Avery's Birthday Celebration!

We celebrated Avery's birthday last Sunday and what better way to celebrate my "all boy" than a dirt cake in some serious dirt movers!

Paul Thomas was my helper with most of the planning and on Sunday morning I asked him to get a dish for me and forgot that the road grader was stashed in the tupperware cabinet, an element he was not yet privy to. As he handed me the dish he got that goofy, sly smile on his face and said, "There's machinery all over this kitchen." Avery was none the wiser and both Philip and I just chuckled at his developing sense of humor.

Avery made his way back from Gia and Poppy's with a dump truck balloon making for a very festive solo parade.

Mary Colette came bounding in mouth full of words and was stopped in her tracks by the machinery on the table.

As was Avery!  It was perfect! He just smiled and ooohed and awed and couldn't believe what was on the table.

Georgianney was not so sure about those candles.

Avery was about to explode with excitement.

Oh they do grow much too quickly!

Never have I heard someone say "if only it wouldn't take so long"...no, the anthem seems to be "if only I had more time to snuggle, play, tickle, read, absorb their littleness". As we celebrate more and more of these birthday's the anthem seems to get stronger. I am truly happy and blest to be their mother, but, really, if time could tick a little slower I would be grateful.

Umm...do you think they are related?

Mary Colette happily wore the birthday hat for Avery and he happily let her.

Yes, with that he is 5!

Best dirt around and Aves should know; he use to pour sand in his mouth and then get very upset.

Now on to presents!

Avery opened up a party in a box from GeeGee and Papa!

This way great because Avery specifically requested balloons!

Party in a box!

Oh but what's this? Direct instructions to pop the balloons! GeeGee and Papa you guys ROCK the creative gifts!

(Whose face doesn't look like this when popping a balloon!)

He got a dollar in five balloons!

 He received a wallet from Grandma and Granddaddy to hold all his newly acquired money.

After this the no naps from the younger two kicked in so that's all folks. 

That's how we celebrate a five year old at the Blaxton household. 

Friday Photo Favorites

Tunnel Time

George braved his brothers and sister to venture into the tunnel.

I can do it.

He raced through it get his picture "taken" by PT.

Oh Momma, you have a camera too!

Here I come for a close up!

Oh this silly boy and his faces!

We have enjoyed this tunnel so much. It's one of the few toys to survive all the kiddos. Here is a look back at the other first tunnel time.

Mary Colette

Avery

The Life You're Living: Week 4

Being the first born you like to know what is going on all the time.  You weaseled it out of me what kind of cake Avery was getting and begged to help set up the surprise. The grader and dump truck were tucked away in some cabinets the night before waiting for their load of "dirt" when you discovered them you turned to Daddy and me with that grin and said, "There sure is a lot of machinery in our kitchen." Your sense of humor is developing quite nicely and with any lucky you will be as nerdy and wonderful as your Grandpas' and Daddy. 

This week Avery, you turn five! I was totally okay with your brother getting older, but for some reason you being a big boy is just hard on me.  You and PT are best buddies and for your birthday Gia took you to store to pick out your present. You were set on these two firetrucks even though you were allotted a larger budget; it was these that you fancied. From the toy store we headed over to pick up PT from school and the moment he got in the car you handed him one beaming and said you got him one! Oh my, Gia and I had to fight back tears. Avery you are such a special brother!

Well my crazy hair momma, you have been taking such good care of your three babies! You stood each one up so I could take a picture of you with each one. You are pure spunk and fun. I just love watching you develop your nurturing skills.

Well look at you, Georgianney, getting the hang of this walking thing! At ten months you're doing great! Oh to bottle this age!

Five Years of Bounce

Ummm...look at those feet. Those are my Joy Boy feet for sure. Evidence of a day full of play and bounce. Yup that's right, his heels still find it hard to be on the ground. His Poppy jokes that all his shoes will only be worn out on the balls and if we ever found a kid that walked on his heels then we could swap shoes. 

For as long as he as been on two feet he has bounced. I think it's his joy overflowing that makes him bounce. 

From the moment I first held you, my heart was filled with wonder, awe and unmatched joy. Both Daddy and I took a deep breath when meeting you for the first time and felt the joyous weight of what God was asking of you and of us.

My Joy, we thank God daily for you and pray that by His grace and guidance we help form your character to better suit His plan for you.

We love you!

Manic Monday

Strollers aren't just for girls!

Despite getting stuck here, Georgianney is really skilled at navigating his way through the house with his sisters stroller.  He also is walking across the room now! With each passing hour, he moves from baby to toddler. 

Growing Up at the Speed of... Something Very Fast

We celebrated Avery's 5th birthday today.

Tonight he went to bed without his blanket.

No, no, not at all do I like this.

Friday Photo Favorites

Umm...should he be "getting" me? - Arthur

Okay this isn't so bad. - Arthur

I got him! - George

Trying to "measure" the boys.

Yup, both are supey dupey cute, according to Mary Colette.

Poke!

Georgianney had such a blast with all the little cousins at Christmas.

Oh, how badly he wanted to slime kiss/flattened sweet Arthur.