Parker's 4th Birthday~

We had a pretty special birthday boy, our Parke turned 4 years old! How can this be? Those who know us well, know we are at our best on laid back-jammie sort of days. Something about {no agenda} that is so refreshing, and perfect for a celebration...

The opening of the gifts~ this boy is obsessed with Lego Ninjago, and that is all he wished for!

So donning his new Ninjago jammies, and building his new Ninjago Lego set he was happy as a little lark!

And who needs cake, when you can have a cookie? Parker's one request was homemade chocolate chip cookies, his favorite! As promised, here is the recipe~ it's a good'n!

{fyi~ this makes a huge batch, i usually half the recipe,

or make it and freeze half the dough for later}

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 lb. butter, softened

2 c. brown sugar

1 1/2 c. white sugar

2 T. vanilla

3 eggs

5 1/2-6 c. flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 pkg. chocolate chips {Guittard milk chocolate are my fav}

1 c. nuts {optional}

Cream sugars and butter for 10 minutes. Add vanilla and eggs and beat 3 more minutes. Combine all dry ingredients and add. Beat 3 more minutes, and drop onto greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes at 350 degrees. You may also add oats, or coconut for variation;)

Enjoy!

And the remainder of his day was as follows...

Sportin his new bike helmet, shades, and flip flops that he hand-picked himself.

He is one cool kat! ;)

Rylie playing with bugs again...

You don't have to smile for pictures on your birthday if you don't want to, we decided:)

Parker is adventurous, full of zest, fiesty, stubborn, loving, tender-hearted, and sweet to the bone. Can't imagine our family without him in it:)

Happiest Birthday wishes angel boy~

You make us smile every day.

~xo

Parke's first fieldtrip ~

It has been five years and counting, that at least one or more of my children have had a field trip to the local farm for some pumpkin picking good times. I don't know what it is about sitting on that hay-ride, taking in the crisp fall air, and admiring the unbelievable beauty around me, but I look forward to it every year.

Hmm... some serious deliberation over which pumpkin to pick:)

Rylie and her bestest gal~pals from the hood. These girls are inseparable, we are so blessed to have such great neighbors.

Parke was having no part in that girl business, i can't blame him. He is a man's~man:)

Some bull-riding, and hay-picking~

And we can't forget the baby animals~ always a huge hit with the kiddos. This little goat was a hungry fella...

I would have to say that Parker's first field trip was a great success. I just wish i could pause him right where he is, although it's mighty fun to watch him grow. His latest terminology includes: 'actually'~ "i 'actually' don't want dat."

'besides'~ 'besides,' dose are mine." Can you tell he's 3? ha!

'poos-paste' (toothpaste)~ "Mom, dis poos-paste doesn't taste bery good"

"Here Mom, I got some 'ocean' (lotion) fer you." adorable.

"Ya! Wet's go to the 'cone' place!" referring to Sill's Cafe where we get some amazing scones~ ha!

He loves to watch 'spicle me'...translation: Despicable Me.

He entertains us with tall tales like, "Last night, a fish ate me, and i was dead!" Many different variations of this story, and always ending with 'and i was dead.' True boy.

'Stoy Story' (Toy Story)~ he is totally obsessed. "Mom, you be Woody, and I will be Buzz." This can go on for hours, and i love it.

He loves to ride his tricycle, read books, snuggle his mom and dad, go to preschool, make new friends, destroy everything in sight!, eat sugar(and man does he ever!), sleep in his special bed in our room, and just be plain awesome.

Love this baby boy more than anything. He keeps life interesting, and happy.

So grateful for his sweet spirit in our home.

~xo

Parker's 3rd Birthday

All Parker wanted for his 3rd {he tells everyone his 4th, thank goodness it's not} birthday was a "train party." Easy enough, right? But birthdays are special, so it needed to be special too. I thought, and thought... and finally came to the conclusion that a "train party" isn't a train party unless you ride a train. So arrangements and goodies were made. Cupcake in a jar anyone? Thought they would travel better~ just imagine them with a shiny gold lid, and a wooden spoon;)

Then we packed up and headed off to catch the train. This was our family's first time on the front runner~ I know, lame. But I thought this was the perfect opportunity.

My darling kiddos were so darn excited to board that puppy.

Love this picture~

There was a pizza party while we waited~ and then finally we were on the train and headed for the Union Station. The kids were eating it up!

Once we got there we met up with all of our grandparents, aunts & uncles, and cousins, and toured the train museum...

The museum was awesome~ kids thoroughly amused, we headed outside to play on this big guy...

I've never seen monkeys jump in and start climbing so quick~ they were in heaven...

Kiddos everywhere~ so so fun:)

Our attempt at a family picture around the birthday boy~

Parke blowing out his 3 little candles. I can't believe it has already been 3 whole years since I laid eyes on him, seems like only yesterday.

Gifts opened, cupcakes devoured, and then more monkeying around outside~

"Shoo Shoo!" Parke could have stayed there all night...

We filled our tummies with some delicious grub from the Union Grill, and then it was time to catch the train back home...

And he headed off into the sunset with his daddy, and a new addition to his train set at home. It was so nice to sit and relax all the way home, we really need to utilize that train more. Hmm... where to next guys? So the conductor hats I ordered still haven't come~ what the??

It couldn't have been a sweeter day.

Happiest birthday wishes buddy~
We all love you more than anything!

Playgroup Party~

Parker's playgroup came over on Thursday and helped us celebrate his upcoming birthday~

Ah, the sprinkle~rimmed milk. It was so simple, and so much fun! You must try...

The birthday boy and his buddies. That is one darling group of kiddos...

"Shoo shoo" train cupcakes~

And a to~go plate...

And today we are off to the train station for some more birthday fun~

Can't wait to see the look on Parke's face!

Stay tuned...

~xo