Happy Birthday Will

Will turned 2 years old today. WOW!!!

He got to celebrate last night at Bouncin Craze.

I think all the kiddos had sooo much fun. I know Will did & he's not quite caught up on sleep from the big night.

Reese & Harrison came to play. And Harrison didn't let size matter, no boucner was too big for this kid!

The parents got wayy into the fun games. Aunt Trac & I took each other on on the obstacle course and we were tied up to the slide where she barrelled head over heels down to take the lead w/ her hair flying. I can say I haven't laughed that hard in a very long time. Took awhile to catch my breath!

Will enjoyed some basketball.

Evan got to come too, though he just hung out, but his Mommy enjoyed playing on the bouncers.

See, this kid can do anything his sister can do. No big Deal!

The party really got started when Kellen got there. Will & Kellen (pink shirt) go to school together and play all day so Will knew it was go time when he showed up!

I don't see much baby left in him, he's grown so much.

He wasn't into photo op moments, too busy playing.

Will didn't take interest in opening presents at first, but all his buddies did so he was all about it shortly after some time w/ Mike.

Lots of books, trucks, a camo tent & more awesome toys are flooding our house.

Will got some great Mickey Mouse gift sacks. Loves carrying those around.

He got a motorcross motorcycle that was a big hit w/ the boys. This one came out of the package right after we unwrapped it. His pal Zane (on the right) gave it to him.

Grammy found a Mickey Mouse card that plays the Hot Dog song, Will really like that!

Reese & Mallory were such big helpers w/ opening presents.

Caroline & Her Daddy were chowing down on cookies. YUM!

Then to end the gigantic night of fun, we hopped the kids up on cake then sent them on their way. All the craziness from the bouncing room hopefully had them exhausted enough that the sugar didn't matter. It was a fun night with fun friends. And my big man is officially a 2 year old. Happy Birthday Bear, I love watching you grow.

Will & His Pal's

Nothing like a night in w/ 2 of your best buddies!

Vacation Week

This is a little belated, but thought I'd put our vacation week pics up.

Will, Michael, Duke & I spent a few days last month at the lake house to rest and relax. Of course with Will & Duke on the prowl the only relaxation time we got was nap time but we took advantage when we could.

We were constantly on the go all other times.

Playing in the sand & water.

Running up and down the steps....

A boy & his dog on an adventure....

Scoping out unknown land.....

Throwing gravel in Grammy's Flower beds!

Not sure what they are doing here!?!

More digging in the sand....

We had a great couple of days, but had to cut our trip short because Will got sick. We spent the rest of our vacation at home w/ a very sick little boy who come to find out had tonsillitis & pnuemonia. So our week off turned into almost 2 weeks off THEN Michael got sick sooo our next week was spent getting him better. I'm the only one in the house that hasn't been on antibiotics this month and that includes Duke. Needless to say, we are grateful July is over, everyone is healthy in our house again and now we are preparing for most exciting of days coming..... Will's turning 2 friday! I'll say it forever, but I can't believe his birthday is already here. Fun times ahead!

Big Steps!

Another big milestone was marked today. Will started Early Preschool at Primrose and his Mommy did what she always does when he switches rooms....calls Michael crying over how big he's getting.

In less than a month this little man is going to be 2. As with last year, I'm struggling w/ how fast time goes by and how quickly he's changing. As the picture above pretty much tells it all, he's very independent and gets what he wants when he wants it. Clearly Frito's for breakfast isn't the best choice, so Mom and Dad do have to intervene but he did think he was a big man for getting himself food when he was hungry.

Will speaks so much now and gets better and better by the day. Of course I do believe that w/ how well Michael and I translate, we could go to any foreign country and figure out what they are saying. Thankfully our time translating is getting less frequent; most people are starting to understand his words.

I'll probably eat my words eventually, but I absolutely love hearing him speak. He tries to repeat everything we say. Sentences past 2 words get slirred together and make no sense, but 2 to 3 words together come out pretty clear. A few things he saying are:

Bye Everyone-Bye One

Big Truck-Biiiiiggggg Tuck

Big Tractor-Biiiiigggg Tactor

(Everything is BIG right now!!!)

