Wesley's Birthday Party

This year we had Wesley's birthday party at the Oakhurst Firehouse. It was originally going to be a fire truck party but Wesley also wanted an Elmo party so it was a fire truck and Elmo party. Miss Maria who is the music teacher at Wesley's school came and did music with the kids. The kids had so much fun playing with instruments, rhythm sticks, egg shakers, and singing and dancing. I also had picture frames for the kids to decorate with foam pieces which was a big hit with the kids. The kids ate chicken nuggets, pirates booty, and fruit snacks served in fire hats and ate Sesame Street cupcakes that my mom and I made (thanks pinterest). At the end of the party the kids got to climb on a fire truck. It was a really fun party. One thing I realized about 3 year olds is you need to have something immediately planned for the next activity when they finish the first.

Wesley and his best friend Olivia from school

Wesley and his good friend Jack from school

Wesley and Ava- they have been friends since they were born and Ava also went to school with Wesley this year

egg shakers with Olivia and Tori

Rebecca, Ava, and Wesley- the three of them were born within a few weeks apart and have grown up together

Happy 3rd Birthday Wesley!

Wesley turned 3 yesterday! I still can't believe my baby is 3 already. It is crazy how fast the past 3 years have gone by. I wouldn't change things for a second. Wesley really completed our family 3 years ago. I can't imagine what my life would be like without my sweet, loving, shy, silly Wesley here.

This was the first year Wesley really understood that it was his birthday. He has been telling me for a few months that his birthday was on June 29th and that he would be 3. On the morning of his birthday he woke up and when I walked into his room to get him out of his crib the first thing he said to me was, " Today is my birthday." He then wanted to get dressed right away and put on his three shirt that we had for his birthday.

We love you Wesley!

on the day he was born

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

First Week of Summer

We had a very busy first week off from school. I picked Brandon up from his last day of school 45 minutes early because he was starting his first day at Silton Swim School. He went to Silton for two weeks last summer and came out swimming. They didn't teach him how to lift his head up from the water to breathe when swimming though. So he can swim from one person to another and then needs to be lifted out to breathe. I am really hoping that they teach him how to breathe this summer. So far he is really enjoying it there which is a big difference from last summer when he complained about going every day.

After Silton on Monday I brought Brandon and Wesley to Brandon's friend Shane's house for a pool party for the last day of school. His whole class was invited but there were only about 6 or 7 kids from his class who actually came. All of the kids had so much fun swimming together. As a special treat the ice cream man came to the party and each kid was able to pick out what he/she wanted.

On Tuesday Wesley had his first swimming lesson. Wesley and I are doing mommy and me swim lessons at Dorbrook. He loves it so far. He learned how to blow bubbles, how to hold onto a kick board and kick, how to scoop his hands to swim, and how to jump across the pool like a frog. I also dunked him under the water two times. Both times he seemed startled and then cried but got over it fairly quick.

After Wesley's swim lesson on Tuesday we went to play at Dorbrook Park and then at the Sprayground. Our friends, Justin and Colin, came to play with us there.

On Thursday after Wesley's swim lesson we went to Atlantic Farms. Both boys loved seeing the animals and feeding them carrots. Justin, Colin, and their sister Norah met up with us again.

Last night we went out to dinner in Point Pleasant for my dad's birthday and then we went to the boardwalk to go on some rides and play games.

Ready for Field Day

Last Day of Kindergarten

Brandon's last day of kindergarten is today. I can't believe he is going to be in 1st grade next year! I wish I had been able to look into a crystal ball when he was born so early and see how well he would do.

Brandon loved kindergarten and loved his teacher, Miss Pembleton. He learned a lot as far as math and writing are concerned. He already knew how to read prior to starting kindergarten and I don't feel the reading program really did anything for the kids who already knew how to read. Hopefully next year in 1st grade they will do a little more for those kids that are high readers. He made a lot of friends and was always so excited to go to school each day. He also especially liked project extend where he went before and after school everyday.

Here is Brandon's first day of kindergarten picture for comparison.

Brandon and his friend, Rayna. She will be at a different school next year since she is going into 5th grade.

Fun, Busy Weekend

We had a busy but fun weekend. My last day of school was on Friday. I went to my friend Gina's house along with some of the other kindergarten teachers for pizza. Then I came home and we got Brandon from school and went to 10th Avenue Burrito in Belmar for dinner. Stu has been wanting to try it for awhile so we decided to go on the early side since they get a long wait. It was really good.

On Saturday morning Wesley went to The Wave to get his haircut. He got the bottom half buzzed for the first time and the top half cut. He did so good and looks so much older to me now.

We then went to two birthday parties. The first birthday party was at R Bounce for our friend, Olivia, who turned 4. Both Brandon and Wesley had so much fun bouncing. Then we went to a party at one of our friends sister's house for Natalia's 1st birthday. There was a playground set that both boys liked playing on. They also had someone come who did face painting, balloon animals, and a magic show.

Yesterday Stu, Brandon, Wesley, and I went to Sesame Place. Brandon went on some water slides first but Wesley would only go in the wave pool in the water area.

We then went to see the characters. The characters are definitely Wesley's favorite part of Sesame Place.