Mark joins me at 40!

Mark looovveesss to tell everyone that he's younger than me.  So when he joined me for the big 4-0, I was relieved.  Those 5 months of him living in another decade were brutal!  Ha.

I agonized over months about how to celebrate.  It seems that all of our friends are turning 40 at the same time so we've been to quite a few of these big 40th birthday bashes.  They are usually all very similar -- party bus, dinner, bar, etc.  After having a heart to heart with him about he what he wanted (which I knew would be something low key and no fuss) we decided to have a party at home with our dearest friends.  And when I say party, I mean throw-back-to-grad-school kind of party with good food and drinking games.  We were able to surprise him when Nanny, Papa, and Eric showed up the night before the party which he had no idea about!  Then Jimmy in Dallas popped in a couple of hours before the party started.  I hired a chef that came highly recommended in my neighborhood and he prepared yummy appetizers, a fajita bar and bananas foster for dessert!  Once dinner was done, we started the games and I don't think I've laughed that hard in one night in my entire life.  SO. MUCH. FUN.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves but for the record, I want this to be my birthday celebration ever year going forward!

The big winner of the night was our friend Mike who went home with an excellent bottle of wine and the big loser of the night was our friend Eric who went home with a toilet bowl trophy!

Jacob turns TEN!

Jacob is 10.  TEN.  He's a decade old.  10 years ago we were living in Chicago, in the dead of winter, patiently waiting for his arrival.  I was secretly terrified (what did I know about babies?!) and then each day after my due date just crawled by at a snails pace.  I was so done with being pregnant -- I just wanted to meet him!  TEN days after my due date, we had to evict him.  Induction turned into a long, exhausting labor that ended with a scary, traumatic entrance into this world.  Some would say that's why he had colic those first few months but what I see now, that I saw from day one, was a sensitivity almost unmatched by any other child.  His teachers rave about him, he puts so much effort into everything he does, and anyone that knows him well describes him as a "pleaser".  We recently received an email from our Principal stating that Jacob has been recommended for a particular Summer camp, for exceptional students who score in the 90% or above on the standardized tests they perform.  I had never heard of this camp so when I casually mentioned it to him, his eyes got very wide and his voice got quiet and he said "Mommy, did I get in?" as if it was the most precious achievement in the world.  I said "yes, buddy" with tears in my eyes and then "Do you want to go?" to which he responded "YES, of course!  I have to go!" 

To say that we are proud is an understatement.  On a typical day, we are nagging him about getting off the ipad or being not so nice to his sister, but when I take a step back and look at the young man he is turning into, I am overwhelmed with pride.  With gratitude.  With love.  He's OURS.  We MADE HIM.  And he made me a Mommy. 

He wanted to celebrate his birthday with his BFF Nash, so they had a big boys sleepover at Nash's house.  Just another example of how our boy is growing up!

Happy 10 Jacob.  We love you so much and couldn't be more excited to watch you grow into the exceptional human being that you are, and are becoming. 

I delivered donuts to school at lunch time!

Christmas 2016!

Christmas was special, as always, but even more so now that we have a family of 5!  Dex didn't really have ANY idea of what was going on, but Jacob and Maddie were clearly excited.  It makes me sad at how big they are but their excitement for Christmas morning has not waned (yet).  We will treasure this for as long as we can!  Grandpa also spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with which made it even more special.  :)

Of course we had to start with making and decorating cookies for Santa.  We opened a couple of presents on Christmas Eve and then waited patiently for Santa to come.  Santa went a little over board this year (he does this EVERY year) but the look on the kids faces in the morning is always priceless.  We saved their Chrome Books for last which was the grand surprise!  They loved it!  Merry Christmas!

Later on Christmas Day, we headed to the airport and headed for Kansas to see Nanny, Papa and everyone in Topeka.  Two flights, 10 hours and 3 very tired kids later we arrived!  The days were filled with lots of fun with family (especially cousins!)  Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived on the day after Christmas and Dex was not at all sure about those people.  In fact, posing for a picture with them was hilarious!  We also took family photos outside with a professional photographer (which I hope to post once we get them).  Two days in, Dex came down with the stomach bag and Maddie caught it shortly thereafter.  Ahhh, traveling with kids and exposing them to the ever present germs on airplanes, shuttles, etc. is always a challenge!  But, we had a great time and the short few days we were there went by super fast.  Next time we drive and we can stay as long as we like!  Here are some pics from Kansas.

Yep, that's vomit.  I know, I know.  Gross.  But I want Dex to know what he/we went through on his first Christmas!  ha.