Happy Birthday Gabe!

Yes, I know the pictures are a bit late.  Such is life around here right now.

Gabe turned 3 and had a wonderful day.  A very simple Thomas the Tank Engine cake which we ate for dinner per his request.  I've decided at this point in my life that I refuse to spend more time decorating a cake than it takes to eat it.  Sorry, I have priorities and I just can't waste a few hours decorating a cake that will be eaten in about 15 minutes.  Funny thing is the kids don't care.

Look at that happy face. 

His older brothers and sisters continued the tradition of wrapping their old toys to give to him. I'm not sure who enjoys that more. The kids doing the giving or the birthday child.  It always cracks me up to see what is passed down each year.

Happy Birthday little dude.

Gabe's New Bike

Alan and I were both so excited to see Gabe's reaction to his birthday present this year that we just had to give it to him before Alan left for work today.

We bought a balance bike for him this year and with gift cards from Swagbucks, we paid much less than half price.  Gotta love that.  Gabe has been riding his bike around the house ever since we gave it to him.  We have a very excited little boy.

Lotsa Fruit

Only because it has been awhile.  Alan and the kids picked most of the fruit off one of the peach trees today.  They'd already picked at least 2 dozen over the weekend and everyone ate some before we got to the house.  Can you guess what we will be having for snacks all week?

The other 3 peach trees seem to be ripening at a slightly slower rate.  They are likely a different variety.  Once those are ripe, I'll spend some time canning.  Hopefully I can get at least 10 quarts this year although I would love more than that.

We also found the first pumpkin in the garden today.  The kids planted lots of pumpkins this year and they are taking over the garden.  Next year we will try to see if we can train them to grow up something.  At the very least, we will have plenty of pumpkins to share this year if they all grow.

Latches Board

I bought this Melissa and Doug Latches Board several years ago.  Just decided to bring it out last week for the younger two boys.  They both love it.  On some level I am slightly afraid to see how easily these two boys can open all of the locks.  But we already knew both boys were slightly ahead of the curve with such skills.

As long as these two stay away from the dining room table with tools, I think we'll be ok.

The Little Boys Play the Wii

Alan has started letting Gabe and Robert have a chance to play the Wii before bed now.  Granted, they aren't actually doing much of anything but theylove the chance to be just like the big kids and happily head off to bed as soon as their turn is over.

Yum

Obstacle Course

We were invited to a friends' house to play on an obstacle course their oldest had set up.  The kids all had a blast and decided we needed one in our own backyard when they got home.