DREW

Drew turned 5 a few weeks ago and we had a great time celebrating his birthday. The weekend before his birthday we had family over and had a small party with pizza, snacks, and a homemade cookie cake. He received a few small gifts from us and a bike from his grandparents and aunt and uncle.

On his actual birthday (which was a Monday) I decided this year just to invite a bunch of our friends to meet us at a park. The past few years I hosted his parties at home and did a theme, but I knew we could invite a lot more friends if we went to the park and the kids would be easily entertained. Usually celebrating his birthday in April we're watching to weather to see if it's going to rain, or be too hot to be outside. This year I was excited to see that it was going to be a beautiful clear day, and it was, except that it was an EXTREMELY windy day. It doesn't sound that bad, but the kids plates kept blowing away, the lid blew off the cake, Drew was covering his ears because he didn't like the wind....anyway, you get the picture. We still had a great time!

So I decided this year instead of worrying about making a cake I would order one from Publix. Since I had a coupon I thought I would order a Star Wars cake (since Drew loves Star Wars more than anything else!) As you can see in the picture below it didn't quite turn out as planned. The lady forgot to place the order and since we had no time to wait for them to make it, they gave us one for free and sent the figures along with Andy (who picked up the cake) to let us "fix" it. What was surprising is that it didn't even bother me. Maybe it was the fact that the cake was free or that the kids were having such a great time and barely even noticed the cake. I scraped off the flowers and stuck the men on top and it turned out just fine. It still was delicious!

P.S. Just as I finished typing this post Drew came up to me with his Star Wars figures from his cake and said "Thanks for ordering me a Star Wars cake". Apparently he never even knew. :)

I didn't do a "theme" party, but when I was looking at Star Wars parties on-line (where I get all of my great ideas from) I found easy to make light sabers. You just take a pool noodle, cut it in thirds, and add silver duct tape, and electrical tape. The boys have been playing with theirs at home a lot and they're soft enough that you can't really get hurt. Here they are playing at the party with a new friend they made that day. He was there with his grandpa and ended up joining our party, eating snacks and cake, and sitting right next to Drew for all of his presents. :)

Our big present for Drew this year was his own set of golf clubs. As soon as the party ended he and Andy left to go golfing. According to Andy they had so much fun and since Andy loves to golf (but doesn't get to go often) we're hoping this will be a fun activity they can do together. And eventually hopefully all 3 boys will be out there with him.

In this picture Andy explained to me that Drew was trying to get his grip correct by putting his pinky and pointer finger together. So cute!

I loved getting to celebrate Drew! I was singing to the boys for bedtime the other night "Great is Thy Faithfulness". When we got to the line "all I have needed Thy hand hath provided" I stopped to tell the boys that in my life not only has God provided what I needed, but also many times what I wanted. Andy and I had desired a baby for a few years before being blessed with one, but God provided Drew and I couldn't be happier. :)

a quick update (with more to come soon!)

Davis rolled over! He did it at Drew's family birthday party a few weeks ago. Drew said it was the best birthday present he could have ever gotten. Drew is so sweet with Davis and loves him so much. It's exciting to see that Davis is growing up, but a little bittersweet. I am loving the baby stage and am trying to enjoy every moment. He even cut a tooth this week. It's going so quickly. Drew and Knox have bunkbeds, and it seems like lately more often than not we will find them in bed together. The other night we came to check on the boys and found this. Drew said "this is not comfortable!" We helped him move up to the top bunk. :) Knox never woke up.The other morning I was trying to get ready to go and found that Davis had put himself to sleep on his play mat. He's a thumb sucker which helps to sooth him pretty easily. We've never had a thumb sucker or pacifier baby. Most mornings when I go to get him he is sleeping sucking his thumb.

Here's Drew holding Davis. Lately the boys have really been missing Andy when he goes to work, so there have been a lot of tears. Drew had been crying and we figured out that holding Davis would cheer him up, and by the smile on his face you can tell that it did!