5

Today my baby turned five. I guess I shouldn't call him my baby since he is almost four feet tall, weighs 61 pounds, and is now on a sports team. He is so smart, caring, and handsome. I just love him so much!!

We had a small celebration at the house today (after baseball...more to come on that!), with just us, my parents, and Devin's Godmother, since he had his party last week-end. We got this fab Jake and the Never land Pirates cake (and cupcakes for school tomorrow) from Batter Up Cake in Manchester. How adorable is it?? And its so yummy!
You know what? Devin will always be my baby!

Glow Bowling

Today we celebrated Devin's 5th birthday. He won't officially be 5 until next week-end, but Erick had today off (not next Saturday) and next Sunday is Devin's first T-Ball practice/game. We will celebrate again on his actual birthday, May 1 with a cake and a few presents.

I loved this party because it was easy. The kids loved it because they got to go glow bowling.
My 77 year old grandmother. Doesn't she look fantastic?
Devin's favorite (second) cousin Isaiah! Devin looks up to him because he is a "big boy!"
Devin and his good friend Emma :)
Party Room...pizza
Cake time! Make a wish!
Presents...thank you everyone!
Devin had so much fun with his friends and family. We are thankful to everyone who came.

My 31st Birthday

Mommy and Devin

Out with some friends: Erin and Jasmine (Kim, not pictured)

The Birthday Post

On Saturday, May 1st Devin celebrated his 4th birthday. So far, 4 has been a welcomed breath of fresh air. Devin has been cooperative all week, mostly well-behaved, and has some new found independence in dressing himself every day. I hope this continues!

This year was the first year we had a big party for Devin. We've always celebrated with close family and a couple of friends, but this year we had about 13 kids and 20 or so adults. It was great! We had perfect weather, entertainment (a big bounce house means well behaved children!), good food, and lots of fun! Devin was surprised by the large Toy Story bounce house and that was definitely his favorite part of the day.The cake, made by my sister-in-law Courtney, was the next big hit! It depicts the scene from the original Toy Story where the claw is grabbing Buzz out of the machine and Woody is trying to pull him back in with the aliens in the background. Super fun!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEVIN!
Check out all of our family and friends that showed up to help us celebrate!Devin is a very serious present opener.

Devin, Erick, and I would like to say THANK YOU to everyone for joining us and for all of the wonderful presents.

Brilliant Idea

haha, I thought so anyway!

We decided to give Devin his birthday Imaginext toys a couple days early. Now he has a few more at-home days to play with them. Below you will find the events in photos in chronological order!
It is currently 8:50 pm (about 1.5 hrs PAST Devin's bedtime!) and Erick and Devin are on the floor happily playing with the new toys!

*Its actually fine that Devin is up so late since he took an almost 4 hour nap today!!!

Cancel That

Ok, cancel that gift. I just realized that it says weight limit 60 pounds. Devin is 52 pounds. That won't last long if we keep it!

Its going back tomorrow. Now I am thinking maybe a new Imaginext Set. But which one?? He loves his Firehouse and Helicopter. Imaginext = The BEST toys EVER!

Random Ramblings

Phew, it's been a while since I've blogged. I've been busy! Let's see...we've had a birthday, the first snow flakes, pumpkin picking, and I've been at a training for work. Told you I've been busy!

I will start with the really boring stuff- work. For 3 days last week I had to commute into Cambridge, Ma with some colleagues to attend a training for a new reading intervention program we are going to be using. The training was great, but the days were extremely loooooooong. I am not used to being out of the house for 11-12 hours, traveling 1.5-2 hours each way, using the subway etc. I had to arrange alternate care for Devin (Thanks Dad, Mom, and Carolyn!) and be really prepared ahead of time. It was a lot of work!

Friday and Sunday also brought the first snowflakes of the season. It is so early for snow! Sunday it actually snowed most of the afternoon. It did not accumulate much- mostly on cars, but it was quite a sight to see in mid-October!

Friday was Erick's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Hunny! We celebrated by going out to dinner at Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse. On Saturday Devin and I made Erick a birthday cake (I was way too busy with the training to do it on Friday). It was a nice, but uneventful birthday.

Saturday Devin and I went to Wilson Farm. It was a crisp sunny fall morning. We went for a tractor ride to the pumpkin patch and visited the animals. We also got caramel apples, vegetables, and hot chocolate. It was a fun morning.

Grandma and Papa Day

On Saturday Devin and I got in some good Grandma and Papa time!

It was my mother's birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!) so Devin and I picked out some cards and balloons and headed over for the day. It was a fun, relaxing day. Devin played outside with my brother for a while enjoying the beautiful day. We ordered pizza (yes a pizza party for Grandma! hehe!) and we just hung out. I think my Mom had a nice day.

The cutest thing I saw this week-end, though, had to be my father reading to Devin. It was adorable! They play together a lot~ ball, walks, trucks, etc. but reading really holds a soft spot in my heart!

"Mommy, It's Your Birthday!"

Devin is really excited today! He keeps saying, "Mommy, its your birthday!" Last night he asked me, "Is it tomorrow yet?" because he wanted me to open my presents and cards and he knew I couldn't open them until tomorrow. It was so cute. First thing this morning he said, "Its tomorrow now Mommy! You can open your presents!"

I did open them and I received two new charms for my Chamilla bracelet, one from Devin and one from Erick. Devin even picked out the charm himself. Yay! My bracelet is not so naked anymore! Later today we will go to dinner with my parents and tonight Erick and I will go out with some friends to celebrate turning <<<30>>> woah!

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday Devin!

