Baby Turns 1!

So, I'm a week late. I know. Mommy guilt has already set in that I haven't done Weston's birthday post. Between his one-year Dr.'s appt, 3 church related meetings, shampooing our carpets, a parent teacher conference, volunteering in Caeden's classroom, and cleaning for my mom 3 days this week, I just haven't had the time to blog. We didn't forget Buppy's birthday though. We had a big family party last Sunday.

He LOVED his birthday cupcakes......

and ice cream.......

his first brain freeze...... of course the package is always more fun than the actual present.........
and an amazing talented friend took some wonderful 1 year pics of him for me........

how adorable is this?

We've enjoyed having Weston in our family so much. It's been fun to watch because his brothers are both older so they really get into helping out with him. They love to play with him.

Caeden carries him everywhere , doesn't this look uncomfortable? For some reason he loves it ......

and Tanner loves to dress him up.....

He says the typical "mamamama" and "dadadada". He's probably my first baby who prefers his daddy to me. He gets so excited when Mike is home and he automatically reaches out to be in his daddy's arms......

Some of his favorite things to do right now are:

Play the piano.......

Empty out my kitchen cabinets (ever notice how something that starts out cute can turn annoying real quick? Time to break out the child-locks)..........

teasing the kitty.......usually the kitty is on the other side of the glass wanting to get in the house and Weston sits there and giggles at her......

I'm so happy to have this precious little guy in our family. We all love him to pieces. I can't believe he's 1 already. It's so bittersweet. I love to watch his sweet personality develop, but he's growing up so fast. Happy Birthday Baby Weston!

St. Paddy's Day

Holidays have always been fun, but it wasn't until I had kids that I realized how fun they could really be. St. Patrick's Day has never been a holiday I really celebrated other than putting on some token green somewhere. Now? It's a day-long green fest that's fun, fun, FUN! The boys get so excited over every little thing.....it's great!

Start with some green pancakes for breakfast.......

A green lunch all ready to be sent for school. PB&J on a green roll, sugar snap peas, a pear, a box of apple juice, and some green jello........

Caeden wears a uniform to school so if he wants to wear green we have to get creative. Green "lucky" socks for all the boys and a flashing shamrock button for the older two.......

A delicious Irish dinner of corned beef with carrots, cabbage, potatoes, and green rolls.......

And finish off our day with some green shamrock sugar cookies......

Can you OD on green food coloring?

Spring!

This makes me smile every time I walk out of my house.......

WANTED:

A mother for an energetic 4-year-old.

Job Requirements:

Must have the patience of a saint.

Must have inexhaustable energy and nerves of steel.

Must have a knowledge of all forms of first aid, emergency surgery and veterinary sciences.

Must not care if all wordly posessions are destroyed.

Must be willing to forgive 10,000 times daily

Familiarity with all emergency numbers preferred, such as:

911, poison control, Utah Natural Disaster Cleanup, mental hospital, and local firestations.

A thorough knowlege of how to remove "permanent" stains required.

Past or current SWAT team members,

or any other specially trained forces

will be given preferrance.

Must be willing to work for no pay, little appreciation, and be contracted
for at least 14 more years

Guaranteed spot in the Celestial Kingdom for raising him to adulthood

without inflicting bodily harm.

Anyone needing sleep, peace, quiet or calm need not apply.

HURRY!!!

This job offer won't last!

(Because the child will be GONE!)

4 Going on 14

Don't you ever wish that you could strike fear in the heart of your child? I know that's not a very Christ-like mothering sentiment, BUT.......

Here's the conversation at breakfast this morning......

Tanner: Mom, I'm hungry
Me: Want oatmeal?
Tanner: Yes, but make it fast Stupid.

Excuse me???!!!

(and, no, he didn't get away with talking to me like that, I didn't get his oatmeal and he had to go to his room, but it is Tanner and he loves to push buttons so I'm sure that's not the last time I will be referred to as Stupid....grrrr)

We've noticed a lot of attitude from Caeden lately as well. Depending on the severity of the offense we send them to their rooms, take away privileges, or ground them, but I'm not sure if we're making any progress. I really don't see us as "doormat" parents, but this is becoming a real issue in our house. Any non-illegal suggestions for dealing with disrespect and backtalk?