All dressed up!

In her Sunday best, and looking mighty pretty!

 Big brother, Cade, didn't want the camera to leave him out :)

Sweet sister & brother

Cade's preschool "circus"

Cade dressed up like a tiger for his Preschool Circus day today. He was so proud of his mask, but I think he took it off right after he got there & never put it back on. The "claws" I don't think even made an appearance at school. Huh! Go figure... 

He looked ferocious at home anyway :)

 ...and his little mini-me (i.e. Callie) was growling right along with him!

Opening gifts

Since the birthday party was for four kids, and it was getting dark outside :), we decided to wait to let Callie open her gifts. And, since MawMaw & PawPaw weren't able to get out to come to the party, we took Callie's gift to Millington on Sunday for her to open with her great-grandparents. 

She loved opening her presents! She pulled out each individual piece of tissue paper, looked at each card, handed each little piece of wrapping paper off to be thrown away, checked out all of her new clothes, and loved on her new baby & kitty.

Thanks, everyone!

Birthday party x 4 (part 3)

BIRTHDAY CAKE!

Mrs. Cynthia did a fabulous job on a "Toy Story" cake & cupcakes for "the birthday 4" and their guests! And it was all delicious, too!

I love how all the big kids are excited for the little ones as they're singing "Happy Birthday". And Eli, Wesley, & Jesse (each turning 3) all knew what came next...

Callie, on the other hand, wasn't quite sure what was going on :)

Cheers for the older three blowing out their candles!!!

And everyone eagerly awaits Callie's attempt at blowing at candles... Look at the three behind her, two older brothers & one older cousin... They're all ready to help her :)

Oh, but Callie does know what to do now... eat yummy cake!

Happy, happy birthday to Eli (Aug. 19), Callie (Sept. 9), Jesse (Sept. 18), and Wesley (Sept. 23)!!

We had a wonderful time celebrating together for your birthdays!

Many, MANY more happy birthdays ahead for all of you :)

Birthday party x 4 (part 2)

Swimming

After we ate, the pool was open for us from 6:30-8:30. The kids had an absolute blast! 

Birthday Party x 4

Due to the impending birth of Baby Via #4 AND the close proximity of all their birthdays, we decided to throw a joint birthday party for Eli, Callie, Jesse, & Wesley. There are lots of pictures to share, so I will likely post a little at a time :)

Below are the pictures we took at supper... We met at 6:00 on the patio of the country club for a shared meal. It was wonderful to have all of the families there to celebrate together!

Allie, Callie, Taylor, & Maddox petting the neighborhood dog who stopped by to party

Callie, Hudson, Cade

Riley, Wesley, Mia, Eli

Cade, Allie, Maddox, Callie, Hudson

Callie, the birthday girl :)

A very cute cake (made by Ms. Cynthia) and gifts for later :)

What's new?

With a larger seating area now on the back patio, we added a couch & side table to go with the outdoor furniture we already had.

 We also have a nice outdoor table now :) It seats six, as is, but extends to seat up to ten. I'm really happy with it all. Now Howie just has to pick out what he wants for his "grill area" :)

Afterschool

Nothing like an afternoon snack & TV show with siblings :)

Love 'em all three!!!

Runaway girl

This bad ole girl got busted when she dug out last Friday. Callie & I had to pick her up at the shelter today. What a sad, sad girl :(

Back to School 2011

And we're off... Back to school, that is. Both boys began their regular school routines today. So proud of these two handsome little boys!

Preschool begins

Look out, Mrs. Charlie, here comes Cade!

Cade begins his pre-k4 class today! He's such a big boy going to school! After a year of pre-k3, though, he's an "old pro"...ha! 

Cade got to take a stuffed animal friend to his first day of school. This year he chose "Sharky". Have a good day, Sharky & Cade!

We are so excited for what this year will be for Cade! We've heard nothing but wonderful things about his teacher - loving yet excellent at preparing the students for kindergarten. Cade is such a smart & enthusiastic little boy... It's going to be a great year!

1st Grade

1st grade, here we come!

Hudson is so excited & so ready for 1st grade! Today is his "meet & greet" with his new classroom and teacher. The whole fam is set to go :)

 And, yes, I did notice Cade's "pose" in the background. Silly boy! While we were in the school, we got many questions about Cade starting Kindergarten. Oh, no... Kindergarten is not ready for him yet!

We've made a very interesting connection with Hudson's 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Ervin. She attends MawMaw & PawPaw's church and plays the piano there. She, also, was Howie's "homebound tutor" when he broke his neck years ago. Small world, huh?! She was very excited to see Howie, make the connection with Hudson, and to recognize immediately from where Hudson's middle name (Ralph) came! Mrs. Ervin seems like a really sweet lady. We're looking forward to a great 1st grade year!!

Later that afternoon, Hudson & I went out for lunch together and his post-op check-up. This is what the thermometer in the van ran most of the afternoon. It did get up to 112 degrees. Phew... one of the hottest days of the year! (And a record-breaker, too, if I'm not mistaken)

My 3 Kiddos

They came, got me, and said, "Mom! We're all going down the stairs together holding hands! Come see!" I see three of the greatest gifts God has ever given me :)