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Category Archives: birthdays

eight.

November 3, 2012 Filed in birthdays

we have sweet little 8 year old in the house! 

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we brought treats to school.  
"8" shaped donuts.  :) 

i found her shirt at the children's place….she wore it proudly. 

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when i got to her classroom they were making posters for an election.
her group's poster said "Do It Our Way…VOTE for P.J. Day!"
so cute.
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some of annie's work up at school…

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we went to Sonic after school for an ice cream treat while we waited on big brothers.

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in the evening she had her birthday party!
10 little 7 & 8 year olds came out to play.
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oh my.

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she is all set with Lego Friends.  
her friends brought her such sweet gifts.  
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they roasted hot dogs and ate chips and go-gurt.

(can i just say again I LOVE LIVING HERE!? cause…. i do.)
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no surprise… the boys were ALL about roasting the hot dogs themselves.
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we have speakers set up in the barn so talby had her iPod hooked up and DJed for us all evening
all of annie's favorites….a repeat of taylor swift, selena gomez and the Biebs.  
with Dynamite every three songs repeated again.
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she gave a little lip sync concert.

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there was a dance party/freeze tag/basketball game going on too.
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we made s'mores instead of birthday cake.

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it was such a nice night.
she loved having her friends…loved being outside…running around crazy.

later after craig and i cleaned up i found her upstairs in her room alone playing with her new legos.
i said "did you have fun at your party?"
she said "YES…but i am so WORN OUT!!!"

ha ha ha

today is her actual birthday.
she has changed her mind 10 times about what she wants to do.
could make for an interesting day.

 

add a comment

Andrea - What a great party! How fun and I love the flad bunting on the barn? Did you make it? Is it easy?

Michelle - Happy birthday Annie! She is a cutie, and it looks like she had an awesome party!
Everytime I see pictures of the barn, it makes me envious. 🙂 I love old barns. That is one of my requirements if my family ever moves again–more land and a big, old barn.

Leadia Jarvis - Okay, I’m sold. I’ll come be your neighbor. Your “little” girl has gotten so big. It looks like she’s had a pretty perfect time turning 8.

sharron - she is getting so big. i kept thinking talby is eight then i realized NO it is little annie!!! oh my goodness. where is the time going??? her birthday looked so fabulous and just traditionally FUN!!! if i were a hipster i would use that word organic…lol ’cause that is what it was good ‘ole meg ideas and old fashioned fun!!! love the pennants on the barn and the fun times annie and her firends had! tfs!
happy eighth year annie!!

danielle burkleo - what a perfect birthday party for your sweet girl! happy birthday annie!

Amandrine - Joyeux anniversaire jolie Annie…Happy birthday Annie !

Jenn - Meg – I LOVE your blog. Just the rainbow colors make me happy.
Where are the curved benches from? THey are perfect!!!!

Kristin S - Seriously, Meg, posts like this make me want to move to the country. Sigh.
Best fire pit ever.
Best s’more basket ever too.
You are great parents!

Whitney - She has grown up so fast! What a great party… love the bunting! But my favorite decoration- that tablecloth on the presents table (with the fruit.) Where did you get it?! I love it…

Lori Austin - Well I guess Annie and I are birthday buddies! 🙂
Only I have 30 years on her. Ha!
Looks like she had a super fun party.
My daughter will be turning 8 in April – love the donut idea for school.

tami - Awh happy birthday to your angel!

Alisa - I just want to come over to your house and roast a hot dog and have a visit. The pennant bunting just made the whole party…love.

Sandy - lip sync Annie = Talby twin!! Happy Birthday sweet Annie! I’ve been following your blog since she was 3! Where has the time gone??

domesticali - Happy Birthday Annie! Nice to see my 8yo boy is like every other all the world over – fire=awesome. Must be the caveman in them!

Lora - hApPY b*DAy ANniE… Looks like the perfect party! Love the pic of her in front of the barn.

Terrie G - 🙂 Happy Bday Celebrating this weekend!!!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - That pretty barn’s about to give me a little tear…
Happy Birthday, Annie!

Dara - happy b.day! I love this post. I think because she is the same age as my daughter! (well mine is still 7, but also a 2nd grader!)

Margo - Looks like lots of fun and I am in love with your white barn and that awesome bunting!!

Jaimie - Looks like the perfect party!
Happy Birthday to your Annie!
She’s adorable…Hope she enjoyed her day!

Darcie L. - That white paint-peeling barn with bright bunting… be still my heart. It looks so cute. And s’mores, what a great cake! Was the lip synch inside the barn? Cause whoa. I would make that into a playroom so fast… and craft room/warehouse. So glad you love living there! We live in the country too and we love it!

Tasha - awesome birthday and THANKS for the birthday tee link…had to scoop one up for an upcoming 6th birthday 🙂

Jen - Happy Birthday, Annie!!! It looks like she had a great time. Good job, mom! My friend’s son, Henry, turned 8 today, too. 🙂 My sweet Katy was 8 in September. 2004 was a good year!

mary beth - What a fun party! It was so fun to see Jake in the pictures..we miss him! Glad he has found such sweet friends!

Verna Lantz - Hey, only special people have a birthday on November 3rd. I should know, I am one of them. (If only I were 8) Hope she had the most wonderful of days. I know her party looks like tons and tons of fun.

Stephanie - Happy birthday to a girl with such a cute little face. I loved your birthday outside scenery pics. Oh to live in Kansas again!

Valerie @ Chateau a la mode - Happy birthday sweet Annie!

Alicia W. - Happy birthday Annie! My girl Adri just turned 8 yesterday if you need a pen pal 🙂

Melissa Brent - Happy birthday to Annie. It looks like she has had a fabulous one. My two sons and I all have November birthdays (mine is tomorrow-the 40th one!)

Tiffany - Oh my, that entire day just looks so sweet and fun! That’s the kind of party I’d want to have and I’m 31! And I’m all over those birthday treats! 🙂 Happy Birthday Annie!

Wendy - hApPy BiRtHdAy AnNiE!!!

April R - Happy Birthday Annie 🙂

Kathleen - Hot dog roasts and s’mores are the best birthday party….we did that for our son’s 7th birthday this summer. Looks like a good time was had by all !

lorel - what a great party! happy birthday Annie!

Kate - Happy Birthday sweet Annie!

amy cornwell - Happy birthday Annie! I’m glad she had a wonderful party…sounds fantastically fun!

lindsay - happy birthday annie!! she is so cute and FUN! 🙂

Pink and Green Mama MaryLea - Happy Birthday to you both!! Such a sweet big girl, sounds like a perfect party to me. : )
xoxo
Love,
MaryLea

Ana - What a great party. So relaxed and fun! I want to live out in the country! The doughnuts were cute too!

Angel/TaDa!Creations - Oh I can’t even tell you how much I love this post! And I can’t believe how grown up Annie is looking too. When did that happen? I think this is truly the perfect party for big “little” kids. I will hopefully do this for my girls in the next year or two. Happy Birthday Annie!

Leah - Happy Birthday to Annie! Time goes by so fast. My little one turns 5 in six days. It’s hard to believe! These blogs are so great for looking back at the memories.

Christina - She’s adorable! I remember when she was five! And the Dynamite comment cracked me up. 🙂
haha I see another commenter mentioning her when she was five…for some reason that sticks out in our minds. 🙂

Amy @littleforalittlewhile - Happy Birthday sweet girl!

alicia @ la famille - sooooooo fun!!!! i love it! happy day, annie 🙂
you totally need to hold some legendary parties in that barn. i’m thinking christmas with a hired horse and sleigh, mountains of sugar cookies, charlie brown christmas lights all over, christmas tunes blaring.
or
a show! like a craft show…can you see all the awesome booths?? i can. oh, and i am one of them 😉 if i can ever get my act together and make some stuff to fill up my shop. being pregnant with your 4th kinda puts a damper on that stuff.
these are just some suggestions…think about it 😉

KirstenP - Looks like an awesome party – and much warmer than my neck of the woods.
I love the photo of Annie cradling her Sonic drink! So pretty, so grown up.

Tracy - Happy Birthday Annie!!! Hope you decide on something special to do today 🙂

Sophie - EIGHT? Wasn’t she five like… yesterday? Gosh, she’s looking so much more like her big sisters as the grows up!

Tanya H - Dynomite is my kids favorite. I oould handle it being played less…… LOL. Your set up is awesome! Perfect for a party! Looks like an excellent evening!

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happy birthday big guy!

July 18, 2012 Filed in birthdays

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for Sean's birthday i asked "what would you like to do?"
he said "could we go to the old house and get our tramploine and bring it to the new house?"

um….yes!
i love his simple request.
he didn't ask for anything elaborate or expensive.
just the trampoline.

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the neighbor's puppy LOVES the trampoline.

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then we got out the sprinkler….so much better!

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this picture IS annie in every way.

