kids gone wild! {party#4, the last}

we're all sorts of birthday'd out this week! it's been so fun, but i am exhausted!  i'm super happy we planned jack's party at the bounce house, 'cause there is absolutely no way i'd let people see the disaster we call home right now!!  we had such a good time!!

slide!  so fun, it's been for-ev-er since i could do this stuff with my lil dude!

i think i should eat this cupcake.  it has my name on it.

me and maddy

daddy with maddy

'cause when you're a little girl, it ain't a party without a tutu.

refuel on sugar, go ahead, do it!

ready for pizza lunch!

cheese!  pepperoni!

let's sing!

what a face.

getting pumped for the cupcake...

knock, knock.  who's there?  pancake!!!!
get it?!  we didn't either, but they were so proud!

jack + austin {2/3rd of the boy population}

the willis twins like their cupcakes, too :)

ava and marley were so excited for jack to open presents!

it's the best we could do!  

at home party {party#3}

we celebrated with hot dogs, hamburgers, and cake on monday night!

hanging with the boys

being a ham.

colorful party decor!

maddy's gift to her big bro.

hanging with cousin dino.

a kite!

this toy is for ages 4+
jack is so excited!

and now that he's 4, he can chew gum!
he's been telling people this for months.  they always look so confused.
them: how old are you?
him: when i'm four i can have GUM!
{we've only had one piece go missing all week.  gum success}

more presents!

 it's cake time!

maddy enjoying some gran + aunt laura time while i celebrate my little man!

chuck-e-cheese's {party#2}

lunch at chuck-e-cheese's!!!!

we learned a few things:

• you have to check yourself (and kids) at the door, in and out. nice security!
• this location is newly remodeled and NOT dark/creepy/scary like it used to be!
• their pizza still stinks.  chuck-e-up-chucks.
• $10 gets you 50 tokens.  each game is ONE token.  big bang for little buck.
• it's loud.  and jack doesn't like chuck-e-cheese singing to him.
• we are ticket-winning-machines. 483!  winning!!!
• best of all - happy 4yo, sleeping baby sis!  

we will be back!  next time, we'll eat first, though!

yeah, this little man is FOUR. {party#1}

happy 4th birthday to my little jack-jack!  i can't believe you're already FOUR.  seriously.  FOUR?!?!  you are the best little man, an amazing big brother.  you're funny and smart and cute and you listen {most of the time}.  i'm super excited you get a week of celebrating, because you deserve it!  i think i'll have to break up the posts, for lack of free time's sake, but i'll try to get them up this week!

party#1, at preschool:

although we were tempted to keep jack home for daddy's last day on paternity leave, we sent him to preschool anyway.  we knew he'd have a blast getting all the birthday attention/love from his friends and amazing teacher, miss sally.  he wore his birthday crown and happily passed out birthday treats.  after school, we picked him up and took him to a surprise lunch {party#2}, post to come later!

the labor labrador

i didn't mention this little dog's help in my labor + delivery post.  this precious labrador retriever was by my side every.single.second.  she was diligent in providing comfort and protection.  she snuggled when needed, and kept out of my way when needed!  she's uber protective of maddy and i - more than before.  she took special care of us and i really appreciated it!  and isn't she just the cutest?!?!  thanks pepper :).

rockville park hike!

we just got back from our first family hike at rockville hills park!  it was beautiful, great exercise, and awesome to enjoy the fresh air in {practically} our backyard!

sidenotes about l + d

• i really want pete to insert his 2 cents into this post!
• i totally channeled lauren often to give me the strength to make it through (of course, my mom was a SUPER support and admiration all around for her, and obviously couldn't have made it an hour without pete!!!!) - i SO admire her as a woman and mother!  congrats to them on their beautiful baby girl!!
• it's really, really cool to walk around your house and know that you labored there, and now your little girl is there too!  it makes me LOVE my house even more :)!!

i'm still on a high over the whole thing!!

and i know you want pics, so here's one of our little maddy-kins:

10 days