Time for the Big Kid Beds

The big present both the trio & JP got this year for their birthdays was new beds & quilts. Grandmom & Pop got everyone bed sheets and Nana helped with the decor. Thanks to Pop & Joe spending quite a few hours building new beds, we now have A blue "Boy's Room" and a yellow "Girls Room".

We tried putting Ryan on the bottom bunk for a few days, but he kept falling out and then not wanting to go back into the bed. We decided to put the antique bed back in the room and its been great. It's been in the family since Pop was little, so its really neat that Pop, Joe, JP and now Ryan all have gotten to sleep in it. Ryan loves his "car" bed and tells me all the time how great he thinks his big kid bed is. JP is loving his little fort up on the top bunk too. He had added a Star Wars poster and we got him a new fun sign.

The girls have done great in their twin beds, especially considering there are no walls on either side. I think they both have only fallen out once or twice and that's mainly due to them sleeping backwards on top of the sheets. The only downfall is that the girls are now mostly playing at naptime instead of sleeping. Every once in awhile I'll come in to find them passed out on the floor, but mostly they just play until I come get them. Just another sign they're getting big!

The boy's room- After Ryan saw the classic cars sheets that Grandmom got for JP he no longer wanted the cute cars & trucks ones she picked out for him.  It took 3 phone calls to Pottery Barn Kids looking for the now discountinued set, but luckily Grandmom found a store in Massachusetts who shipped him his very own set.  He adores them and is a very, very lucky kid!

The girls room- painted yellow at Caitlin's request.  Her sheets are also yellow and Madison's are pink.

 

I should also make note of Ryan and his cars.  If anyone knows him at all, they know that he is obsessed!  He pretty much spends a big portion of his days playing with them.  Every night before bed we have to line some up to "watch" him sleep.  Crazy kid!

A Big Day! The Trio Turn 3 & JP Makes His 1st Communion

We were so lucky to have both sets of grandparents fly out for a big celebration.  We started the day with JP making his first communion.  Everyone dressed up and we headed off to 8am mass.  I was a little nervous how Ryan, Caitlin & Madison would behave in church, but it all went well.  JP told me he was a little nervous about the big event too, but he did a great job!

After church we went back to our house so everyone could open presents.  JP received a lot of special gifts and money.  The trio were thrilled with all their birthday presents too.  It was a pretty grey day, so I didn't mind that they wanted to wear their new birthday rain boots to restaurant for our special lunch.

Carolyn, Paul & Willa and Sean, Anne, George & Gus plus Nana & Pa and Grandmom & Pop joined us at White Fence Farm restaurant for lunch.  We had never been before, but it lived up to the good reviews friends had given us.  The food was served family style and everyone left pretty stuffed!  They are known for their fried chicken, but JP fell in love with the corn fritters- I think he ate about a dozen!.  After lunch we walked around and the kids had fun checking out the animals, climbing on old tractors, playing on the playground and feeding the ducks.  Too bad the weather wasn't that warm because I think they could have played much longer.  I think all the kids had a great time.  JP recently listed this as his favorite restaurant, so I guess it made a great impression on him!

We just relaxed the rest of the day and then celebrated the trio's birthday with special cupcakes and a few more presents.  It's hard to believe they are three.  The saying is really true-  The days are long, but the years fly by!

JP looking dapper.

 

Caitlin and Madison sat on Daddy's lap for almost the whole service.

Ryan's tie matched his big brothers!

Picture Time:

Back home to open presents- Caitlin in her new beach hat from Aunt Erin:

Madison with her new umbrella:


Mom & JP:
At the Farm!

Checking out the animals:

The O'Reillys:

Madison checking out the John Deere:

JP found a peacock!

Feeding Ducks:

Willa and the girls:

Cupcake Time!

Ryan's new cars from the O'Reillys, definitely a favorite!

After party hair.  The sign of a great day!

Joe Turns 8!

On May 1st we took JP and his two friends Spencer & Amani to Boondocks Fun Center to celebrate him turning 8 in two days.  This was the 1st year that we didn’t do a big party with lots of friends.  It ended up being one of JP’s best birthdays ever.  The day was a little bit cold, but it didn’t stop the boys from doing anything and the lines were nice and short too.
It was the 1st time they had ever done go-karts and it was a hit- they went on them twice!  We had to laugh at our cautious son who started off a bit slow (see below video) :), but as I told Joe he will remember himself being Mario Andretti!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

    
Next up was mini golf:
 
Bumper Boats!  We told the boys not to use the squirt guns on the boats because it was too cold.  It was a little too tempting for little boys though!

Video games & Laser tags finished up our day and then back to our house for cake and presents.  We are so thankful that Aunt Carolyn & Uncle Paul came down to watch the trio for the afternoon.
  
Amani showing off his “fake teeth” he won as a prize.
Happy Birthday to our Big Eight Year Old!  We love you!!
Here’s some stats on our JP at 8: weight 53.5 lbs (40-50%), height 51.25” (70%). 
Joe is still our sweet, sensitive boy.  He is very smart and does well in school, already reading at past a mid 3rd grade level.  He is very strong in math and science also.  This spring he started a computer class on Friday afternoons that he loved.  He also is one of the most creative kids I know.  He will come home from school and create “inventions” on a regular basis.  I never knew so many things could be made out of cardboard & tape!  He is always making up games and also loves to play the Wii- Star Wars and Mario Bros are clear favorites. 
Along with the good also comes the challenges.  We’re dealing with typical adolescent things such as the lying and not listening.  Luckily, we have been seeing improvements in both.  His biggest challenge at school has been when there are changes or new events in his day that are out of the norm.  Joe needs structure and has difficulty transitioning and focusing when things are out of the norm.  We are looking for ways to help him so hopefully he will be able to better deal with this this fall.  Overall, he is such a great kid and we’re so lucky he’s ours!