We have a 5 year old!

This is going to be the saddest, happy post ever. I, somehow, deleted all the pictures from Devin's birthday. Yes, mother of the year. The only pictures I have are the few I snapped on my phone. And there were so many cute pictures! I cried when I realized what happened, which I still don't understand because some pictures on the card downloaded just fine but all the birthday ones didn't make it onto the computer?! 2014 hates me. 

So, future, grown-up Devin, I promise that I took something like 400 pictures on your big day to ensure I would have the best shots to choose from. I promise I took a picture of you standing all proud by all your presents and the Happy Birthday sign. I promise I took a picture of you showing me how old you were, even one with your Daddy where you showed me you were "1" and Daddy guessed you were 5. I promise I took a picture of you eating your requested dinner of blueberry pancakes and sausage on your "You Are Special" plate. I promise I took a ton of pictures of you opening all those presents from Mommy and Daddy and all your grandparents. 

I promise I got a picture of each present you opened (Imaginext pirate and city center toys from Grandma and Grandpa Britton, remote control helicopter from Grandma and Grandpa Downing, construction vehicle train from Grandma and Grandpa Millett, markers, a world map, and tickets to Walking with Dinosaurs tickets from Mommy and Daddy).

 I promise I took a picture of you with your Grandma and Grandpa Britton. I promise we took a picture of you with Mommy and Daddy to celebrate your big day. I promise I took a picture (and a video) of us singing Happy Birthday to you and of you blowing out your candles. I promise we took a picture of you by your cake and one with me and you together. I promise I took a picture of you eating your cake. I promise I took a picture of you exploring your new map for your room and one of you playing with your new train, and all your other toys. I promise I documented your 5th birthday just like I document all other events of your life. I promise you were happy and that you were loved. I promise that I'm SO SAD that all those memories are not captured in picture, but I hope these few crappy iPhone pictures give you a glimpse to your big day.

We started out the big day with an egg mcmuffin, because you love those, and Landon and me singing Happy Birthday. You even had a special note on a new tool bag from Daddy, who was already out the door and working before we were even awake. 

We then headed to do some shopping, and to pick up your cake, which was a much-anticipated errand, for sure. We had a Costco hot dog for lunch, which you thought was grand. We then prepared for Grandma and Grandpa Britton's arrival for your dinner of blueberry pancakes, sausage, and chocolate milk. (Grandma and Grandpa Millett needed to be in Tropic.) After dinner and presents, we had cake time. Your requested cake this year was a Megatron cake, but then I got strep throat. And by strep throat I mean the plague of death, so I couldn't make you a cake. We had a talk and you said you would understand if we had to buy your cake this year. Of course, on the way to the ice cream store you did add some guilt with, "I really, really wanted a Megatron cake in my heart, but I guess this will be okay." Once they said we could have a Transformers cake with Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, you were a little more understanding. 

In the end, the ice cream cake was a hit and was definitely yummy, though we had to throw away the "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" sign because it mentioned "The Fallen," which you are scared of. You ended the day by surrounding yourself with all your presents and snuggling into bed full of birthday dreams and wishes come true.

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve this year was a low-key affair. We worked at the house all day (with no nap for Landon) and the boys were STARVING by the time I got the pizza cooked. We had a pizza-on-paint-bucket-table-and-chair dinner.

 

 Then (at 6:15), we changed the clock to 11:55 to countdown and get ready for the celebration. We had noise poppers after the countdown and then poured some "fancy drink in fancy glasses" for a family toast. We taught the boys to "clink" glasses, which they thought was fantastic, then made them take family pictures. 

After all the celebrating, I took the boys home and Rich stayed behind to continue to work on the house. They went to bed early, I went to do laundry. We are such party animals! Happy New Year! I'm kind of excited to say goodbye to 2014. Let's bring on 2015!

Proud Libary Card Owner

I've been gearing up Devin for getting his own library card for awhile. When he started learning to write his name I told him that when he could write his whole name nicely, and when he turned 5, he could get his own library card. He was pretty excited about this. Well, the day finally came. 

If you asked, he'd probably tell you his PIN number because I think he's mostly proud that he's old enough to have one. He was so excited to pick out his own book and use the computer screen all by himself. (I won't lie, but I will wax nostalgic a little bit: I kind of miss Gehlin the librarian and his personal, albeit socially awkward, service.) 

