Celebrating with a Cake - Finally!

Last night, we had some of our great friends over for a late birthday-cake party, since we never got around to having one for Will.

Carson: Andrew & Tiffani's little boy

Mia, Hailey, & Jake's legs: Jim & Shana's kids

blowing out the candles w/ some help from dad

We picked up an ice cream cake from Safeway on Saturday (Will's actual birthday) & stored it in the freezer until we were ready to celebrate with some of Will's buddies.

Thanks for coming everyone. We're so blessed to have such incredible friends!

(Sidenote: I'm really ready for a new camera - it's not the same using my camera after having my mom's nice one for so long!)

Currently Reading = The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

(click on the picture to see book description, ratings & reviews)

Written in 1859 by William "Wilkie" Collins, this is considered one of the first mystery novels & is an early example of detective fiction, which many others modeled their own detective stories after. Collins was a good friend of Charles Dickens & received even greater success than his contemporary, being the most loved & best paid Victorian author for a time. His great success continued until his death in 1870, when Dickens' reputation rose to take Collins' place.

William's 2-Year Party

We invited some of our friends over for a small "2-year birthday" celebration last night, BUT we had to cancel last minute because everyone in our home has been sick! Scott has been getting over a cold, I'm in the middle of one, & I wasn't sure whether Will was getting one or not.

So we took our previously planned small party down a notch & just had our own little shindig.

Will was so excited about the balloons, that he didn't want to do anything beyond hitting & chasing them around the house. Scott finally had to hide them, so we could eat dinner & open presents - Will was NOT happy about this & cried until he was distracted by his favorite pepperoni pizza.

After dinner, we opened presents. It took some coaxing, but once he realized there were toys hidden in the wrapping paper, he got really excited to find out what he got!

Karen & Kayla sent him a fun Lightning McQueen car & Cars book (which he of course loved!).

Grandma & Grandpa sent him some ABC/animal flashcards that he didn't want to stop playing with. They also got him this shapes puzzle ball that he's already caught onto! This kid loves puzzles & is so good at them.

Scott & I bought him this awesome firetruck! It has storage in the back for his cars, he can push it around the house with the ladder (which allows him to steer), the helmet lifts up & the ladder forms a ramp that cars can shoot down & land in the storage under the helmet. It also makes some fun siren noises. It was a huge success!

We had such a wonderful time celebrating this sweet boy's birthday! He is so special to us (as every child is to his parents), & we recognize how blessed we are to have him in our lives.

We love you William!!! Thanks for coming to join our family!

Halloween Bunco

My friend Meredith hosted a Halloween Bunco Night this last Wednesday. It was so much fun seeing everyone in their great costumes!

Crystal (baby pumpkin), Meredith (Bo Peep), Jessica (Soldier Barbie), Sandi (clown), Jen (hippie in roller skates), me (Nacho Libre - Mexican wrestler: spandex really doesn't breathe well, & I was boiling hot, but it was fun! I never thought I'd wear all spandex unless I was in a dance recital - surprise!), Tammy (pregnant witch), Shana (70's chick), Cherrie (gypsy), Lisa (cheerleader)

Daddy & Will Time

I am always amazed by Scott & what a wonderful father (& husband) he is. Even after his seemingly endless days of work & school, he still plays with Will as soon as he gets home (even though I'm sure he would just love to collapse on the sofa & tune out for a while). He rolls around on the floor with Will, chases him, gives him rides on his back, reads to him, & sings to him before bed time, always showing Will that he is the most important thing in his daddy's life.

Here's to only 2 more months until Scott graduates & can actually spend more time at home!

We're so excited!!!

Library Book Sale & Playing at the Park

On Saturday Will & I went to the library for their annual book sale. I found some great books for an incredible price (paperbacks = 50 cents, hardbacks = $1), & most of them were in perfect condition.

I was especially excited about these: Never Let Me Go, The Sparrow, the Welsh Princes trilogy, & The Forgotten Garden (This is one of my favorite books. I was getting ready to check out when I decided to look in one more box. I'm so glad I did b/c they had this book in a brand new hardback! I was considering paying full price for a new one & am now so glad that I waited.).

After we finished looking through the books & stored them in the car, Will & I went to the park behind the library. Will had such a great time running around & playing with the other kids there. This park is the best for kids his age! It's gated, so they can't run away, & all the play equipment is small enough that it would be difficult for them to get hurt, which means I don't need to follow him around all the time in case he gets on something too advanced for him.

Oakland Zoo

A little over a week ago, my mom & I took William to the Oakland Zoo. He loved looking at all the different animals, especially the elephants, giraffes & meerkats.

 When we took him to the Petting Zoo, he didn't want to have much to do with the goats. He just wanted to splash in some mud puddles. By the end of our trip, we both had mud caked all over our clothes - him from splashing & me from trying to carry him away while he kicked to get down. When I finally got him in with the goats, it took a lot of encouraging to get him near enough to pet one.

It was a hot, wild day at the zoo, but we survived & had a good time. I look forward to taking him back again!