Happy Birthdays!!

Well, now I can say it's official (barring any oopsies in my future): I don't have any children under one in this household! Cole turned one on Thursday, Oct. 18 and he is a Joy! I will say that he's a very high-maintenance little joy, but he's really dang cute. He's developed this little habit of screaming in pitches that really should not be allowed in the human realm. Usually, unfortunately, it's directly in my husband's ear, which I'm afraid might not continue functioning at this rate. But he's also cruising, pushing a push cart and even letting go of stuff and standing for a moment. He's saying "Mom" and "Audrey" and a lot of other words that might or might not actually mean anything, and he loves to tackle Ashton and smother him with big fat open-mouthed kisses on the face. He claps and waves and proffers hugs to any random passerby. He LOVES drums and insists on using not one but two drumsticks at all times. And did I say he was cute? :-)

Wesley is SEVEN tomorrow! Man, do I feel old. He's enjoying second grade and everything on Nickelodeon, and he has a good buddy this year, appropriately named Bud, and they're over at each other's homes every day after school. I don't know why, but I just love how we answer the doorbell and see a little guy saying "can Wesley come out and play?"....it just seems so surreal to already have a child in that age group.

We didn't do much for birthdays this year. I'm trying not to throw too many parties in fear that all four kids will demand a huge party for every birthday, which is, um, pricey. So we're taking out Wesley and one friend for dinner tomorrow. And last night we had fried chicken and ice cream cake and sang to both of them.

All the kids wanted their pictures taken. Audrey said, "take a picture of me eating my cake!"

Wesley said, "Mom, take a picture of me acting like I'm enjoying myself!"

Cole said, "SCCRREEEEEEEEEEEEECHHHHHH!!!!!"

And Ashton said, "Take a picture of my mashed potatoes!"