Zach the Birthday Old Geezer

Zach: I'm so bummed about my birthday this year.
Clarissa: Oh yeah?  Why?
Zach: I'm turning 31!  That's officially in the thirties.  I'm old.
Clarissa: Um, Zach you ARE 31.  You're turning 32.
Zach: Dang it.

 

Bravely battling senility, we traveled to Utah to celebrate the Ancient One's special day.  We had a great time hanging out with our family and eating delicious food.  Thanks everyone!

Eli helping to spit out the candles

So many little personalities in one picture!



Porter stole the spotlight with his rolls upon rolls.  Everyone wanted a piece of him.



My favorite card.  "It's merMAN!"

Happy Birthday Zach!

We managed to sneak away for a birthday date to the Hale Center theater.

Things to Remember: Porter at 6 months

 

 

Height: 29.2"

Weight: 21 lbs

Teeth: 2 stubs

Hair: darkening

Fingernails: sharp

Spitting skills: impressive

 

 

We've hit a sweet spot with Porter at 6 months.  He's rolling over every which-way and sitting up by himself, but is not yet truly mobile.  Sadly, baby-proofing and wrenching scavenged "food" out of his mouth are not far away.

 

 

We love playing with our wee drooler.  We let him tug on our hair, scratch our faces, and forcefully pat anything he can reach.  Eli is especially enjoying his new ability to interact with Porter: when he isn't trying to make him smile, he's wailing in commiseration.

I often catch myself waiting for Porter to turn into Eli- to look or act more like him, but he is certainly his own little man.  He brings his unique personality to our family group, and it's hard to remember what we did without him.  Other than sleep, that is.  With the teething in full swing, my bed is now a treasured but distant memory.

The Much Anticipated Superthree Party

Last year, Eli didn't care about his birthday.  The year before that, it didn't even register.

This year, it was a BIG DEAL. 

Weeks of anticipation went into THE DAY.  He told his friends over and over about his upcoming Superhero Party, constantly asked if he could open his presents, and changed his mind over and over about what his favorite cake was.

 He woke up excited, and tore into his presents before breakfast was even considered.  This is such a fun age for presents!  The excitement is genuine and the thank-you-kisses are intense.

Once breakfast was over, the wet-my-pants-excitement waiting for his friends to come over to PARTY started.  He nearly had a heart attack when the doorbell finally rang.

 

Turns out the 3-5 year-old crowd is pretty darn easy to please.  We let them decorate their own superhero capes, cakewalk until they were dizzy, and play endless games of Hero Hero Villain (Duck Duck Goose).

 

 

Food was equally easy- pizza will probably be our go-to for years to come.  We put out a veggie platter for appearance's sake, and other moms put them on their kid's plates for the same reason, but they remained untouched.

 

 

I'm actually ridiculously proud of the way this cake tasted (and Zach made AMAZING frosting) but decorating is... not my strong suite.  Life is just too short.

And did the kids care that you couldn't make out what the shape on the top was?  No.  They were too busy competing over who would help Eli spit the candles out.

 



Eli has some pretty great little friends here.  We missed our family, but it was fun to hang out with our pals!

Porter hated the party (so many kids! So loud! Mom, WHY AREN'T YOU CONSTANTLY FEEDING ME?!) until we let him play with wrapping paper.  Then life was pretty good.

 

Happy happy birthday Eli!  We love you!

 

Things to Remember: Eli turning 3

Eli is, in his words, "a really big boy now", which nobody can deny.

Favorite Song: Child of God
Favorite Food: cereal
Favorite Activity: wrestling with Dad
Favorite Color: blue
Favorite Show: Octonauts
Favorite Person: Roddy

Just before turning three, Eli is officially....

Potty-trained
Finally.
Mostly.  Pictured below is "Baby's First Bed-Wetting."

An ADVENTURER
We deal with that crazy post-nap energy by heading outside, regardless of the weather.  Eli grabs his trusty stick to explore and conquer the neighborhood.

Starting to be ok with being dirty
(under certain, Eli- approved circumstances) 
My prim and proper little man now occasionally gets down and plays in the mud.  I'm both happy and grossed out.  Thank goodness for washing machines.

Is having a love affair with Legos. 
The Lego bin is dragged out every. single. day.  Honestly, we all love it.  Porter eats them, Eli makes comets, reindeer, towers, trucks and rainbows, and I am the construction consultant.  The downside?  They are EVERYWHERE.  And stepping on them?  Ouch.  Just... ouch.

 

Starting to get brave(r). 

Zach and I were predicting a huge flip-out over sledding at New Year's, but Eli was thrilled and went again and again.  Maybe the slides at the park won't be so terrifying this year?

Loves to read and paint
Eli requires at least two books before naps and three before bed, leaving me to wonder how these rituals escalated so quickly.  Paints are, most admittedly, kept carefully out of sight until I feel up to committing all my attention to it.

Is certified sous chef of the Judkins household
Anytime I announce it's time to make anything Eli demands his apron, a bowl, and a whisk.  He's quite the accomplished stirrer, but heaven forbid you or anyone else try to stir- it's a very exclusive position.

An Amazing big brother
We had a rough start, but Eli now loves Porter.  He loves holding him, snuggling him, feeding him, wrestling him, and making him laugh.  I'm going to cherish this phase before The Great Sharing War begins.

 

 

 

Next up: Party Day!

Christmas, According to Eli

This post is coauthored by Eli, who described each picture for me.

(Occasional prompting was required.)

"That's shepherds!  And we have costumes!  There Abby and twins!" 

[Our nativity with the neighbors.  Complete with dragon-riding wise men, dinosaur-herding shepherds, and a Jedi King Herod.]

 

"Me and Abby.  We were Wise men.  With toebans (turbans)."

"Presents!  Tree!"

"Mommy said wait.  Wait for picture.  Then we go downstairs to presents."

"Santa bring me digger!"

"Stocking!"

"What da- toothbrush?!"

"Daddy read me pirate book.  I open lots and lots of books!"

"Oh no.  Porter opening present."

[Porter absolutely loved wrapping paper and bows of all kinds.]

 "Daddy have picnic with me.  He share treats."

[Zach's Christmas is not complete without summer sausage and crackers.]

 

"Snow.  I help mommy shovel."

[If 'help' means transferring snow from the yard to the driveway, then yes, he was super helpful.]

"Merry Christmas to all!"