Happy 5th Birthday Tucker David! 9/30/16

 

Sweet Puppy is still your favorite!

 

 

5       F*I*V*E      5

 

Five is such hard birthday for me to swallow! Oh sweet Tucker how can you be 5?!?

I am so grateful that you are in Pre-K and still at your wonderful Preschool! Next year Kindergarten...I can't even think about it!

What a fun loving, caring, creative, problem solving boy you are! Your imagination is endless.

You love with all your heart and are all boy at the same time!

This past year was a busy one for you! You finished your 3 year old preschool year and as mentioned you have started Pre-K. You absolutely love to learn and have me give you homework when Summer does hers.

You continued to stick with Karate. You started at 3 and now a month ago at age 4 you moved to a Red Uniform. We couldn't be more proud. You are focused and learning such good discipline. Tennis was fun for you in the Spring. You and Summer took lessons together!

This summer you went to Ms. Heathers summer camps and loved the math and science ones the most.

This month you started baseball and you love that as well! You have hit both off the tee and from straight pitch. You care about your team mates and love to practice. You even earned a medal and have been so proud to show everyone!

Disney was also so much fun for you this past year. We had our annual passes again until March and went several times in the fall and then again in February. Your favorites continue to be Toy Story Rides. You have also recently gotten more into Star Wars and you are looking forward to doing Jedi Training when we go back next! You also will get to pin trade (Mommy's rule is that you have to be 5 to pin trade).

In April we welcomed a new puppy to our house-Hope. She's a rescue pup and she seems to think you are her puppy friend. You are always on the floor or laying with her. You love her and she loves you. Puppy Tucker has made more appearances since Hope arrived! You have been very helpful with her and hopefully she will learn that you aren't a puppy soon.

Then this summer we got at BOAT! And boy oh boy do you love that boat! You are meant to be on the lake and love everything about the boat. You don't whine or cry when you are on the boat. You are WAKEBOARDING!!!! Yes at age 4 you wakeboard. It is something to see. You love to wakeboard, tube, fish, swim, explore islands and drive the boat. You are a lake rat my love!!!

Your listening ears tend to still be missing but we are working on it. ;)

Tucker David you have my heart! I love crafting and creating with you. You love to "make something"- cook or craft.

You are your Daddy's partner and love to help him outside and practice baseball. You are lake buddies! Melts my heart!

Oh and you and Piper! You look out for her. She is going to miss you so much at school next year. She looks up to you and you take care of her!

You and Summer play well together- outside and board games. You miss her when she's at school and you are home (so do I. I wish she could join Fun Fridays with us).

My Tucker David-my boy with the biggest heart and who keeps us on his toes.

It is time now to finish up all the birthday traditions that I keep adding on to! I love birthdays!

Birthday Banner, presents, yearly collage, sign on the door, streamers on your bedroom door and now Pancake the Elf will be here for the day!

See 20 questions after the pictures!

 

I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

20 questions

 

 age 5-2016
  20 questions
1. What is your favorite color? Orange and Red

2. What is your favorite toy? Sweet Puppy
3. What is your favorite fruit? strawberries and grapes

4. What is your favorite tv show? Lego Star Wars
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? strawberries and PB&J Mickey Sandwich
6. What is your favorite outfit? baseball uniform
7. What is your favorite game? Learning games
8. What is your favorite snack? strawberries
9. What is your favorite animal? tiger
10. What is your favorite song? Tooty Ta
11. What is your favorite book? How I Became a Pirate
12. Who is your best friend? new Kyle at school and Piper
13. What is your favorite cereal? Special K Chocolate
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play on our Playground
15. What is your favorite drink? Milk
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Sweet Puppy
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Waffles and Cereal
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Pizza
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A Fireman or a Policeman

Happy 7th Birthday Summer Lynn! 05/01/16

 

This girl!!! This sweet, caring, ray of sunshine is turning 7!!! As her Daddy just said, "How can 7 years go by so quickly?"

I don't know either!

I do know this is one loved little girl and we love watching her grow up.

Happy 7th Birthday Summer Lynn!

