Jarom's 4th Birthday

Today we celebrated Jarom's 4th birthday. He has been looking forward to this day for quite some time. (Just ask Brit, Jarom was always saying "I'm going to be four on my next birthday" right in the middle of cello lessons.)

It was a fun day! Both Gammy and Emilie called to wish him Happy Birthday. And Aunt Brit and Uncle Matt posted the HAPPY BIRTHDAY sign in Brit's studio so that Jarom would have a nice surprise when he arrived for cello lessons. He was so excited, it took all the concentration he had to make it through the Twinkles on cello.


The other day I was parking the van in the garage, I heard Jarom's voice from the back seat.
JAROM: Mom, I know what I want for my birthday?
MOM: What's that?
JAROM: Some boots so I can run around in the snow.

That was a request I could easily fulfill. So Jarom did get some boots along with a big, red bouncy ball (the kind you can ride - who knows the real name?) from the Harts and a big semi truck filled with cars form Grandma and Grandpa. One of the highlights was the tool box made by Adam and Grandpa Larsen. Grandpa and Adam spent many Wednesday afternoons making this box for Jarom. Adam would always light up when he talked about "Jarom's surprise"!

On Sunday we had a celebration with the Larsen's and the Harts. Corine made some fancy cakes of a Lady Bug and the Little Mermaid (it is Ivy Hart's second birthday this week also). Jarom requested a snowman cake so we had that too. I think he had more fun making it than he did eating it. Aren't birthdays great?

Jarom has been a wonderful addition to our family. He is a clever thinker and has taken an interest in reading this year. I've never seen anyone more excited about letters. He rushes home from preschool to show me the letter stamp he received from Miss Margene. He loves to take care of Joshua and always gives me big hugs (hence his nickname from Great Aunt Diane "Jear-Bear" has stuck with him). Happy Birthday Jarom!

Joshua's First Birthday

Today we celebrated little Joshua James' first birthday. He has been such a joy. He walks across the room with his arms flapping and mouth wide open with excitement. It's as if he is getting ready to fly. Joshua also enjoys carrying toys around which tend to be almost as big as he is. Joshua is the most active of my children. If there is any kind of stool or box or dresser, he is climbing up it. He enjoys tackling with big hugs and always tries to be involved in the music practicing that goes on at our house. ie grabbing Jarom's bow in the middle of his song, standing on Adam's cello chair and dancing while Adam is playing, trying to pluck as many notes on Rachel's violin before she realizes that he's got it, and "singing" along as they practice.

We celebrated part of his birthday yesterday at my parent's house with a delicious ham (Joshua's favorite) dinner. My sister Corine made a football cake that everyone thoroughly enjoyed. Although he didn't quite understand the whole blowing out he candle thing, he had plenty of cousins and siblings to help. Joshua did enjoy his first bite of vanilla icecream as well as the toy phone from great Aunt Diane and train from Grandma and Grandpa.

This morning we celebrated with a birthday breakfast of eggs, bacon and pancakes. The highlight was blowing out the candle in Joshua's pancake. Joshua just watched bewildered as Adam, Jarom, and Rachel, surrounded his little plate and blew with all their might on almost count three.

Adam (age five) made it a point to decorate the house for Joshua. He meticulously gathered the things he would need: crepe paper, the APPY BIRTHDAY sign (I have know idea where the "H" went), scissors, tape. and his assistants, Jarom and Rachel. It was quite the ordeal. Much of it went something like this.

Adam: "Jarom, I need you to hold right here so I can cut it. I don't want to cut your hand off."

Jarom with an Eeyore tone: "Okay, Adam."

Rachel: "Ahhhh! I want to HELP!"

Dinner was Joshua's highlight. (You can tell this boy really likes food.) I made the gourmet dinner of Ramen Noodles and canned green beans. Joshua could not slick up the noodles fast enough by the handfuls. Josh and I laughed. I was very glad that I had decided against the lasagna idea. Haven't you noticed that it is the simple things children enjoy the most?