DTG's Birthday Party

This past weekend, my sister Cathy and I threw a birthday party for my mom, Marcia. She is known to the boys as Downtown Grandma, or DTG. It was originally supposed to be a surprise party, but my mom found out about it within a few hours of us sending out the invitation. Regardless, we went ahead with the party, which was at Favazza's Restaurant on the Hill.

Both of my mom's parents (GGma and GGpa) were able to attend, as well as each of her 6 brothers and sisters. Many of her friends also attending, including ones she hadn't seen in a while. I think she had a good time. She deserved it!

(I wasn't sure what pictures to include of the groups of people, and who doesn't want to see their own picture up versus who does. So I played the safe route. I apologize to anyone looking for their picture. Just let me know and I will post it!)

Cathy and my mom

GGpa and GGma

Steve Patterson and myself

Kevin's Birthday

Kevin had a birthday last week, and the boys were very excited to give him the gifts they had picked out. They had told me a few weeks ago what they wanted to get him, and when we went shopping they had not changed their minds. The boys were so excited that we opened presents at breakfast.

Kevin had told me that he wanted to get his daddy a game, since "Daddy likes to play games with me." He originally told me he wanted "a game for daddy to play with his friends. A game for adults." But when he saw all the games he chose one that he could play with Kevin. He ended up choosing a Scooby-Doo game. (He didn't quite get the premise of gift giving yet. The night we bought the game he told daddy "I didn't get you a Scooby-Doo holder!" I think daddy became suspicious.)

Colin was ecstatic to get Kevin fruit snacks. As you can tell by the look on his face.

Rock Star

Colin really enjoys dancing to music lately. The other night we had on one of our new music channels. Colin started showing off his guitar skills for us. There is plenty more where this came from.

Helping Rake Leaves

Daddy has been working very hard on the siding. So we all decided to rake the leaves last Saturday. The boys loved playing outside, and were very helpful! They both rakes leaves into piles and then even helped bag them.

Their favorite part was jumping in the leaves. Kevin called it is "leaf house." Colin called it his nest. So they acted like birds and I had to feed them worms since I was the mommy bird. Colin told me that he was a baby bird with a hurt wing. I had to wrap his arm in a bandage for him. The next picture is me feeding a (pretend) worm to them. The following picture is me fixing the baby bird's wing.

Feeding my birds their worms!

More Artwork

Kevin has been working on this picture for two days now. He brought it home from daycare and keeps adding to it. He called it his "Rainbow Storm." It is a storm with a rainbow in it. He told me that he is making it for Colin.


Then I took a picture of Colin while he was writing on Tony's birthday card.


Then he wanted to imitate Kevin, who held up something for the camera.


Here is the what the card looked like after they were finished drawing and writing on it.

This Is What We Have At Our House The Day After Steak N' Shake

Steak N' Shake guys! And they even take your order and bring it to you after it is cooked!

Say Good-Bye To Kaka!

Kevin has decided that he no longer wants to be called "Kaka" by Colin. Colin has been calling him that for a year now. He started saying it before he could say Kevin. No one else calls Kevin "Kaka," just Colin. Last month I heard him say Kevin and was speechless for a moment.

On Friday, Kevin told Colin "I don't like when you call me Kaka. You need to start calling me Kevin. Can you say Kevin?"

Colin replied "Kevin!"

Kevin said "I am so proud of you! Mommy, did you hear him say Kevin? You should be proud of him too!" Now whenever Colin says "Kaka" Kevin corrects him.

I have included a picture of Kevin in a pair of pants that are too big.

Great Big Brothers

Both boys have already made it clear that they want the new baby to be a girl. We have told them that it might be a boy, and Kevin said "that would be okay, but I still want it to be a girl." Colin usually follows with something like "Me too." Regardless, I think both will be great big brothers.

For the bedtime routine, we all read a book and then Kevin goes to his room while Kevin or I sing to Colin. Lately, Kevin has been staying in the room to sing to Colin as well. He even rubs his back or pats his head very softly. He loves taking care of Colin.

The other night, Colin took on the big brother role as well. He mentioned the baby so I showed him my belly. He started rubbing and patting the belly very softly. I told him that pretty soon the baby will be able to hear us and the baby will know his voice. His little eyes lit up. Then he started singing ABC's to my belly while he was patting my belly.

How can you not love this?