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he wanted to light his own candles….but i only had 6!! (mom fail)
and he still wanted us to sing.

we got him a giant cookie (thanks grandma) and we had homemade ice cream (thanks dad) on top.
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twelve year olds are very goofy.

he asked for Lynette's noodles and ham for dinner.
we talked about how we barely made it to the hospital for his birth and how Craig nearly passed out.
he always says "i chose to lay down on the floor in the delivery room…i did not fall down there"
everyone loves to hear their birth story in our family….but especially that one.
🙂

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the next night Sean had his birthday party with a few friends.

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they went to Ice Age 4, ate pizza, they goofed off all around the house and then our neighbors let us swim. 

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he had another friend come later but the camera was put away by then….sorry jonah.
you missed all the pictures!

they watched more movies and sprawled all over the living room staying up reeeeeally late.
it was a great party for sean.
he was happy.
this year has been SO good for him.

makes a mama's heart happy to see.

happy birthday big guy.
i can't believe you are TWELVE!!

 

 

 

 

 

add a comment

J L Harvey - Where is Lauren?

holly - It looks like a fantastic time. Kids being kids! perfection….The second picture of the 4 boys is perfect!

elisa - I’m so happy that he is doing good 🙂 I know that makes you smile!

karen - that wet slippery trampoline gives me heart palpitations.

se7en - Happy Brilliant Birthday… Oh the summer fun just looks magical!!! I would like to take this moment to post a comment on every single blog post of your forever: That Annie is the cutest thing on earth!!! Just assume this comment is on every post with love from me… because really that photo of Annie!!!

danielle burkleo - happy birthday to your big guy! love the pool pictures, and him with his buddies. i can’t believe my boys will one day be this age. hold me.

Tracy Fisher - what a great day! congrats on raising your kids… love watching them grow up… yet stay young at heart. -tracy

Andie - I just wanted to comment on how much Sean reminds me of my son at that age. He is 15 now. I miss 12. He looks like such a great kid. You can just see the kindness in his eyes. I’m glad he had a good b-day.They grow up way too fast.
Andie

Joanie Woods - My son was 12 once, and it seems like it was yesterday. I was home with him everyday, and the time still flew bye! Keep doing what you are doing,enjoying these simple times you have with your kids. My boy is 23 now, and I miss my goofy kid so much!! Reading your Blog is a great way to end my day, Thanks ;o)

happygirl - Hahaha. my son used to put the sprinkler under the trampoline, too. and there is nothing funnier than a dog on a trampoline. GREAT pics.

Chris - Your Sean looks so tall for 12! Happy Birthday!!

Carrie - Happy Birthday! My oldest is turning 5 in a little over a month and I can not beleive that, 12 seems so untouchable at this point but of course I am soo okay with that! I am not rushing anything. I wanted to share what we talk about on her birthday every year. We talk about how we did not make it into the birth center. She was born in the parking lot and not in the car. I was trying to make my way around the car while my husband went to get a midwife. The midwife came out and by that time I was able to say while standinf up ” I think the head is out”. She took it in stride and said, but your shorts are still on. I now do not think she really believed me until she pulled the rest of that just 6 lb little girl out. My midwife took her shirt off in the parking lot at 3 pm in the afternoon along a relatively busy street while the whole second floor of the birth center stared out the window. 6 hours later we were home in our own bed. She will forever be known as the parking lot baby. In reality, Cecelia was meant to be born in a parking lot, it suits her. She is amazing, spunky, and you always know where you stand with her. So every year we taking her picture in the parking lot, a few times getting our spot.

Kelly - Those are the BEST photos…I can feel all the joy just pouring through my computer screen… especially the one with all the boys and the sunlight behind them! Summer bdays are the best.

Heather - Love all the pictures. We used to have a trampoline, but it wore out with age over the years. The kids miss it.

Lisa - Those pictures of Annie on the trampoline are HILARIOUS!!! They look like they were having a blast. And Happy Birthday to your son!

Heather S. - I know it’s a post all about Sean, but can I say I LOVE the picture of the dog diving into the pool? And all the swimming photos with the sun setting? Awesome! Happy Birthday, Sean!

tonya - my girl turned 12 in april and so far, i’m loving it! her and her girlfriends are so silly and giggly…they crack me up!!!
happy birthday, sean!!!

karen gerstenberger - I love this post, especially the “birth story” part. Good for Craig, choosing to lie down instead of tipping over. It’s a good thing that men don’t have the babies in this world!

betsy - Great pics at the pool … boys are so fearless! I’m pretty sure I never even attempted one of those jumps or flips into the pool when I was little. Makes sense, because now I just want to quietly sit on the edge of my pool & read a good book. I get annoyed when loud people come near me and get all splashy 😉

Alicia @ La Famille - oh my…12!! deeep breaths!! i’m only 2 years from that.
so the trampoline/sprinkler combo is brilliant.
also? your porch with the banners and lights is adorable.
sweet bday post 🙂

Kate - Julia just turned 12 and it was so hard for me to pick out presents with her! She is in that precious stage of inbetween…

Alice H - I didn’t realize how close in age our boys are. My son will be 12 in October. Happy Birthday to Sean!
Is that bunting on your porch up all the time? Where did you get it? Is it weather resistant?
Thanks,
Alice

Danielle F. - LOVE the pic of Sean looking at his candles! Love. it. Happy bday, Sean!

Danielle F. - LOVE the pic of Sean looking at his candles! Love. it. Happy bday, Sean!

Tina I - What a great birthday! Ahhhh….if only 12 year old girls were that easy…….

Hannah - Hey Meg!
I feel like you told the stories of all of you children’s births (maybe a year or so ago now?) but I can’t remember! Could you maybe do a retell, if it’s not too much trouble? Or just point me in the direction of that post?

Jenna@CallHerHappy - Beautiful pics, as usual 🙂 The party looks so happy, and I love that he wants to jump on the trampoline and still sing. I love boys who stay boys 🙂

Sandy - Love all the picturs, as always, but especially love the dog jumping off the diving board! How cool is that?!
Happy birthday, Sean!!

laura b - Your kids are getting so big! Too fast! Love the photo of the dog jumping into the pool!

Lorel - happy birthday Sean! I love seeing the changes in you this year. You are a great kid.

heather - sweet post! looks like you made it a perfect birthday!

W. - Happy birthday, Sean! Love the pictures.

ira lee - im sorry- but boys (at ANY age) are just too stinkin cute with no shirts on!!!! i love it! happy birthday to him- sounds like my kinda party!

kristina - I love the bunting and lights on your porch…way cute!

Jessica - Craig’s comment about laying down cracked me up!

Jen Brandt - How. fun. 🙂

Kimberly Dial - Happy birthday to your sweet Sean! 12-year-old boys are the best (I’m not sure everyone will agree with me) but having raised two sons, it’s awesome to see them turn into a man while still having the little boy pop out (often!) … such fun to watch … laughter filled my house during that time … oh how I miss those precious boys! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

Tiffany - He is so handsome. And your right, 12 years olds are so goofy 🙂 they are in an in between stage trying to figure it all out. Good friends (and parents) help.

Jamie - 12 year olds are funny. And they come in many different sizes!

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fourteen.

May 11, 2012 Filed in birthdays,family fun

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scott turned fourteen.
that is crazy.
he is almost done with middle school.
he is two inches taller than me.
he can almost drive?!!

my baby.
🙁

sometimes it physically hurts to realize how fast they grow up.
like…my chest is burning right now and i have tears in my eyes.

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he chose bbq chicken sandwiches….we used garlic bread like when we eat at Roys BBQ. 
(and this link to Roy's even has a video)
and velveeta mac n'cheese (the fancy kind we only buy for special occasions…not kidding)
and pineapple because he loves it.
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after dinner he opened his gifts.
annie wrapped up two things….tokens from a movie theater in michigan and a pile of photos that she went through pulling out all the pictures with scott in it.
my little girls love to give gifts!
scott was very gracious and went through each picture.

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and gave big hugs.
genuine real hugs.  :)

talby gave him some of her things she felt he would enjoy.  i love to watch them GIVE. 

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he was pretty excited about his cards with money….his sweatshirt from Nana….and new shoes from us.

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SIZE 12!!

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he willingly played croquet with his siblings.

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and let me hug on him and take pictures….
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then my little girls jumped in….

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they played blokus while i got out the cake.
 
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talby showed me how she whips her hair back and forth…she whips her hair back and forth…
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you can tell that everyone was quite happy and silly last night. 

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scott chose angel food cake and cool whip….what a sweet boy.
i didn't even have to bake a cake!
🙂

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thank you target for having all the things i needed.
and thanks talby for cutting up all those strawberries!
and thanks Cool Whip….just taste it!  ha  

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he is growing up to be a really cool kid.
i get to take a bunch of his friends out to dinner tonight.
i don't think i have ever had dinner with a table of 14 year old boys?
i may sit by myself….they may want me to.
it should be interesting.

he gives hugs.
he talks to me.
he is kind….he is courteous…he is funny.
he reminds me so much of his dad.
he loves playing basketball and watching basketball and talking about basketball.

i like him.

🙂

happy birthday scott.