Anyway, Devin is the cutest library card owner I know. Pretty proud of this little bookworm. I do most everything wrong as a parent, especially with Devin, but I do feel like a success when I think about how much he loves to read.

Holiday Card 2014

Mostly I was impressed with my ability to get these made and sent out before Christmas. I really love receiving cards and getting updates, so I try to do a card for our family. Sometimes I fail (and sometimes Rich and I disagree about spending money this way), but I'm happy that after 2014 not being my favorite year, I still got a holiday card mailed to all our wonderful family and friends.

Actual Snow, Still Kind-of Snowman

We've had such a dry, warm winter--kind of like all our Decembers in California--but the magic of Christmas didn't disappoint and we woke up to a white Christmas. After all the presents and family fun, the boys finally talked Daddy into helping them build a snowman. The snow ended up being too powdery for a snowman, but their Daddy always comes up with a way to make things work out. Devin made snow angels and worked on the snowman problem with Daddy.

Again, Landon didn't stay out too long, opting to come in for a snack of Craisins, but he did end up going back out when the mini snowman was complete.

Snow! (Kind of)

Every time we got a skiff of snow the boys would beg and beg to go outside and build a snowman. Except every time this happened, by the time we got home, the snow was completely gone. When we got out of childcare at Jazzercise the other day, the snow was falling. You can see the joy on their faces.

We rushed home to get into snow clothes as quickly as possible to take advantage of the snow. Wouldn't you know it though, by the time we got out, it had stopped snowing! Can't catch a break. 

We did not let this deter us, however, and decided that this was the perfect kind of snow for making dinosaur tracks. So many tracks were made.

Landon is not a lover of the cold. He didn't stay out too long. And when he came in he just laid face down and made pouty faces into the carpet because it was SO hard to get undressed.

Devin stayed outside playing with the snow/mud for a good 20 minutes. He was in love with the mini snowballs and didn't need anyone out there to entertain him. Imagination was free-flowing, which I loved.

Christmastime + House = Tired Landon

We've had lots of late nights working on the house. The boys have been real troopers, but the missed naps and late nights caught up to Landon, especially. Christmas Eve morning Landon did not want to wake up. And even after waking up he let me snuggle him for a half hour. That never happens, so it was welcome and much appreciated. 

After the snuggles and some breakfast, the boys got settled in for roomtime so I could get ready before we, once again, ran to Home Depot for some things for the house. When I went to open the door to get Landon ready to go, I found him sprawled out on the floor asleep, mid-play. I love his chubby little hand still clutching his toy and his cheek gushing over his tools. 

 

So sweet. I turned off the lights and turned down the music to let him continue his early morning nap. Devin and I ran to run errands, and Grandpa said he would keep an ear out for Landon. 

When he awoke, Landon sweet-talked (as usual) Grandpa into a show and into sitting next to him. Then Grandpa took a quick nap, which was extra adorable because when Devin and I came in the door Landon shushed us to let us know Grandpa was sleeping. 

Clearly no one in this house is getting enough sleep!

Christmas Morning

I mostly just let the pictures do the talking for Christmas, but this year needs some commenting. We had a great morning (sans me waking up with a sore throat and feeling like I'd turned 100 years old. The next day I would get a diagnosis of strep throat, which turned into the worst strep throat of my life. I know I'm complaining a lot about strep throat, but seriously. The.worst.ever.) enjoying all the presents and family time together. Devin and Landon were so excited to run upstairs and discover if Santa had come.

 

The boys' main presents were a "blue guy and a motorcycle" for Landon, and a watch for Devin. He does surprisingly well at telling time and feels really grown up with his watch. He spent a lot of time that morning staring at his wrist. 

Landon's favorite toys were all the Dollar Store buys and the family gifts, which he co-opted quickly. The best present ever: Devin's choice of stuffed puppy dog for Landon.

 

Devin was absorbed by the books from Santa and from Grandma and Grandpa Millett. I made the boys reversible Batman/Superman capes, which I was pretty proud of, considering I'm not really a sewer. I hope they have lots of fun with them in the future. That morning they mostly wanted to wear them while reading books. What a Merry Christmas we had.