Birthdays!

We have 4 birthdays all from Aug 11 to Sept 2nd (within 22 days).  It's kind of like Christmas right before school starts around here.  I'm really glad they are summer birthdays because we all enjoy doing out-door things.  However, I say this and Drake chose an in-door party.  This is Drake picking up his Army transporter tank cake.  He's excited to be 5!

 We had his birthday at BouncU...his request, I would have preferred having it outside, but he and his preschool buddies had fun.  And Dane got to invite one of his friends as well.

And now....Funny Faces!

Dane was really involved in Drake's party and making sure he sat in front of the cake and that he got the 1st piece.

Dane seems more excited than Drake here!  I will say, this wasn't just to get the 2nd piece of cake, Dane offered to do all his chores for him too since it was his special day.  He's a sweet brother when they aren't fighting. :)

And then it was Andy's birthday...not quite 50...yet  *wink*

But HOLY COW...is it really taking 3 people to light his candles?

Don't worry Andy, I dig older men :)

Finally, we had Dane's 7th birthday.  Here he is before school. They each get 1 present on the other's birthday that kind of goes with the "theme" presents. Dane got mostly horse stuff and a big barn and Drake got a couple horses and colts as well so they could play together.  For Drake's birthday he wanted all military men and equipment, so Dane got some fighter jets and tanks to play along with Drake.

They each get to pick their cake also,  Dane chose horses...he is really throwing himself into the horse stuff.  Now that we have our BullsEye at our house he goes to the barn every day with me and waters, brushes and gives her snacks....that's my Dane.

  Drake plays on the playground....that's my Drakie :)

We hosted Dane's party at our house and hired a magician.  We had 28 (26 other kids) at our house...yes that is more than the teacher-student ratio allowed at schools with a trained professional.  And then yes, I gave them cake, icecream and kool aide.  Nothing like a sugar high at the end of the night.

But before the presents and cake we had the magician perform for an hour.  He asked Dane to pick one friend to serve as his assistant.  He chose Drake...again the sweet big brother always thinking of the little guy.

And then Dane was the assistant in helping bake a cake.  It's magic!

The next day we put together the final birthday presents.  One of the big hits was the barn from Grandma.  They both play with it almost daily. 

BIG HIT!

And I'd like to say I'm caught up...but I'm already behind again.  Last week Dane and I went on our 1st real horse back riding trip with our neighbor. And today we went to Forest Park to see the hot air balloon races and stopped by the memorial of 9/11 set up on Art Hill.  There were nearly 3,000 large flags set up to represent each person that lost their life on 9/11.  It's really touching.  I just wish the boys understood how much that attack has changed things, still even a decade later.

On a slightly lighter note, I'm 2 weeks into my 2nd to last class and then I'm done with this MBA.  I'm also volunteering at Dane's class every Monday afternoon and if I can I'll be chaperoning Drake's field trips in preschool again this year.  Soccer continues every Saturday though the end of October and then Halloween!  Oh, and I'm on that committe at our church for Trunk or Treat; it's going to be fun!  Next week Andy and I will be gone from our boys for 4 days at a conference at the Lake...it's a 2 day conference, but since I'm on the board for the Missouri Mental Health Counselor Assoc. and it's their annual conference, I'll be there a day prior and after.  It's okay, though the boys love it when Amanda stays with them.  Oh, and speaking of Amanda...she's getting married and they are in her and Ryan's wedding...so more pictures for sure to come!

Till then, thanks...again...for checking in with us.  We're sending lots of love from St. Louis to our friends and family near and far.