 

add a comment

kim smart - what a handsome young man he is! your family is so beautiful and i think you’re an awesome mom!! the strawberries look sooo yummy too!

Rebecca Musser - Happy Birthday! My oldest turns 21 in a few weeks, HUH? When did he (and I) get so old? He just graduated from Hesston (KS) College and we were there last weekend for the ceremony…all the way from Virginia. I think I saw your family at Applebee’s on Friday night and may have seen Scott at the pizza place in Hesston at Sunday lunch. I refrained from saying anything because that would just be weird.

Ruth Baumgartner - Oh Meg! Thanks for putting me in tears once again! My boy
turns 12 in a few weeks, and like you, I feel an ache in my
heart because of the “growing up.” I also LOVE the young man
he is becoming… of course I have always loved him, but now
I also admire him

Lorie - Happy Birthday Scott! I hate watching my kids get older, but it is made more bearable by the fact that I do like who they are turning out to be!

April R - yep. actual chest pains.
I know exactly what you r talking about.
You have a gorgeous family, thanks for sharing 🙂

Linda Garcia - what a sweet boy and what a lovely and lucky mama you are!

lola - i have two wee boys and this post made me teary to think of them turning 14!!! time is flying and i can’t take it!!! enjoy it mama!

Angela - Cool Whip–Just taste it!!! HAHAHA!!! Love Mad Men.
Happy birthday to your sweet boy. My oldest is six, and while 14 seems a million miles away, it breaks my heart that it will be here quicker than I can stop it.

shauna - agh.
i feel your love from this post.
what a blessed mother you are friend.
God sure does give us what we need (around all the other crap).
my heart feels grateful FOR you today.

Lisa Currie-Gurney - My Heart Is Smiling.
Hugs

Alicia - Is it just me or is Sean’s hair WAY darker than it used to be? I thought it used to be more of a dark blonde…? Weird to pick up on, I know, but it’s what I was thinking as I looked through all the lovely photos in this post!
LOVE the photos of Annie & Talby giving their gifts… seriously… too lovely. I can almost feel their genuine giving spirits through the screen 🙂

Kimberlee Jost - And may Scott “stay forever young”.
Sing it Bob Dylan.
That’s what went through my mind when I read this post today.

Kari - brings tears to my eyes… my son will be 11 in june – he reminds me of your son except with baseball – sweetest boy ever! i like him too!

Amy @ Little for a Little While - I love this. So sweet. I hope my kids let me take pictures with them when they are 14!

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - Happy birthday wishes to Scott! That looks like my kind of meal he requested for his birthday dinner. Love Velveeta Mac and Cheese 🙂

Tiffany - HANDSOME! I forgot to take a pic with my kids on their birthday 🙁 luckily, today is perfect too 😉

tara pollard pakosta - He sounds awesome!
tara

Angie - He sounds like one really awesome kid & he’s quite handsome too!!!
Happy 14th to your baby. My daughter is turning 14 this year and I just can’t believe it. They grow up way too fast.

Jen Brandt - I whip my hair back and forth, I whip my hair back and forth! Love it!
Scott is such a handsome kid! I am glad he had such a fun birthday and I hope you survived the dinner with all the boys. Hope you’re having a nice weekend, Meg. Headed to softball pictures for one daughter and then dance recital for both daughters.

Lisa - Love all the
Pictures with you
And the kids
Together! I think
These will be the ones
They love the most!
Memories of having fun
With their mom! And talby’s arm
Muscles are quite impressive!!
🙂

Angela - It is so sweet how he acts towards his little sisters!!

kerry - Happy birthday Scott!
What a cool kid – Such a sweet post :)) xx

Rebecca W - Happy Birthday!
Dinner looks yum, so does dessert! I saw a cheater way to cut strawberries…using an egg slicer! 🙂

Sue - Oh Meg, My fourteen year old son is two inches taller (pushing three) with size 12 mens shoes, and loving basketball too. It is so nice that we are enjoying our sweet eighth grade boys. Scott seems like such an awesome kid. Love your family, your stories and your photos. Have a great weekend.
Sue from Vancouver BC

keri - forever folding laundry - Um…hello…he’s a CLONE of Mr. Duerksen! 🙂
Fourteen seems really really old.
I always get sad pangs around birthdays – and the end of the school year.
It’s such a tangible passage of time!
Sad face.
But you, my friend, are looking fab.
Those miles you are logging are looking gooooood on you!

Terrie - I have puddles in my eyes!
What a sweet post!
For such a special young man!
Love your kiddos!!
What great parents you are…
And that first pic of you & Scott…priceless!
Can’t wait to hear what your dinner conversation was like tonight!!
🙂

tiffany gardner - what a beautiful celebration! loved all the pics of those sweet kids….

Krista - Gosh I must be reading your blog FOREVER because I am amazed at how big your kids are getting. I know you don’t need reminding of this. Enjoy every minute. They are adorable. 🙂

Holly - Great photos of you and your birthday boy!

Aby Gittings - Made me cry. I love your family. Happy Birthday Scott!!!

Karen Gerstenberger - Oh, Meg. Such a beautiful young man! He reminds me of our David (who is on his way home after finishing his SOPHOMORE year at Gonzaga! Yes, the time flies!). He has those deep, sweet, open eyes that speak integrity.
God bless and Happy Birthday to Scott!

Kate S. - That’ll teach me to correct others! I questioned my spelling just as I hit “post” then looked it up . . .
CROQUET is the lawn game. Croquette is a food. Crochet is a craft. LMAO.

Kate S. - Haha, I loved his menu choices! My boys always pick the funniest things for their birthdays, too.
Psst. . . I think you meant croquette. Crochet is the yarn craft, similar to knitting. Croquette is a lawn game.

Pink and Green Mama MaryLea - You are SUCH a good mama Meg.
Love this post.
Love the love you have for your kids.
Love your photos and sweet words about your kids.
Enjoy that date night with all the boys. : )
Wishing you a VERY happy mother’s day this weekend!
xoxo
MaryLea

Mollie D - Rock Chalk!!

Southern Gal - Sweet birthday tribute to your young man. I love that picture of you two with the big smile. Such a treasure.
My babies are 23, 20 and 10 now. And my granddaughter will be 2 next month and her baby sister is due around her birthday! I really don’t know how I got here, but I’ve loved the journey.

Mary Beth - A son.
A son is SO much different than a daughter.
🙂

Laura Phelps - can Scott hang with Jack….????
luke is too little to play basketball with him…and really,
I could use a good influence on this child of mine…
happy birthday scott
now stop growing

Seriously Sassy Mama - Awe! Happy Birthday Scott! My oldest is eight, and the thought of her turning 14 makes me want to crawl in bed and cry.

Mindy Harris - i hope i have that same relationship with my Wilder (WilMan). So precious to read this. i loved it.
good luck with the whole “girls liking him” thing…oi!

christy - Happy b-day Scott! You have a great bunch of munchkins there. How sweet are they?! Have fun tonight.
I liked the Mad Men reference. 😉

Beth K. - My oldest (a boy) turned 14 in February, wears size 12 shoe and is two inches taller than me – six feet tall. I agree it goes too fast! His sport happens to be soccer – all of the time! Happy Birthday to Scott! It is great to see older siblings being so kind and gracious to the younger ones. 🙂

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Happy birthday, Scott!
Mine just turned 12 and 9. Crazy. Chest hurts crazy.

Heather F. - My daughter, my baby, is turning 16 next week. Kids grow up too fast!
Happy Birthday to your son.

Siobhan - Makes me cry and he’s yours! They do grow too fast! The first pic of you two made me tear, beautiful!

Lori H - My baby turns 17 next month and we went looking at colleges over Spring Break (his sister is already in college). I get teary-eyed looking at their baby photos but I really enjoy them as they are now too…more interesting.

julie - Not fourteen. No. Not fourteen. I hate the guts out of how fast they grow up. But you are growing a good one. Happy Birthday to your biggest boy.

Holly - Oh Meg! They do grow up so fast! It hurts my heart to think about! My oldest will be 15 this summer and my baby will be 7!
I totally would have never thought to have garlic toast with bbq chicken! We are having that real soon!

Amber Pamper - He looks like such a sweet one! I HATE with a passion how fast they grow up. It just slips away 🙁

Verna Lantz - Don’t they just grow up too fast. My oldest turned 14 this year, too. I cannot believe how fast it goes. These pictures are priceless. Such a sweet boy. Good job, Momma!

Carrie - This is so sweet, he is a handsome boy. You have such a beautiful family, a beautiful life. Really really blessed.
I always wanted a bunch of kids. God had other plans. So I live vicariously through you. It’s nice and there is much less laundry. 🙂

Georgia - Happy Birthday Scott!
He sounds like he is going to be a lovely gentleman!
Well done Meg 🙂
xx

Tina I - Happy Birthday! What a great party! Made me tear up to see Annie give her tokens and photos…and that Scott so graciously received them:-)

Sarah Wolfe - What a sweet tribute. He sounds like a great kid. Size 12 and two inches taller than you… Wow!

