Celebrating the September Birthdays!

We're so tired after all these September celebrations!!!! And Federal fiscal year end, which is also September (and means lots of activity for us, as a business dedicated to the Federal market).  Fortunately we celebrated our September anniversary with a beach trip this second week of October - so we're now caught up on all our sleep! And, hopefully soon, the blog.

I wrote the individual blog posts (with pics from their birthday mornings) for each birthday child, but also have a ton of pictures and stories from their actual celebrations that I didn't include.  This year we decided - to their dismay - to throw another joint party with Maryn and JB's friends at a local church that has a fantastic indoor playground.  To appease their appeal for their own parties, we had two sets of invitations, two sets of decorations placed on two tables, and two different cakes. This all took place in one location at the same time on the same day.  :) Made it much easier for Mama and Daddy and family/friends who joined us!  

We had lots of great friends and family join us from Dublin, Atlanta and Perry. Kids felt super loved and had a blast.  I think (hope) it exceeded their expectations.  

When it came time to blow out the candles, we made sure that both JB and Maryn had the crowd around them to sing and cheer them on.  You would have never known it wasn't two distinct and separate parties :)

Then, Family Picture Success!  Love the laughs and silliness of these pictures. Really captures 6, 4 and 2.

The next day we had a little family celebration for Wesley at the Country Club. He seemed to enjoy the singing, candles and attention - plus the peach cobbler and whipped cream!

Family pics were not as easy the next day. Other than JB - my super complaint child who always loves to please - the kiddos were not enthused with more pictures.

And what is a birthday without PRESENTS!!!!!  These kiddos got a ton. Hog heaven in our house, with all those gifts, wrapping paper, and fun toys.

But, even better than presents, these kiddos loved celebrating with their loved ones.  We're thankful that so many folks could drive down/over to visit!

WHEW! What a fun month of birthdays. Now we're pooped.  Looking forward to a quiet and calm October and November, then boring December....except that we have about a million activities going on each week and weekend from now till 2020!!  Here's hoping that we rest a bit in January, haha :)

James Benjamin - Six Years Old!

James Benjamin, our first born son, who made us parents and changed our world forever on that late Sunday in September, is now six years old!  And he is just the best kid.  I mean it, not just saying that because he's ours.

JB has the most tender heart, is kind and compassionate, genuinely cares about others and worries about their feelings, polite and respectful with adults, and says the nicest things.  Each day he'll ask us "so, how was your day?" and it makes us smile.  He remembers who to pray for each night based on who had a bad day at school or if someone is sick.  We can usually discipline or course correct his behavior pretty quickly by expressing disappointment in him or showing him how he's hurting people with his words or actions.  It really impacts him!

Part of this wonderful sensitivity brings along some things that make life difficult for JB.  He's constantly worried about fairness, and it leads to SO MANY FIGHTS between siblings and with us. He just doesn't get how things don't always go his way or how he thinks they should go. It really rocks his world when things don't go as planned or agreed.  He also takes things very personally - really to heart - and even friendly teasing or change of plans can lead to serious pouting. (I've been told that the Sasser Pout is a hereditary trait that he comes by honestly)  :)

This elementary phase is a great one.  I sort of feel like we're learning with him as he grows (#firstbornproblems), and he's making it pretty easy on us.  JB loves to talk about his day, share his highs and lows, talks through what's going on, and seems to be a dedicated student who is eager to learn, improve, and please.   He's made great friends with classmates, eats super fast on Wednesday so he can run meet up with the children's ministry (he loves it), and still keeps up with friends at other schools.  I know this is common behavior, but JB has always been a bit shy and reserved when it came to social situations.  To see him confidently waving "by Mom" and running to find his friends or running into the school - it's just great.

Now, JB is also very happy playing by himself, and can spend hours (hours) working through complicated Lego sets.  He adores Legos.  I think his whole room may be filled floor to ceiling with completed Lego sets by the end of the year.  He also likes to build with other things (blocks, magnatiles, etc), and we notice that he loves to build with symmetry and pattern. Even the art work and papers that he brings home have very clear patterns to the colors or decoration. He's definitely our kid who likes order and wants to avoid chaos or discord. (Unlike numero dos....)  :)

JB also loves books and I consider him "reading" (early reading level, of course); obsessed with Superheroes (especially Batman); likes Power Rangers; really enjoys his screen time and could spend all day watching movies (or going to the movie theater); equally happy, though, outside playing, running, riding his bike; loves to fish with his Daddy and is quite the fisherman (has the patience and aptitude to catch a lot of fish); dedicated to karate; loves to play board games and other interactive games, like Bingo; good at Just Dance videos; the "Georgia Falcons" (which could mean the Georgia Bulldogs or the Atlanta Falcons, depending on if it's Saturday or Sunday, haha). Also, JB loves his immediate and extended family (maybe minus his sister - but I know they'll be besties one day!)

This year has been a turning point in JB's eating. He easily cleans his plate most meals, and eats more and more type of food without a ton of complaint. He's like my little light at the end of the long, long  irrational-toddler-eating-drama tunnel.

JB does not like being late; when his sister doesn't follow the predefined rules about who sits where, who does what first, etc; doing "girly things" or playing "girl games".

We sure love this kid!  James Benjamin, you are growing up and making us so proud, each and every day.  Happy Birthday!!!

(Some pictures from the morning of his birthday below. Someone woke up bright and early to open his presents!  He not-so-patiently waited until everyone woke up...)

One of his gifts: a Falcons Jersey and a note that read "you are going to an Atlanta football game!" 

It took a second, but he read it himself and then - YEAAAAAA - he realized what it meant!  He and James are going later this month, and he's super excited.

Wellcheck Stats: 

43lbs, 8 oz (36th percentile)

45.25 inches (46th percentile)