In the Blink of an Eye

Birthday party in 2010, turning 3 and 1.
Birthday party in 2011, turning 4 and 2.

Where does the time go?

The "Official" Birthday Bash

Between Sabrina's parties, visits and gifts from extended family and the party we threw for our children, Owen and Aubrey have done a lot of celebrating for turning 4 and 2. We've been so overwhelmed with birthday cards, special phone calls and gifts that I can't keep track of who we've sent thank you cards to. Yikes!
Yesterday we had a party at our house. It was the first time we've had a family party (as opposed to a friend party) in our home for the kids. It's one of the perks of living near family. We partied with Grandma and Grandpa Glupker, Aunt Sarah, Uncle Michael, Grandma and Grandpa Rademacher, Grandma and Grandpa Lange and the cousins: Cole, Brenden, Brooklyn and Carson. I thought we were keeping it simple until I saw all of the gifts. Oh my. I later told Ben that we might need to re-think this birthday party business before our kids begin to expect and feel entitled to so many nice presents from others. That's not to say that we aren't thankful. We certainly are. Aubrey was thrilled to see all of her new presents waiting for her when she got out of bed this morning. The kids hugged and thanked everyone for their gifts. They've also colored pictures to give to those who gave to them. But I still feel like I need to figure out how to train my children not to take the generosity of others for granted before it's too late.

Evelyn checking out Grandma

The kid table - outside! This made for easy clean up.

Aubrey Ann

Some time ago Ben told me that he would like to start a tradition of praying over our kids at their birthday parties. Our hope is that it would take some of the attention off the presents and put more attention on the child and their growth, both physically and spiritually. Our desire is that this time would become special and prove to be significant in the life of our kids. We'd like them to sense the importance of the prayer, the blessing we hope to bestow on our kids. I must admit that I had forgotten all about Ben's idea to do this, but he didn't! In fact I later learned that he had already talked to the kids about it a couple days ahead of time so that they were expecting to be prayed over. Owen, at least, seemed to think it was pretty neat. Everyone in attendance sat in a circle while Ben had each child take a turn sitting on his lap. Then he spent a few minutes praying for them and thanking God for them. And then he had them hug everyone and thank them for coming to his party. I am really thankful for such a godly leader for our family! I like this new tradition!

Aubrey and Brookie - they are so much alike and such good friends.

Grandma Lange made the cake. She brought it over early in the day so the kids could look at it and enjoy it. The cake was here probably less then two minutes before Aubrey decided to taste it (notice the three poke holes). The kids loved seeing Bob and Larry on their cake.
Family Picture
Aubrey's turn blowing out the candles
Owen's turn blowing out the candles
Eating cake - hmmm, why did we let them eat the cake inside?

Another Party by Sabrina

As she did for Owen, my friend, Sabrina, threw together a little birthday party for Aubrey. She made dinner, a cake and had presents. I am so thankful to have friends who love my children.

The adorable cake!
The Birthday Girl!

Opening Presents

And leave it to Aubrey to not allow the night to pass without some sort of mishap. She managed to get her leg stuck in the kitchen chair. It took several minutes and quite a bit of maneuvering but Bill and Sabrina were able to free her leg without breaking it or their chair.

At Age 4

In case I forget (which I know I will), here is what Owen is like at age 4. At Age Four:
- He loves puzzles and he's really good at putting them together.
- He looks out for his little sisters and tries hard to protect them.
- He likes to sing.
- He likes to tell stories, hear stories and read books.
- He is a great swimmer and doesn't need any assistance in the pool.
- He likes "bamilla" (vanilla) yogurt.
- He's sharp. The night before he turned four I said, "Tonight is the last night I'll be putting you to bed as a three year old! Good night my three year old boy." And he quickly responded, "Good night my thirty-one girl!"
- He insists on carrying his own bible to church.
- He uses "adult" toothpaste.
- He wants to be just like his Daddy
- He is very kind and has a sweet spirit and tender heart.
- He is very social.
- He and Daddy love to wrestle together. They also like to turn up the music and dance around the kitchen together during our after-dinner-clean-up routine.
- He is 41 inches tall (80th percentile) and weighs 42 pounds (90th percentile)

I remind Owen often that I am so thankful God put him in our family. He is an absolute joy! Just last night we were at a friend's house and he approached me and said, "Mommy, can we snuggle together?" I cherish these days with my children. They are passing by way too fast!

Owen's 4th Birthday

Owen turned four on Saturday. He woke up to find his chair at the table decorated just for him.


