Jed Turns 2!!

My little Jeddy Bear turned 2 on Monday.  I think I was more of a mess the day before his birthday because I knew when I put him to bed at night he would wake up 2 and I would never again have a 1 year old.  Evangeline was born at 8:55 PM which means that I remind her all day on her birthday each year that she's not technically a year older until evening, but Jed was born at 1:43 AM, which means he is already a year older in the morning.....I know, I know, I'm sentimental and dramatic, but I can't help it.  The end of every chapter is even harder when it's the last baby.

 

After school on Monday Evangeline and I went to Dairy Queen and got him a birthday cake.  Evangeline thought Jed would enjoy pizza ("eatza" as Jed calls it) for dinner since he likes it, so that's what we got.  Papa just happened to be coming that evening to help Kyle do a few projects around the house so he got to be here to celebrate with us too. 

 

We had a little stack of presents for Jed.  We got him cardboard building blocks, a special plate, a few tee shirts, and one of his favorite gifts... a backpack and matching water bottle.  He put that backpack on immediately and didn't take it off until it was time for bed.  He kept strutting around saying, "backpack".  Evangeline helped him open all his presents and I think she was just as excited as he was.

 

From Evangeline he got a Chuckle Ball, which she picked out for him at the  store.  She also gave him a beautiful clam with a pearl inside that she made for him back around Christmas.  She actually gave it to him already at Christmas, but decided that he had forgotten about it and she wanted to wrap it up and give it to him again.  Of course it was even better the second time around.  The card she made was so precious.  It said, "Dear My Sweet Pluer (pearl), I love you!  I hope your birthday is sparkling! Love, Evangeline".  She spent forever on the envelope and was especially proud of how it turned out. 

He Chuckle Ball (Buckle Ball as Jed calls it) is hilarious.  Jed was a little freaked out by it at first, as was Pickles.  Now it's a favorite. 

Here are a bunch of pictures from his birthday.  I love them all.  It was a special day and I don't want to forget a moment of it.

After begging him to smile for a picture, this is what I got.....

 

Another reason August 21st was made so special was the huge hype about a total eclipse that happened for the first time in 100 years or so.  A point of totality was in Carbondale of all places.  Wish that could have happened while we lived there....Anyway, it was a huge deal and right when the eclipse was at it's most complete point, it poured down rain.  I streamed it live from my star board since we couldn't go outside, and it was pretty amazing.  It's supposed to happen again in another 7 years and Marshall is a point of totality, so I'll be hoping for sunshine 7 years from now :)

 

Happy birthday, my sweet little Jed.  I love you more than you could ever know.  

 

 

 

 

First Day of Third Grade

My big girl started 3rd grade at North School.  She wanted to bring flowers to her teacher on the first day like she's done every year.  We cut them right before it was time to go.  I wrapped them in a wet paper towel and plastic wrap so she wouldn't have to worry about the water splashing out.  On the drive over she was nervous.  We said a prayer.  Right before we got to drop off she panicked a little.  She got out at the drop off and I heard the aide's usher her to the playground.  I glanced back as I drove off to see her clutching her flowers timidly as she walked slowly to the playground.  That's when I lost it.  It was that sight coupled with the fact that I was driving to South School alone for the first time in three years.  The kids had a half day and she spent the afternoon with Peggy.  As soon as I got out of the car at Peggy's house she greeted me with a huge smile.  She announced that she had the best day and she loves her teacher.  I knew she would like it, but it was a relief to hear her say it.  I'm doing better too.  She shuttles over on the bus after school so it kind of feels like she's still there in a very small way.  I just can't believe how fast she is growing up. 

Partying With The Family

The partying continued with a joint birthday party for Evangeline and Jed with our family on the Saturday smack-dab in the middle of Evangeline's and Jed's actual birthdays.  It was such a delightful celebration.  Any day spent with family are always the best days. 

That mound of presents took forever to get through.  My kids are set for the year!!  Evangeline did most of the opening.  Every now and then Jed would come over to throw some tissue paper up in the air or check something out. 

Some of Evangeline's gifts included:  pieces for her fairy garden, mermaid tail blanket, clothes galore, books (Cupcake Cousins, Cupcake Diaries and How to Find Flower Fairies), craft kits and two plush cats that she had been eyeing forever. 

Some of Jed's gifts included:  puzzles, books, play food, clothes galore and Little People stuff. 

He loves the play food. 

 

Happy birthday to you....Happy birthday to you....

 

We were all pooped that evening.  It was such a perfect day.  My kids loved every minute of it.  

 

On Sunday morning Evangeline and Savannah sang a duet at church, "A Gift to You".  It was so beautiful.  They did such a wonderful job.  I am such a proud mom.  It was a weekend that reminded me how blessed I am.