Grandma Marsha took Harlow's one year pictures in mid-June. With the cloudy, cool, gloomy way this summer started out, we were worried Harlow would be 2 years old before we got these pictures taken. When Marsha posted the sneak peak on Facebook, she described Harlow as a "whirlwind", and that is precisely what she is! She was something else during her photoshoot. She knew exactly what we wanted, so did the exact opposite, literally. We told her to sit, she stood. We told her to walk to us, she turned around and walked the other way. We told her to smile, she opened to her mouth to show a mouth full of crackers. Marsha said, "She knows what she's doing", and I think she was right. But that's our Harlow. She has a mind of her own, stubborn as it is. She'll get places in life.
The biggest boy got even bigger. Although, not physically, I measured him and even though I thought it seemed like he shot up over night, he didn't. In personality, maturity, and conversation I feel like I'm raising an adult. He amazes me with his words, his questions, and his theories on life. And even though he knew exactly what to expect as he walked into the living room full of balloons, noodle balloons that he specifically asked for, he still had a genuinely thrilled reaction.
Everyone enjoyed the noodle balloons, making animals, head dresses.....
and sister, she just ran through them laughing.
Looking back a year from now, Hudson requested the same thing for his birthday breakfast, blueberry muffins. He poured the oil, cracked the eggs, mixed the blueberries, and ate THREE of them! We sang Happy Birthday to him and he was somewhat leery of the candle because it was a sparkler kind. At least it was supposed to be. Every once in awhile a spark would spurt out scaring the living daylights out of him and Paxton. All while insuing hilarious laughter from the both of them. He blew that candle out from a good distance away.
He enjoyed his three muffins in his new teepee.
His obsession at the moment, Scooby Doo! That will be the theme of his actual birthday party this weekend, complete with a Scooby Doo pinata that he couldn't be more excited about!
After lunch at Happy Joe's and an afternoon at home, we headed out to the Country Club golf course for an annual tournament (more pictures of that to come).
Happy 5th Birthday my sweet boy!
Top 5 things I love most about you- 1) That you know things, you just get things. 2) That you tell me if I need a break from Harlow, you'll watch her for me. And if there's an emergency, you'll yell. 3) That growing into a young boy, your Grandma is still your favorite person in the whole wide world. 4) That you include your brother in almost everything you do. 5) Your memory. You remember the biggest things and the smallest details. You remember things from when you were just a teeny tiny boy and it never ceases to amaze me.
Singing a breakfast Happy Birthday (via instagram video). He was leery of the candle because it was a sparkler one, that didn't work very well, but would randomly throw out a couple sparks once in a while.
Happy Birthday at Happy Joe's, with his ears covered and shy, embarrassed look.
Harlow's ishy faces and famous nose noises that she knows is funny. And epic hair!
I didn't get the chance to update the blog this weekend but.....Hudson did turn 5 on June 22nd!! So here's a little iPhone preview with more yet to come.....
I had the priviledge of sleeping with the birthday boy as he made the switch from 4 to 5.
He woke up to balloons and a giant teepee in the living room. I'm pretty sure his day was made the second he saw these "noodle balloons"! He loves them and spent most of the morning making different shapes and head gear.
Seen here....
His choice for breakfast was to make blueberry muffins and we sang Happy Birthday.
Later we went to his choice restaurant for lunch....Happy Joe's of course! I asked him if he wanted them to sing to him because I know he doesn't like the horns and siren, but he insisted anyway, and just plugged his ears the whole time. He sure did enjoy eating the free sundae though!
The kids were invited over to a friend's house for some swimming. It was just a couple blocks away so they got dressed and started the walk over with the wagon. Both very excited to pull Sister.
Speaking of Sister, she was ready for the water!! She may look like a pretty princess in her ruffles and flowers, but make no mistake, she's still a wild one and can keep up with everyone. At least she tries to, Mom has to put a stop to a lot of what she wants to do. And she's NOT happy when I do! I think I'm going to have to come up with another word to describe her, "wild" just doesn't even cut it anymore. Using a thesaurus I found uncontrollable, unruly, reckless, and fierce. Yep, I would say those all describe her pretty well. Girl is definitely fierce.
Hudsy and Brody- these two get together and have a blast!! I love watching them play. All the energy, wildness, and naughty-ness that two little boys can get into. And the fact that they let Paxton tag along with them makes me very grateful and proud.
The best part about the day.....once we got home, out of the blue, Hudson says to me, "Mom, thanks for taking us there." And Paxton followed with, "You're the greatest mommy I know." My heart turned to mush. Those boys sure know what they're doing.
The dads of the world got a beautiful day to be celebrated. And we sure did celebrate ours! Hudsy was very excited to give him his present. He carried it out of our hiding place all by himself, found things to hide it while Daddy walked out, and made sure Daddy had his eyes closed until he was ready. He knew he would love it....
And he did!! A Schell's firepit (this is only the ring, Daddy had to put the rest together).
Then each of the boys gave him their questionnaires we filled out earlier. Lots of questions about Daddy and lots of great answers. While I was asking them the questions, Pax blurted out, "I'm really good at this." He thought it was a game about Daddy and he was gonna win because he knows all about his daddy.
Not sure if you can read everything (might have to click on the pictures to enlarge them).
Jamie got a kick out of some of their answers. His favorites- that Hudsy thinks he has big muscles and that Packy wants to buy him new underwear.
All week the boys have been singing him their special song they learned at daycare. I love this. Heart melted.
He didn't get away without doing some work though! With the help of the boys, he trimmed all the bushes and mowed the lawn. Keep up the good work Daddy!
We had a birthday party in the park later on. You wouldn't think it'd be possible, but Harlow is getting wilder and wilder everyday. She has no fear of anything, refuses to sit still for any amount of time, gets into everything, and would eat and/or drink ALL DAY LONG!!! Everywhere we go, people are always amazed at the energy and spunk this little one has. And at how fast she is. And strong. Sitting on Daddy's lap, she grabbed right for his beer and he had a heck of a time pulling it from her grip.
We took our first trip of the year up to greet Hermann the German. I asked the boys to sit on the step for a quick picture and all on their own, they posed together for this sweet pic.
Hudsy, Carson, Packy, and Alec
The most handsome-est boys in the whole wide world.....
Me and Packy all the way at the top!
Sister didn't get to climb up with us. She stayed down below and yelled for her mama! Pretty sure she tried pulling the entire 100 foot statue down.
Happy Father's Day Daddy. The boys love you. Harlow loves you. And I love you.
we went to a graduation with family. i think auntie sheri is feeding her way to being harlow's favorite. she's a lucky girl.
these are the smiles i get.
after the graduation, mom and dad went on a date to our favorite place. and the boys were waiting for us at home, ready for a living room slumber party. who could ask for more?
Harlow was having so much fun in her bath last night. Sister has no fear of water....well, of anything really. She'll dive her face and head right in, and never cares if it takes her breath away. That's just more fun! She thought it was hilarious to stick her face into the running water. I was taking pictures and then realized it'd be better portrayed on a video. When you watch it, note that there is no sitting in the bathtub! Harlow won't have it. She only gets clean from the thighs down.
This was the look she'd give me after swallowing some water. I kept telling her not to, so she knew she was guilty. And check out that belly to the right!!! I sent the picture to Maddi, asking if she needed to go on a "flower girl diet" before the wedding. Ha. Maddi said her main concern is still the mullet.
I love this girl to pieces. She has such a personality and mind of her own.
