Obviously, I am in some state of denial that my baby is about to become a full fledged toddler. I have had his birthday pictures uploaded to the computer for over a week now, and my yahoo search toolbar doesn't even have my blog address in it's memory. Yes, Harry turned one, and I think just yesterday I was getting interrupted at 3am for feedings. Oh how time flies when there are three more kids running around, and one of them became a Kindergartener. It's like the 80 year old woman in the dairy isle at Kroger's told me just this afternoon (why I love small town living)... those days in her life, raising little ones, were the best days of her life. What a sweet thing to tell a mom who just wanted to run in and grab some butter!
Back to Harry. We had a two fold party for him. The first was in the early morning while my parents and Grandparents were in town due to their food trucking adventures; or as I like to refer to it, Carny life:). The frozen state of the ice cream freezer was on high alert due to an overly zealous festival worker, so we chose to sing Happy Birthday around 7:30 am, and pump up all four kids with cake before church. Another reason why we go to church where the kids have their own Sunday school classes. We'll take any form of "date" that we can get. Even if it's in a pew.
Pre-party the night before.. at the festival on the back of Grandpa's Truck. Enjoying some free Mama Jan chocolate covered bananas.
The Help: Carny style... My mom's broken shoulder was a bit too much for the large crowds, so Callie and I jumped in as subs.
With that face.. he could sell teeth to a Carny, or lipstick to a pig. Either one.
Early Morning PJ's.. and birthday cake.
Grandma and Grandma
Harry Got a Cozy Coupe for the big day...
Unfortunately this is how he usually "plays" with it. His Brothers insist that he LOVES pushing them.
The whole crew.. Such a fun early morning Birthday bash
After our kids had crashed from their breakfast of cake and juice, and sufficiently blessed the Sunday School teachers with their joyous high, we moved on to party number two. Our second family, as we like to call them... or to everyone else, our neighbors.
We live in a little slice of suburban heaven. Our neighbors let us borrow sugar and butter (questioning why butter seems so prominet in this post)... they watch our kids, love our kids, offer us words of Wisdom, and words of encouragement. Because we don't live close to our sweet family in the picture above, our neighbors have opened up their homes to us, and have made us a part of their own families. I am convinced that nothing besides a nuclear attack (or a job change).. could move us off of our street. It's that good, and they are that important to us.
Important prep work...
The neighborhood King and Queen, my adoptive parents, and the kids adoptive Grandparents. They love us as their own, and make this home incredibly special
If we look tired, it's because Sugar-gate has descended upon the house
The other Star neighbor, Jen.(and husband Joe pictured below). Her daughter Hannah is one of Callie's favorite playmates.
Our self camera timed photo... The Neighborhood.
And there you have, Harry's Birthday. I think he must know he is big time now. Because along with turning one, he has added some ornery attitude to his otherwise super chill personality. But it's not too rough yet.... I've only had to threaten once that he can no longer stay until 30. It's about as serious a threat as I can give that boy.
Everyone thinks their kid is the best... yes, I know. But apparently you just haven't met Harry yet. If you are on the fence about a number four, he would make you jump. If you just came off twins and an old paci makes you groan, this kid would have you registering for baby gear before you can say pregnant. And if you ever wanted to see how two average looking parents could end up having a poster worthy baby... well then say Hello to Harry.
It's no wonder it took me so long to write this post. One year gone means I only have 29 more to savor, and we all know how much I like to coddle this kid. Happy Birthday Big Boy. Just don't go moving out too soon... I still have matching pj's in my plan.
