Will's Birthday WEEK!

With a 12 week maternity leave, it is unlikely that we will be taking a vacation anytime soon. So Craig decided to take a week off to be home with me and the kids. Will's birthday fell on a Monday and we had his small party with family the day before, so that seemed like the best time for Craig to be home. We spent his actual birthday at home as a family playing with all his new presents, and then did some fun activities the rest of the week.

Sunday, June 7th - Will's birthday party

We had a "trucks & trains" theme going, but it was very low-key and casual. MUCH less stressful than the 1st birthday, for sure. We just decided that small was better at his age to avoid overstimulation. As it was, he was exhausted by the end of the day. We all were really.

We ordered a donut cake from a local bakery - soooooo good!


Playing "bean bags" with dad.


This is how he looks in EVERY picture we have now because he's always saying "cheese" for the camera. :)






Casey, Wes, Mya & Stella made it out for the party after only being home from the hospital ONE day! Amazing. It was so nice to have them there.



For lunch, we served a taco bar and other Mexican side dishes. Again, low-key and easy, but stuff everyone likes.




Blowing bubbles with Aunt Kelly & Uncle Steve.








Three new babies!

Opening gifts.

Will received lots of really great things. Some farm animal toys from Kelly & Steve, a tent, sleeping bag, a folding chair from Grandma & Papa Riedeman (very clever combo!), a personalized book about trains from Casey & Wes, and a train table from my parents and siblings. What great gifts!






Cake!!!


"Happy Birthday to you!"


Yum!






Not crazy about having his hands all dirty. :)


Monday, June 8th - Will's 2nd birthday

Monday brought scattered showers, so we mostly stayed inside playing with birthday presents. But we did get out briefly when the sun peaked out to give Will his gift from us - a tricycle! And, of course, more bubble blowing.










On Tuesday we went to the zoo in the morning.
















On Wednesday, we took Will to Monkey Jump to burn some energy. :)














On Thursday, we hung out at home again.
Big smile from our girl!


Here's a pic of Soph in just her diaper - she's gotten so big!


And while this may look like child labor, Will loves to Swiffer the floors after I'm done cleaning them. :)




And then on Sunday the 14th, we walked up to see the Curtice Kidz Day parade.

Like Father, Like Son

This is how I found Craig and Will when I came downstairs last Saturday morning.


Craig had the TV set with a dual screen option so that Will could watch his beloved "horse movie", Spirit, while Craig was still able to catch some scores on ESPN. Boys!

But look how cute their heads look beside each other... Will definitely got his big noggin' from daddy. :)

Homecoming Parade

Last Friday, we took Will to see the homecoming parade downtown. It was probably the highlight of his month. Fire trucks, ambulances, horses, dogs, candy, and the Ohio State spring marching band. What moe could he ask for? :)

Arriving at the parade. Will's never been to one before.


"Beep!Beep!", Will yelled.






Our friends Angie and Addison were there (Jason too):


Addison and Will watch the festivities.


Police officers and SWAT team come by to shake the kids' hands.


Will sat with Aunt Kelly for part of the parade. (Uncle Steve and Papa Riedeman were there too.)

"Hang on Sloopy... Sloopy hang on... O-H-I-O!" Will loved the "State Buckeyes" marching band.


After the band went by, Will and Aunt Kelly practiced marching just like the band did. :)




Sophie slept peacefully the whole time!

A Soph Slideshow!

Here are some new pictures of our little Sophia:


Lots more smiles these days!








These are some of my new faves. 6 weeks old! (And maybe orange is her color!?)

Outdoor Fun

We've recently acquired some "new" outdoor toys for Will to enjoy this summer. My mom is letting us borrow the small slide and teeter totter from her nursery school playground for the summer and my grandpa sent us some of his grandkids' hand-me-down trikes from Arizona. We've also been storing a used Little Tikes basketball hoop in our basement given away by Wes's school that we plan to move outside soon. So without spending a penny, we've got all kinds of fun new stuff for Will. Nice!

We actually bought him a new Radio Flyer tricycle for his 2nd birthday. So once he opens that, we'll probably keep the trikes from grandpa at my parents' house.

Will prefers to go down the slide on his belly.






I'm pretty sure this is not what grandpa intended... but Will got a kick out of it. :) LOL