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Sunday, November 10, 2013

Bring on the Reptiles

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We had a Ninja Turtle themed birthday party for MJ last weekend.  I hired the Reptile Guys to come perform a one hour show, and since it is geared to ages 4 and 5 (and above) we decided to just invite MJ’s friends from school. 

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I originally planned on having the whole party in the backyard but it turns out that the reptiles have to be at a temperature of 68 degrees or above…so we rearranged our living room furniture and had the show up there.  It was awesome; they did such a great job engaging the kids and making it interactive.

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He brought a lizard, turtles, a huge tortoise, snakes, a monitor (komodo) dragon, iguanas, a baby alligator and more. 

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MJ was a little afraid of feeding the dragon so he made Ty do it first.  Ty was very brave and walked right up to it with the banana.  After sacrificing his little brother and making sure it was safe, MJ went up to feed it with daddy.  :)

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The Reptile Guy also had fun with Grandma and Uncle Eddie…

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And then he brought out Banana – not the kind you eat, but an enormous yellow Burmese python!!  A few of the kids were brave enough to touch it.  Then we got a family picture- which was hilarious because Catelin was scared to death and screaming the whole time. 

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At the end was the petting zoo session where all of the kids got a chance to hold the reptiles and even ride the tortoise.

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Then it was time for cake...

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Happy 5th birthday MJ!

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Happy 5th Birthday MJ

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Five years ago today…

“We are ready to start pushing!” The doctor announced before she briskly walked out of the room to get my nurse and prepare for the delivery. 

I turned to your father and I will never forget the look in his eyes – a perfect blend of joy, fear, anxiety, and excitement that mirrored my own thoughts.  He gently grabbed my hand and gave it a soft squeeze.. “It’s go time!” he exclaimed, knowing that in a few minutes our lives would change forever.

And then, “IT’S A BOY!” …You came into this world and a love I have never known consumed me- it was the most natural, amazing, indescribable feeling I’ve ever felt.  In an instant I loved you with all of my heart.  On November 5, 2008 you gave me the most precious gift I have ever received – the love a mother has for her child.  

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You have grown into such an amazing little boy.  Your daddy and I could not be more proud of the person you have become.  You truly love life and embrace every day with an innocent and unbridled joy I pray you never lose. 

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You are one of those people that lights up a room the moment you step foot in it.  People are drawn to you – I believe they can feel the kindness in your heart and your ability to love everyone.  Yes, you can be full of drama, and yes you have bad days, but that is what shapes and molds you – not what defines you.

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I admire so much about you but what I admire most is the way you have whole-heartedly embraced being a big brother to Ty and Catelin… I know you will continue to be an incredible role model for them. 

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I wish I could freeze frame time.  I dread the day when my kisses will no longer heal all of your boo-boos, the day when blowing me kisses in front of your classmates isn’t “cool,” the day you realize I am not Superwoman and I definitely don’t have the answer to everything.  And yet I love watching you grow and become your own person.

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This morning I sang Happy Birthday to you through my tears…

"Mommy, are you sad?” you asked. 

“No, baby.  I am happy; I am proud of you and I love you so much.  I just can’t believe you are five.”  I replied.

“I know, I’m getting big.  But please don’t cry mommy.”  You wrap you arms tight around my neck.  “I love you to infinity and beyond.”

“To infinity and beyond.”  I replied.

A love that was born five years ago today.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Halloween Fun

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The boys were obsessed with jack-o-lanterns this year so they couldn’t wait to carve pumpkins with daddy – I was pretty impressed with how well they turned out…

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boys and pumpkinsjack o lanterns

My kids just love blow-ups.  Any time we ride by a house with blow-ups in the yard we have to drive slowly or turn around so they can see them again.  We went to see the famous “blow-up house” while MJ was in school last week- it did not disappoint!

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The boys showed off their costumes (Ty was Leonardo and MJ was Rafael) during their school parades…please note that Catelin is in the forefront of both pictures – she is their biggest fan!

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Catelin was the cutest bumble bee I’ve ever seen.

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Getting ready to go trick-or-treating:

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The boys got pretty large stashes of candy and Catelin even walked up to quite a few houses this year (we won’t mention who ate her candy).  :)

And here I am dressed up as a Georgia Tech cheerleader…well, actually it’s me wishing I was still on the sidelines with my pom-poms!
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Me, Whitney and Heather at Homecoming- GT cheerleading alums!