Louie's Third Birthday

Louie is three years old!  We decided on a Toy Story theme at the Hobby Farm/horse stables. 

Here's the birthday boy all ready for his party!

Toy Story Friends:  Buzz, Mr. Potato Head, Minnion, Cowboy, Jesse, Woody and Woody II

Abigail gave horsey rides to Louie (aka:  Woody) and all his Toy Story friends.  These photos are so cute.  I would put Louie into riding lessons just for the photos!  Seriously?

Louie aka:  Woody

Jordie aka:  Jesse

 

Andrew  aka:  Mr. Potato Head

Joe:  Handsome Cowboy

They had just as much fun climbing on the fence and huge log

Jesse, Minnion, and Woody

 

At three, he walks around like he owns the place!

We constructed our own Buzz Lightyear Lasers out of PVC pipe.  Then we did a little target practice with marshmellows.  I think more were eaten than actually aimed.  But that is what a party is for!

This is baby Blake skipping target practice...just catching a quick nap before cupcakes.  Happy Birthday to the birthday boy turning three!!!

Happy Birthday to You!

Now, that is one happy cowboy!

Happy Birthday Louie!!!

Don't Forget

 We have been wanting to go to Dubrovnik, Croatia for some time.  The entire country is on the Adriatic Coast with many small islands to visit and explore.  We packed up two kids, two strollers,  baby food, and diapers.  I think I may have had only two pair of pants for myself in our luggage! 
Dubrovnik's old city was charming with the cobblestone walking streets, old shops and churches. This is a picture of Blake and me on the main street of the old city.

 As always, I was fascinated with their form of government (some politicians could only hold office for a month), their history and what architecture still remained despite their earthquakes and wars.
Louie and I went two days ahead  (due to some logistical reasons).  He loved chasing pigeons through the square, eating ice cream, and going to see the fish, sea turtles and eels in the aquarium.

Once Cody and Blake joined us, we walked/hiked the many steps along the city walls.  The scenery was stunning. 

Afterwards, we enjoyed some ice cream.  This was Blake's first taste and second and third!  He kept grabbing my hand to bring over more when he was ready.

The following day, we took a boat and sailed to three different islands. We walked through the small towns, saw the local cow and played on the beach.  Louie and Blake really enjoyed being on the boat too.  Until at the end of the day, Louie kept telling me that his tummy hurt.  I thought he was hungry.  Quite the opposite, he chose to get rid of anything in his stomach and onto my legs!  Poor guy was sea sick! 

One day we took a road trip to Montenegro in our little roller skate of a rental car.  Our GPS led us astray to some of the most stunning views.  After 32 switchbacks, we came to the top of the mountain and found a bar and a small, small farming village.  Clearly, we were not close to our destination - the Bay of Kotor.  We walked around, changed some diapers, ate a few snacks and then back down the switchbacks.  This picture is at switchback #14 where you can see the bay below.

 At this point we still hadn't found it.  Back to the bottom of the mountain, we saw the clearly huge sign we missed due to our dutiful efforts to follow our GPS.  The bay at sundown was like a picture postcard.  So beautiful. This picture doesn't do it justice

We packed up two kids into two strollers and off we went into the tiny old city.  We had some delicious pizza al fresco and strolled the streets until the kids were absolutely DONE; which made for a peaceful ride back to Dubrovnik.  Loved Montenegro -- would definitely go back.

 Our last day was spent in Bosnia.  On our drive to Mostar, it was surprising to see many of the buildings hadn't been repaired since the war.  The people were very friendly and helpful when our GPS once again was guiding us along the "shortest route!"  Once in Mostar we found the famous Old Bridge and cobblestone streets of the old city.  The main street was very fairytale-esque.  We bought some fun old fashioned children's toys from a shop and of course magnets to add to our collection. 

This sign is leaning against the left side of the pink store.

Cody and I were so TIRED when we got home.  Who knew?  The days of coming home relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated from a vacation are a thing of the past.  However, we enjoy taking the kids to see, to learn about other countries and cultures of the world.  When is the next time we are going to have a conversation with Louie as to why that building is "broken?" while traveling through Bosnia.  Amongst our exhaustion, this is the take home message we can't forget. 