Denissa - I’m learning too just how fast they grow up and its not cool!:(
I just realized in these pics that Scott & Talby look a lot a like!
Your family is beautiful!
Have fun at dinner, I can only imagine..hahaha..I have 3 boys! They’re pretty gross, but they make me laugh 🙂

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somehow….

November 15, 2011 Filed in birthdays

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i have made it 16 years and 4 kids without having a giant slumber party.

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but it happened.
talby had her 10th birthday this weekend.
and she partied with 10 of her friends.

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and we survived!

it was actually pretty fun.

i listened to them tell scary stories to each other in the dark and they were so CUTE!
this 10 year old girl wanted a Selena Gomez CD, pink converse low tops, glitter boots and new headphones.
and i found her a cute vest and hoodie at old navy… SUPER cute.
the best part… SHE LIKED IT.

…………………………………………..

 
 
we had an overwhelming response to the first CRAFT WEEKEND!
it is going to be January 27 – 29. 

🙂

so…..

we added another date!

Craftweekendbuttonbig

February 17 – 19

FUN! FUN! FUN!!!

there are some really exciting ideas and dreams coming together for Craft Weekends.
it's so cool.
i am really encouraged by the emails and kind words you girls pour out on me.
it keeps me dreaming BIG.

WATCH YOUR EMAIL for an invite to CRAFT WEEKEND.

check your spam.
some people we didn't hear back from….what a bummer if it was in your spam.

CLICK HERE to get on the waiting list.  ( see…#10)
there are several hundred on the list but we are using a lottery to pick names
so you never know who we be picked next! 

…………………………………………

 

and what is this???

Ashley ann christmas card design
Whatever christmas card design
Stitched christmas card new

…….. COME READ ABOUT   DESIGNS FOR DAVIS!!!!…….
heather has a REALLY fabulous surprise going on right HERE.

 

 


add a comment

Penny Smith - MAN! I missed the post, and my spam doesn’t go out that far! Darn it! And February is my birthday month.
If we got an email and it spammed, are we now off the list?? Cuz it has been so crazy since my Dad got sick, I haven’t been on much. Is there a way to check??

Air Jordan Shoes - Happy Birthday, Talby! My god daughter had a slumber party recently, but the girls all just came in their pyjamas for the day and left again after a few hours! :o)

Jennifer - In regards to Craft Weekend, were there people who didn’t make the cut for either weekend? Just curious because I didn’t receive an email. Thank you in advance 🙂
Happy Birthday to Talby!

kim - hey there meg….a while back ….a long while i think :-)…..you showed some really cute camera bags/purses…..do you remember who made them??? thanks ~ kim

Live_Long_Day - Happy Birthday, Talby! My god daughter had a slumber party recently, but the girls all just came in their pyjamas for the day and left again after a few hours! :o)

andrea - My Abbe turns 10 in January and Eian turns 7 this week! LOL so funny. Abbe had a slumber party two years ago with only a couple of friends. But Abbe doesn’t like to stay up. By 8 or 8:30 she is ready to go to sleep and gets grumpy! Now she is saying she wants to have another one in January. I told her we could do everything but have them stay. Come in their jammies/watch a movie/craft/etc./but GO HOME at around 8! She wasn’t very pleased with that option.

Kat - Good to know you are in the b’day season like us.
We have just had two b’days in Oct and two in Nov and I am all baked out.
You have done well to avoid a sleep over for that long.
My oldest is 9 and only had and also went to her first sleep over this year, but it was one girl sleeping over so that was easy.
Talby is a stunner like her Mamma.

Linda - I’m so excited about your craft weekends. And I don’t even get to come. I live in the Northwest and the air travel is just way too expensive to swing. I wish you would do an online version. I participated in a couple of those. I’d love to learn how you did the aprons and the bunting. SO fun. But for now I will live by proxy through pictures!

happygirl - I’m glad she had a good time. Slumber parties for middle school are the BEST!

TinaM. - man I sew {get it,lol} wish I could come to one of the crafting parties. why does kansas have to be soooo far away ?!

Kim - oh slumber parties. i think you were lucky – but it sounds like it turned out awesome. as a kid i always wanted them, but they never were my favorite in the end. 😉
but looks like everybody had a blast. cute scary stories sound like my kind of story. 🙂
PS can’t WAIT for craft weekend, and to see you and Kimberlee again! 🙂

Leslie @topofthepage - darn it, meg. sophie turns 10 in may, and that is what she wants to do. slumber party. i don’t want to do it. i’m pouting.

Alice H - wow 16 years and 4 kids without a slumber party! LUCKY!! Haha! My daughter who is almost 13 has had 5 slumber parties and my son who is 11 has had 4 of them. Ugh!
When I saw the first card, I was like “hey they aren’t the Johnsons’ lol.

Seriously Sassy Mama - Slumber parties are a blast!

Ryan - Love those pictures of Ashley’s family! 🙂

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another big birthday.

November 8, 2011 Filed in birthdays,special

my goofy little annie girl is growing up too darn fast.
 
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for her birthday she got a new coat, sparkly boots, mexican train, sunglasses, a baby doll and a new KU tee.

for her classroom treat she wanted chocolate cupcakes with pink icing and sprinkles.
as i walked through the grocery store with only 1.5 hours left to make those cupcakes i saw in the bakery….
chocolate cupcakes with pink icing and sprinkles.
i was very torn.
i stood there a good five minutes trying to decide if i should just buy them or go home and bake my own.

agony.

i went home and baked my own.
only because i hadn't asked annie what she wanted and
i didn't want to make any mistakes on the treats at the new school.
she said "mom…you can't send them with me…THE MOM comes in and brings the treats at this school!!"   
oh my.

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 i think i did ok….as the new mom with the treats IN the room!!

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for annie's party…

her art teacher from her old school came and led CRAFT time.  
it was SO good.

Ms. Beth had their complete attention.
she brought Sculpey in lots of colors for each one of the kids.
and showed them how to make a couple of different projects.

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they were so quiet.
it was awesome.

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it was the best party we have ever had.
no joke.
it was so calm and quiet and fun.
they were mesmerized!

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while we had dessert and opened presents Ms. Beth baked the projects so they were finished.
she put them in goodie bags with the kids names on it.
 
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i HIGHLY recommend Beth for your party!
🙂

annie does too.

you can email Ms. Beth at:

byhwdy1 @ sbcglobal . net     (without the spaces of course…..)

you can get in touch with her about all the fun parties at your house!!

you will LOVE it.

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annie decided on parfaits instead of cake and ice cream.
we layered chocolate cake, chocolate pudding, mini marshmallows, whipped cream and mini chocolate chips.

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and topped it of with an oreo.

Y U M M M M M M M M M M M M M.

and it was easy for them to bring home what they couldn't finish too.

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her friends gave her craft kits and a set of legos.
she was PUMPED.

Happy Birthday to my 7 year old sweet pea.

wait….how can my BABY be 7???

this means that it's been seven years since i have had a newborn in my house?
7 years since i have nursed a baby!?
7 years since i fed a baby in the dark while watching informercials on low volume??
7 years since i have searched for a paci under a crib?
7 years since i held a bottle with my right hand into the back seat while driving with my left hand in the front??
so long ago.

seven years old is pretty great too.

………………………………………… 

have you heard of the Bounce Dryer Bar?  
i reviewed one over here…come read about it and enter to win $50  VISA gift card!

AND go check out the posts about our craft weekend sponsors on the CW blog….HERE.

 

add a comment

honeybeemama - oh my goodness, i love this post! and i love your blog. i wanted to let you know i included your blog and this post in my mama monday mom blog highlights today: http://www.honeybeemama.com/2011/11/mama-monday-mom-blog-highlights.html
i hope you’ll stop by, and have a great day!

se7en - It can’t be Annie’s birthday already, again… I tell you it is impossible!!! What a fabulous party!!! And I love her desert!!! Pinned it!!! Have a fab year young lady!!!

Kat - Oh my heart just feels for you right now, because I have gone through this exact thing yesterday for my youngests b’day. She is my baby, #4 and turned three yesterday!!(sob)
I am really grieving the end of all of this, so much so I am almost contemplating taking the plunge for just.one.more. However I just don’t know if I can do one more and I am going to be 40 in April, so maybe I will just be sad with you and also celebrate this new stage.
I also think you are awesome to have gone home and baked those cupcakes. Girl after my own hear.
I have been so busy baking lately -4 b’days within 6 weeks and I am all baked out. Cakes for school, cakes for home, cakes for the party.Yikes!!
Well done to you and happy b’day to little Miss Annie, who will always be your baby, just like my three year old Ruby 🙂

Annika - Happy Birthday to Annie!!!

Sonia - Awesome birthday party! Do you always have the bunting up? Or was it just for the party?

4FabFranklins - What a great party! …and those parfaits, yummy!

