Then They Were 2 & 4

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Our son
As August rolls around, I begin telling our children the stories of their births.  Paisley is more interested than Lila, often saying "Tell me about when you met me."  I happily recap the excitement his daddy and I felt, how we were a little nervous, and how hearing him cry was the best sound I ever heard.  It makes him smile to hear about his "birth" day.  After the kids go to bed Scott and I reminisce over the more serious parts of his "birth."  We can (sorta) laugh now about the difficulty and stress that getting him here caused.  Knowing how it all turned out, I'd do it again a hundred times over.
Our daughter

The party planning had began months ago and once again we planned a combined party for our August angels.  Our invitations invited family and friends to a Paw-ty.  Paisley picked Paw Patrol (a show about a pack of helpful pooches and Lila wanted a Hello Kitty party.  We rented a huge water slide from a local inflatable company and planned out our menu.  First up we had to celebrate Lila on her actual birthday.

August 9, the little princess turned 2.  It fell on a Sunday so daddy was home all day to celebrate with us.  She woke up to find Hello Kitty banners on her bedroom door and balloons throughout the house.  I made a huge breakfast with her favorites, pancakes, eggs, sausage and fruit.  She opened up presents from her daddy and I before she had a surprise visit from her Aunt Rhea!  Not wanting to leave out our precious Paisley, Aunt Rhea gave both of the kids birthday gifts and then played with them.

Lila's birthday morning

Nana and Papaw showed up a little later in the day and joined us for cupcakes and ice cream.  We lit candles and sang Happy Birthday.  Big brother had a few issues throughout the day with jealousy, wanting it to be "his" birthday and not understanding why the day was all about Lila.  We all did our best to keep him included and feeling special.          

Lila requested we go "out to dinner," so we headed to our favorite Mexican place for all the chips and salsa our bellies could handle.  The sun and Lila both called it a day when we got home.  We tucked our 2 year old in bed and gave thanks for another year of our healthy, happy daughter.


Saturday came and brought warm sunshine and our paw-ty!!  Friends and family descended on our farm at lunch time.  The colorful tables were full of food and gifts and kids in swimsuits ran about.  After watching the kids have so much fun on the waterside, some of the adults found themselves joining in the slip sliding fun.  The kids enjoyed opening their plethora of gifts and kindly thanked those that helped them celebrate!

Paw-ty Time!!
After about 5 hours of playing in the heat of the day, both our birthday babies were done!  The last of the guests went home and party decor was cleaned up.  I gave both of the kids a quick bath before letting them play with their brand new toys.  That night I'm sure they both dreamed of the alpine slide and shiny new toys.
Paisley's birthday morning

August 17,  our little boy was now 4.  It was Monday morning and daddy ventured to work while Paisley woke to find Paw Patrol banners on his bedroom door and balloons throughout the house.  The kids and I went to Denny's for breakfast.  Paisley got a special surprise when Nana walked in the restaurant to join us.  He got to open gifts from Nana and Papaw (little sister got one too!) and even the waitress bought a special cup for Paisley to take home.

After breakfast we headed to story time at the library.  We brought cookies for our friends and the director of the library brought out juice boxes for everyone.  We sang happy birthday to my boy and made crafts.

That night Paisley wanted to eat dinner at the Red Wagon then have cake and ice cream at home.  With one final round of celebration, we lit candles, opened a few more gifts and sang to our little guy.

As much as I loved holding my babes as they were itty bitty, my heart swells as I watch them grow and evolve into the people they will become.  I think they will turn out pretty amazing....

 
   

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