Big Bottle-Biiiiigggg Bobble

Cup-Tup

Chip-Pip

Jeep-Pappa's Jeep

Sports Car-Momma's Sorts Car

Cereal-Ceal, juice, juice, juice (asking for milk on cereal)

Nickelback Song-Song (there is only 1 song)

Mickey Mouse Song-Hot Dog (ask for it by name)

Evan-Enan (New Baby Cousin)

Grace-Dace

Aunt Wendy-Aunt Winnie

Aunt Traci-Aunt Taci

Grammy-Mammy (that's been the hardest one)

Bright-Bite (this one has stumped me for a long time, he'd say bright and I'd think he wanted food. I seriously didn't put it together until yesterday leaving school when he put his arm over his face and said "Bite")

What all he says bye bye too:

Bye Bye Duke

Bye Bye Mouse

Bye Bye Night Night

Bye Bye Yeyow (yellow marker)

Okay, those are just a few things he's saying, clearly I won't be doing this much longer because he'll be communicating more and more and I can't write everything thing he ever says, but right now it's fun to hear his version of the words and I don't want to forget how he says these things.

Though I'm sad my little man is becoming a big man, it's so much fun watching him change and grow. And this won't be the last day I cry after I drop him off at school, just wait until he starts Elementary school, good Lord bring on the tissues; but I've got awhile for that. For now, I'll just cry when he switches rooms. Fortunately Will does great w/ room transition he's happy to have bigger toys to play w/ like musical instruments, a big kitchen, amazing art tables, etc. He's in heaven. And, he'll start potty training in this class, so we can start introducing it to him soon at home. Big stuff's a changing! As always, I'm holding on for the ride!!!

4th of July Weekend

Miss Grace came down for the 4th this year.

Other than the weather Saturday, we had a great weekend. They played so hard, up and down the path to the beach. They went thru multiple sets of clothes and gave their parents quite a workout, BUT w/ how good we ate, that wasn't a bad thing.

Will having some Daddy time.
Though I don't have pics of the event, Will got to experience fireworks this year....AND was fascinated by them. BOOOOOOMMMM, he'd say then stare toward the sky in amazement. Gave the crowd a great commentary for the show.

These two love to cuddle together and I got to be the lucky one this time who joined in the fun. Thumbs in mouth, night nights in hand and watching cars.

Both kids had a ball on these chairs. Will would crawl from one to the other, with Grace in tow, naming the color of the chair w/ us. Blue Chair, Red Chair, Orange Chair (which he didn't like anyone sitting in) and Green Chair.

The Mazza family ready for a day at the beach.

I think this pic says it all. Grace had so much fun!

OOOPPP, Papa got some time in the orange chair. BUT, very shortly after this pic, Will said "Papa UP" Briefly though, they enjoyed a relaxing moment together.

But to say they both liked playing in the sand would be an understatement. Thank goodness we had two of everything, two shovels, two wagon/wheel barrells, two buckets, etc. Because these two constantly wanted to do what the other was doing and sand time was frequent this weekend.

All around, it was a great weekend. I loved every second w/ both of these kids and can't wait for the next weekend they come. And I can promise you Will looks forward to it, all the way home (until he fell asleep) he said "Aunt Winnie & Dace"

We hope everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July.

Summer Fun With Friends

Will's fun in the sun day w/ Kellen & Caroline.

Playing Basketball...

Staking ownership in the basketball... Kellen: "Oh don't you take my ball!!!"

Watching Kellen fly down the slide. (Will wasn't so sure about all that, but thought it was funny to watch)

Tons of laughing

And having all sorts of a good time mixing the sand & water together on the sand/water table.

You just can't beat a fun day w/ your buddies in a backyard full of kid stuff to do.

A Boy And His Dog

Will & Duke relaxing in the garage.

Looking for a lot of mischief.

Will figuring out what life's like behind bars. He did this to himself, I just documented the experience!

Duke basking in his new pool...that lasted 1 day and then he ate it! He's got a new pool now. Lesson learned, don't let the water disappear, he gets tick off!

Full Body Laugh

Will just started this new laugh which makes me laugh everytime he does it. There is nothing more reassuring than a childs laughter. Guess we are doing something right.

Proud Aunt Ang

Little Man and My first cuddle.

I can't believe he's finally here or that my sister is a Mom. Evan, Trac & Jason got to go home today, hopefully to get some good rest this afternoon. I can't wait to see his precious face again. Will doesn't quite get all the hype around Mr. Evan, but as they get older and into mischief together like he and Grace, he'll be so excited to have Evan around.

I See's You

Excuse the nakedness, Mr. Will (as stated many times) is very anti clothes when at home.