3 years old today, my sweet boy. I can not even fathom where the time has disappeared to. You've gone from a teeny little helpless newborn to a curious baby to fast-moving toddler and now a smart, well-versed pre-schooler. You can hold a quick witted and intelligent conversation. You ask questions and are curious about your surroundings and the world. You are handsome and kind to others. You are loving and friendly. You admire and look up to your Daddy~ you want to be just like him and copy every thing he does! You love your Mommy and are always worried about my feelings and well being. Its for all of these reasons and many more that I love you with all of my heart Devin.....

Happy 3rd Birthday.....I wish you a year of new adventures, learning, and growing. A year filled with good health, love, and happiness.

I love you! xoxoxo Mommy

Happy Birthday Erick!

It was 35 years ago today that Erick was born. Yay! Happy Birthday Erick! To honor Erick's special day I made him a cake, Italian Wedding Cake, at his request. (See recipe at bottom)Devin and I practiced singing the birthday song all throughout the day. We sang in the car on the way to school, on the way home, making the card for Daddy, and well you get the idea!

By the time Daddy walked in the door, Devin and I were ready to sing and get the "party" going as it was well past 6 o'clock. Devin was getting tired and quite cranky- poor little guy!





Eating the cake was Devin's favorite part. Like father like son!



This is Sandra Lee's Italian Wedding Cake recipe

Ingredients

* 1 (18.25-ounce) box white cake mix (recommended: Betty Crocker)
* 1 stick butter, softened
* 1 1/4 cups buttermilk
* 3 egg whites
* 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (recommended: McCormick)
* 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (recommended: McCormick)
* 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained (recommended: Dole)
* 1/2 cup sweetened flake coconut (recommended: Baker's)
* 2 cups chopped pecans, divided (recommended: Diamond)
* 2 (16-ounce) cans cream cheese frosting (recommended: Betty Crocker)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Lightly coat 2 (8-inch) cake pans with cooking spray; set aside. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, butter, buttermilk, egg whites, and extracts. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping down sides of the bowl as needed. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Fold in crushed pineapple, coconut, and 1 cup pecans. Divide batter into 2 prepared cake pans. Bake in preheated oven for 31 to 36 minutes or until tester inserted in middle comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes then turn out on to wire racks to cool completely.

In a small bowl, stir together remaining 1 cup pecans and frosting. With a serrated knife, cut both cakes horizontally to make 4 layers. Frost the top of each layer with 1/2 cup of frosting and stack on top of the next layer. Use remaining frosting to frost the entire outside of cake. Slice and serve.

My personal notes: I choose not to add coconut as I do not like it. I sometimes add cut up maraschino cherries to the cake batter....mmmmm. I do not cut the cake to make 4 layers ~ 2 layers work out fine for me!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mother's 55th birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!!

Devin and I spent the afternoon with my mother. We went to lunch/dinner, shopping, and hung out in the backyard at my parent's house. All through the day Devin would belt out to his Gama (Grandma) "Happy Biiiirday Gama" and "Happy Biiirrrday tooo Yooouuu!" It was so sweet. He was also VERY proud of the card he bought for her and his added touches. Devin decorated the envelope with his scribbles and stickers and signed his "name" inside. You could tell just how excited Devin was about celebrating his Grandma's special day.

Mom, I wish you many more years of good health and happiness! I love you!

Approaching 30...

I celebrated my 29th birthday last week.

Yes, before you ask, it was nice. We were actually away on our "mini-vacation" when "B Day" occurred. I spent my whole 29th birthday at Story Land (maybe not the ideal place for an adult) and then out to dinner and ice cream, and wrapped it up with pool time and drinks with my husband and friends, Heather and Steve.

I have to admit, though, that I am kind of freaked out about being so close to 30. I didn't really think it would bother me too much, but you know, it kind of is!

The last birthday to bother me was 25. I thought that 25 didn't sound "young" anymore as I was out of my early twenties and on my way to 30. Now I am almost 30.......

New Toy...a little late

I got a new toy, I got a new toy!!!! I am a little late on the scene, but I (finally) got an I-Pod Nano!!! Its an early birthday present from my parents (VERY early, my birthday is not until July 17th). I never really had a need for one before, but now that I have been going to the gym, my I-Pod will come in very handy in helping to pass the time quickly!!

I just down loaded about an hour's worth of music (Kelly Clarkson, Mariah Carey, old Christina Aguleira songs, Natasha Betingfield) but I am looking for some more suggestions. Come on- offer 'em up...you know you want to!!!

Good friends, Good times

This week-end was filled with lots of laughter and fun with my best friend in the whole wide world, Erin. Erin and I have been friends since I was 2 and she was 1. We think this is quite an accomplishment and we are pretty proud of ourselves for being there through it all! Sure, there have been times when we were not as close as other times, but the reality is that we are friends forver- long lost sisters if you will!!

Saturday Erin called and said that she and her boyfriend Shaun had gotten a hold of some Red Sox tickets and asked if we would like to join them that night in Boston. Of course Erick and I, being HUGE Red Sox fans, jumped at this opportunity and after confirming that my parents would take care of Devin we were off for a very long night of fun! The game was at 8:35. It did not get over until midnight and then we proceeded to continue our evening at a local bar. There was lots of fun and adventure, and we did not manage to arrive home until 4:00am!!!! Needless to say, I can not remember the last time I was out until 4 am!!! Actually, I don't even know if I have ever been out that late at all!!! LOL

Here are a couple of pictures of our night.

For some unknown reason Fenway chooses to sell some (a lot) of their tickets three in one row and one behind them. Erick was a great sport and took the lonesome seat, while Erin, Shaun, and I sat if front of him.



Sunday we celebrated Erin's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AIYAH!!! (Aiyah is the name Devin gave to Erin, his Godmother). We had a nice relaxing time hanginging out, eat, and enjoying eachother's company. Here is Erin opening up some of her gifts.