THREE!!!

{FIRST:  Thank you to all of you kind people who a) read this blog and b) actually responded and wished my boys a Happy 3rd Birthday from ALL around the world—how awesome!  What a sweet thing for them and for us—THANK YOU!

SECOND:  Please forgive the lack of blogposts.  I now remember why there are never any posts in December on my blog:  December tips the scales from crazy to total insanity in my little world.  I go from normal life right back into a crazed survival mode.  Nothing says Christmas like this kind of chaos, right?  I am praying that Jesus will prepare my heart and help me to rest!   ALSO, in a moment of total insanity, I agreed to do host a booth at a local craft show last weekend selling my embroidered dish towels, bibs (Birthday and Christmas) and some of the wreaths I love making . . . we had a great, great time, but I did nothing but sew last week.  Laundry?  No.  Cook?  Unh-uh.  Clean?  Are you kidding?  Do I have Christmas gifts?  I think NOT.  Blog?  NOPE.  Am I glad I did it?  Absolutely.  But, this week is even crazier than the last . . . so, here we are . . . bear with me as we catch on up!

THIRD:  In my head, I had written this lovely blog post about my children and how I adore them and what I love about them, but as I sit here, I am so tired I can hardly think.  So, for today, pictures are all I’ve got!  And, with that:  Onto the Birthday!}

My babies are THREE and I really cannot even believe it.  They are just so big.  I know that however old they are seems “SO BIG” to me every single time . . . but, it is true.  I imagine this is how it is with your first one two, in my case!  So, for their big day, we wanted to do something low-key so we joined Cousin Charlie’s November Birthday Celebration and had a big family party!

Aunt Katie was the hostess with the mostest, and my job was to provide the cakes . . . I made the boys’ cakes, and they helped me make Charlie’s cake!

Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Chips and Oreos on top

Banana Cake with Oreos on top

Pumpkin Spice cake with chocolate shavings on top (and gluten free at that!)

The lighting wasn't great, but here is our digger line-up!

Despite my two phone calls and me stalking the firemen who were eating in the mall food court, I still couldn’t get anyone to come to the boys’ party with a truck.  But, guess who did?  Sugie!  That Sugie marched her cute little self over to the fire station and knocked on their door . . . and wouldn’t you know that we surprised the boys as a massive fire truck backed down Aunt Katie’s street for some toddler birthday fun!

Birthday Boy Hudson

Birthday Boy William {Unkie was there for it all—what a special day!}

Birthday Boy Charlie!

I love W’s little smirk in this one!

We had been to a firetruck party this fall, so my boys new the routine and were reservedly thrilled!

I attempted a birthday trio picture, but I wasn’t having great luck getting the tot-sized firemen to look my way!

Of course Little Miss came to the party, and she had a great ole time with Miss Ashhhhhh {please note the chub in this sweet girls’ legs—her tights really bring out those rolls!}

I was with Hudson for most of the firetruck exploration, and it was so fun to watch him figure everything out . . .

Our tiny little family party hosted a brood of our cousins!

Don’t tell him, but we’re considering having a fire truck come for Bumpa’s next birthday, too!

. . . and, we know what we’re getting Aunt Valerie for Christmas!  I mean, who doesn’t like to play dress-up?

Our best attempt at a family shot:  Could the boys be any more excited?  ha ha!

Watching the boys dig into their cakes was a highlight for me!

Who needs a fork when you have TEN different fingers?

Oh, my big ole boy!

The diggers were a HUGE hit.  And, upon our arrival back home, Daddy removed the batteries from these loud lovely little toys.

For their special day, Daddy and I took them to see a movie!  They made it through the WHOLE thing—it was impressive!

Then, we had their favorite meal:  hot dogs and potato chips at Sugie and Bumpa’s house!  There was a very cute gift-giver there handing out prizes . . .

There was cake to be had by all . . . and that was a good thing, because William was very insistent upon having cake on his actual birthday! 

