Happy Birthday to me!

It's my birthday, it's a party! It's my birthday, it's a party! Well it was my birthday. I am one! Woo Hoo! I didn't really get what a birthday was. We had donuts for breakfast on my actual birthday and went out for pizza for dinner. I like to eat so that was great. We went to a park after eating - lots of fun swinging, walking and climbing around the play equipment. A good day all around!

Of course there was a party and presents too, but that was on the weekend. Since it was my first birthday, I didn't know what this whole party thing would be like. Grandma came on Friday. She watched us while Mom ran errands to get ready for the party. The next day I really started figuring out there was a party. I woke up from my nap and Grandpa and Susan were there along with Aunt Deb, Uncle Tim, Sam, and Kayla. Pretty soon Grandma was back and Nanny got there. Eventually Uncle Greg rolled in. I really wanted Mommy to hold me, but she kept disappearing so then I would forget that I wanted her to hold me. We had some good stuff for lunch. Daddy made some really good chicken and I ate some sweet potato fries, and fruit. Yum yum! After lunch, Mommy put this thing on the table that appeared quite yummy. It was in the shape of a one and I just couldn't help but put my hands in it. My cake was a cupcake cake so I was able to grab one and dig in. Holy cow! I L.O.V.E. me some cupcakes! The party got even better - I got a bunch of presents! Books, tub toys, a rocking horse, a stroller, money, piano, airplane (the pilot is a girl - girl power!), a dress. Great stuff!

Gosh so beyond my birthday we have been having some plenty of fun. Graham shared with you our Easter activities. This was my first Easter so quite the experience - I didn't really get that whole egg hung thing, but it was still fun.

Mommy got my pictures taken right after my birthday. Mommy was really pleased with how they turned out. The photo shoot was super easy. It was outside and I just got to be me. It was a beautiful day too. The weather has been C.R.A.Z.Y. lately. A nice day, then a hot day, then a cold day. On one hot day, Daddy and Mommy hooked up the frog sprayer. Graham and I ran through it and Daddy even ran through the spray. It was kind of fun!

A couple weeks ago we all went to this big arena and sat in these cramped seats. Graham and I didn't know what was going on. Pretty soon our friends from Sesame Street were on stage. It was a great show! It did get a little long - I fell asleep before it was over. We ate lunch downtown so it was quite a fun day!

Daddy and Mommy always comment on how I like to eat. I don't know what the big deal is. A girl likes to eat - what of it?

Graham, Mommy, and I went to Grandma's house the other week. The weather was beautiful for playing outside. As soon as we got there, we went down to the shed. I wanted to sit on Grandma's mower. We were outside later and I trotted off to the shed to climb up on the mower. I can't quite get up there on my own. We didn't get to ride it until later in the day. I had no intentions of giving up my turn, but Mommy took me off so Graham could have a turn. That guy always has to butt in. We had a fun visit playing outside and eating cupcakes!

Well Graham will probably have his spin on some of our activities, plus he can update you on some of our more recent fun!

Big News

Hey Graham Fans! Happy May! I could say Happy Spring, but Mom says this isn't what she calls spring. Hey - it is good enough for me. I just want to get outside. Fortunately it is generally nice enough I can get out even if I have to make a break for it. A boy has to do what a boy has to do!

I always have to think where I left off so I can bring you up to date on our activities. I believe I need to start with our visit to Grandma's. Good times! I road in the wagon behind the lawn mower and Daddy took me out on the four wheeler. I enjoyed both but boy that four wheeler is FUN! I like to ride the lawn mower still - at least Grandma will let me help steer.

The next weekend Daddy had some friends in town and they wanted to see us. Mr. Andy and Mr. Mike came to the house. It takes me a little while to warm up but I try to show the full Graham. They would have had to stay a lot long to get the complete experience however. Grandma came to visit Saturday. She went shopping with us. Mommy said now she knows first hand why Mommy doesn't take us shopping much. I got to ride the train at the mall so it was definitely worth the trip. We went to Uncle Greg's that evening and ate pizza. I like to chase his cat, but I don't think his cat likes it as much as I do. Eventually I had to let the cat rest so I played with Uncle Greg's tractors. I could play with tractors for a long time so that is always fun for me.

Mommy took us to her friend Judy's house for a Pampered Chef party. I didn't know much about the party. Mommy just told me that she had different toys than we had. I liked her toys. She had Bob the Builder stuff and a John Deere Tractor and wagon. I could have played a lot longer. I think Sister had fun too. We ate cucumbers and cookies - what a combo!

Easter weekend we went to an Easter egg hunt in Waukee. It was great - a bunch of candy just dumped in the grass. You couldn't help but leave with a basketful of candy. Later we went to Cedar Rapids to Aunt Deb's. We stayed in a hotel, which I liked and still talk about. She had a trampoline so I got to jump on that. It brought the sillies out! Mommy and Daddy went out on their own while we played at Aunt Deb's. Kayla and Sam jumped on the trampoline with us. We also got to check out their camper. They took us back to the hotel to go swimming. We didn't last long though - too many people. We went back out to Aunt Deb's for lunch Sunday after church. I ran around all over and lucky me the Easter Bunny dropped a bunch of eggs in their yard! Sister got to hunt eggs too but I got most of them. We have gotten to play outside quite a bit. Caroline and I both love to play outside. Caroline likes to eat mulch - I don't get it myself. I like to ride my tractor, push my lawn mower, play with chalk, pretend to drive Dad's truck, ride my tricycle. Sometimes we get to play in some of the neighbor's backyard. Some of our neighbors have playsets so I love it when they are playing back there. All of the neighbors are girls. I don't mind, but some of what they play I don't get into. They play 'family', whatever. Running around, playing on outdoor toys is my kind of fun!

So you wonder what my big news is? No more diapers for me! Mommy checked out these books from the library. In one of them the little boy gives up his diapers so I declared I would too. We had to wait a few days since we were going to Aunt Deb's. Mommy gave me M&M's if I went in the potty. It took a few days and to be honest, sometimes I have accidents still. Mom and Dad say I am doing well. They were so proud of me they got me a motorcycle!
Caroline's birthday was last week and the party was over the weekend. She got a bunch of presents. I wanted them. Nanny gave me a four wheeler and Grandpa gave me an airplane (plasma car). I still wanted Caroline's stuff. Grandma whipped out a couple of Matchbox cars, I still wanted her stuff. Days have passed and I still want first dibs on all toys. Mommy and Daddy try to impress upon me that they are her toys and she can share with me, but I don't get first choice. Hmmm. I will have to think on that one.....