four

Today marks four years as a mom of this boy.

And I am so proud (and humbled).

As a girl who grew up in a family of girls and is, well, quite girly, bringing up a boy has been is a stretching, often frustrating, creatively demanding, mind-blowing experience.

I often look at him and say "Where did you get that idea?"

I have come to love crashing monster trucks into each other, building tall towers just to knock them down, incorporating super heroes in to every aspect of life, contemplating what bad guys eat (namely, no fruit or food their mommy makes just trees and snot, according to Peter), and examining the wonder of a dead bug.

a car we recently built together

This little guy is equal parts strong and sensitive.

Sometimes his tears and need for mommy surprise me.

He did not want to turn four.  

In fact, he was crying a couple of nights ago about it and this morning he declared he was just "almost four".

But he's come around.

Of course blowing out candles,  

opening gigantic presents and a huge frozen yogurt treat with daddy didn't hurt. 

I can't wait to see what challenges and joys this next year brings.

I think they'll be good for both of us.

And he still gives the best neck squeeze hugs around...

six

Today marks six years of mommyhood for me

and

6 years of Hannah Joy in our family!

She celebrated at school with a rowdy round of "Feliz Cumpleaños" and handed out Confetti Squares (Rice Krispy treats with Cap'n Crunch & Fruit Loops) to all her classmates.

At home, she designed her own birthday crown 

(in Kindergarten, or at least her class, the teachers no longer make sparkly crowns for you).  

And we used the leftover Fruit Loops to design some fun necklaces.

Fancy accessories are a must for this birthday girl.

She still loves pink and purple but has now expanded her wardrobe to anything that has a good spin to it.

The best quote was 

"Mommy, we need to make a list of all the numbers I've been."

6 candles were actually rather hard to squeeze onto her Rice Krispy Treat.

 

Matt's singing "Happy Birthday", thus the contorted face.

 She loves being the big sister and picking up Abigail, who is definitely not as light as she used to be.

And don't worry, being six hasn't changed her love of crazy face making.

She finished off her day with our birthday tradition of a treat out with Daddy.

Tomorrow we celebrate this little guy.

My two birthday kids,

seriously so sweet!

three

Today my little man turned 3 years old!

Matt & I both agree it just seems so appropriate.
For awhile now he's been the size of a 3 year old with the athletic ability of a 3 year old and definitely the ability to bother his sister like a 3 year old (wait, maybe that goes for any age) -
and now finally his age matches him!

He was delighted to start the day blowing out his candles in a cinnamon roll!


And later informed me that he did not "ike" being called the birthday boy - "I Peter Kenneth Robbins".
Also, I apparently gave him way too many "kissies" today (really, he's only 3).

When I asked him to show me with his fingers how old he is - this is what I got:

 

He, Hannah & I enjoyed a "tea party" lunch out in the backyard
(In our family, anything that consists of a pitcher of water, open cups and the kids allowed to do the pouring is considered a tea party.)

Of course, this is what came of pouring their own water.

This boy has such a sweet, charming smile and



can also make the scariest of faces.
(In fact, I am not posting the scariest of pictures because it is kind of creepy.)

We enjoyed our last day of swim lessons

and a special visit from Grammie!

Peter finished off his day having an ice cream treat with daddy.

Happy Birthday Little Man, we love you SO much!

five (part 2)

(a couple additions to my earlier post)

1. Daddy says that this 5th birthday is a bit hard on him too (don't worry he's not weeping)



2.  Hannah insisted that after swim lessons we take pictures of her special birthday crown
(oh yes, we actually still have last year's crown - that's how special these things are to her)

 

3. Apparently, even when 5 year old's want you to take pictures of them
they rarely stop moving long enough to accomplish said task.

 

3. singing "Happy Birthday" and blowing out candles is still really cool at 5!

 

 

 4.  Just in case you don't remember, we have another birthday in our family tomorrow
(yes, my oldest kids are 2 years and 1 day apart)

five

Today my oldest is five.

No one warned me that turning five was going to be such a big deal to mommy - a transition from all things little to a lot of growing up.  I might be a little weepy but am SO excited for what lays ahead.

We celebrated at Hannah's preschool this morning with a special birthday circle.

She was SO proud sitting in the birthday chair.

She got a birthday crown. 

Sang all her favorite songs.

And showed Teacher Tina how the numbers were mixed up. :)

Of course, she fixed them!

Still beaming!!

Peter got to join in also and loved it.

In fact, our whole family was there!!

Happy Birthday Hannah-girl!!

party time

May is a month full of celebrations for our family.
2 kids born 2 years and 1 day apart means lots of birthday celebrations!

We started it out this year with a Curious George themed party.
It seemed very appropriate as Hannah loves watching Curious George and Peter is, well, a monkey at heart.

Daddy dressed up as The Man in the Yellow Hat for the occasion.

And we had Curious George masks for all the kiddos.



But I actually think more fun was had by the adults

as their inner monkey came out!

There were bubbles galore.

And plenty of willing hands to pump out more!

I made a ball pit out of a kiddie pool and 150 small plastic balls that was a hit with the younger crowd.

 

 

  Cake is, of course, an important part of any party.

 

 

 

And, the chocolate crazy cake

was savored by all.  

(especially the boys)

It was great to have dear friends from college, from church, 

 

from school 

and of course family to celebrate with!

It's amazing to me how many people surround Matt & I, Hannah & Peter as we journey on this road of parenthood and growing up.  I am blessed to have so many to call friends and family.

Thanks for all your love!

Oh, and I'm pretty sure Peter will be inseparable from his digger truck for a long time to come.

thanks Grandma & Grandpa!