party

This was an "on" year for birthday parties & Ruby had an Ice Cream themed birthday party. She had her heart set on having another bounce house which was awesome, because then there was way less planning/entertaining involved. She was insistent on having only girls to her party this year "except for Noah", which I think they were both pretty happy about;) She was all about Barbie's this year & made out with a ton of them & had a blast. Birthday success!

How is she six already?!

This cake was so fun to make. I'm a total amateur but I love to make my kids' birthday cakes & they are always so excited about them despite their imperfections. 

Noah dancing - this boy is always trying to do anything he can think of for a laugh. 

Cousins!

Happy Birthday, Ruby!