You continue to be one of the sweetest girls we know (as long you are fed and have your sleep)! You finished Kindergarten and now are in First grade (less than a month and you will be mine again for 2 months!). This past year you started tumble, took lots of tennis, cheered again for the Jr Falcons (with some competitions), did a creative arts and writing class, swim lessons and you are taking an American Girl Etiquette class! Whew! Luckily not all at once and we work to keep a good balance. You are just like your Mommy and like to stay busy and on the go. Instead of being my social sidekick you are developing skills and learning new things with your peers!

Speaking of American Girl, that is your thing now! You have 3 dolls. I was so proud last summer when we were at the store and you decided to put back all the small things you were going to purchase (which add up) and save for a doll, Grace, instead. You saved your money and worked hard to earn her in the fall. Then Santa brought you Elizabeth (there's a good story on her that I will tell you one day). I love to see your imagination at work when you play with them. Your friends are in to them as well and that is fun!

Disney continued to be a big thing this past year as well. We renewed our annual passes and went just as much as we did the first year. Mine Train, roller coaster, is your favorite ride. You also really got into pin trading. Mommy got a bunch of pins and gives you 5 or so each time to trade. I think you have close to 75. Tucker can’t wait to join in on the fun once he is 5.

Last summer we went boating several times and you loved it. You could stay on a tube all day long behind the boat. Daddy grew up going to the lake every summer so we decided to get a boat. We didn’t renew our Disney passes but are looking forward to time on the boat this summer.

This year you aren’t having a big birthday party.You are going to Chicago, IL with Mommy and Daddy for your birthday! We are going to go Memorial Day weekend and you will get to fly there. We are meeting up with Hadley, Aunt Kelly and Uncle Joe and you are so excited. You will tell anyone who will listen! We are going to the American Girl Doll store when we are there. Your Cousin Hadley has told you all about it and you can’t wait to go to a double decker store. You think you are getting a new American Girl doll there but we are surprising you on your birthday with the doll. Mommy caught a sale and loves surprises! We are also surprising you in Chicago with a birthday lunch at the store! We will do some touristy things and see a Cubs game. We can’t wait to do all this with Hadley, Aunt Kelly and Uncle Joe!

You continue to be an amazing big sister and helper with our new puppy, Hope! That’s right we got another dog. We still miss our Daisy girl but Mommy was finally ok with getting another dog and the rest of you were so happy Mommy finally agreed! You play outside with your littles and take Hope for walks! Such a big help! You still hang with all the kids in the cul-de-sac, mostly boys but there are some nice new girls as well. Tucker keeps up with you on your bike now and it’s great to see all of you outside. The playground Daddy built continues to be a big hit and the fenced in yard keeps Hope happy to be playing with you.

I know there is so much more! Like you just lost 2 more teeth this past week (and you haven’t lost any since the first 2 last May) and yellow is again your favorite color! Ninja for your birthday dinner is your request again this year (but don't worry Cabos is still a big favorite).

Her new smile!

 

Speaking of favorites, I did the 20 questions again with you. I will put those and some more recent pictures of you! So grown up and beautiful.

We LOVE you so much! Happy Birthday my sweet love!

 

The 20 questions I ask every year the day before your birthday:

1. What is your favorite color? yellow (yay back to her first favorite ever)
2. What is your favorite toy? American Girl 

3. What is your favorite fruit? strawberries
4. What is your favorite tv show? Odd Squad
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Chicken Nuggets

6. What is your favorite outfit? Matilda Jane anything (but especially the twirl dress)
7. What is your favorite game? Monopoly
8. What is your favorite snack? Sunbutter and Carrot Sticks
9. What is your favorite animal? Panda Bear
10. What is your favorite song? ABC's Backwards
11. What is your favorite book? American Girl books
12. Who is your best friend? my Cousin Hadely and all of my friends are my best friends
13. What is your favorite cereal? Frosted Flakes
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? tennis
15. What is your favorite drink? Shirley Temple
16. What is your favorite holiday? My Birthday
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? kitty
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? cheese omlette and Daddy's pancakes
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Ninja
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? a vet

 



Happy Birthday 2nd Brthday Piper Leigh! 12/11/15

 

 

Happy 2nd Birthday Piper!

 

This sweet baby is 2!

 

You tell everyone you are 4 and will even show 4 fingers but Mommy just wants to freeze time and keep you 2! Your big brother wanted you to be 4 like he is he taught you to be 4.

 

You brighten our days and are genuinely happy. You have so many words and questions. Your favorite one is  "Where's Daddy?". You adore him so much (as he adores you). I truly believe you are a Daddy's girl and I love it!

Weighing in at 24 lbs and 34 1/2 inches you are still little but as I have said before you are fierce. You stand your own with your brother and sister and you don't let them do the talking for you. You look up to them both so much. You and Summer love to play dolls together. You love your bitty baby and have since summer time. You are a little mommy. You started a preschool, Mommy's Morning Out, program and your teachers (Ms. Amy and Ms. Kim who you adore) call you a mother hen. You are always looking out for the other kids and don't consider yourself a baby.

You are mommy's baby though and I love our time together. Sweet Piper, you have the most contagious giggle and are such a good listener! We all have our moments and you will carefully throw yourself down on the ground and have a fit. You recover well and quickly. Sometimes you are stubborn and want your way. 

With Tucker the 2 of you like to play outside. You like to swing and follow him around. You 2 a sweet siblings and friends. You look for him when he's at school and when you are sad you ask or him to. Tucker was your first word. I love your special relationships with your siblings.  

You love love love Minnie Mouse (maybe not in person). You call her "Innie" and it's the cutest thing. You had a Minnie themed birthday party at Everland Play and we decided to have a dance party instead of having Minnie come. It worked out great and you had so much fun playing and dancing with your friends and family.

You also love Disney and I think really understand it. You love to ride Dumbo (also Tucker's favorite) and any of the rides with boats. You will happily wave to the characters from afar but don't enjoy being by them yet.

You eat almost anything and broccoli is your favorite. Summer and Tucker pass you theirs and you eat it up. Your favorite sweet is chocolate. You will do anything for more chocolate.

Piper, you love to sing and dance. Your favorite song right now is ABC's and you will sing it, ask for it to be sung or play it on your toys to dance to all the time.

We love you so much Piper Leigh! Happy 2nd Birthday!

 

Here's some pictures from 2 recent photo shoots!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Happy 4th Birthday Tucker! 9/30/15

 

 

Can you believe that sign? Tucker is 4!!!!

My sweet sweet boy is growing up way too fast! Your eyes continue to melt every one's heart and your energy continues to keep this Mommy on her toes! I love you so much!

This past year has been a busy one for you! You love our new house and especially love the playground Daddy built. You could be out there all day every day if I let you. You don't even mind if it is raining. You love to swing and are so close to being able to do it all by your self. Summer and you play so well together when you are out there!

You also love to build and create things. One of your favorite building toys is your magna tiles. You teach me how to use supports and help our towers stand tall. You are a problem solver.

My sweet Tucker you also love to be in the kitchen and any one who know Mommy knows cooking is not her thing! We have baked and made a lot of interesting smoothies. Don't worry Mommy has asked Grandma Susie for kids cookbook to help us out. No doubt you will be quite the creative Chef, just like your Daddy, one day!

This past summer you started Karate. This has been such a great discipline for you! You have earned stripes on your belt, broken a board and even earned a second belt. One my my proudest moments was when your Coach asked who your hero was and you said My Daddy without skipping a beat (all the other kids said various superheros).

You also love to fish. Such a busy boy! You have a couple fishing rods and caught some fish in Indiana this past Summer and love to go fishing with Pops in our neighborhood pond.

You are in your third year of preschool and continue to do so well! Piper has joined you at preschool and I love to see how you look out for her. Now that she is walking and playing the two of you do a lot more together and it warms my heart!

Disney is still a big thing in our house! You love to drive the cars on the Tomorrowland Speedway and to shoot the aliens on Buzz Lightyear. Now that you are 4 you can do the Jedi Training! You have been watching that and asking when you can do it.

Your birthday is on a Wednesday this year. You have preschool (pizza day-yay) and Mommy and Piper are coming in to celebrate with you. We will go to a special dinner with Daddy, Summer, Mom-Mom and Pops. Not sure where yet. You mentioned breakfast for dinner so we will see.

