Cole's Birthday

Well, yesterday was Cole's 3rd Birthday and he had a great day. I can't believe my BABY boy is 3 already, it seems like just yesterday we were announcing his birth and now he is a BIG boy!

We asked him what he wanted for his birthday and he said "A big, BIG Buzz Lightyear" and cake. I can only hope he continues to be so easy to please... When we asked him what he wanted for dinner, he said a "polka dot Pizza" (that means pepperoni) and a purple Toy Story cake.

Cole and his "polka dot" pizza.

I did the best I could with a purple Toy Story cake... He seems pretty happy with it at least!

And he got his "big, BIG Buzz Lightyear"

And a Buzz Lightyear scooter which he hadn't asked for, but was so thrilled when he saw it he giggled with excitement!

Before he went to bed he insisted on putting his name on Buzz's foot (just like in the movie)

All in all we had a wonderful day and a VERY happy little boy! I do believe he is still floating from all of the excitement.

Cole's Birthday part I

Well, I did it. All Cole wanted to do for his birthday was go to Chuck E. Cheese's. So I bit the bullet and we took him. No big party, just us, one friend and the mouse! Cole had the greatest time though, so I guess the suffering of the adults for a couple hours was worth it.

A VERY happy birthday boy!

LOOK at this!!! Usually he hides from the mouse, and he is HUGGING him! Wow! I actually have hope we may get Santa pics this year!

Blowing out his candles.

If you ask Cole what is favorite part was, he will say the cake. That's my boy...

Kate, Cole and Anthony with Chuck after grabbing a bunch of free tickets...

Cole wouldn't go in the ticket booth by himself, but they let big sister go in with him. They had a great time and got over 400 tickets! Wow!

I guess it wasn't a horrible time, but hopefully it is out of his system for a while... Tomorrow is Cole's actual Birthday, so we will have cake and open presents then. He keeps asking when he is getting his BIG Buzz Lightyear... Hmmm, I wonder if he will get it...

I can't believe my baby boy is 3! The years are sure flying by!

Lunch

Since Kate started school she has been asking me to meet her for lunch. So, I packed a lunch for Cole and we went over there last week.

Cole was so proud walking over to the school carrying his lunch box. He wouldn't let me help him and practically ran the whole way. I hadn't told Kate I was going to be there, so she was really excited when she saw us waiting for her.

Kate decided to have the school lunch (a turkey dog), so we went through the line with her and Cole picked out a milk to drink (they have a choice between chocolate, white and strawberry), he chose chocolate.

Cole is so proud to be eating with the big kids.

Kate with her friend Nicholas

Nicholas and Kate being silly

It was a fun time for all of us, and I think we will join her again soon!

The Circus

Yesterday we took the kiddos to the Ringling brother's Circus for the first time. We had great seats, and they both had a great time. Kate's favorite was the clowns and the animals. Cole's favorite was the "man flying high in the sky" (the human cannonball).

Heading in to the show.

During the preshow Kate tried out a little tightrope walking

Kate with their loot

Clapping for the clowns

I have had several people ask me what I thought of the event, and my answer is "I LOVED watching the expressions on Kate and Cole's faces". While the aerialists were impressive and the animals were well trained, those oohs and ahhs and wows are what I am going to remember the most.

Happy Grandparent's Day!!

A greeting card by Smilebox

The zoo

In June we made our first trip to the Kansas City Zoo. It is a good zoo, but June was too hot! We did however purchase season passes, so we could come back as often as we wanted.

Things have finally started to cool down a bit, so last weekend we decided to venture out to the zoo again. During our last visit we did not make it to "Africa", so that was our first stop. The most exciting part of the trip for Kate was the polar bear exhibit. It is a new exhibit and was not open when we were at the zoo in June. I think the kiddo's would have stayed there all day, but being a new exhibit there was quite a long line of folks who wanted to see the bear swim and play.

Kate and Cole deciding where to go next

Daddy, Kate and Cole on the tram.

Kate volunteering at one of the shows. Yes, that IS a snake!

Cole's favorite part... The monkey's. Figures...

We all had a great time, and hope to make MANY more visits to the zoo!

Freedom Walk

"Freedom Walks were started in 2005 by Pentagon employees wishing to commemorate the attacks on the Pentagon and the towers and honor the lives of those lost on September 11th, 2001. They now have become a way to renew our commitment to freedom and to honor all who help us maintain our freedom especially our veterans, past and present."

Kate along with her class, the school and all 4 schools on Fort Leavenworth participated in a Freedom Walk today. They walked from their school to a central location for a short ceremony. They recited the Pledge of Allegiance, sang the National Anthem and other patriotic songs then walked back to school.

Walking with the school.

Waiting for everyone to get in their place

Singing...I think she is moving her arms like a bird.

My patriotic girl.

I think they all had a great time. I am so glad I was able to join Kate and her class and participate in the walk.