Birthday wishes for my boys

It is hard to believe that I am sitting down to write this post about Evan turing 8 and Nicholas turning 2. (I know I am a little late with Nick's so I figured I would make it one big post). As much as I would like to slow down time, it seems to do the exact opposite...It is going faster and faster by the day. I try really hard to be PRESENT for them and to make each day special in some little way. I want them to know that they mattered and that they were the center of my life for while. No one will deny that parenting is hard but it is also the BEST thing in the world. I would give a moment up.

I was recently reminded just how important it is to be present and there because you never know just when things might change. Schoolmates of Evan's were in a very serious car accident that has left two of the three brothers very badly injured, one of them fighting for his life. It is crazy to think that one minute these beautiful boys were perfectly fine just taking a ride with their mother and then next.....Life changed forever for them. I think about this mother every day since it has happened because I can't imagine the agony she is going through. We give birth to these beautiful babies and our job is to love, support, and protect them. They become the most precious and important thing in our lives and when they are hurt, it is almost life a piece of yourself is taken and you are not put back together until they are whole again. I continue to hope and pray that these boys get better for and become whole again for their mama and their family. They have so many people cheering for them. I feel myself hovering a little bit more this week. I don't mean to but I want them to know just how much they are loved. How much our lives are for the better because of them. I hope they know!!!

Now for the birthday wishes.....

Evan:

 

You have grown so much this year. You are so confident and funny. You definitely give me a run for my money but for the most part I love it. You are growing like a weed and pretty soon, you might just be bigger than Anthony. I love how passionate you are about things. You always give 100% to whatever you are doing and take a lot of pride in your work. You love hockey and are even a Goalie..to me the hardest position on the team but you LOVE it. I am so proud of how much you have accomplished this year. My wish for you this year is to continue to grown into that fine you boy you are and continue to work hard in hockey or whatever else you decide to do. We are there to support you!!! We love you!

Nicholas:



These past two years with you have been amazing. You are everything we dreamed of and more. Watching your grow this year has been a joy. You have gone from this little baby that didn't even know how to walk yet to this crazy, funny little boy that loves to tell us stories. We might not understand every word you say yet, but it seems like you are telling a great story. You are such a happy baby and everyone tells us that. You make us very proud. Every time we pick you up from day care they can't stop telling how much they love having you. You love your big brothers and want to be just like them now. You copy everything they do and want to be part of the group. You hate to be left out. You fit right in to our crazy, goofy family. My wish for you this year is just continue to have fun and be happy. Be curious and continue to learn. Looking forward to year 3 with you, my little monkey!!!

I do love to throw parties so when Evan told me that he wanted a North Pole Party, my little creative juices started flowing and with the help of Pinterst and Etsy, I think I threw a pretty cool North Pole party in March...(lol)...We had a polar bear swim at the YMCA and then after the swim the kids came back for a hot chocolate bar and treats that included snowflake cupcakes, North pole donuts, polar bear popcorn, Winter cookies, and chocolate covered oreos.

Here is a little collage of that day: