Logan's 5th Birthday Party

My baby boy turned 5 on May 1st.  You always hear that time flies, and your babies grow too quickly, and it's true!  Five was a hard one for me.  I don't know if I was just super sensitive or what, but I burst into tears three times that day.  I cry every time my kids have a birthday, but three times was a little excessive even for me.  I think it is that five is so old!  Not a baby or a toddler anymore... now he is 5 and going to kindergarten in the fall.  College is right around the corner!   

Our little Logan epitomizes his astrological sign, Taurus the bull.  A bull in a china shop pretty much sums up our rough and tumble boy.  Forever seeking attention in whatever ways he deems fit at the moment.  Always creating his own rules to life and expecting everyone else to follow along.  It has been a learning process to parent such a strong willed child.  A test of patience for sure, and also a true gift.  He loves like he argues - with everything that he has.  There is no filter with Logan, what he thinks he says.  There is no middle ground with him either, he is thrilled or furious, elated or devastated.  Every day is either the "worst day of his life" or the "best day of his life."  He is all in, all the time.  My hope for him, as his mother, is that he will grow to find the joy in the middle ground- that he will never lose his enthusiasm but that he will gain an appreciation for being a 5 on the emotional scale of life now and then.      

For now, I am appreciating his "biggest hugs ever" and his love of "snuggle time."  I am cherishing his unique Logan-ness and his genuine excitement for life.  I am taking a deep breath when he gets frustrated that I don't understand the importance of his demands.  And I am watching this little boy grow into an amazing person, and counting my blessings that I get to be his mom.

For Logan-Bogan's birthday he wanted a gymnastics party.  Here are some of the pics from the party (thank you Cheri!)....

EMMIE

JOEY

Birthday Boy (which is what he insisted we call him all day on his birthday) LOGAN



Cooking with Emmie

I love to cook.  Oftentimes I cook things I won't even eat because the true joy I get from cooking is the joy it brings to others.  It is one of my favorite past times and is one of the ways I show my family that I love them.  That being said, what better way to share the love than to cook with the kids?  

When I have to whip up dinner ASAP on a crazy busy night I don't typically have time to include the kids.  But, when I am cooking a special treat and can really enjoy it, I am happy to have a little helper. 

Lately little Miss Emmie has been the one volunteering for the role of sous chef.  I think she has figured out that helping usually leads to tasting, and she is never one to pass up food! 

The other night we baked a blackberry cobbler and made whipped cream from scratch.  She was very excited to lick the whisks full of whipped cream!

This past weekend we baked coconut caramel cookie bars and Emmie was front and center to assist! 

Kids First River Cats Game - Sort of!

Continuing our goal of exploring California we spent last weekend enjoying All-American activities like baseball and burgers! Saturday night we took the kids to In-N-Out for the first time.  While they didn't have a cheeseburger yet, they were happy with the grilled cheese, fries and milkshakes!

After dinner we headed to Raley Field to watch the River Cats beat whatever team they were playing (as you can see I am a serious baseball fan!).  This was the first baseball game for Logan and Emmie.  Joey hasn't been since he was a toddler, so it was like the first game for all the kids but technically was Joey's second game.

They had a great time and enjoyed the bounce houses in the Kids Zone, the wave (Joey's second favorite part) and the fireworks at the end (everyone's most favorite part).  Emmie managed to convince the lady behind us to give her a cookie and the lady next to us to give her cotton candy - what a little charmer!

Overall an awesome night and we can't wait to go back again (probably will arrive around the 4th inning though, a full game is hard to keep the kids entertained at this age!)

Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

This weekend's out-and-about adventure took us to Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge for a nature walk. Joey and Jeff had been there once before for a field trip, but this was the rest of our first time.

Hubby was convinced I would love it because the paths are paved - he underestimated my love for trees more than paved paths though.  Despite the lack of shade, and my own lack of sunglasses, it was a nice easy trek and has great potential for bird watching.  Per the signage it is even possible to spot a river otter or a fox which would be fun. 

Joey was more than happy to play tour guide, having been there before.  Logan didn't really love that plan and spent most of the walk trying to get in front of Joey. Emmie spent most of the walk looking for ladybugs.

Overall we didn't see too many critters but I blame that on the time of day.  Definitely want to check it out early in the morning (and by "early" I mean 9 or 10 a.m. because I don't really do early.