Jack's turn for memory lane ...

My firstborn baby!  Jack took awhile to decide to come into the world.  He was happy being inside of me, but come he did.  He weighed in at 10 pounds even and were we ever surprised that he was that big.  When I look at his first picture ... you know what I think -- he was born with rolls and look at those shoulders and the size of his hand!  The deadpan face is awesome even covered in poop still.  Can you tell it is Jack?  I can't really.  The second picture is one of my favorite -- so peaceful and serene.  He looks so little in this picture to me -- especially his head.  When I look at this picture ... you know what I think -- he had his calics from the get go.  They run strong in our family.  All four of the grandkids have them in the same spots -- way to go Grammy and Pops!  

My sweet sweet Jack ... happy 10th birthday to you!

Trip down memory lane...

So I was getting ready for the day today and I got to thinking about my kids.  I am one who loves to look at photo albums, and I have not been able to do this since they are still packed in boxes.  I decided in honor of Jack's birthday I would dig some "first" pictures of them both and post them on the blog.  It amazes me to look back at them on their first day of life outside the womb.  They were little chunks!  

This is Molly.  Can you tell?  I can't!  She weighed in at 10 pounds 1 ounce.  When I look at the first picture ... you know what I think -- look at that long slender body, and she was born with rolls.  I was so worried that she would come out at 5 pounds and I would not know what to do with that little of a baby.  She didn't, and I knew what to do with a baby that had some weight to her.  When I look at the second picture ... you know what I think -- even back then she was sleeping with intensity.  She was a great baby but "bear" became her nickname pretty quick, so when I look back at this picture I think to myself she was intense from the get go!

Molly's birthday PARTY ...

Molly wanted to have a small birthday party at the house making crafts.  Well, I am not always the best with parties but leave it to my mom to get the ball rolling with "pins" from Pintrest for me.  I discovered these two great ideas and Molly was on board.  Let the party begin -- and the crafting fun too!

Supplies ready to go ...

Girls hard at work ... 

Lunch plates set ... 

Group shot!

Finish products -- with a pose to boot!

Finish products on display for me to capture before they leave the party.

The projects were to have each girl paint their initial then mosaic a canvas board with tissue paper then adhere the initial for a new picture to hang on the wall.  The other craft was along the same thing -- take a vase and adhere the tissue paper to the vase to give a colorful translucent feel.  The girls had a good time doing it and didn't lose interest, which is what I always worry about.  Molly would like to go on and do her whole name and hang them on the wall, which I am all on aboard for doing!

My birthday ...

Flowers from Jack 

Self-portrait taken WITHOUT lipstick

Self-portrait taken WITH lipstick (just for you Dad!) 

A little grainy and far away, but a picture of us which we don't often get!

So ... it was my birthday a couple days ago.  I decided to snap a picture or two of myself because I have this grand plan of putting together a book of the family with only birthday pictures over the years.  I have yet to work on it, but I have to have the pictures to do it someday - right?!  I think I am looking older, but thought these were some good ones.  I have more that we took that made me laugh but you get the idea.

My two new ...

...faces of Jack.

Aren't you in love with that smile?

Not quite a smile, but he looks so old and handsome.

I captured these two pictures of Jack on Molly's birthday, and fell in love with my son all over again.  Now, I know you are not supposed to covet but God has truly given us a blessing with Jack.  His heart is so tender and beautiful and then you mix it with his love of sports and all things "guy" -- I think of the future and know that he is going to make some woman feel loved well!  I am thankful for the blessing of his life and the things that He teaches me everyday by being Jack Parker's mom!

The rest of Molly's day ...

Cupcakes at school ... chocolate chocolate chip with light green cream cheese frosting - no sprinkles! 

Cupcake at home with candle and song and blowing out

Present time.  Notice the face - love it!  Notice the opening tool - a knife!

Daddy and daughter

Mommy and daughter

Molly had a great day.  She loved being at school.  Got to enjoy homemade cupcakes.  Ate dinner out complete with a free birthday sundae.  Went to sleep really tired but full of smiles - not to mention filled to the brim with sugar!

Happy 8th Birthday to my Molly Bear ...

Molly posing for Mom's "I have to get a birthday picture before you go to school" smile!

Molly wanted Kyle and I to walk her to school this morning.  She decided to turn around and throw a snowball ... perfect capture on my part.

There was just something about the expression on her face in this one that I liked.

There will be more pictures as the day unfolds, but I thought I would put a few up this morning.  Molly was so very excited for this day to come.  She was in rare form this morning.  Kyle and I were praying for her teacher today!  We are having a low key evening with just family and then she is having a small birthday party this Saturday ... she can't wait!