Kerry - oh I am LOVING the idea of this quiet party…. Looks awesome-o.
Happy Birthday Sweet Annie :)) xxx

Londen - Happy Birthday to your adorable Annie! She looks so big with her adult teeth coming in. My one and only baby will be six this spring. I see moms with babies and I think…I used to have one of those…where did she go? It’s kind of cruel.:)

the whyte house - 7?!?! happy birthday, annie!! cute party!
(blasted…that means mine is 6 in a month. sigh. well, fine. :))
i picked up that polka dot outfit, too. i was checking out and i thought, “10 bucks says meg’s found this, too.” ha. i wish i’d actually said that outloud so someone would pay me $10 now….

Laura Phelps - 7 IS a great year
I think I peaked at 7
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIE!!!!!
impossible to see a craft, rainbow, or pink cupcake with sprinkles and NOT think of YOU
aren’t I the lucky one…I got to meet you and sleep in your home and wake up to cute you and have breakfast!
love from all of us h ere in CT!

Lindsay - So funny when I read that you made the cupcakes. Here in Seattle about 99% of schools won’t let you bring in homemade treats, they have to be store-bought. Made me nostalgic for my Midwest roots again. 🙂
LOVE the craft party! Amazing.

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - Happy Birthday little Miss Annie….7 years is great and I had to laugh at feeding the baby watching infomercials. That’s how I started watching QVC…in the dark, with low voluming while nursing and now I watch it in the light with volume up while feeding myself 🙂

jacqui anderson - wow! happy birthday annie!!! i feel like I know your sweet annie and she has grown so incredibly much since i first started reading your blog. maybe i will get to meet her if i am chosen for craft weekend (hint hint!!!!)

julie - Happy 7 to Annie! My youngest turned 7 over the summer… so hard to believe! Your parfaits look so good!

Jolene (Homespun Heritage) - Aww! Happy Birthday Annie! My youngest little guy will be 7 in just 10 days. Fun times!

karen - very nice! happy birthday sweet annie.

Valerie - Wow, LOTS of party inspiration here!!! Happy Birthday to your baby!

Alice H - Happy 7th birthday! Those parfaits look yummy. I am going to make them, tomorrow!!
I am so jealous you guys get to take homemade treats to her school. We aren’t allowed to take them to the public schools my children attend.

TinaM. - Isn’t funny how you have to learn birthday etiquette,lol. Love the birthday party idea.

Jenn - Happy birthday sweet Annie! And good call on the parfaits… They look awesome. 🙂

tiffany gardner - Happy Birthday sweet little one! Thanks for sharing with us!

Kristen - Loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove the parfaits. Love.

ivy - Hey, it’s probably only been 6 years since you did all that stuff since you probably did it for about a year! 🙂 My youngest of 5 is 5! I can’t believe it either.
Love your blog. It’s beautiful.

Jodi @ The Un-Soccermom Blog - happy, happy birthday annie!!! 🙂

Casey - Seriously….cutest party idea ever.

Wendy - HaPpY bIrThDaY aNnIe … God Bless!

Lori Austin - Looks like Miss Annie had a super birthday.
My 6 year old keeps asking when she will be 7 (not until April).
Why is she in such a hurry?!
Love a quiet/calm party…never experienced one of those.
Btw, the cupcakes look so pretty and the party dessert – yum!!

Gabriela - Oh lovely!! Feliz cumpleaños Annie!

Lisa - Hoppy Birdy Two Ewe, Annie!!!!!!

Katy - Joyeux anniversaire Annie !

Nicole B. - What a GREAT idea for a birthday party! And I LOVE Annie’s “7” shirt. I may have to make those for my kids! Happy Birthday Annie! 🙂

karen gerstenberger - Happy Birthday to Annie!

Leah - Wow, 7 years old! I know how you feel. My baby is turning 4 tomorrow. As excited as I am for her, I’m also sad that’s getting old! She’s not a baby anymore. It’s crazy! And tomorrow, I too will be the mom bringing in the treats to her class.

Alicia @ La Famille - happy day, annie! what a sweet party! ms. beth seems like a great trade-off for a creepy clown 🙂

Polderkolder - Happy birthday, Annie!

Mindy Harris - awwww, 7 years old!! how precious. i just started working with that sculpey stuff making pretty rose pendants. it’s very fun and they look like those cabochon flowers that are all the rage.
the oreos look divine!!!
i used to drive and bottle feed simultaneously,too.
we have 2 babies. as a mom of 5, do you think we should have one more? i go back/forth..

andrea - Sigh. Can so relate. My baby boy turns 7 next week. Seven.

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Happy, happy birthday dear Annie!

Ashlyn@Pinecone - What a great party…love the sculpey crafts!! She looks so cute in the top pic looking at her cake.
Since we are listing…13 years since I searched for a nuk in the dark sigh! xo

Rach - Oh yeah, and it’s nice to hear that I’m not the only one who still does all the things you listed from 7 years ago with my 6 month old. Thank you for reminding me that despite how exhausted I am right now that I will miss all of that when he is older.

Rach - OK, my daughter JUST insisted on chocolate cupcakes with pink icing… and when grandma came to visit this week, they made them. Yum. 🙂

Heather - “””7 years since i fed a baby in the dark while watching informercials on low volume??”””
This has been my most common reflection on those early months of young motherhood! It’s surprising I never actually bought a magic bullet!

Sarah Wolfe - Wow! My baby just turned 3 and I’m already feeling it… feeling that he is going to grow up way too fast…

Seriously Sassy Mama - I love those ideas! What a fun birthday party!

Mary Susan McConnell - Great photos! That party looks amazing!!

Kerstie - A quiet birthday party…… who new! 😉

Holly - wow! 7! She is getting so big!

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eleven

July 21, 2011 Filed in birthdays

i am the worst at planning kids parties.
i have ideas and all but getting people invited in a timely fashion……i'm awful.
but miraculously kids still make it.
thank goodness.

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the big plans for the party were pool….water balloons….water slide….eat.

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even Sunshine showed up!
my kids have renamed him Tiger….since he's a boy.
he is still NOT our cat.
he is NOT.

sean worked for hours filling water balloons.
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and it was the best part.
those boys (and annie) threw them for the entire party.
worth it for sure. 

sean's cake was a labor of love.
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he was so happy with it….which made me happy.
i found the recipe and instructions  here.  
and the cheese is a sugar sheet….sold at joanns…..very cool.

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he got all his friends laughing really hard during his gift time.
love to see that.

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a good party…..maybe an hour too long but still good.
laid back.
loud and wild and full of boy craziness.
mission accomplished.

…………………………………………

Davis

today is the last day to enter the giveaway for Davis' adoption fund.
they are at 23% today.
we can do better than that for Davis.

COME ON!!!

i read this today and thought YES GOD!!! it's so fitting for Davis.

"Be generous: Invest in acts of charity.
Charity yields high returns.
Don't hoard your goods; spread them around.
BE A BLESSING to others.  THis could be your last night."

Ecclesiastes 11: 1 – 2 

 
that is truth.
right there in front of your eyes.
go be a blessing to Davis today.
 
🙂
 

add a comment

Aimee - Okay you emailed me to tell me what you used for the “lettuce” in the cake and I can’t find that email anywhere!! Am going to make this cake tonight…if you get a chance, would you email me again with what you used? thanks!

Prairie Mama - OH, I’m drooling over your house. I have a very similar kitchen and now I’m loaded with great ideas on how to decorate my huge blank island…..
Love your style and your photos!!!!
Blessings,
Abby

Ali - What a GREAT birthday party! I love that cheeseburger cake…its amazing! The edible cheese slice = terrific! 🙂 Swimming and water balloons = so much FUN! 🙂 Your a great Mom! 🙂 Happy Birthday to your big 11 year old! Love the pic of him with his friends all smiling! 🙂 I bet he felt very loved and celebrated!
~ Ali

Codi - Happy Birthday!!
Where did you get that plastic pool? I’ve been looking and looking! I had one growing up and it was the best! My 3 boys destroy the blow up pools in a month or less!
Great cake!

sarah - sean is such a sweetie! merriest of birthdays to him!

Kerstie - He is SO you cat!!! Fab cake…..

Cyndi Hamilton - What a great cake!! Having both younger and older childen, I think casual parties are the way to go. I am awful about getting people invited too. I always have all these great plans for beautiful, handmade invites, but never get them compleated or in the mail. I now use FB and e-mail so I can do it in the middle of the night. If they get the invite only a day or two a head of time, I have already let people know to save the date.
Thanks for sharing,
Cyndi
http://mycharmedlife-cyndi.blogspot.com/

Cara @ Twice Lovely - er… THE kitty?

Cara @ Twice Lovely - Oh Meg- I will always love your photographs. Just lovely, esp. the one of your kitty- and the water balloons- and the… I love ALL of them!

Sarah - I love YOUR cute cat! 🙂 I’m kidding.
But that cake is amazing…I stink at making cakes. No matter how careful they are always messy and lopsided.

Laura Lee - Happy Birthday 🙂 and watch out for that cat! easy to say no now but wait till the snow starts 🙂
Praying for Davis… I love the verse you found.

Joyce - Happy Birthday to your son. Love the cake…I made cupcakes like that a few years ago…very cool

Charlene@Adventures In Mommy Land - Wow that cake is amazing…you score great BIG mom brownie points for that baby!!!

Jennifer - How fun, Meg…I love the picture of Tiger (a/k/a Sunshine) with the kids. I think that’s awesome that he showed up for the party. You may not want to hear this, but I’m thinking he has found his new family after all. 🙂

heidi @ wonder woman wannabe - serious, that cake is rock’n awesome! good job, mama! 🙂

Katy @ Live Laugh Love Craft - Such a happy post. 🙂 I especially love that cake! You are such an awesome Mom..
Also, not sure if you got my email, but do you have a PO box for blog readers to send you things? I made you something. 🙂

Suzanne - Great cake! Your an awesome Mom!
Happy Birthday, Sean 🙂

karen - awesome cake woman!! summer time birthday parties are the best!

x♥x♥, gina - i’m usually ALL party – but due to all of my health issues the one for Sat. is looking VERY laid back , but my to-be-7-tomorrow year old is still VERY EXCITED! Happy Birthday to Sean!

se7en - Looks like joy and happiness all round!!! You just can’t beat your party planning!!!

Lia - Love the cake and decorations. Looks like is was a loud party. I can almost hear it now.

Rachel B. - Sister, is there no end to your talents?

Jemm - I printed the recipe for the cake before I left this comment! That is SO cool. You’re a super mom and you know it ;P

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - You make cakes too!!!! You are amazing! The pictures are worth a thousand words…fun was written on all their faces.

amy jupin - i love the cheeseburger cake!
you are a GREAT mom.
and sean looks so happy.
parties stress me out but i know they make my kids feel special and loved and that’s really the whole point, right?
thank you for mentioning davis again.
when i saw his picture, i instantly thought of planning his 5th birthday party!
that will really be something special, indeed.
xoxo.

happygirl - What a wonderful cake. Better late than not at all. Who doesn’t LOVE a pool party. Happy Birthday.

Amy - Ha Ha! Are you trying to convince yourself or the rest of us that Tiger is not part of the family?

Aimee - okay, my son turns 13 in a few weeks and would LOVE this cake…but where do you get the “spearmint leaf gummy candies” for the lettuce?!

Leah - I’m so impressed with that cake! Wow! What a great party – simple, colorful, fun. And that is SO your cat.

Margaret - The party looks like it was so much fun….I always try to plan elaborate kids parties, but I think the more laid back they are, the more they are enjoyed. I am also bad at getting invites out–the last two years, we’ve taken fantastic pictures of our son with the intention of sending them out as invites, but we end up passing them out at the party instead 🙂

Melissa - That cake is amazing!!! You should be proud of yourself!

Zoet en Zo - Happy birthday!

erlfisher - That cake is INSANE! Love it!

Terrie G - Nice job on the cake!
I LOVE water balloons!
Looks like a great time! Happy 11 to your young man!

Talysa - Um…that cake is fabulous. And I love the water balloon shot. The lighting is gorgeous. And seriously, I thought I held the crown for worst party mom ever. Maybe there’s two out there? 🙂

Sharla - Looks like everyone had a great time!! Love that Sean took care of the balloons and that cake . . .AMAZING. I have never heard of a sugar sheet!

Tara M. - Happy Birthday Sean! We have that same pool by step 2. It came with a slide and I must say it was one of the best plastic toys I ever bought for our kids. We still have it and our oldest is 12 now.

Kori - Looks like a great time was had by all! In reading your first sentence, I knew exactly what you meant, but isn’t it funny how even though that may be the case (for lots of us!), the kids don’t really notice as long as their friends are there and an awesome cake is involved!! 🙂
Happy Birthday Sean!

Tiffany - Your cake made me smile! Happy Birthday Sean, So sweet that you even let Annie come to your party, let alone be involved.

Holly - that is awesome! Love the cake!

Kimberly Dial - I raised two sons (now 31 & 29) so I have a soft spot in my heart for boys & I declare I could feel the fun (and love!) in those pics … and I love, love, love that Miss Annie was throwing water balloons right along side those boys … she’s a girl after my own heart! 🙂

Kimberly Dial - I raised two sons (now 31 & 29) so I have a soft spot in my heart for boys & I declare I could feel the fun (and love!) in those pics … and I love, love, love that Miss Annie was throwing water balloons right along side those boys … she’s a girl after my own heart! 🙂

april - That actually looks like an awesome party!
xoxo

Teresa - Isn’t that just like a cat? There are at least 8 feet and 8 hands in his face and he isn’t looking at one of them! Love it!!
Sounds a fun party and I love that Sean worked so hard on the balloons. Happy Birthday to him!

Karen Gerstenberger - Happy Birthday to Sean! That party – and the cake – look wonderful.

Sarah @ Handbags*N*Pigtails - love the cake lady! looks like a great day:)

Hilary - Super awesome cake! Low key parties are so fun with kid directed activities. Happy Birthday Sean!!

Jenna - Great cake! I love it! Also, I just want to snuggle that cat 🙂
Jenna
momofmanyhats.blogspot.com

Dee Stephens - That cake rocks the casbah!

tiffany m gardner - happy boy…good job mom!

Kerry - Awesome Cake Meg!! Well done 🙂 I am rubbish at inviting people too… This last party last week, my Little girl was still inviting people just 2 days before, but they still showed – haha! Happy Birthday Sean 🙂 xx

Michelle B - Looks like a wonderful party! I am in the midst of birthday season in my house…why did I have all my kids during the summer? I try not to go overboard on the parties… I can see how easily it can get out of control or trying to top their friends’ parties. Laid back…just my style! I can’t imagine what my boys are going to be like at 11! I am loving your poka dot table coverings. Happy Birthday to Sean!

Melissa - Happy birthday!!!!!

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how can this be?

May 10, 2011 Filed in birthdays,special,WAFFLE the wonder dog

how can 13 years have passed since i gave birth to this boy?

he was born ON mother's day.
with out drugs.
just me, craig and dr. saleh quietly in my little tiny room.
they both cheered me on and told me "you're doing great" and "you're almost done".  

it was the calmest of all of my birthing experiences.

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which is funny because he was the least calm baby of the five.
he cried for the first two weeks non stop.

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he was my second baby.
my first boy.
my baby that threw up and threw up and threw up.

i switched him to cow's milk at 6 months old after my mom suggested it.
literally from that very bottle…..
he never threw up again.
after 6 months of non-stop reflux it was GONE in one day.
i had to switch doctors because she was up in arms about the dangers i was causing him.
sorry lady….you aren't the one cleaning up this kid 20 times a day…..he's cured.
see ya!

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he taught me to notice things like trash trucks and construction sites.
we used to drive to a construction site and park there and watch while we ate a happy meal.
i can still name every construction vehicle and tell you what it's for.

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and he asked a lot of questions.
A LOT.

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sigh…….i miss that little boy.

because who is this man that is living at my house?
eating non stop?
talking with a low voice?
wearing giant shoes?
worrying about how his hair looks and if his breath is ok?????

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waffle is always a scene stealer…..

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those ginormous candles were from party city.
they are fun! 

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i made it a KU cake…..but honestly….no one cared.
boo.

the older they get the less exciting the birthdays are.
and the more OLD i feel.

he was a sweet baby.
a fun kid.
and a funny high energy young man right now.
i love to watch him play ball.
i like to listen to him to talk to his dad about basketball (95% of what he talks about during his waking hours)
i think he is going to be an awesome adult.

how cool is parenting?

we get to birth them, feed them, care for them and then watch them grow up and become adults?!
it's crazy.
and awful.
and humbling.
and HARD.

but still so very cool.

happy birthday SON.

i hope it's as BEAST as you are.

his real birthday is today but he will be at a track meet all afternoon and evening so we celebrated early. 

add a comment

Lisa Currie-Gurney - HUGS FROM MY HEART FRIEND

Christina - This made me cry! He does look so old in the present day pics! Hope his day was a happy one (it sure looks like it was)!

danielle burkleo - be still my heart. this makes me so excited and a little bit sad about my boys reaching that stage. but mostly just excited. i love this. what a handsome son – happy birthday!!

Nichole Kopp - My son turned 13 the last week in April. All I could think about was when he was three. He would put his stuffed elephant in his bike basket and ride up and down the sidewalk on the bike he called “steady ears”. His big blue eyes, blonde hair sticking out of his bike helmet. And now? He rides his bike across town and down trails. And his big blue eyes glare at me when I ask him to wear a helmet. Where does the time go? Happy Birthday to our “little boys”. At least they still let us hug them…. when nobody is looking.

Kat - He is gorgeous as a little boy and now too.
Cracked up when I saw the beast top. Lol. Bet that was a hit.
Personally I love your cake and I love, love, love that like me you get so sentimental about each birthday and each year of growth.
It’s what makes us love being Mums and helps us to appreciate it all.
So many mixed emotions and feelings huh?

