Happy 5th, Bud!

Everyone always says it: "I can't believe my baby is ____. They've grown up so fast." Well they always say it because it's true. They do grow up so fast. Too fast. Any my little man is no exception. In less than an hour (I'm blogging late), it will officially be Easton's birthday. September 19th.

Ryan took the picture above tonight at LJ's Pizza. We took Easton there for the lunch buffet last month when the girls were in school and the kid scarfed down so much pizza and salad I couldn't believe it. He must have loved it (and the soft serve cone they bring you after the meal and the special attention he got being one on two with mom and dad for a lunch date) because that's where he requested we go for his birthday dinner. He's been talking it up all week. And he seriously cracks me up. Easton knows that Rowan doesn't like pizza, so today when I got home and we were getting ready to head out, he told me that I needed to get a babysitter for Rowan because she couldn't go. When I asked him why not, he just matter of factly told me that if she wasn't going to eat pizza, she couldn't go to his birthday dinner. So funny. Thankfully, Rowan compensates for the love loss on pizza with her true love: salad. So she filled up on salad and garlic bread (and the soft serve cone) and topped it off with some toast at home before bed - her night time crutch to get her through 'til breakfast.

None of the other kids had been to LJ's before and it was pretty much a huge hit with all of them. Afton's plotting to make it our regular Saturday night family dinner date. We'll see.

Anyhow, Easton's been asking me how many more days until his birthday since around Easter time, so for him, tomorrow can't come soon enough. But since I just got back from my girls trip to Cali around 4:00 today and knew I wouldn't be able to swing a party tonight, and since tomorrow is Sunday, our birthday celebrating will be a family dinner with his cousins (Easton's request), chocolate cake and presents. He's five, so I'm sure that tomorrow's celebration will be all that he hopes for. They are so easy to please at five. As long as his cousins are there, he has treats to eat and a couple of good somethings to unwrap, we should be golden.

Aren't these guys awesome? I had a blast on my trip, but I missed my peeps so much. They didn't disappoint on arrival, either. The non-stop talking, rough housing, and just typical Saturday kid-ness was in high gear all afternoon and night. When we were driving home tonight after dinner and a quick trip to Home Depot, the volume was extra extra loud in our crowded car with four over-tired but still hyper kids (we had a new BBQ crammed in the back). All four were double buckled in the middle seat of the suburban, Rowan was "touching" Afton and Easton was making everyone crazy giddy with his funny one-liners. It was just so dang loud. Ryan just turned to look at me and I met his glance. He smiled, gave me that knowing look, and said, "Welcome Home." I hadn't missed a beat. And at that moment, really, truly...I couldn't think of anywhere else I would have rather been. These guys are my world.

Happy Birthday, Buddy Boy. You are our caboose, my baby, my big 5-year old wonder. You melt my heart and keep us laughing. Your smile is contagious and your eyes light up my world. I hope your day is great tomorrow, Bud, and that this next year is your best ever!

I love you too much!

They're Off to Father & Son's

My two men are off - on their way up north for the Harris Park Ward annual Father & Son's overnight. Easton honestly couldn't be any more excited. This is his second year going and he has been counting down the days. Even still, I'm not sure who is more excited - Ryan or Easton. It makes me happy to the core seeing the love of my life so thrilled to spend his weekend with our little man. They were both all smiles as they pulled out of the driveway embarking on their 2-hour road trip. It's gonna be a cold night!

Since they had the whole suburban to themselves, they threw in anything and everything they wanted, nothing sparing. There was no order to the packing - just throw it in. Man style. We'll figure it when we get there. Of course, I packed too much food for them and too many clothes for Easton, but would you expect anything less from me? I always slightly overpack - not too bad - but I love the comfort of knowing that there's still one extra clean outfit and a dry pair of shoes - just in case. And man, how many times has that last spare set come in handy! With kids, you just never know.

I hope they have a ball. Ryan let Easton plan 100% of the food and snack menu for the trip, so they are eating no holds barred for the next 24 hours. They'll live, right? Ryan gave me the shopping list with a smile, and I did not stray.

Dinner: hot dogs, cucumbers and dill dip, orange Doritos, and Sprite for the little man and Root Beer for the big guy. Nice. (Ryan actually brought a freeze dried dinner for himself so he could use his camp stove and be the real deal. Actually, I honestly thinks he likes those meals. That's what you get for being a scoutmaster I guess).

Dessert: s'mores and double stuff oreos. Oh, and peanut M&M's.

Breakfast: the bishopric is cooking it, but they brought some key lime yogurt (Easy E. favorite) and honey nut cheerios (again, Easton's request) just in case.

Snacks: you don't really want to know. Suffice it to say that no one is going hungry.

Can't wait to see the pics and hear the report. I'm sure it will be awesome, just like last year. Speaking of last year, here are 3 of my favorite pics from last year's Father & Son's campout (May 2009) at the same place:

(check out the dirt of this kid's face)

Feliz Navidad

The infamous Christmas preschool program.

30+ toddlers, 12 songs, 6 costume changes, props, decorations, handmade treasures, gingerbread houses, a visit from Santa, a potluck luncheon, beaming parents, and too many video cameras to count.

Priceless.

Think this kid is happy to see the man or what?

This was waiting for us on the table when we arrived. A custom gingerbread house constructed with the perfect hands of my incredible 4-year old boy, a super cute framed picture, a spray painted gold angel, plus a gift bag of homemade crafty delights. Gail McClure, Easton's preschool teacher, is really nothing short of amazing. She goes all out and then some for her preschool and we love it! Most importantly, Easton loves it and is making some good friends and learning so much.

Ryan and I were among those beaming parents, so touched by the adorable kids on stage singing away and smiling ear to ear. Easton was pretty much a crack up. He stayed up a little too late the night before, so he kept yawning during the program. At one point, his hands seemed to be glued inside his pockets and he just sort of moved his body around and scrapped all the hand motions. Later, he turned around, put his hands on the stage so his booty was facing the crowd, bent over, and started jumping up and down. Sort of "shaking it" for all the crowd to see. So funny.

I asked him what his favorite song was, and he said, "The big candy cane one." That was Deck the Halls. The kids all got to hold these giant canes as props, pound them on the ground, and dance around them. He loved it. Feliz Navidad was also super cute. They all wore sombreros and held shakers. Merry Christmas, Easton! You were terrific!

Easton and Dad after the program 12-17-09