The Archie Archives: Jack turns 3!

The picture we used for his birthday invitations. He was such a good model for me!

Making the punch board pinata...

How is he three already?!?

It's closer to his fourth birthday than his third, but I still had to update the blog with pictures. Jack wanted another Thomas party! I kept trying to convince him to do a construction party but he, being Thomas's number 1 fan, wouldn't hear of it! We were okay with it, b/c it meant we had most of what we already needed. The balloon arch came out of the closet for another appearance, Katie and I killed the balloon arch, yet again.

And this year, we made a bunch board, in place of a piñata. The kids LOVED it b/c everyone had a turn to get their own candy and little prizes. They're were girl prizes and boy prizes and it was a hit. Not too difficult to make either, and we'll definitely do it again for parties in the future. Owen came to Jacks party, along with Emma, and all the fam. We had mini sliders, chicken fingers, and finger foods. Jack's big surprise was a bounce castle. It was a great day!

Shannon, Maury, and their crew made it too!! Katie and I stayed up all night working on cookies and the streamer backdrop. We made a big photo booth but it was in the dining room and not a single picture was taken! It's so funny, poor Katie is a trooper, and gladly puts up with my neurotic behavior with these kids birthday parties! I keep saying, "never again will I get out of control." But I do, every time. The cake was made by the lady that did our cakes in the past. It turned out so great!

Ella was such a hoot. She thought it was her party, couldn't be convinced otherwise. And I can understand the confusion. She got gifts to open, blew out the candles, and was doted on the entire party.

Afterwards, we recovered a bit, and then took all the kids to the lights at James Island Park. A perfect way to kick of the Christmas season!

On Jack's actual birthday, we were in Aiken visiting. We helped Mimi and Pop's pick out their Christmas tree. We decorated it that evening. Super cute kids!

I cannot believe how quickly time flies. I wish I could update more. My phone is to blame. I have the hardest time uploading photos to my computer to be used. A neighbor told me that a friend of her has started an email chain to her kids. Started their own gmail account and shoots them emails. It's a pretty neat idea. My boy is three years old and the personality has totally changed. He is independent and head strong. He knows what he likes and loves to joke and tease. I love watching his personality develop. He gets jokes now and does things to make us laugh. He is going to be such a jokester, I can tell already! He tells Justin all the time, "I like when you tease me dad. We tease each other."

But then I find little gems of pictures like the ones below. My precious angel clutching his trains. And my heart explodes with love and gratitude for motherhood, how it's changed me, what beauty it's given to my life. For me, life before children was like living without color. Being a mommy unlocks love and generosity and a depth to your soul that you could have never imagined existed. And as a result, you see life in color. There is more beauty. Happiness is happier, Love is deeper, Gratitude is everywhere. Even grief is more all consuming. And there is no going back. It's incredible.

Thank face, those curls. Absolute perfection. In my final moments, I want to remember these days.

Just to catch up with a few random things. I went on my first work conference EVER! Orlando, Disney to be exact. I wish I had planned and brought the kids. It was the perfect opportunity. We'll save it for next time! Daddy kept them and they did so great! Proof in the pic below. Look at Jack's happy face! He looks like the kid off of Goonies. Love it. And Daddy won Ella a bear from Monkey Joes! There was only one meltdown when we facetimed around bed time. I missed them every second!

This winter we did the park a lot. Jack is so protective of Ella. When they wrestle Justin, jack will say, "I gotta save my sister!" I hope he is always so loving and protective of her. And she of him. Sometimes they'll gang up on us and are always quick to jump to one another's defense.

Jack using his binoculars to look for BB at church.

Jack wearing Daddy's headphones.

Wrestling is their favorite. Especially Jacks. He will wrestle any time, any place. "I wanna wessle you!"

Late January/ Early February, we went to Charlotte and spent our Friday at Sports Connection. It's great...bounce houses, arcade, bowling, laser tag. Then we went outside and saw SNOW!! Of course they wouldn't have remembered it from the year before, so it was like BRAND NEW to them. They squealed and played in it. We even rolled the windows down on the way home to catch snowflakes. Jack said Elsa made it snow :)