Sarah - That is one GOOD LOOKING kid.
I love how you listened to your mom and yourself, and not your doctor….I think us moms need to do that more.
Why do your cakes always make me salivate???

Kerry Wiebe - Cow’s milk ROCKS!!!!

Tess S. - My oldest is 4 (going on 34). My husband was upstairs putting the “big” kids to bed and I snuggled the babe to sleep on the couch while watching Glee. It was the prom episode and for the first half I kept thinking about my own proms. All the fun I had and all the emotions that went into it. And then I looked down at my sleeping baby and realized she’ll be going to prom. She’ll have all those feelings. And I have 2 others that will be going through it too. It was a very REAL awkward moment. Parenting in hard. And I’ve only just begun.

Wendy - Happy Birthday! You’ve done a great job I’m sure Meg! Funny, when I saw the first pic of the cake you posted, I thought, “What a tiny cake for 7 people.” Then I saw the next pic…. WOW.. those candles are huge! My little man is 19 this month, it does go by so fast. I remember the names of all of the Thomas the Tank Engine trains and the construction vehicles he loved so much. Times change but I’m so thankful that our memories stay the same, they’re only added to. 🙂

Beth - Mine are growing so fast also…but I did plan mine little different than most moms…lol.
He sure is a cutie! Happy Birthday!

elisa - Right there with ya sista!

Amy Lynne - It was my youngest boy’s birthday too! I hope you all had a wonderful day!

Deanna - My son just turned 12 on Sunday and I have the same feeling – How can this be? They grow so fast! Beautiful post and Happy Birthday to your handsome boy!

Ellie Perez - Aw, beautiful post…I had one of those upset tummy ones too! We did goat milk….after 6 months of seeing every doctor we could find. Chiropractor suggested it and she was great after 2 days! who knew!

Toni :O) - GREAT post! Our boys are only seven months apart in age…crazy! I’m like, I had that same sippy cup for my boy too! I, like you, am amazed at the big feet, but I get “don’t touch my hair” and unlike yours…mine talks about cars, cars, cars in his wakeful hours….nonstop, it’s all about cars-makes, models, colors, types. The boy loves to just ride in the car so he can check out all the other cars on the road! If he doesn’t design cars for a living when he graduates from college, he’ll be some type of engineer for the automotive companies! Good times I tell you! Happy Birthday to your amazing son…boys are awesome, it’s so fun raising a baby boy to be a young man!!! Woot Woot!

Yaz - I am crying. Mine is only 4 and he is soooo fun.. so cute and loving and I am only having one. I cant believe he will be all big and will leave me one day. I swear Ive cried for 20 minutes thinking about it.
You have a great family. Thank you for sharing.

Stefanie A. - oh gosh… this post made me cry. My boy is 6 years old and I feel these days fast approaching. But some days I feel like his teens will never get here and then I remind myself not to long for those days – they’ll be here before I know it AND I’ll wish for the 6 year old days back. Ha! Did I just confuse you? Loved this post and your son is turning into one handsome dude!

Nana - He got that crying business from his dad (I remember it well!), but my theory is that each child has one bad spell and I’d rather it be the first few months of their life than when they’re older. He’ll probably be as easy-going as his dad which will be a real blessing for you.

Amy - I had a *really* tough time when my son turned 9 in January!
http://lifeasamomma-ksmomma.blogspot.com/2011/01/gavin-is-turning-9.html

Kirsten J - Happy Birthday Scott! My big boy is off at college *sniff* – the time does fly. And when I do his laundry, I often wonder how those socks are being worn by toes I used to kiss….BTW, love the cake!

Jen - Just entering the “construction vehicle” phase with my 2-y-o son, who demanded I let him drive a truck today… and was incensed that I didn’t comply. Seeing pictures of your son from baby to handsome teen are making me cry. I can’t bear to think of him being a teenager!
Looks like a great day… even if it is hard to believe it happened.

se7en - Oh Happy Birthday, May your year be totally cool!!! We love living with our 13 yr old!!!

Heather R. - I love the KU cake…Rock chalk! I love the picture of him smiling with “beast” t-shirt and the first one with Waffle. 🙂 I have two girls 10 and 11. I’m not ready for them to get ANY older.

Melinda - My son just turned 13 too! I also had no meds when he was born and he also had horrible reflux. I also put him on cow’s milk under the advice of the pediatrician that delivered me and it worked. Who would’ve thought? Best kid…15 year old daughter = much more drama! Happy Birthday to your son! I love your blog!

Staci - Happy Happy Day to Your Scott!!!! He looks like an awesome kiddo 🙂 and I thought the cake was great! They’ll appreciate in about 15 years 😉

Rachel B. - You two have some beautiful kids! Thanks for sharing and encouraging other moms like me 🙂

Rach - All I can say is “go mom!” How awesome is it when a seasoned mom comes up with the solution over a licensed pediatrician. I love to hear that stuff.

Courtney Walsh - the picture of him on the bike remind me of where my son is right this second and remind me to stop wishing it away so quickly. He’s in the question asking stage and I admit, I’m not always the most patient with my responses!! Love these photos!! He’s such a handsome young man!

Karen Gerstenberger - These are precious reminiscences & photos – the best kind of birthday card. Happy birthday to your precious guy!

Tanya H - Well I was sniffly reading your post and then the comments made me worse. 😛 My {oldest} baby is about to turn 9 on me and I can’t even handle it. LOL. My baby loved trains and every peice and part and what they do. I miss that so much, even tho he’s so fun to have conversations with at this age. sniffle… Scott is such a handsome guy. Good for you and thanks for taking us all on this journey with you.

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Born on mother’s day! How cool is that?!

Ann R. - First, I have to laugh because my son too is turning 13 – on the fourth of july! I think I notice the original CM letters used in your scrapbooking – looking back those pages back then seem so archaic don’t they? I too am like what…..how did you get all this hair on your legs, you are so not a soprano anymore and well you are taller than both grandmas and soon are going to pass up your dad and I – crazy! Congrats, I swear doesnt it just seem like yesterday I was worried about raising him up in this crazy world (after 9.11) that he was in preschool. I am sure you can relate. I feel as if from 4th to 7th grade just went in the blink of an eye! Enjoy his thirteeness. I read you EVERYDAY and I am so glad you had the lets say gumption to discuss what we all want for mothers day so freely. I have participated in your vitamins to africa, laughed and cried with you and love you are so real. I can so relate to you that you make my not so great days feel like I can get thu anything cause we are all in this together!
Take care – Ann

Courtney R. - My little guy will be 3 tomorrow…he was born on Mother’s Day too!
I love your blog and look forward to reading it every day!

steph - oh gosh….
you so will NOT want to hear this,
but he looks so much older than 13.
yikes!
he looks closer to 15.
sorry!!
he always seem so mature when you talk about him too.
maybe that’s the difference.
he doesn’t seem like the atypical teenage boy.
he seems like the ‘i’d like to hand pick him for my 12 year old girl’.
ha! that’s if i had a 12 year old girl.
7 year old… yes.
would he mind the age difference?!?!
ha ha ha h!
just kidding.
he is handsome and i hope he has a very blessed year!
your cake is awesome! 🙂

Kelly - I don’t think it matters if his hair is messed up or his breath smells like broccoli, you’re going to have girls lined up for that handsome dude!
And I thought the cake was cool! 🙂

Christi Hoffman - My second baby and my only boy, =/ is going to be 13 in June. I have been longing for the past days when he would run to me, screaming “mooommmy”! after every.single.day. of school until he was in 4th grade. Boo. He still comes home to me but, the scream has turned into, a cool deep voice, “hey Mom check this out today”….. I just listen, look into his bright brown eyes and wonder where in the world did my 4 pound 17 inch premie go? He is going into middle school next year, he is 135lbs & 5’6”. sigh. I am going to make him a KU cake too. He LOVES KU, my husband and him talk “shop” all.day.long. Maybe I should make a k-state cake…they would notice THAT! HA.

Marcella - I married young and had my oldest at 19. He’s turning into a young man now-headed for 10 years before too long.
It’s a bit scary to see him broadening out but he’s also getting more mature which is nice.
Happy son raising!

Laura Phelps - similar post over at my place 🙂
WHY DO THEY CONTINUE TO GROW??????????????????????
and eat
I hate that they eat so much
I can’t afford to feed them
nursing was cheaper

Ashley - Happy birthday to your boy! And I just wanted you to know that I LOVE your KU cake. It made me smile :o)

stephanie - You’ve got a heart-breaker on your hands with that handsome boy!!

Stephanie - And what a handsome young man he is!! I’ve got a 13 year old girl in the house who is pretty amazing too. However I just realized in the past few months that I know NOTHING! She on the other hand knows EVERYTHING!!! Good times I tell you, good times! This too shall pass right????

karen - Happy birthday Scott! Is it weird that I am looking forward to my kids growing up?? They are 3 1/2 and almost 1…and I just love seeing them be more independent.
Who knows…i may be eating my words in years to come.

Amy James - I was reading this at work and an audible cry slipped out. My baby boy just turned 23. Where did that little boy go? I miss him so much but I do love the man that is here as well. We have so much fun together and he will sometimes let me hold him and sometimes if I am really lucky he will slip and call me Momma like he used to when he was little, instead of Mom.
I also switched to cows milk at 6 months for the same reasons. I thought the sky would fall at first and everyone I happened to mention it to was so upset but he was able to keep something down for the first time and he grew. Other than the 3rd eye, I think he is perfect! 🙂

Jen Brandt - What a good lookin’ kid! Better watch out, Mama!

Catriona - I mean Whateversary. As if that’s even a word…

Catriona - Love this post! My first-born, a boy, is 6 next week and the thought of him ever being 13 feels like a lifetime away. I think the hilarious post with all Scott’s questions was the first ‘whatever’ I ever read. That means it’s my first Whatverversary!

Alice H - Where did you find the BEAST shirt? My 10 year old must have one. He says it non-stop!! Happy birthday and I would have been impressed with that cake!

LittleMissAwesome - I must say, your cake looks VERY yummy. One time my sister had a pony on her cake, and she didn’t want to eat the horse! It was in the freezer for months.
:]
He looks so adorable as a baby :} chubby cheeks! awww! :3

Gemma @ Musings of a gem - He is soooo handsome! Lovely : )
Gemma x

Camille - I just went to hug my 5 year old…

Hannah - just what i needed to hear…that it goes by soooo fast. my little guy is turning 4 tomorrow and i can’t believe it. and he is a question asker….which i have to admit….sometimes i just want quiet…while he is asking me questions about things i don’t know the answer to…like toilets and electricity and trucks and bugs….but you reminded me that it will be gone before i know it! 🙁

Cutzi - This brought tears to my eyes. What is it about little girls? They almost seem grown up from the minute they’re born. But boys? My son is going to be 6 next month but he still often seems like my little boy. I know he will grow up some day but I’m happy waiting as long as possible.

Karen - I, too, have a Mother’s Day baby. Isn’t that the best Mother’s Day present? Her birthday is the 9th and she was 29 yesterday. You have a handsome young man – Happy Birthday to him!

Ashlyn - The cake is great…the kid is great…watching them get older is… hard!! My baby is turning 13 in a couple of weeks too -sigh!! xo

Leah - I care about the cake. That’s the BEAST!

giozi - Congratulations!! Happy Birthday 🙂
You have a handsome guy.
My little chubby is single yet 😉 he he he

emily@remodelingthislife - He’s so handsome, Meg. Happy birthday to him! I love the cake and candles.

Suzanne Lay - Everything that you just said at the end about parenting it SO TRUE!!! and it made me cry but they are happy tears! I have three and they just tug at my heart so much!! There is so much love…indescribable!!!XOXO

Teresa - I care that you made a KU cake!! I love it!
What a sweet son you have…Happy Birthday!

shauna reed - meg, he is beautiful.
(hope he doesn’t read this 😉
there is a sparkle in his eye.
he knows he is loved…i can tell.
good job momma!

Valerie@Chateaualamode.typepad.com - Parenting is the most complex and amazing thing isn’t it? My “little” boy just turned 19…sniff, sniff, where oh where does the time go?

amber - What a cute little boy:). And, how crazy to see those pictures build up to that kid you have now. Crazy, crazy, crazy. He’s still a cutie now, too. And, 13 is still little, right? Happy Birthday!

Karen - Awe. I LOVE this age! We have a 13 year old in our house too! They are fun to be with, independent, smiley all the time, helpful (well, sometimes), and yes, they are the “black hole” of groceries…! Lovely cake too! Happy Birthday – you are officially a teenager!

Ana - He is a very cute kid. I love his awesome smile!
Happy birthday!

Jacci - My little guy is about the age of Scott in the pic with the red truck. SO weird to go through the photos and watch the same little fae turn into your 13 year old “man”! All I have to say is, I’m glad it happens gradually. AND I’m glad for posts like these that bring some sweet perspective. Happy Birthday, Scott!

Amanda - Oh my goodness, I just have to share. My little brother will be 15 in August, but I remember he had the same sippy cups, with the dinosaurs! I remember taking the little plastic piece out of the cap when I cleaned the dishes for my momma. Such wonderful memories. Thank you for reminding me. Enjoy 13!

Tonya - Happy birthday, Scott! I love what you said about knowing the names and uses of ALL the construction vehicles…my boy taught me those things as well!

Sarah @ Handbags*N*Pigtails - Hey…he looks like a pretty happy kid to me. Terrible teen here? Nah…I dont think so:)
Happy Birthday to your BEAST.
xo,
Sarah

sharron - you had me at no drugs..yikes!
he is so handsome and has a sweet soul that shows in his eyes.
happy day to your son and the cake looked awesome!
blessings~

Mindy Harris - makes me want to cry.
you said it perfectly:
it’s crazy.
and awful.
and humbling.
and HARD.
but still so very cool.
love this. happy bday to scott!

kristy - Oh gosh, 13…. I’m going to faint when my little ones get to that age…. you aren’t old enough to have a teenager, right? 🙂
I LOVE the cake…. stinks when no one oohs and aahhs over it. Before you said that, I thought, “That cake is amazingly cool!” So yay to you… I’ll appreciate it for you. (said from a Mom who tries to make her kids cakes!)
You are a great mom!

melissa - he’s a handsome one.
happy birthday!!!!

Jemm - Happy birthday to your boy! My oldest will be 13 in Oct. I’m really scared for the teen years. Parenting is HARD! I’m TRYING to see the awesome-ness with two “tween” girls…really I am 🙂

Kimberlee Jost - Happy Birthday, Scott!
Why would anyone want to have their picture taken with Waff is beyond me?! Ha.
He IS a scene stealer. Big time.

Dana @ Bungalow'56 - They will remember the special cakes Megan. It just happens later. Even if it seems like it isn’t a big deal. It is. Your love is in each and every piece. It would seem I’m feeling a little sentimental this morning.
Dana

Kris - What a handsome boy! MY little boy turned 22 a few months ago. I miss his little hand in mine. But now I have three marvelous grands whose hands I love to hold, and they have stolen my heart!

freckled hen - Happy birthday to your handsome young man…I guess that means that you have two teenagers now. And though in any other conversation it would sound like I’m bragging I feel the need to tell you I have three. Which really just means that my hair is turning gray faster than yours. My 13 year old son wears athletic clothes everyday and only speaks basketball, too. I miss him in overalls.
I received my Summer with MM yesterday and wanted to tell you your article is great!

andiejaye - aw…you made me all sniffly. my little man will be 3 this fall and i’m already having those bittersweet moments. this just gave me a little peek into what i’m in for. happy birthday to your son. thanks for the continued blessings and enlightenment you give me when i read your posts.
andiejaye @ http://crayonfreckles.blogspot.com

Carly Winborne - he has a fantastic smile!

RLG - I know he cared, but he’s probably too cool to say the cake was awesome. Your family is breathtaking. It’s such a pleasure to watch them grow. I feel old too, and I’m older than you, Meg, with twin 4yr-olds and an almost 7yr-old. Sigh. So much to look forward to. xoxo

Lia - Happy Birthday young man.

Lindsey - My son just turned 2. You made me cry thinking of him growing up. His little body is pressed against mine as I type this. I wasn’t so happy this morning waking up at 6:30 with him but now I’m thinking I should cherish these moments (even early, early in the morning).

heidi @ wonder woman wannabe - I’ve got two boys born in May – one just before Mothers Day, the other just after…gonna make me a sentimental wreck every year because of that, I’m sure! 😉 One just turned 3, the other will be 6 in a few days – you’ve gone and got me all sappy thinking about the day they’ll be man-boys! Just getting started with the sports thang and I LOVE it!

Shannon - Happy 13th Birthday to your 1st boy! I think your cake looks very impressive 🙂

Molly Pearce - Oh Happy Birthday! My brother just turned 15 and has finished drivers ed. accckkk!!! I miss when he was little but we have so much fun now hanging out and talking and laughing! I love my baby brother so so much!!! Again Happy Birthday! Enjoy being 13!!
~Molly P

Holly - I can’t even imagine! My son is turning 4 in August and 13 seems light years away but so did 4 when he was turning 1! I have tears welling up in my eyes thinking about my babies turning into boys and girls and then on to men and women! boo…
your cake is beautiful.
waffle has to be the cutest damn dog ever!!

Southern Gal - Happy birthday to your man boy.

Chaos-Jamie - Ack!Another 13yo! You’ll have to tell me how boys compare to girls. 🙂

jill - okay, you just made me a little teary. 🙂 my oldest boy just turned five and i thought that was huge. hard to imagine that some day he will be 13! so proud of you for getting your boy this far!

Tiffany - Handsome Guy! Great memories you shared. Ur doing just fine, give yourself a hug Mom.

Holly - I know how ya feel! Gosh they grow up fast!

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