Evan's 3rd Birthday Party

Today is Evan's 3rd birthday party!  We invited lots of our friends to the Hollymead Fire & Rescue Station for the party.  They had a great space we decorated with red and yellow balloons and banners, had snacks, played "place the doggie on the firetruck" and other games, and colored.  All the kids got their very own fire helmet with their name on it too!  Then the firemen came in and took us on a tour of the firehouse!  We saw the space where they hang out, their kitchen, and where they sleep.  We got to climb on all the firetrucks and ambulances, and they even turned the firetruck's lights on for us.  Then it was back to the party room for cupcakes, temporary firetruck tattoos, present opening, and the post-cupcake sugar high balloon games before handing out goodie bags and saying goodbye.  Everyone said they had a blast, and Evan declared it the best birthday ever.  Here's to another great year!

The Hollymead Fire and Rescue Station

 

Fire helmets for everyone!

 

 Pin the dog on the firetruck, coloring, and stickers.

 

Fire station tour.  The gear room, the kitchen, and sleeping rooms.

 

Time to explore the fire trucks and ambulances!  The kids climbed and explored and "drove" and pretended to be ambulance patients.  The firemen even turned on the truck lights for us.

 

 Time for cupcakes!

 

 Firetruck tattoos, balloon races, and presents.

  Time for goodie bags and goodbyes. 

 Happy 3rd Birthday, Evan!

Drew's First Food

Yumm-Yumm!  At 5 months, Drew's ready for food from a spoon.  He's starting now with baby oatmeal, but soon we'll graduate to the good stuff: apples, pears, bananas, sweet potatoes, carrots, beans, and more.  He really did well for his first time - not too messy at all, and he got the hang of it quickly.  What a big boy!

Mommy's Boys

After a long day at up work, mommy and the boys were so happy to be reunited!  We paused from all the playing and fun for a fantastic photo.

Roll Over!

Drew's been practicing and practicing, and now he's got it!  Rolling over from back to front.  Interestingly he hasn't done front to back, which would seem easier, but he's just a little over-achiever. 

Since he's not constantly rolling over, it's become a game to catch when he does it.  Usually I'll be in the kitchen and put him on his back, then check a minute later and he's on his belly.  But we've rarely actually caught him in the act.  Today we spent a looong time on the floor with the video, trying and trying to get him to roll so we can document and share this milestone.  Evan was a great cheerleader, with multiple loud rounds of, "Go, Drew, Go!!"  Evan also is Drew's teacher, showing him how it's done and giving him a helping hand whenever he can.  I don't know if we'll catch it again any time soon, so here it is - Drew rolling over! 

(November PS: Drew stopped rolling shortly after we filmed this. He was great, rolling in both directions for about 3 weeks, then seemingly decided that he now knows the skill and doesn't need to practice or prove it any more.  He pretty much hasn't rolled since.  Everyone, doctors included, tell me that's ok, so we're just going with it.  He'll be crawling in no time.)

We're Happy and We Know It

This evening was full of laughter and songs.  Evan played all his instruments and sang along, joining Drew in whenever he could.  They're quite the little duo!  Drew was happy as could be, laughing and laughing at us and his brother.  Evan grabbed his phone to play, "If You're Happy and  You Know It..."  Drew definitely was happy, so together the two clapped along.

Wisconsin 4... Miller Park

This morning we woke up in Racine.  Grandma Kay and Evan made a delicious breakfast before we headed out to the Brewers Game. 

Then it was time for the game!  Grandma Kay, Grampa Arnie, and Grandma Barb all came with us.  We went nice and early to watch batting practice and explore the stadium and some of the kids games. Evan was fired up and wore his brewers shirt, hat, arm bands, and gloves.  He was ready!  Drew was decked out too, though somewhat less impressed at his first MLB game.  I guess he is only 2 months old. 

 

Evan played on the slide and gym set outside, and found some of the fun running and throwing games inside. He's a natural!  

When we went down to the field for batting practice, a nice staff member saw Evan and brought him a ball - straight off the field!  He was absolutely thrilled!  He was stoked to see his favorite players: "Brian Braun and Frince Pielder."  Hehe!

Our seats were in the Dew Deck, so we had a great view of the game.  Bernie even came up to say hi!  Evan had been talking about him well before we left for WI, and promised to be nice and brave and give Bernie a hug.  Even as we walked up to our seats he was excited to hug Bernie.  But when he actually showed up, it was a complete other story.  I guess we're not quite fully over the mascot fear yet.  Maybe next year. 

Drew loved being at the game too.  He watched all the colors and people, had a snack or two, and stayed awake for most of the game.  The Brewers won, and everyone declared it a definite fun day.  Go, Brewers, go! 

Wisconsin 3...Golf & a New Friend

Today Mike went golfing with his friends.  Evan and I dropped him off at the course, and spent a few minutes hanging out at the course.  We tooled around on Evan's first golf cart - what a ride!  He giggled the whole way.  Then we practiced on the putting green, with Mike showing him proper form.  Evan insisted on watching them tee off, and was sad to leave.  Have a great game, guys!

We went to the Paczesny house that afternoon to spend some time with good friends.  The guys decided to play an impromptu concert, with Evan right in the middle.  It wasn't exactly a #1 Billboard Hit, but it was fun to play and fun to watch. 

We also got to meet baby Grace!  She's about 2 months older than Drew, and cute as a button. Grace and Drew became good friends right away, and even linked arms for a few photos.  How sweet is that!  We wish we lived closer to all our friends so we could hang out all the time and watch the kids grow.  We'll just have to come back soon so we can play some more.