On Saturday is your Fire House birthday party. First we will go to the Fire Department and learn all about their job and then we will go to Johnny's for pizza and cupcakes! It will be a great time!

We did your 20 questions so I will post them below along with your birthday invitation and other birthday pictures!

I love you so much Tucker David! You are all boy with such a sweetness to you!

Happy Birthday!

 

 

 





 

This guy LOVES his sweet puppy! We included Sweet Puppy again in this years photo shoot!

 

Those eyes!

 

A brief break from these cute photos for Tucker's 20 questions:

This years answers are in bold.

3-2014

4-2015
 20 questions
 1. What is your favorite color? I love red and blue blue and green and I like all the colors.

 2. What is your favorite toy? Sweet Puppy Sweet Puppy and tractors
> 3. What is your favorite fruit? strawberries strawberries
> 4. What is your favorite tv show? Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Blaze and the Monster Machines
> 5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Mickey Turkey and Cheese Turkey and Cheese and Strawberries
> 6. What is your favorite outfit? white and Spiderman Jammie's Shorts -no jeans and Batman Shirt
> 7. What is your favorite game? hide and seek The ABC apple game
> 8. What is your favorite snack? popcorn Graham Crackers and Milk
> 9. What is your favorite animal? kept saying Mickey Mouse Elephants
> 10. What is your favorite song? OH OH OH Praise Song OH OH OH Praise Song
> 11. What is your favorite book? Trucks Mickey Mouse
> 12. Who is your best friend? Mickey Mouse All the Sims Kids
> 13. What is your favorite cereal? Cinnamon Chex Special K Chocolate
> 14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Ride my super bike at the loop loop Play on the playground and swing with Daddy pushing me
> 15. What is your favorite drink? Milk Milk and Water
> 16. What is your favorite holiday? My birthday My Birthday
> 17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Sweet puppy Sweet Puppy and Blankie
> 18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cereal Waffles
> 19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Cookies and cabos rice Pizza
> 20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Mickey Mouse A Firefighter

Tucker and Piper had this photo shoot together. Tucker for his 4 year old birthday and Piper for her 21 month birthday!

 

 

Last but not least-his birthday invitation!

 

Now it's time to have Tom set up a birthday T-pee tent with presents in it! And to do his birthday streamers!

Happy 4th Birthday!

 

Happy 6th Birthday Summer Lynn! 5/01/15

Happy 6th Birthday!

 

 

 

6!?!?!? Yes, my sweet girl, who made us parents, is turning 6! And not only that you lost your first tooth your last night of being 5!

Where do I start? In this past year you have graduated Pre-K and started Kindergarten! We have also moved into our new house on Town Hall Terrace. So many new and wonderful changes and you have adapted well! We couldn't be more proud of you!

At our new house we live on a cul-de-sac and you and Tucker are outside all the time! You now have a drawer of play clothes. Both sets of grandparents got you a new BIG girl bike with hand brake and kick stand (and Aunt Beth got you a bell). That has been a lot of fun!

Your first year in Elementary school has flown by as well. You have always worked hard and tried your best. The days are long but we have adjusted. Mommy misses you during the day but has loved coming in to volunteer or have lunch with you.

We have also gone to Disney a ton!! We have annual passes and have just had the best time going to Disney World. Your latest favorite is Kali River Rapids and the new Cinderella Live Action film. We did a photo shoot for your 6th birthday based on the new Cinderella movie.

You have an American Girl doll now that looks like you-even has glasses. That's right-another new thing-you got glasses in September and you are just the cutest thing in them. You of course (not knowing) picked the most expensive Juicy Coutore glasses because they had hearts on them.

You continue to be a caring and sweet daughter and friend. I am so happy to see how the teachers respond to you and your nickname from preschool- Summer Sunshine- has carried to Elementary school. Your innocence and belief that everyone is good melts my heart. And your love and happiness is just contagious.

You also continue to be a wonderful big sister to your littles. You play well with Tucker and really help with Piper. I am so glad the 3 of you are so close.
You have taken swim lessons, done gymnastics, taken a creative arts and wrting class, taken some tennis lessons and tried cheerleading this past year! Whew! Busy girl!

