Friday Faces

Just because it's Friday.  And because my kids love nothing more than posing.  It's kinda amazing that God blessed us with two kids FULL of personality.  A shy kid wouldn't make it in this house, well not without needing serious therapy.

G-pa & Nana Wrap Up

Dude was rather spoiled on his actual b-day this year.  Nana was still around that morning and Grandpa V flew in the night before which enabled him to spend the entire day with the Dude.  We all snuck into Dude's room at 8:00am to wake him up (which was awesome that he slept that long, by the way) and sang the Happy B-day song.  Squirt was naked all the while, which she thought was the very best. He opened a present from Grandma & Grandpa Marc and was instantly infatuated with his new friend, Lighting McQueen/rocket ship.  He literally didn't put that piece of talking plastic down the entire day.  Not even to pee.  

We then got dressed and headed out the door to the best breakfast in town, aka, Snooze.  The kids devoured man sized meals of syrupy pancakes and invaded the adults plates when they were finished.  Little mooches.

 Isn't my Mama the prettiest?  Certainly doesn't look like a Grandma does she?

 Squirt couldn't get enough of her "Dampa."  She's still talking about him and pouts about not going to his house like we promised she was going to last week.  

 Melts my heart. My blue eyed little beauty. 

 What six year old doesn't want a Space Angry Bird backpack key chain?  I'm sure lots don't, but mine was overjoyed at this new addition to his life. 

 Best breakfast ever.  We sure do love our grandparents. 

Dude spent the rest of the day palling around with Grandpa and Dad, who also took him to his music school class that afternoon.  It was fun to show Grandpa that portion of his little world.  Nana flew out that morning and Dad flew out that night.  We can't wait to go see him and Grandma Di in Vegas in April (we rescheduled our trip).  THANKS to Nana and Grandpa for spoiling us and lovin' on our kids like you always do!  And thanks to Grandma V & Grandma Marc for all the awesome gifts!  He's one spoiled dude.  Without a doubt.

Viva No Vegas

Don't expect Vegas pics any time soon.  The evil blizzard took away our desert dreams yesterday. We're home and trying to make up fun ways to forget about a warm and fun filled 4 days away from the 20 degree temps outside our front door.  I haven't given us a pity party yet, so consider this post my pity party.

After a 3 hour delay, our flight was cancelled as we sat at the gate.  Southwest couldn't get us another flight until late tonight, so we begrudgingly scrapped the trip.  We then went to retrieve our luggage, which never even made it to a plane, and waited for 3 HOURS, along with hundreds of other lost and cancelled travelers.  We went home without our bags.  And we still haven't heard anything regarding their whereabouts.  Needless to say, it wasn't such a splendid day.  But our kids were unbelievably happy and lovely, which made the whole day that much better.  Squirt slept on the floor on my lap for an hour, Dude bonded with Angry Birds and Tim helped the Southwest staff organize luggage. Those women were like lost children.  And YES, Southwest did indeed receive an email letter of organized frustration from yours truly this morning.  But we had some real nice beverages at the Syers last night.  And that made it all okay.

 This was about 1/4 of the mess that was the baggage area. 

The general feeling of the Mile High Vogels throughout the day.

Off to the auto show - Tim's solution to relieving his no vacation blues.    

Our Little Angry Bird

Nana, Grandpa V and Dude's birthday hooplah have all come and gone.  It's been quite the week round here.  The good life continues.  Vegas beckons us tomorrow morning, although the 8 inches of pending snow that just started blanketing our yard is threatening our much anticipated family vaca.  We're hoping to visit G-pa V and G-ma Di and introduce the kids to Sin City (perhaps a more tamed down version).

Dude's 6th birthday bash was Angry Bird themed and awesome.  Through the grapevine, I learned that one of our local Home Depots does FREE (did you read that?  Free.) birthday parties for up to 25 kiddos.  They let us use their spacious break room, set out goggles, hammers, glue and screwdrivers and allowed the kids to pick out one of 8 construction projects to build.  It was loud, to say the least, but the kids loved their hammer time.  We ate an amazingly crafted Angry Bird cake (courtesy of Miss Micah) and hot dogs from the Home Depot hot dog vendor.  Dude had a permanent smile on his little face throughout his party, which brought a permanent smile to mine.  Hard to believe my baby boy is six years old.

 We didn't even want to eat this masterpiece.  But we did.  And it was delish.  

 I found these balloon print-outs on Pinterest.  They were the highlight of Dude's entire birthday experience.  I will admit - they were pretty spankin' cute.

 Mama determination.  

 Who's that show horse in the middle of the kids?  Oh yeah.  That's our Dude.  

More Nana and Grandpa highlights to come.  Viva Las Vegas baby.

 

More Than One Hand

In 2.5 hours, my little man will need two hands to show how old he is.  He's not such a little man anymore.  Well, he's still a little guy in stature, but six doesn't seem so little to me.  As he would explain, his "muscles are getting huger and his brain is growing and growing bigger and bigger."  I agree wholeheartedly with the brain growth.  He's one smart little cookie.  Sometimes smarter than his dear ole Mom.  And we let him believe that the beginnings of a six pack are evident.  We all know the truth on that one.  Shhhh.  

What has the past year brought for our precious Dude?  Lots and lots of awesome change.  He's a full blown Kindergartner, in his second school and thriving in whatever environment we put him in.  He's reading and writing paragraphs that are legible to the average human.  He's in his second year of his music academy where he truly shines.  He can pluck out tunes by ear without flinching.  Dad can no longer take him to class as Dude's knowledge far surpasses his father's scope of understanding.  He has become an "Artist of the World" and shocks us with what he comes up with when he puts pencil to paper.  Dude has proven his capabilities as an inventor, which I've explained in previous posts is both wonderful and exhausting to his parentals.  He's a little speed demon on his 2 wheel bike now and has mastered hills and getting started on his own, which is a blessing for family walks.  Our little man is much more daring in general - hanging upside-down with no hands, attempting rock climbing, much better with balancing, sliding down poles and ropes....it just took him time to reach his Evil Knievel inner self.  He continues to love Jesus with all his little heart and tells us often how much his "heart is overflowing with love for us."  And he continues to make us laugh.  Oh how he makes us laugh.  (Example, tonight he whispered to me that he wanted me to pray to Jesus that he would have a dream about his cardiovascular and skeletal system.)

 If you know our Dude, you know this face is still a typical Dude face.

We could not love a not-super-little 6 year old Dude more than we do our Ryguy.  He adds spunk and laughter and love and warmth and light to our family.  We thank God for him and for the beautiful woman who gave him life and gifted him to us.  Happy Birthday dude.  You are the bestest son any Mama could ask for.