1st Birthday Party Time!

This year we decided to have a more low key birthday party for the kids. Leah had a tea party with some of her friends and for Gabriel we invited our immediate family over for some grilled food and cake. I feel some guilt about this. We had a big party for Leah with all our friends and family and then the same for Louis for his first birthday. It wasn't an easy decision but we decided a family trip to Sesame Place, a road trip to Canada at the end of the summer AND Hershey Place in September made for a lot of special family time.

I think it turned out to be a nice day. Gabriel had fun running around and enjoyed spending time with everyone who was able to make it. And at the end of the day? That is what matters.

Let's Celebrate!

Even though birthdays have never been a big deal to me, it is a very different case when it comes to our family and with the kids. It doesn't take much though, a few decorations, a dinner out, some cake? A few gifts? And they couldn't be happier.

Louis and Leah wanted to make Gabriel's 1st birthday extra special. Louis asked for rainbow poms poms. We stuck with a rainbow theme for the day.

Grandma Ruth & Grandpa George joined us before we went out for Gabriel's birthday. Leah assisted him in opening his gifts...as Gabriel's method of stomping on everything wasn't nearly as effective.

Leah and Louis decorated Gabriel's birthday cake. 

We find we are limited on places we can go out to eat these days with the boys. They have a very short attention span and limited patience with sitting in one place for too long. We try to avoid situations where we are forcing them to be miserable so we headed out to Chuck E Cheese's.

Enjoying some pizza.

 Big sister shows some love.

 Louis playing a Spongebob game with Matt.

Gabriel enjoyed going up and down the slide in the tot playground.

Went for a drive with Chuck E. Cheese.

 He loves making phonecalls.

After Chuck E. Cheese's went back home for cake and more gifts!

Cake Time!

Gabriel's not waiting for his cake. 

 Yummy!

 Louis digging right into his piece.

 When Gabriel is done with something? You know.

Our happy, beautiful Gabriel. 

Photo Taken by Leah

Photo taken by Leah

I'd say this is a good sign of a good birthday. Out cold. 

1st Halloween Party

Gabriel came with me today to the PTA Halloween Party at Leah's school. Louis spent the evening with his grandparents. This was my second year co-chairing the party. I think it was successful. The kids had fun. Not much more I can ask for.

We wore coordinating costumes. Gabriel wore Leah's 1st Halloween clown costume.