Zayden's Birthday Party

The end of March was SO busy for us with Z's birthday party and Easter in the same weekend, then the following Tuesday was my birthday (no big party for me...) It's taken me this long to recover from all the partying we did to find some time to sit and blog about it. We didn't do anything over the top for Zayden's birthday. We did invite me parents to come and also held our Easter dinner late that afternoon since we have 2:00PM church. So that counts for something. The weather was absolutely fabulous, we couldn't have asked for better and so as you ca see, we spent the majority of the time outside soaking in that glorious sunshine. Z was a-okay with that. :) 

I just LOVE his cheesy smile! And that little scrunched up nose!

With all the lovely weather we had last weekend (in stark contrast to the weather we're having THIS weekend-- that's Spring in the PNW for ya!) we discovered that Zayden HATES grass! He usually refuses to sit on it, or even attempt to walk on it. He would pout until someone would come rescue him. 

Tyler spent most of the day watching March Madness games and the boys had their own real life version of March Madness outside with Grandpa Loren. :) 

The day before his birthday I spent an afternoon nap session blowing up 30 balloons (til I felt like I was going to pass out) and then stringing them on thread and hanging them from the ceiling. Z LOVED this. It was really cool looking and much easier than tying them to string and tacking them to the ceiling like I had originally planned to. 

Our Easter/ Party table. 

Love all the daffodils in bloom this time of year. 

Mmmmm... mom's shoes. 

I made Zayden a Strawberry Angel food layered cake. Everyone liked it... including Z!

Getting a little impatient about wanting his cake... 

Grandpa Loren let him have a taste of the cool whip "frosting"-- he LOVED that!

Of course, following Easter dinner (which I took no pictures of) and cake, was time for presents. 

All in all, I think Zayden had a great first birthday!

An interview with the Birthday Boy:

M: So... Zayden, you're one! You've just gone and grown up right before our eyes. 

What do you like most about being one?

Z: Oh, I love all the independence. I love walking around all by myself, I've almost mastered a fast walk/run move... it sure keeps you on your toes, huh mom? 

M: Yes, it does. I especially like when I tell you to come to me and you take off as quickly as your little feet will take you in the other direction. 

Z: Sorry mom, it's just too much fun watching your face. Will you forgive me?

M: Of course, you're just too cute. 

Z: Yeah, that's what I was counting on. I knew you couldn't resist my cuteness. 

M: So what's your favorite time of the day? 

Z: Oh, that's easy. I love mornings. I just love to stand in my crib and bang it against the wall until somebody hears me and comes in my room to pick me up. 

M: Yes, you shouldn't do that. It makes awful marks on the wall that mom has to clean off. 

Z: Sorry, it just makes the coolest noise. I like that loud noise, it sounds like the bass in a song-- and speaking of music, I sure love to dance. Mom can we dance? 

M: In a little bit. What's your favorite toy? 

Z: Well I REALLY like Dad's iphone... especially when it plays music. I just love to move and shake when I hear a great beat. 

M: What's your favorite song to dance to? 

Z: Gangham Style... I think it's hilarious. 

M: Do you have any other favorite toys? 

Z:Well, I really like those fuzzy books.

M: You mean the touch and feel books?

Z: Yeah, those ones! I like petting the animals. I really like cats and dogs. Why can't I run down the street to pet the neighbors cat?

M: Because it isn't really safe to be in the street on your own. You can pet the kitties when Mom's around though. 

Z: Oh, Okay. 

M: Do you have a favorite food? 

Z: Yeah, well I like lots of food. I like pears, bananas, crackers, string cheese, oatmeal, yogurt, applesauce, cereal, cooked carrots, pretty much any dinner you make. I'm not a real fan of those long green things though... 

M: You mean green beans? 

Z: Yeah, those things. Yuck!

M: Do you like playing with your brothers? 

Z: YES! Well, sometimes I try to play with them, but they get mad cuz they say I'm not doing it right. I'm not sure what's so wrong about knocking over those block towers that they make. Isn't that how you're supposed to play with them? 

M: Sometimes it's okay to knock them down. Other times they want to play with them while they're still  up. It's okay, I know you meant well. 

Z: Well, I hope they know I wasn't trying to make them mad. 

M: They know. What else do you like to do with your brothers? 

Z: I like to play cars with them and try and shoot balls in that tall thing. What's that called again?

M: The hoop. So you sleep through the night pretty good and you're walking, and you manage to eat quite a bit of food with those 3.5 teeth you have.... You're getting to be a big boy. Anything else you want to add? 

.... Zayden?? 

What are you doing?

Z: Oh sorry mom..... 

....I was expecting a phone call from my girlfriend. 

M: You don't have a girlfriend! 

Z: Nah, you're right. But you should have seen your face. Gottcha! I'm pretty funny. 

M: Yes, you ARE pretty funny. Now put my phone down. 

Z: Not a chance mom, someone's texting me. Can we do this later? 

<*Sigh*> 

I love you you little grown up man. You are one heck of a kid, always happy. I'm so lucky to be your mom. 

Happy Birthday Zayden! 

Spring has arrived!

Oh how we love Springtime... after so many months cooped up in the house for all those rainy cold months of winter my boys delight in the warmness of Springtime! The weather has been absolutely beautiful lately and we have spent every ounce of our time playing outside and soaking up lots of Vitamin D. 

You know you party too hard when...

You pass out like this in the car: 

These three were passed out within 10 minutes of driving away from Grammie and Grandpa's house. They just have TOO much fun there. So much running, and playing, eating junk food (Grandpa), and staying up 2 hours past your bedtime... at least they slept in the next day! 

St. Patrick's Day

I'm such a lucky mom to have these three adorable boys as my own! 

(If only Z's eyes were open!) 

Can you tell B's super excited about taking pictures? He's giving me his undivided attention. 

Finally a smile from Zee zee! 

Oh, it hurts. The smiling is just painful..... 

My grown up Q. 

Hoopin' it up Howard Style

These boys would play basketball every day if they could, especially when their dad joins in on the fun. They love doubling up on guarding him and think it's hilarious when they foul him to prevent him from making a shot. 

I just love that B is picking some crusty boogers in this picture. 

And speaking of boogers, that is why Z's eyebrow looks all askew... it got slimed by some of his boogs and stuck this way. Don't judge me, I'm not a terrible mom, I wiped it off later. 

Here they are in action: 

Too little guard, or shoot balls in the hoop-- though he does try. Mostly he resorts to playing with cars in the middle of the basketball chaos. 

I swear we don't beat our kids... but this little guy almost always ends up with these nasty bruises on his forehead.... 

Changing of seasons.

All these pictures were taken just prior to Spring starting. As you can see the weather was nice and sunny, but very chilly. And as any fellow PNWesterner would tell you, if the sun is out... you should be out soaking it up. Zayden loves walking around the driveway with his trucks and cars.