We love you so much and can't wait (well maybe we can) to see what the next year brings!
I did the 20 questions again this year and my how your answers are changing and getting to be so grown up. Below will also be more pictures from your Cinderella photo shoot and your birthday invitation!
It's going to be a great next couple of day celebrating you! Ice Cream at school! Ninja for dinner and the party! FUN! Still can't believe you are turning 6....blink of an eye....I mean I was just pregnant with you!
We love you Summer!

 

Your favorite picture from the photo shoot!

 

20 Questions

 1. What is your favorite color? hot pink
2. What is your favorite toy? Shopkins and Disney Animators
3. What is your favorite fruit? raspberries
4. What is your favorite tv show? Odd Squad
 5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Chick-fil-a

6. What is your favorite outfit? Matilda Jane anything
 7. What is your favorite game? Frozen Uno
8. What is your favorite snack? String Cheese
 9. What is your favorite animal? cat
 10. What is your favorite song? anything Taylor Swift
 11. What is your favorite book? The Book with No Pictures
 12. Who is your best friend? Katie
 13. What is your favorite cereal? Vanilla Chex
 14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Ride my new BIG bike
 15. What is your favorite drink? chocolate milk
16. What is your favorite holiday? Easter
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? blankie-quilt and kitty
 18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? waffles and yogurt
 19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Cabos
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? a scientist

 

 



 

 

 

 

Happy FIRST Birthday Piper Leigh! 12/11/14

Happy First Birthday!

Yes, this is happening, Piper is turning 1.

I truly cannot believe how fast this past year has been. It has gone just as fast as you arrived my Sweet Little P. You came five minutes after we arrived at the hospital and now it is hard to believe that you are turning 1!

You are such a sweet, happy baby. You have kept those baby blue eyes. The exact shade since you were born. Your sweet smile and dimples make us all smile ALL the time. Your giggles are contagious and your big brother can sure get you giggling.

You are such a tiny petite thing but you sure can make your voice be heard. We know when you want something or something has made you unhappy.

You are also so close to walking and have been for several months now. You were crawling by 6 months-and you are super FAST. I think you are so fast so you can keep up with your sister and brother. You have been cruising and holding onto things for at least 2 months but you haven’t taken those first steps on your own.

Let’s talk about you and your Dada! You are a Daddy’s girl! You adore him and will crawl to him whenever he enters a room and reach those arms to him. It is the sweetest thing. You don’t say many words yet but have your own way of communicating. You can say Dada, Mama, that, and your own version of Thank You and Daisy (our sweet beagle).

You like to stick to those you know and cry when passed to or left with people you don’t know real well.

You love food but go through phases when Mama has given you something too often. You never seem to tire of bananas though and you are always trying to steal your big sisters food.

Sweet Piper, you hate baths. Mama has tried all different kinds. You would much rather stand and watch your sister and brother then be in the tub.

You are just so adored in this family and we are so happy you are here!

This past year we built a new house so you would have your own room and now you do! You and Summer share a “Jill and Jill” bathroom (instead of Jack and Jill) and you seem to like to sleep in your own room in your crib. Although not so much that you are sleeping through the night consistently. Mama is ready for that.

You have done a fair amount of baby modeling this past year and you made the ads and some packaging. Pretty neat!

You have already been to Disney World 4 times and you are not a fan of the characters yet. Nor are you a fan of Santa!

WE LOVE YOU!

Sweet girl you have changed so much! Mama had monthly pictures taken of you. Here’s some from your Newborn, 3, 6, 9, and 11 month photos shoots. Also your birthday inviting. Your birthday theme is Winder ONEderland!

We can’t wait to see all the new and exciting things you will be doing over this next year.

 

Newborn

 

Newborn

 

 

 

3 Month Photos

 

 

 

 

6 month photos

Summer and Tucker did these for their 6 month photos as well!

 

 

9 month photos

 

 

11 month photos

 

These are similar to some that Summer had taken at Christmas when she was 7 months old.

 

The First Birthday Invitation: