Happy Birthday, Brooks!

Brooks woke up on his birthday to a fun donut breakfast and a cute driveway message from our neighbor.  What a great start to the day! 

Brooks got a new Tee for his birthday.

 In the morning we spent some time opening presents and then playing outside.  We played some baseball and Brooks and Daddy went for a bike ride together while Laney tried to tag along.

Gammy and Pops came over after lunch to open some more presents with the Birthday Boy.

 In the afternoon we headed to the pool with Gammy and Pops and some friends.  The kids swam and we ordered some pizza.  Laney enjoyed being "Queen of the Float", and the boys just enjoyed swimming and shooting each other with water guns.

 Back at the house we shared cupcakes and ice cream.  Brooks requested a Kung Fu Panda/Madagascar cake so Birdie pulled through and ordered some figures on-line.  Brooks loved the characters on top of his cupcakes.  

Brooks and Daniel

Brooks and John-Luke (and James snacking beside them)

 It was a wonderful day spent with family and good friends.  

I can't believe that my little boy is 4 already.

4 YEARS OLD

Four years ago God blessed us with a son.
What a wonderful four years we've had together.

Such a tiny bundle of joy.

My 1 year old.

My 2 year old beach bum.

My 3 year old comedian.

My 4 year old boy who looks way older in this picture - the time is flying by!

As a four year old, Brooks is sweet and kind-hearted.  He loves to please and make everyone happy.  He is creative.  He is smart.  He is goofy.  Brooks is the best big brother I have ever seen (which is saying a lot considering how high maintenance his little sister is).  He is loving - always telling the people around him how much he loves him.  He's so lovable that I can hardly stand it.  

Happy Birthday, Buddy.

Sick Kiddos

Both kids have been sick and snotty lately.  Laney had a fever first and was completely out of it, and it only took a day for Brooks to follow in her footsteps.  So - we have spent our first week of summer sitting around trying to rest.  We have been watching way too many movies to keep still, so one day Brooks helped me make peanut butter play dough.  The kids loved playing with it and eating some of it, too.  We will have to search pinterest for more inside craft ideas for all of us to enjoy.

Brooks tried so hard to comfort his sister.

The next day they were both sick and spent most of the day snuggling on the couch watching movies.  

Laney totally snuggled into Bubba's chair with all of her comfort items: blankie, baby, and super cozy blanket.

Well, that's one way to do it.

Brooks always has a different smile for the camera.

Once Laney discovered how good the play dough was, it was all over.

My Little Stinker

Delaney goes by many names in our house: Delaney, Laney, Laneybug, Delaney Ann, Pumpkin, Baby Girl, and I also affectionately refer to her as Stinker (that's Brooks' favorite).  She totally lives up to that name.  She is a ball of energy and stubbornness.  She's also completely happy...as long as nobody is getting in the way of what she wants to do.
When I ask her to come here, she looks at me with this adorable smile...and then darts the other way -Stinker.
She'll have her water right in front of her but she'll be fussing for someone else's water - Stinker.
She will take one of Brooks' toys and let him get just close enough to almost grab it, and then she runs like the wind to get away from him, laughing and squealing the whole time - Stinker.
But through all of her tantrums, the 100's of times she tries to tell me "NO!" in a day, her fussing, and food throwing...I am absolutely in love with my Stinker.  Probably because in between the fussing and whining, she smiles all the time, plays so sweetly with her baby dolls, sits and reads a book with me, lets me do her hair, and gives me plenty of hugs and kisses.