Birthday Party Time!

We threw the boys a huge birthday party for the both of them this past Saturday.  

I started planning this party back at the beginning of April.  

We decide last year that we would combine their parties into one big party, 

instead of two separate parties only three weeks apart.  

Turns out, it was a success.  

Courtesy of Graceland Bounce via Facebook

We also made the decision last year to sell the smaller water slide

we had purchased for them (that had served us well for the past

three years of birthday parties) to be able to put forth

money to rent a much bigger slide this year for them & all of their friends.

The slide was a huge hit.

It wasn't only a water slide, but also a fun obstacle course.

I planned the party to be from 3-7, but was more than happy when 

a few guests decided to stay a little later to continue to play with my boys.

They were all having so much fun on the slide, who was I to ruin that? ;)

The same slide, different angle, set up in our backyard.

It was a delightful day.

My boys had the best time.

The grownups that attended had a wonderful time, too.

Some even stayed until well after midnight playing corn hole.

We stayed up way past our usual bedtime, and it was well worth it.

I didn't get to take many pictures because I was most 

definitely enjoying the party & the company.

Us adults were able to enjoy uninterrupted conversation

all afternoon since the children were having so much fun themselves.

The food was ready whenever the kids were hungry & they 

were allowed to eat whenever they wanted to.

Greyson, Zakari, & Gentry

I managed to get this picture before Grey had to leave.

These three have been best friends since they were in the toddler room at GCA.

I hope their friendship flourishes throughout the years & they always remain buddies.

Jubal, Garrett, Colton, Dalton, & Brady

I did not set a certain time for any activities this year.

We prepared the food ahead of time, got it set up on the table (covered, of course), 

had all the drinks they could possibly want in two different coolers,

and the only time we interrupted them was when we called them

for cake & ice cream.

Jubal picked a Minecraft cake.

Gentry picked Teen Titans for his cake.

There was not one slice of either 1/4 sheet cake left!

Once again, Lynne outdone herself with her delicious cake baking skills.

This year I picked almond flavored cake with her signature icing.

I served it with cups of ice cream this year instead of scoops & what a difference it made.

I never realized how much easier & less messy it was.

Yummy!

The boys got lots of great gifts, but I do think they enjoyed getting money the most.

Each racked up with cash & we took them to spend it however they wanted.

That was a big deal to them.

So many new fidget spinners. ;)

********************

 Our Guests:

Jubal

Colton, Garrett, Brady, Dalton, Gwen, & Olivia

(Ian & Kenneth couldn't make it)

Gentry

Greyson, Zakari, Remy, Hadley, ClaraJane, LilyAnna, & Will

We also had Gabriel (their cousin), Aunt Heather, Shawnya, Tori, Bailey, Tiffany, Justin,

Lexi, Sean, Cooper, Erin, Jennifer, Tammy, Keira, Shelby, Gage, Jeremy, & Nikki.

What an awesome day we had with lots of family & friends!!!

Big Boy Room

Well, we know longer have a "baby" room. The room that served as a nursery, then a playroom, is now a "big boy" room. The boys now have themselves a gaming room so that they can play their video games & have friends over without taking over our living room.

I spent all day Monday purging.  It was so hard to get rid of most of their baby toys.  I did hang onto the Legos, race tracks, and a few of their stuffed animals, but everything else is gone now.  They have have their own TV, and each have a big bean bag that they can use as a gaming chair or possibly even sleep in when/if they want to.

Here's to new beginnings.  I'm hopeful this age will be just as fun as their baby/infant/toddler/preschool years.

Still need to find some new things to hang on the walls, but mostly finished.

 

Father's Day~2017

We celebrated Father's Day by going to the river, but only after I made Larson 

help me get the yard ready for the boys' birthday party coming up this Saturday. 

Ha!

I found a shirt online that I bought for the boys to give Larson.  

I'll have to remember to get a picture of him in it.  

This pic will have to do for now, though.

They also made him some of the cutest homemade gifts at daycare.  

I couldn't believe Jubal said he loved his daddy more than...mommy?!!?  

I know that's not true.  

He was just being sweet. ;)

Gentry's

Jubal's

Spending the day at the river with our friends & family was the most relaxing 

thing ever, especially after cutting grass & weed eating all morning.

It was a fun way to celebrate Larson.

**********

In memory of my own father...

This is the last picture I have with him.

August 8, 2010

Benjamin Gene Brackin

8/8/1940 - 9/5/2010

VBS At FBC~2017

The boys had another exciting week this year at First Baptist Church for Vacation Bible School. 

Actually, they're both a little sad that it's over already.

These pictures were taken during the week while they were practicing for the celebration program.

They had their celebration program last night and it was awesome.

They both did such a good job.

Gentry wanted to keep watching me instead of the screen,

but once he started paying attention to the screen, he remembered the moves.

As usual, they are already asking how long it will be before they get to go back.

They love VBS at FBC.

Until next year...

Gentry Turns Five

My baby boy turned FIVE today!

We woke him up by singing Happy Birthday to him.

He got a little upset that his party wasn't going to be today.

Since we're combining their birthday parties this year,

his party will be shared with Jubal on June 24.

I did, however, make sure to send cupcakes to the daycare

so he could have a little party with his friends there.

They sang to him & made him the sweetest card

signed by all of his classmates.

I'm still in shock that five years have flown by so quickly.

We can't wait to celebrate his birthday a little later this month.

I'm not real sure we'll do it this way again since he 

doesn't understand why we're not having him his own party on his birthday.

This way, though, he gets to look forward to his

party & his birthday (kind of) all over again in a few weeks.

Maybe?

Happy Day Of Your Birth, Gentry Slade!!!

We love you!

My Boys

Sunday afternoon I had to take some pictures of my friend's daughter, Gwen. The boys are friends with her so they asked if they could tag along with us. I, of course, said yes. About half way through the little photo shoot, I was taking them back home to hang out with their daddy. Ha!!

I enjoy taking pictures as a hobby.  It relaxes me.  My boys made sure I didn't get to relax.  I did, however, get some cute little random shots of them.  They were dressed in their finest I tell ya.  It just wasn't fair to them that I was taking pics of Gwen and not of them, so I was kind of aggravated into taking these.

I'm glad they talked me into it, though.

Just raw, unedited pictures of my sweet boys.  They may drive me a little crazier every day, but they are their mama's heart & soul. <3

Tooth Fairy

My firstborn lost his first tooth yesterday. He nor I could have been any more excited. He's been waiting to lose a tooth for awhile now since all of his friends have already lost teeth, and I have been waiting since his very first tooth came in to see this day come. :)

His tooth has been loose for about two weeks, but just not ready to be pulled.  While he was on the playground at day care yesterday, he finally pulled it out all by himself.  He was one proud boy!

He couldn't wait to show me when we picked him up.

He hopped in the car with this huge smile & an envelope with his tooth inside.

All I could do was squeal.  I was so happy to be experiencing this milestone in his life with him.  Losing your first tooth is a big deal.  He kept telling us he was a big boy now.  He is, but he's always going to be my baby, too.

The tooth fairy came and brought him a whopping FIVE dollars!  I remember only getting a quarter, or maybe four quarters on a really good night.  Haha!  We explained that he might not get that every time, but that his first tooth was special.  

He was happy with that. ;)

Look at that itty bitty tooth in my boy's itty bitty hands.

One day those little teeth will all be replaced with his permanent teeth and those little hands will hopefully hold his own child's hand.  I'm a sentimental mess right now.  My baby is growing up on me, y'all.