Isabel's birthday

It was a SPY PARTY for Isabel and a few friends from school. One of her favorite shows is Phineas and Ferb which features their pet, Perry the Platypus. Now Perry is really a secret agent, Agent P, which was the basis for her party.

We played some spy games:

- Guess Who - the kids had an animal taped to their back and they had to ask yes/no questions to determine which animal

- Footprints - we traced each child's foot and they had to guess who's foot was who's

- Fingerprints - everyone got fingerprinted and divided into teams, they had to put the name with the fingerprints

- What do you remember - the kids stared at a tray of miscellaneous objects for 30 seconds, then they had to list everything on the tray

- Target shooting - using a gun that shoots rubber discs the kids shot at three baskets to score points

- Pin the Hat on Agent P - just like Pin the tail on the donkey

- Find the thimble - with heads down and eyes closed, one child placed a thimble in plain sight, at the go ahead kids searched from their seats to find the thimble

- Pop the bombs - over 60 balloons covered the floor and the kids went crazy

Then it was cake time. This fabulous cake was made by a dear friend:

Friends!

Then sleepover time!

Happy Birthday Nicholas!

Five years have flown by my little man. And wow have you grown. You (and your sister) definitely take after the Green side of the family.

Today I got to spend the morning with you at school and you even let Isabel come along. What a fun day. Chocolate cupcakes for you and your friends.

I remember the day before you were born. We celebrated Isabel's 3rd birthday with me volunteering in her classroom in the morning (Mrs. Slater's class). You weren't due for 2 weeks. After school we headed to Dundalk to pick up Nana and then go to the Rain Forest Cafe for an early dinner. By the time we were done dinner I knew I was in labor. The contractions were slow but steady. We got home and as I was putting Isabel to bed I told her that I probably wouldn't be here in the morning because I was going to have the baby real soon. I labored at home for a long while (much longer than with Isabel - my first trip to the hospital resulted in them telling me I was 1 centimeter and to go home - ugh!). By the time we headed to the hospital it was snowing. Daddy parked in the handicapped spot despite my protests. And to my glory I was at 7 cm! Yeah. I labored a while longer, slept a little and by morning you were ready to come into the world. Two big pushes (again unlike your sister who I pushed out for several hours) and you were here. A beautiful miracle.

You are the most amazing little boy - sensitive and caring, generous and kind. I'm so proud to be your mommy. I love you so very much. Happy #5!

Happy Birthday Isabel

Today she turns 8. Wow - where has the time gone. Seems just yesterday she was wailing loudly (and I mean loudly) when anyone but me held her. Santi and I often remember our trip to Wisconsin to see my brother. Our first night stop was at a hotel in Pittsburgh where Isabel was crying so loudly that the hotel staff came by to see if everything was ok. And in Chicago Santi left Isabel with Brian for a few minutes (although Brian insists he was gone for an hour) while Isabel wailed. She was definitely the queen of wailing. Once we left her with my other brother for a short time (less than an hour) and she cried the whole time.

But now she jumps when a friend calls for her to visit or spend the night. Sometimes I miss the times when she only wanted me but it makes me happy to see her want to spend time with her friends. She's growing up (sigh).

Happy Birthday my beautiful angel! I love you so very much.

The Many Faces of Nick

I can't believe he's going to be 5 in just a few weeks!

Christmas 2009

Christmas Morning! Isabel was up first and surprisingly came in to wake Mom & Dad to ask if she could go out and open her presents!

Isabel got LOTS of WebkinzNick got his CRANE - the ONLY thing he asked Santa for!Nick & Isabel both got Snuggies!

Isabel's moment of fame

Isabel and Casey made the local paper, The Advocate, when they delivered donated items to Carroll Hospital Center. School families contributed the items as part of a donation drive called "Kids Helping Kids" which was held in conjunction with the annual Bingo Spooktacutlar back in October. They delivered more than 200 blankets, infant bodysuits, books, games and more to the Hospital's Family Birthplace and Pediatric Unit.