Happy Second Birthday, Vance!

Okay so the pictures are all messed up as far as the time line is concerned. So I'll try and keep it straight. Of course again, it was a three day extravaganza- starting with playdate on Friday, Chuck E. Cheese with Pa and Nama, and then the actual Birthday on Sunday.

Actual Birthday

Vance and the birthday sign and the decorations.

Vance and his decorations.

The gifts!
He got the "Elefun!" game, doctor kit and boat with blocks.

Vance's birthday muffin.

Saturday Night

Keeping the tradition, this was the first year Vance got to help make his cake.

Decorating the cake with sprinkles. He picked Orange as the frosting color."It's my party and I'll cry if I want to."

Vance with the finished product, although he was done with pictures.

Saturday Morning

Vance being very serious about his driving with Chuck E. Cheese

Happy Birthday, with Pa!

Friday Night

Nama and Pa found this pinata and thought of Vance. We had volleyball with some of the adults at church Friday night and brought it to entertain the kids. It was pretty fun.
One thing I didn't get a picture of was the cookies we took to the swimming playdate Friday morning. But it was a fun start to the birthday extravaganza.

Sunday Night

So one of our new neighbors has one of these mini trampolines.
Knowing how much the boys LOVE jumping I knew what Vance should get for his birthday.

Joel was just as excited for the trampoline as Vance.

Vance opening his gifts from Pa and Nama.

Pa bought him a view finder, he LOVES it.

Vance was a lot more excited about his cake Sunday night.

So we are done with the birthday extravaganzas for this year. Well we still have Pa's birthday in December but it's awhile away still. I have plenty of time to recoup from too much birthday. And next year we're topping out on 2 days worth of birthday, that's it!

Happy Happy Birthday, Vance Dear!

Dear Vance,
I can't believe it's been two years since you came to our family. I will always remember the day that I found out that I was pregnant with you and the powerful assurance I received that it was your time to come to our family. You are our cayenne pepper- you spice up our family, sometimes make me sweat with your antics but can be oh so sweet. Life is never boring with you around, you take after your dad in that you can always lighten the mood with your sense of humor.
It's hard to remember sometimes that you're only turning two, Vance. You are so smart! Your vocabulary and logic really surprises me sometimes. You have been talking in full sentences for such a long time that it's hard to remember when you haven't been able to voice your opinions. People are always so surprised because you're quite petite but you're so vocal and smart. You are also so stubborn. This has provided for several humorous experiences (such as when you insisted that the onion was an apple and refused to say otherwise even after trying it) as well as given us, as your parents, the opportunity to develop patience. You are so brave- and sometimes that's scary for me as your mother- because you will jump, climb and face whatever challenge happens to be in your way with an "act now think later" mentality. I hope that you will always feel confident as you face challenges in your life as you are now. You have such a strong and independent personality and often try testing the boundaries that are set. But you also are such a good helper and really want to be good. You love learning and you love books. I love that you often approach your dad and I with a book in hand and want for us to read to you. Your favorite books lately have been, "The Giving Tree", "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?" and "Where the Wild Things Are." You are also still our little cuddle bug and I love that!
This year has been filled with so many milestones: you have basically all your teeth and love to brush them, you love feeding yourself with your spoon and fork and using a regular cup just like your brother- although after meals we still usually have to hose you down, you love to play with your brother and keeping up with all the big kids. You are still particular about what you like and what you don't like to eat. You love chicken (in any form: nuggets, baked, etc), tomatoes, bread, oatmeal, hot dogs and anything that's sweet. You like to put puzzles together, build with blocks and figure out how to take things apart (and sometimes put them back together).
Vance you are such a blessing to our family and to those around you. You and Joel are best friends. I love that you are always so willing to share with him and think about him often. (Even this morning you couldn't wait to share your special birthday balloons with him!) You are constantly making us laugh- even when you should be getting in trouble!!- and are so loving and tender. If you see someone sad or hurt you always try to help make it better and are concerned until they're okay.
Vance I love you! I can't imagine what our family would be like without you. You make life exciting and humorous. I'm excited to see what life has in store for you and for all the fun we'll have along the way.
Happy Birthday Vance!
Love,
Mom (and Dad)

It's a hard knock life.

So one thing I knew when we had kids was that kids have accidents and get banged up. It's still never fun to see them- or hear them- when they get hurt. With the two boys it seems like someone always is getting hurt or on the mend from an accident. But alas, besides wrapping them in bubble wrap there's nothing you can do to protect them.


Joel and Vance were jumping into their little couch and jumped head first into each other. It was a very sad day. But nothing a little ice couldn't fix.

Later that same week Vance took on the table in Nursery at church. Apparently the table won. Vance is on the mend and intends to re challenge the table soon.

Fort Fun!

I think one of the greatest memories of being a kid is building a fort. The possibilities are endless. Chairs, books, blankets, more chairs, more books, more blankets! The boys were introduced to the joys of forts yesterday. One of the benefits of having Tj home lately is that he is an expert fort builder. He helped the boys make a really great fort in their room. Then he went in and set up their portable DVD player (that usually is reserved for long trips in the car) in there. He then taught the boys a secret knock and hand sign to get into the super cool fort. The boys had a really great time playing- and I got stuff done around the house. I think the most humorous part of the experience was that the boys wanted Tj to watch the movie with them so there he was with his legs hanging outside the fort watching Monster's Inc. with the boys. What a good dad!

The fort. (We couldn't get the boys to pose.)

You've gotta have the right tools.
(I have no idea what Joel is doing goofy child!)

Hanging out in the fort.

For the love of pictures.

When you don't blog for a long time you miss out on the chance to share random everyday pictures. So here are some of my recent favorites of the boys.

Look at my baby. Vance is getting so grown up! Forget the fact that he's practically begging me to let him potty train too and the fact that he's constantly in trouble for back-talking; just look at him! He has lost all traces of baby. Luckily he still loves to cuddle.

This picture cracks me up! You know Tj had to be exhausted to actually fall asleep in the toddler size bed beside Joel.


One of the best pieces of advice that I've ever read is that it is our job as parents to raise kids who are capable and contributing members of society. My other favorite piece of advice is to never do for a child what they are able to do for themselves. Hence the following pictures:

Joel gets dressed by himself everyday now. Sometimes this is a longer process than other because he gets silly.

Joel being silly and putting his shirt on upside down.

Vance is just now starting to dress himself. Sometimes he gets the order of things confused (aka take off your pajamas first!) and he often comes up with original ways to get the clothes on. But as long as he is doing it himself and the clothes are covering the right parts of the body who cares what method he took to get them there.

This was Joel's first outfit that he picked out all by himself and dressed himself too. Classic. By the way I'm so proud of him. He is completely potty trained! So nice.