Birthday, Easter and Other Happenings...

BIRTHDAY:
Bad mommy!!  I failed to post on Evan's birthday!  No time like the present to right a wrong...right??

Evan turned 3 in March.  The time continues to pass too quickly!  It was 3 years ago that he decided to set his own birthdate.  I was scheduled for a c-section three days after the day he decided he was ready to enter the world...on his own time.  He continues to live life on his own timeframe.  Evan as a 3 year-old is VERY active.  He can kick and throw a ball like a pro, he enjoys jumping off of couches, coffee tables, stairs, and just about anything he can climb up onto.  He also likes to hang from banisters, people, and anything that can support his weight.  Wrestling his brother is one of his favorite activities.  He has his own ideas about how his life should be, and makes his opinions known to all despite his still-developing speech.  He is willful, he throws temper tantrums, and has a smile that can brighten the darkest of days.  He gets a twinkle in those big, beautiful, super blue eyes of his when he is feeling a bit mischievous, and a slightly different twinkle when he thinks something is hilariously funny.  He is full of vinegar and full of life.  He can be really rough and tumble, and he can be a total softy...freely giving snuggles and kisses, just on his own terms and when he wants to.  He is all boy ("frogs and snails and puppy-dogs' tails") and he is well loved.

Evan enjoyed a nice, laid-back birthday party with some of his favorite people and favorite foods.  I've posted pics from the day in the Hymas Photos section (Evan's 3rd Birthday album).  Thank you SO MUCH to Laura and Kristi for being my photographers that day!  Without you two I would have missed pictures of so many events and memories from that special day.

EASTER:
Easter is always a blessed time. This year was no different.

A few days before Easter, Gage's mom was talking with Ryan and asked if he was excited for Easter and the egg hunt (and candy).  Ryan quickly met her gaze, and with a bit of lecture-attitude said "Grammie...that is NOT what Easter is about!  Easter is about when Jesus died on the cross!!"  I feel blessed that my children are learning the true meanings of our holidays, and have the strength to share that with others.

On Easter, we headed over to Paul & Laura's house (Gage's sister & brother-in-law) to spend time with family and for the kids to have their traditional Easter egg hunt.  Justin made the trek down from Kent, WA to spend time with family as well (I feel very blessed to have even more family close-by now).  Great food, great company, and great memories...we are very blessed, indeed!  There are pictures from the day up on the Hymas Photos section of the website (Easter 2011 album).

OTHER HAPPENINGS:
A main "other happening" is that Evan started preschool in April.  He has been talking about going to school for some time now, and he has been able to realize that dream sooner than expected.  For those who may not be aware...Evan has a delay in his expressive speech (his ability to articulate words).  He fully understands speech appropriate for his age, he just has difficulty forming his words to express himself.  Because of this delay, he has been going to speech therapy once a week.  When he turned 3, his speech therapy was handed over to the school district, and in our area, that qualifies him for preschool.  The first day, he held tightly to my hand as we entered his classroom.  It took him only a few minutes to see the other kids playing and coloring and pretending, and he released his grip to explore his classroom.  When it was time for me to leave him, I let him know I'd be back when school was over.  He didn't cry, but instead gave me a look more like "oh, are you still here??"  As I got in the car...it was a very strange feeling...both kids in school, what do I do now??  Each time the boys are in school at the same time, the feeling is a little less strange. Evan currently has school just two days a week, so its a good transition for all of us.  I've posted pics of his first day in the Hymas Photos section of the website (Boys - March/April 2011 album).

Ryan has started playing T-Ball this spring (pics in the Boys - March/April 2011 album).  His team is the Mariners...all of the teams in this league take on the team name of a pro team.  He is really enjoying it, and there are a couple of kids from his kindergarten class on his team which makes it even more fun.
The other big news Ryan has is that he has two loose teeth!

