James turned...

FOUR!! He's seriously the cutest four year old James around. On his birthday I took him to a bookstore and we got to eat a cupcake for breakfast. Yeah, I know. I'm the best mom around. Then he got to pick out a book and just because he is so stinkin' cute I let him get the giraffe he couldn't put down (but he calls it a zebra and named him Monster Truck). Then we went to pick out some new shoes and he requested Skechers and picked out a "very awesome" pair.

But first the kids wanted to play with the train table. Even though we have one at home. Jacob actually didn't really care about it.

He wanted to kiss all the Olivia dolls. Don't worry, he didn't have a runny nose this day.

James being cute and having fun at the train table. He had it all to himself. He didn't have to share with any other kids whose moms leave them there for me to babysit.

Later (on Thursday, the day after his birthday) we had a delicious cake to celebrate. Target makes fabulous cakes. I don't.

I bought sparkler candles and those buggers did not want to go out.

I love this one catching James laughing at the funny candles. So cute. And that dimple!!!! It kills me every time.

Today while I was making lunch for the boys, James said, "Since I'm the birthday boy I get to eat in the family room and watch the movie. Right, Mom?" His birthday was 4 days ago, but how can I argue with that dimple?!

James got a pool for his birthday. He's been asking for one for a while now. I told him one day back in January, "When it's hot outside we'll get a pool." Just so I could get a bit of peace. Sometime in March it started warming up and I forgot about my promise. On one especially hot day James said, "It sure is hot outside. Isn't it, Mom?" I replied, "It is hot." He looked at me and said, "Well, it's time to get a pool then." Oops, I had forgotten. Anyway, I got him to hold off long enough for his birthday.

We decided it was time to get out of Phoenix and do something fun for the weekend. Tim had been wanting to go to the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, so we thought it would be a great spot. The boys loved every moment of it. And I'll admit, I even enjoyed it.

Naughty pilot!

Jacob was his usual pleasant self.

This was James' favorite airplane in the whole museum because it was orange. There is a picture of a grasshopper on it, which is perfect for James. When we were in Alabama during Christmas, we went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch one day and some big kids were "picking" on him. They kept calling him grasshopper. So he got even. He called them diarrhea.

Behind Matthew is the second Blackbird ever built, and the oldest surviving. Super cool plane.

Outside they have a giant "plane boneyard." It's full of old planes and helicopters.

This one made be laugh. I called it a blomber. Combo of a blimp and bomber. Actually, it was a cargo plane for NASA. Not as exciting as my idea.

Next we went to Valley of the Moon. Online it looks like a fun, enchanting little park. Tim got the "it puts lotion on" vibe here. We made a hasty retreat, but not before a photo op.

Then we put a perfect end to our perfect day by stopping for some yummy gelato. It was seriously very good and only 132 calories!

This was the best smile I got out of Jacob all day. Well, for the camera anyway. He smiles plenty, until the camera comes out.

James' preschool went on a field trip to Superstition Dairy Farm. He had a ton of fun.

Jacob was very ornery. To his credit, in the past five days he has had croup, RSV, pink eye, a bad cold, and an ear infection. But he's running out of leniency. I know a family of gypsies that's always looking for a new addition... Just sayin'.

James loved feeding and petting the animals. He had his huge, one-dimpled grin the whole time.

Grouchy

Crabby

Crank Master Flex

Slogger. S-L-O-G-G-E-R. Slogger.

Seriously?! I haven't posted anything for over two months? Loser!

Well, here are some current shots of the cutest boys around.

Jacob pushed a chair over to the counter (such a fun new skill) and got down some markers. He loves him some markers. I was upstairs for like 2-3 minutes. He moves fast! When I came down, he shot up off the ground and started running for a hiding spot. He has started this funny run that looks like he is trying to tap-dance at the same time. Tim and I will never have normal running children. But it also doesn't make them very fast. So, the trade-off's not bad, I suppose.

Matthew plays flag football and loves it. He's pretty sure he's the best out there. Most of the time he is playing with his mouthguard or skipping sideways. At least he isn't doing the tap-dance run.

He's number 19.

James. What can I say about James? He's equal parts adorable and equal parts ornery. Just like my dad.

Jacob loves Oreos... all over his face at 8 am. Again, where the heck was I? And I told you kids to keep the pantry door closed! This is what happens when nobody listens to me.

James is now a Sunbeam and couldn't be prouder of this fact. He 'very loves' it. He 'very loves' Primary. He 'very loves' seeing Matthew during Sharing Time.

His first official Sunday as a Sunbeam was spent in the chilly South. He and Delaney got to go to class together. He 'very loved' that. He also got a name tag, and guess what!? He 'very loved' it.

While Matthew was happily doing his homework...

...and James was making his Christmas list...

Jacob plopped in the corner, leaned back and enjoyed a nice marshmallow.