Then and Now

Here is a picture of James at the Monrovia Rec. park in Dec of 07'.

From Drop Box

Here is a picture of James in the same swing just the other day.

From JD spring 09

He is no longer my little baby boy. He is now my little man. But he still loves the swings.

From JD spring 09

When James is on the swings, he likes to makes his hand fly like an airplane (with the "zoom" sound and all). I don't know how he picks up on those things. He just loves planes and cars.

From JD spring 09

This is Froggie

This is James best friend Froggie.

From JD spring 09

Froggie came into our lives soon after James did. He was a gift from our friend Andrea (aka Mama Scoops). Froggie patiently waited next to James in the crib for a year or so. All the waiting paid off and now James won't sleep until he has Froggie next to him. If we travel Froggie sits next to James.

From JD spring 09

James loves to share with Froggie. He often shares his bed time sippy cup of milk with Froggie. I know this because a day or so later - Froggie really needs a bath. It's not just the milk that James shares with him, but many daily adventures in our yard as well.

From JD spring 09

Froggie would do anything for James. Except ride in the pink stroller. Everytime I put froggie in it, James gets mad at me and takes froggie out saying "no" and shaking his head. Froggie will, however, gladly be the fetch toy when James is pretending to be a puppy dog.

From JD spring 09

Now I know why so many boys relate to Calvin and Hobbs.

I just had an imaginary friend - and yes, she was a unicorn.....

I must be doing something right..

I love this time of year. The evenings are long and peaceful. Mostly because I can now send James outside to play. Yesterday I was inside and suddenly noticed that it was too quiet outside. Every mom knows what I mean. You know they are up to something when its TOO quiet.

I snuck outside (with my camera because you never know what wonderfully terrible trouble they are getting into) and I found James with his arms folded saying a prayer!!

From JD spring 09

From JD spring 09

Many times when we sit down for dinner, he reminds me that it's prayer time. He folds his arms and says "ha ha" sternly. I fold my arms and he says some prayer that only he and Heavenly Father can understand.

I don't know what he was praying for yesterday in the yard. Probably asking Heavenly Father to bless the bubbles and dandy lions.

Birthday Boy!

James had a wonderful birthday party!

Many of his friends came to our "indoor playground".

Brandon

Elijah

Eve


and her brother Harry (sporting the surperman cape)

Natalie

Marcel

Mason

Ellie

and her brother Oscar

Tylor

and his brother Braydon

Mia

and her little sister

Catlynn

James had so much fun playing with all the tents, tunnels and other toys his friends brought to share.

James friends had a great time playing with all the toys too.

Brandon wouldn't slow down for anyone!

Mason wanted to go for a ride in the doll stroller. Why push when you can ride?

Mia loved the tunnels.

All the boys loved to play with the cars, even Dave.

Tylor was having a great time riding on the bike.

Even Grandma Sue had fun playing with the birthday boy.

Ellie was having fun too - as long as James didn't take any of her toys away!

There was yummy food

It's not a birthday with out the cake!

Made by yours truly...

Dad helped James make a wish a blow out the candles.

I think James wish came true when he got to drive Lightning McQueen around the cake a couple times.

Natilie and the others enjoyed cup cakes.

I thought black sparkles would be less messy then black frosting...

Maybe I was wrong..

Of course no party is complete with out presents:

Family photo with McQueen

It was a wonderful party

because of the friends that bless our life!