Birthday decor and cake

We went over the top with Olympic theming.  I had so much fun planning this party and gathering all the ideas.  Today I am going to show (and tell, hehe) the decorations.  I forgot to get some of the pictures so I'll describe the things I forgot, too.

 Rings on the door

Olympic cupcakes

 Wreaths made by my mama

 Rings out of noodles painting

 We like to start the partying as soon as they wake up :)

 Streamers were in the living and dining room

bad picture, but you can see the rings out of paper plates garland

We also had the penant banner and podium set up the same as his prebirthday pics.  There was a garland out of pipe cleaners on another part of our fence also.  Other food that we had was a trail mix (energy mix) of fruity cheerios, chex, pumpkin seeds, m&ms, and craisins.  We also had bugles (torches).  For drinks I froze some water balloons to use as ice in the bucket of juice boxes and water bottles (I of course also had sweet tea).  In the treat bags (or parent torture bags) we had flags, horns, whistles, red/white/blue bracelets, bubbles, and medals.

My baby boy is 4

Zeke is 4!  One more finger and then he fills up a whole hand!  I have been super reminiscent since the Olympics started a couple weeks ago.  Zeke was born just before opening ceremonies.  We spent the evening after he was born watching opening ceremonies and then the days that followed we watched countless hours of competition.  I have been way more nostalgic this year than others.  I think it is because he will be starting preschool this fall, so I feel like this is the last "little boy" party.  I know he isn't going to war or anything, but I feel like everything will change with him going to school 4 days a week.  He won't be going to the doctor until the end of the month, so I will do a post then with his growth stats.  I will be posting an interview with him later on this week and also pictures from his awesome party will be up soon.  For now, here is a quick glimpse of my sweet boy's growth

 We waited and anticipated meeting this sweet face

 This is the baby who gave me one of my most honored titles, Mom

 He grew and he grew fast (1 year)

 His sweet personality emerged (2 years old)

 His love for learning has expanded (3 years old)

 Our family has grown so much from when he was born

Our 4 year old

Zeke's Pre-birthday Pics

We are so blessed with some great friends that we have met through doing some marriage mentoring.  (really, we have learned and benefitted so much more from these couples than they could have from us)  The wife of one of our sweet couples have busted onto the photo scene with their best pal.  I have been dying to get Whitney over to take pictures of the kiddos and she had the best idea.  She came a few days before Zeke's party and took some pictures so we could have some to display.  Here are just a few that she snapped.  We printed one (using Staples engineer size for about $8!) and put it up to go along with all of our Olympics memorabilia.  Also, if you want Whitney and Amy to capture your moments check them out.  I highly recommend them and can't wait to use them again in the near future.

 This picture makes me want to cheer and cry at the same time.  He is so big now!

 Typical Ben, always a ham!

 This girl was so serious... or she was being blinded by the sun

 This was our picture we chose to display, I just love how she did the colors in this

 We may or may not have been chanting 'USA!" at the top of our lungs

 He will be great at giving acceptance speeches

 He will be great at stand up comedy

In our book, they are all gold medal winners :)

Everything else from July

So, here is a photo dump of every other picture from this month.  Get your big girl/guy pants on because there are a lot.

 Big baby in a little tub

 Scooting around the neighborhood

 Ben completed his first Kumon book.  He more or less ZIPPED right thorugh with out really caring about what he was actually doing, but he finished it and was super proud.

 Pipecleaners and beads

 Stringing those beads fills up some time

 The YaYa and kiddos

 The Nana and kiddos

 July 4 cookout at the Franks house

 The boys first time with a slip n slide, they LOVED it and were pros by the end of the night

 HA!  It looks like she only has one foot because she is jumping already, it's her first time in the jumper

 This is how she sits in the bouncy seat most days

 Nothing better than an afternoon shower to make for some fun puddle splashing

 These are my flipping cool kids

 Zeke's Kumon book.  He was working through the alphabet one, but saw the number one recently and wanted to jump into it.  So, we are about 3/4's of the way through ABC's and 1/3 through numbers.

 Hey, Ben, give me thumbs up

 Mamas do what mamas gotta do when the littlest one needs to eat.

 Our first prayground experience

 The boys LOVED it.  I just wish this park were here and not in McLeansville

 Ellie shoved her thumb into the paci and then into her mouth.  I'm thinking teething much

 Race time

 Bampa and Ben

 We found the cutest squishiest cottonball marshmallow baby at the Disney store

 Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful?

 Wore that baby out (and wore that bathing suit out, it was retired after this wearing)

Our crazy wild boys, we love us some Max (and Charlie)

Another night at the Shelton's

Sink Bath

Ellie has way outgrown her little bathtub.  I have loaned out our little bath seat and can't remember who has it (if you have it, Ellie would love it to be returned).  Until then, we are trying out the sink.

 Mom, do you know what you are doing here?

 OH, ok, it's a bath, I like those

Correction, I LOOOOVE baths!