Four presents from us in honor of turning four. We gave him two new puzzles (101 pieces - which he has already put together!) and two new books.

Daddy blew up lots of balloons and had them all over the house. Owen called them his "special balloons."

Owen received cards and gifts in the mail in the days leading up to his birthday. We saved them and let him open them all up the morning of his big day. He thought getting four dollars from Aunt Judy and Great Grandma Glupker was pretty neat! Great Grandma Thelma also sent Owen some "dollars" as he calls them. Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Patterson sent down some new CDs. We listen to a lot of music in our home!

After he opened his gifts our family went to Baynes for some fresh donuts and cookies. We then headed over to our friend Sabrina's house. She knew we weren't going to be able to have a party for Owen until a few weeks after his birthday. Between our trip to Louisville and Ben preaching at the church we just didn't have time to have a party on his actual birthday. So Sabrina invited us over to her house for lunch. She did much more then serve us lunch!

She made him an awesome cake! He loved it!

She set up a little table just the right size for Owen and Aubrey

She played with and entertained the kids by pulling out some really cool toys.

She had presents for Owen. (excuse the blurriness. My battery was dying)

She gave him a puzzle, a coloring book, an airplane to throw in the sky, a Thomas the Train DVD and he got to keep the Thomas train and rings from his cake.

Trying out the airplane

Waiting for cake

Blowing out the candles

Sabrina has been such a good friend to me over the last 7 years. I'm so thankful for her!

In fact, tomorrow we are going back over to her house for ANOTHER party. She wants to throw one for Aubrey too.

Later that night we ended up at my sister's house. We had more cake and ice cream with the cousins. And even more gifts from Uncle Jeff, Aunt Kim and Grandma and Grandpa Lange. Unfortunately my camera wasn't taking pictures by this point.

Our family and friends made it a really special day for Owen. A few days later Aunt Sarah and Grandma and Grandpa Glupker gave him some gifts as well. And he hasn't even had his party yet! At this point I'm not sure we need to throw him one!

The Birthday Girl

We've done a lot of celebrating over the last several days since my children's birthdays are exactly one week apart. September 3 was Aubrey's special day. We ate one of her favorite foods for dinner - pizza. Of course, it's also one of her Daddy's favorite foods and he made the executive decision to eat it last night.

My girl on her birthday!

Her birthday cake.

She liked it!

At one year of age:

Weight: 20 lb 5 oz (25 - 50 percentile)

Height: 29.75 inches (50-75 percentile)

She can clearly say 4 words and uses them appropriately: Mama, Dada, Ohhhh (Owen), Night-Night

She's been walking for a few weeks and is now starting to run!

She is stingy with her kisses but she will kiss her baby doll generously

Her favorite toy is a set of plastic golf clubs

She won't drink cow's milk, soy milk or formula. I'm hoping this changes since her last day of nursing was on her birthday.

She likes to hold the phone up to her ear while you say, "hello?"

She falls apart when you tell her "no-no."

She surprised the pediatrician by constantly batting his hand away every single time he tried to touch her. I think the word he used to describe her was "spitfire."

She likes to play with Owen's cars though I'm starting to think it's only because she knows it makes him angry.

She loves her Daddy and the moment he walks in the door she reaches for him.

She doesn't like to be dropped off at the church nursery.

She's still taking 2 naps a day and sleeping 12 hours at night.

She refuses to wear bows and flowers in her hair.

The Man in the Yellow Hat Turns 3

Owen loves Curious George so it seemed pretty obvious to choose George as our theme for his third birthday party. And so it only made sense that Owen would therefore be the man in the yellow hat. He loved dressing up and had a great time at his party.

The invitation

Owen as the man in the yellow hat
George came to the party too!

Our family - if you click on this picture it will enlarge so that you can see the adorable dress my friend, Shelby, made for Aubrey. It has little monkeys on it, made especially for this party!

The party table. Each of Owen's friends went home with a little singing monkey and a copy of the book, Curious George and the Surprise Birthday Party.

The party room! Ben, my sister-in-law, Sarah, my father-in-law and I did the decorating.

Ben's mom helped me get the food ready - it was so nice to have family here!

Playing games - the winner received a Curious George coloring book

I took a picture of Owen with each of his friends and George. Each of the kids will get a copy of their picture with their thank you card.

Opening presents

Owen and friends

Monkey cupcakes - the kids loved them!

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear, Owen . . . Happy Birthday to you! I think Owen's favorite part of the entire night was having everyone sing to him!

Thanks, friends, for joining us at the party and making Owen's birthday so special!