My biggest challenge these days (and for the rest of my life) is trying to enjoy all of these stages of the boys' lives.  In a little over a month, the boys will be out of school.  Ryan will be in first grade next fall..school all day, and Evan will be back in preschool.  By that time, Ryan will have at least two adult teeth coming in.  My babies no longer live with us, even my toddlers are gone.  I now live with two "big boys".  Each day is a blessing and a treasure.

A New Tradition...

I know this is a long blog...but stick with me...I think its worth it!!!

Yesterday (Tuesday the 12th) was my 35th birthday...and I like to believe that I have grown wiser with each passing year (even though in my brain I'd like to think I'm stuck somewhere in my 20's).

On Monday night, I was laying in bed thinking about my birthday the following day, thinking abouthow I wanted to celebrate, of "blowing off" eating healthy (mmm....cake), and just going for the gusto!!  This is for no other reason than because its a celebration!  Right??  Isn't that what we do???

I then had a bit of an epiphany...how do I really want to start my 36th year?  I decided that I'd like my birthday to set precedence for what my year will be.  I decided that instead of "letting go" of everything, that I should do exactly the opposite...exhibit self-control, go through the day mindfully...always thankful for all the blessings in my life and what I DO have.

After this thought...I also started thinking about how people set New Year's resolutions (kind of cliche now-a days)...and how the vast majority do NOT stick to them even a mere 30 days after making the resolution!  Why is this??  Is it because they are coming down off of the Holiday High, so perhaps a bit drunk with sugar and now also maybe a bit hung over (who hasn't had that "I'm NEVER going to drink again!" moment??)??  Is it the peer pressure (everyone else is doing it!!)??  Everyone starts with good intentions, with a huge "can do" attitude, and even though they start with good intentions, almost all never reach those goals.  I started to wonder...perhaps the focus is not so much on the person setting the goals, but more on the New Year's tradition??  OR perhaps my brain, late at night, just makes me THINK these are good ideas :)

Whatever the reasons behind it are... I have decided I'm going to break away from tradition.  I will no longer set New Year's resolutions.  I will instead set Birthday Resolutions.  These resolutions/goals have been set by me, for me...and on my birthday...making them very much about me (the way resolutions should be).  Next year, when I finish the completion of my 36th year of life...I will also be celebrating the resolutions and goals I have accomplished in the year, and will reflect on what I want to accomplish in my 37th year.

I now have a typed, signed and dated contract with myself.  I printed out several copies and posted them where I will be reminded of my promise to myself.  Others can see them as well, and I intentionally did this because, for me, I do better when I know others are also aware of what I have or have not accomplished.

SO...for those who want to see, here is the link...Birthday Resolutions!!

We did go out to dinner for my birthday, but instead of heading out and getting the fattiest food I wanted (burgers/fries and other fried morsels, pasta dishes oozing with sauce, bread and more bread), and eating all the sweets I could fit into my already full tummy, we went to McGraths.  They have some really good fresh and local (Pacific NW) seafood fare...and I LOVE my seafood.  Don't get me wrong...you can definitely come out blowing your diet anyways if you don't avoid the cream sauces and the butter-filled dishes.  I opted for the fresh grilled halibut with steamed veggies, and I did indulge just a little with a cup of their delicious clam chowder (shared with Evan) and a few bites of marionberry cobbler (shared with the whole table).  All in all much better than I was imagining while laying in bed on Monday before my epiphany!  It was a great birthday...thanks babe for making it so.  I love you!

BOYS!!! Really?!?!

This is the conversation that just occurred in my family room.  It is one that prior to having kids, I never considered I would possibly hear.  Funny how perspective changes!

RYAN:  "Evan, this is how you spell Thom...T-H-O-M.  Can you spell Thom? Say T..."
(Evan then repeats all the letters after Ryan)
RYAN:  "MOM!  He spelled Thom!!!  Good job Evan!!"
RYAN:  "Evan...this is how you spell poop..."p", then two "o"s, then...."

MOM:  (said with a half surprised, half unamused, stern wrinkled forehead, squinty-eye face)  "RYAN!!!  Really?!?!"

I have one thought, or perhaps more of an explanation....BOYS!