Times Have Changed

Last Halloween, Louie did NOT want to dress up in his costume when all his friends came over for a party.  He was suppose to wear one of those cute lion costumes with the fringe on the hoodie to surround his face.  With the cringing scream he let out, you would have thought I had asked him to donate all of his trick or treat candy to Cody (which some of it did).  So not much success with the costume last year.
THIS YEAR, was a completely different story--matter of fact, TOY STORY.  He loves the movie and often creates dialogue (using some unknown voice) between Woody and Buzz.  Crossing my fingers, I bought a Woody costume for Louie and a Baby Buzz Lightyear costume for Blake.  Blake's costume was the default but in the end... the star of the show that night.  Oooops!

I wasn't sure if Louie would wear his costume to his school party.  So I didn't say a word and just began to dress him for the day as if he always wore a sheriff's vest with a gold star.   Thankfully, he really liked the star and so the vest stayed on.  However, he drew the line at wearing the fabric cowboy boots over his shoes.  The school party was a success.  I am pictured with him in my Snow White costume I have milked for at least 10 years.

In getting ready for trick or treating, I was nervous Louie would want the Buzz costume since he at times considers himself the "alpha child" and gets first dibs on everything.  But I kid you not, he saw me dressing Blake and cooed, "Awe, a baby buzz year for baby Blake!"  He was so excited for him and I was over the moon that this night could possibly be drama-free!
We only trick or treated to a few houses of our favorite friends.  They loved it!  A few hours later, Louie and I were on a plane to Croatia with Cody and Blake to follow two days later...see our next post.

Blake's Metamorphosis

When Blake was born, he had very dark hair.  We were told eventually it would grow out and turn blond like his other birth siblings.  Blake has such dark hair and a ton of it that I just couldn't imagine him any other way.  Well, it happened!  Here's how Blake went from having dark brownish/black hair to a Swedish blond...

 In this photo, Blake is two months old.

Four months old.

Five months old

In this photo, Blake is six months old and a little blondie.  Can't believe it!

Blake is a Gusher

Blake is such a happy baby.  He loves to laugh.  He loves to play peek-a-boo.  He has a very ticklish body; even on his back.  He loves to talk and sing with us.  In these photos, it shows how he goes from very serious to a gushing smile.  He is 5 1/2 months old in these photos

By the way, his hair stands up like that naturally after the bath.  There aren't any products in his hair.  I love it.  I think it suits his personally perfectly:  living large!

Louie's First Day of Preschool

Louie was all ready with his new shark "pack-pack" today!  His teacher's name is Ms. Cathy and there are 8 other students in his class. The preschool has a total of 4 classes.  Louie is in the youngest class.  This year his schooling is a mix of play and academics.  He goes to school four mornings a week for two hours each day.   He loves to play with the dinosaurs and paint.  Thankfully his friend Owen is in his class...some days it serves as a great motivator to get him moving in the mornings!

Blake's 5 month doctor's visit

Blake went into the doctor's office for a baby well check up and I went in for a back brace.  He weighed 21 pounds!  In the past two months, he has gone through several growth spurts.  He went from a 3 month onesie to now a 12 month onesie.  He can't wear any of Louie's shorts from when he was six months old.  He does best in shortalls or anything that is a one piece jumpsuit concept.  No waistbands please.  He is wearing 12 month clothes.  The doctor said he weighed now what he should weigh at one year.  He recommended that I introduce veggies to cut down his caloric intake!  We just love to kiss his fat cheeks and squeeze those thighs.  His wrists look like they have rubberbands around them. It's so fun!

He rocks this exer-saucer!

Blake owns this thing!  After a week, he can manipulate the entire circle of toys.  However, he is a very social little bug.  So the exer-saucer needs to be in the same room with someone he can interact with and show off his skills; even if it is just Murphy!

In this picture you can see a good side of cheek and a chunky right thigh!  The kid is substantial!

Waiting for School to Start

It has been one long summer.  Louie was ready to start back to school probably 3 weeks ago.  While waiting for his friends to come back "into Kingdom" (how the Saudis refer to their homeland), Louie has been terribly bored and often finds himself orbiting me as if I were the sun.
So today, we decided to make cookies during Blake's morning nap.  Louie learned to crack an egg with assistance.  How to turn the mixer on and off.  How to dump in some of the ingredients from a measuring cup, etc.  He was very proud of his product.