Milo's birthday recap

Milo's birthday was fantastic. I'm going to give you a quick recap. Yes, we got Milo a Jeep. A tiny Jeep. Hopefully he's not expecting anything similar on his 16th birthday. Oh my word, I can't even think about him being that old, so let's move on. It's a two-seater, which means it's practically a gift for both of these little people. Look at Lucy's face - she knows it.

Milo drives, Lucy works the radio. It's a good trade-off.

Look at these sweet faces!

Milo's breakfast request - donuts and bagels with cream cheese. 

 We took the Jeep over to the Foys' house because Ezra and Eliora both have their own vehicles (Milo's word, thank you). Ethan organized a race for the kids, and Lucy was happy to ride along with Eliora. In a race situation, I felt best about this because Eliora's car has doors. Enough said.

Waiting for Ezra... Ethan decided to jump on his tractor.

AHA! Ezra made it out and the kids were ready for action.

After the kids drove around in the cold for a while, we all headed inside for pizza. After lunch, we went home for Lucy's nap... Then Milo headed to gymnastics with such joy in his heart that he spent the first few minutes of class winking at his (very pretty) teacher. She was, of course, delighted, and he had a fantastic class.

We had a little "come and go cupcakes" party for Milo that evening. A lot of his favorite people got to stop by (just missing a few...) for his request - a cake covered in fruit. That's how you know he's exactly like Nate, because I personally feel that adding fruit negates it from being considered a dessert. 

Why yes, I did spell Milo's name in blueberries, and I was indeed very proud of myself.

Two of Milo's favorite ladies.

SUCH A BIG BOY!!! And so ridiculously handsome.

Pre-party family picture.

So Milo had a fantastic day. He's four. I made it the whole day without weeping openly, so we're doing pretty well. 

Milo is 4!

Last night I kissed my three-year old son goodnight for the last time.

And then I promptly walked into my room and cried. You see, when Milo wakes up today, he will be four. (Well, technically he won't be four until 10:04, but am I one to split hairs? As a matter of fact, I am...) While I absolutely adore birthdays and think that everyone should be the center of the world on theirs, something about my babies getting bigger hurts my heart.

It's bittersweet, these little people growing older. I can't believe what a smart, funny, genuinely compassionate and sweet-natured little man Milo is becoming (or I guess he's been that all along and it just manifests more and more as gets older). And let me mention briefly that he is by far the handsomest little boy I have ever seen. But I still look at his baby pictures and tear up, and I think it's because I know that the older they get, the more I have to let go. And that's natural and right, but it doesn't make it any easier.

When we brought Milo home from the hospital, I remember thinking that there was no way this perfect little creature was ours. I also remember thinking, "So I can just walk out of here with this little person? Should I be allowed to?" Sweet Milo. He has survived. He has thrived, in fact, and so have we. And I'm not sure who has learned more over the last four years, Milo, or Nate and I.

I'll tell you what I've been singing to Milo every day since he was teeny tiny. "Oh Milo Milo, my little peanut, I love you more and more every day. Oh Milo Milo,  you're getting bigger, but my little peanut you will always stay." It's true, and I am the luckiest lady alive.

Happy birthday, Milo!

Baby hands

Over the years I've made a lot of projects for other people. This year I've been working on projects for me and my little people (Nate - do you need more stuff?). I made myself some fingerless gloves (this is Texas, after all), and I found a pattern for adorable little girl ones. How could I resist? Lucy is pretty delighted with them and wears them all over the house. Oh! And for the record, I made her legwarmers, too, and she literally asks to wear them. I guess her love for socks extends to legwarmers.

See? She's impressed with her own hands. I would be, too. Milo and Lucy both have perfect little hands!

Gloves (and a runny nose) on the go.

And I made Nate's hat!

I'm such a sucker for tiny little hands.

My tiny little lady

Have you ever wondered how tiny Lucy really is? Well, yes, she does fit in this little drum. And yes, she is wearing a diaper. Happy weekend!

These delightful little people

It's no secret that I'm constantly delighted with my little people. So it should come as no surprise to you that Lucy has decided she loves walruses, and it's completely adorable to me. Want to hear her say it?

I know, I know. Cutest thing ever, right?

And then there's Milo. I'm pretty sure he's well on his way to being a genius. Take our conversation yesterday...

"Here you go, Milo. How many crackers did I give you?"

"You gave me three, Mommy, and I really wanted four."

"Okay, well how many more do you need to make four?"

"Just one."

I gave him the cracker, and remarked, "So now you know that three plus one equals four, right?"

Without missing a beat he replied, "Well, that is true, Mommy, but two plus two ALSO equals four."

Here's my little smarty with his latest creation. For the record, Nate did help.

December Family Photo

Every now and then we actually get the chance to have a family photo. The opportunities are few and far between, so I'm super grateful when they happen!

Mia's Adoption Ceremony

Our sweet niece Mia's official adoption ceremony was last week, and I have the photos to prove that she is now officially a Jackson. Hooray! Look at this little nugget.

Here she is again. Don't be fooled - she doesn't really have a mullet.

A little shot of the next generation Jackson cousins. Things are looking a little more well-rounded around here, don't you think? 

Non-twin twins and a little diva

Have I mentioned recently enough how much these two look alike? They crack me up.

But they both have their own look, too.

And then there's this girly girl. I love that she is so dainty but so scrappy. Perfect blend.

My darling, it is early.

I can't resist. I have to show you this video. In case you were wondering what my little people do all day... I couldn't quite get to them when they were both standing on the slide singing at the top of their lungs (because, believe me, Lucy sings with her whole heart and complete lung capacity), but you can still hear Lucy singing in the background. And, of course, my dramatic little man manages to steal the show on this one anyway. Don't ask me where he got all that spunk. Or the hand waving. Or honestly why he wrote this particular song. Just enjoy!

Milo is like the bubble man...

Is there anything better than the sound of little people laughing? Every time I watch this video I have to join in. Milo is the most amazing big brother in the world and will do just about anything to make Lucy giggle. And Lucy is the most doting little sister you'll ever see. There is nobody in her world like Milo. Don't get me wrong - they know exactly how to push each other's buttons (especially lately), but most of our days sound a little more like this, which I personally think is pretty near perfect.

Milo-isms

Milo had a frustrating evening the other night. We were at our friends' house for Bible study, and the kids who usually play so well together were struggling. He usually spends several hours playing with the kids and enjoying life, but everyone was fighting and Milo's peace was disturbed.

He pouted around the house getting ready for bed, so as we were praying before he went to sleep I told him, "Well, just tell God what you are upset about."

It went a little something like this. "Yahweh, I'm having a bad night. Everyone was fighting tonight and it made me so tired. And I just got overwhelmed."

Yes, this is my three-year old son using the word overwhelmed. And then me trying to keep a straight face through the rest of the prayer.

He also looked down at himself while he was riding his bike yesterday, donned in blue track pants and a blue hooded sweatshirt, and told me, "Mommy, I'm just a vision in blue."

Yes, yes you are, my sweet.

BOW

Happening this week at our house - the giant bow. Lucy picked it out. Nate loved it. I couldn't adore this little nugget more. But the bow makes her extra snuggable.

CHEESE!!!

December is here

Happy Monday and happy first day of December. I can't believe this year is drawing to a close, and that Milo will be 4 at the end of the month! EEEEEEK!

On a side note, when Lucy was born, nobody really said she looked like Nate or I. What they said was that she looked like Milo. I wholeheartedly agree.

Same face, anyone?