Uncle Bretty did his best to break through the Zoolander Trap and feed Sissy!

And, I just love these!

Hey, Blue Eyes!

And, some big boy birthday snuggles with their Nana!  Look at these big ole boys!

The Happiest of Birthdays to you, my tiny, big loves!  Your Daddy and your MiMi adore you, boys!  What three wonderful, wild, and very full years we’ve had!  We love each one of you dearly.  From the giggles to the wiggles to your stinky little toes.  I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU ARE THREE. 

Happy Third Birthday, My LOVES!

Happy (almost) Birthday, Boys!

My boys turn three on Friday.  I have just a few hours left of officially having one one year old and two two year olds!  I cannot believe my boys are so big!

(December 2, 2008)

More to come, but would you, dear reader (yes, mom, I am talking to you), please click on the comment button on the bottom of the blog and send the boys a Happy Birthday note?  Also, just for fun and for the entertainment of my two tots, will you tell us where you are?  (City/State)

(December, 2009—Age 1!)

The boys are just starting to understand a bit about the blog, and I would love to share with them birthday wishes from near (you, mom) and far (yes, Allison, that’s you)!

(December, 2010—age 2!)

Oh, Happy HAPPY DAY!

two of a kind . . .

check out these two in their smocked stockings . . . I LOVE pulling out the boys’ old clothes and putting them on Sister (I love that she is surrounded by diggers and fire trucks behind her!).  Sweet memories!  and, Sweet Babies!  Oh, how I love them!  More to come!

Rascals

I walked into the kitchen, and I found this:  a cute little tiny mouse dressed in her brothers’ old digger jammies (aunt katie does not like it when sister wears her brother’s jammies, by the way, but there were not many laundry days this week and this is what we had!) who was rooting around in the pantry until she found herself a tasty treat!

While this is not a great picture, you can very easily tell that Little Miss was quite proud of her craftiness!

Planning our own snack times does run in our family, you see.  Her mama has a history with cheerios on the floor as well (if you throw them on the floor, you know where they are when you want a snack later!) . . . and her brothers have spent (and still spend) some quality time in the pantry digging for some snacks as well . . .

Anyone remember these two turkeys?

They seized Daddy’s box of Cheez-Its when they were 14 months (Sister will be 14 months in about 2 weeks!)

Getting into the bag and box were a challenge, but they persevered . . .

And they were also quite proud of themselves!

Ah, yes!  Sweet victory!

Taste the goodness!

These two started their morning off with some fun . . . I think William would have been in there, too, if he could figure out how to hurdle the side of the crib without smashing his sister.  Please note the farm, animals, and multitude of pillows (or, piddows, as H says) that entered the crib along with Brother!

And, this week was a week for haircuts . . .

for handsome boys and turkeys!

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble from my three rascals!

this just in . . .

the OVERHEARD of the week:

{I was talking sternly to William because he was not being obedient during lunch—I can’t even remember what the grave offense was at this point, but . . . }

me:  William, did you hear what I said?  What do you say?  {fully expecting him to say ‘Yes ma’am’}

william:  I can’t talk right now, mom, because I have food in my mouth . . . so I can’t talk.

Where does he come up with these things!?

***

And, it turns out that Annabug has roseola in addition to her ear infection—hence the high fevers.  I hope my little miss perks up soon!  Thank you for your prayers for her!

***

While Anna was napping and I was trying to sneak off to take a quick shower, the boys had some good snuggling and reading time in my bed.  They were so cute!

***

And, thank you for your kind words about our Thankfulness Tree.  I am certain it was not my idea originally, but the truth be told:  this tiny Reppard crew can always use some remembering and prompting and training in being thankful.  It is good for our hearts, good for our souls, and good for our family.

Psalm 103: 2

² Bless the LORD, O my soul,
   and forget not all his benefits . . .

and Psalm 136 serves as a detailed reminder of why we give thanks . . .

¹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

Happy Weekend to you!