So it calls for a BIG celebration.....or 3! But first let's start with a look back at the last month.
Gage already practicing writing his name.....Ha!
But he does like getting into the chalk and throwing it all over the floor. 
A good shot of all those curls. He made it a whole year without a hair cut, but I did just trim a few crazy curls right before his 1 year old portraits. It was getting a little out of control.
What? you cut my hair??? 
Having some fun in the backyard.
But he does like getting into the chalk and throwing it all over the floor. 
A good shot of all those curls. He made it a whole year without a hair cut, but I did just trim a few crazy curls right before his 1 year old portraits. It was getting a little out of control.
What? you cut my hair??? 
Having some fun in the backyard. 
Getting ready for school in a special outfit.
On our way to school
Party #1--actual birthday with just our family.
We started with spaghetti and green beans
Then ready for cake. This should be interesting.
Keaton was helping hold Gage's hands while I tried to light the candle. We had a mishap on Cort's 1st birthday in which he grabbed the candle and burned his finger. He proceeded to choke on the cake and projectile vomit all over mommy......all of this we got on video. I am trying to avoid any such recurrence with Gage. 
We started with spaghetti and green beans Then ready for cake. This should be interesting.Keaton was helping hold Gage's hands while I tried to light the candle. We had a mishap on Cort's 1st birthday in which he grabbed the candle and burned his finger. He proceeded to choke on the cake and projectile vomit all over mommy......all of this we got on video. I am trying to avoid any such recurrence with Gage. On second thought, I will hold the cake while we sing. Gage is not sure about all of this yet.
The whole cake seemed a little overwhelming so we just cut a small piece. Still not into this cake thing. 
Not wanting to go at it with his hand, we gave him a spoon. He doesn't feed himself with utensils yet, but likes to hold a spoon himself sometimes.
Not wanting to go at it with his hand, we gave him a spoon. He doesn't feed himself with utensils yet, but likes to hold a spoon himself sometimes. 
Okay, I'll give it a try. 
Not too bad.... 
I think I might like this stuff. 
Even though he didn't eat much of the cake, I would call it a successful first birthday party. Now moving on to presents. Doesn't he look so big and tall in this picture? 
A Garanimals toy chest with 10 activities, some of which he will grow into. He played for 30 minutes with the lid to the toy chest and the ring stacker.
Party #2 with Gee, Papa Dan and Aunt Kerrie on Saturday. He is a crazy climber now. Climbing on chairs and doing tricks on his scooter! 
Having fun with Aunt Kerrie 
Mommy and daddy bought him his 1st car!!! Gage got a 2009 model as Cozy Coupe celebrated 30 years in 2009. We learned all this from the box. Keaton and Cort had a 2003 model. The new model seems just a little smaller and cost a whole bunch more.....go figure.
Let's take it for a spin! 
Let's take it for a spin! 
Cort shows him all the features.
And gives him a push around the cul-de-sac. 
This time Keaton and Cort helped me bake chocolate cupcakes. 
He remembered that frosting is good right off the bat. 
Almost forgot the party hat. 
Surprise!! 
Seems to be going pretty well despite how tired he was and the late dinner. 
Until he tried the chocolate cake part and he spit it out. This is not my kid.
Oh well, the kid doesn't have a sweet tooth yet, and that's okay. Time for more presents. 
New sippy cups, bibs with pockets, and Easter clothes. 
Gage showing off his new ride.
Keaton taking a turn giving the little birthday prince a push around the house. Gage is sitting back with his cup enjoying all this attention. 
Now Cort's turn. One of the new features of the coupe is a latch to lock the door so I don't have to worry about it popping open and Gage falling out if Keaton and Cort take a corner too fast. 
Party #3 with Nana, PawPaw, and Grandfather on Sunday. 
So we made it through dinner, another cupcake attempt and more presents, but all Gage wanted to do was play with the jungle balloons Nana brought. 
It was a good week. We are blessed to have so much family to celebrate these milestones with. And yes, we usually celebrate birthdays with both sides of the family together, but this time we couldn't get it to work out between sickness, work schedules and out of town trips. Gage is continuing to take steps. His top half just wants to go faster than his little legs can take him so he topples over, but it won't be long.
His favorite 'words' right now:
Ga GaAh Sha
When left with the weekend to entertain the kids since Mark was down and out, I started planning things to do besides sit in front of the TV. I could have taken the boys down to the dock to fish, yes mom can do that, but Gage would not have 
In the big tank, they have a Nurse Shark. The day we were there it was not swimming around, but just laying on the bottom. We had been to the Sea Center before several years ago and there were two sharks then and they were both swimming around. It was very exciting to see. Along with the Moray Eel that is sticking his head out from the rocks. 
and 
They have a touch tank. The kids really enjoy getting their hands in the water. 
This is a spider crab. 
Hermit crab
Turtle Family
Cort at the craft table. You can make imprints of all kinds of Sea Creatures. 
The lobby was filled with all types of fish that had been caught and donated to the center. There was a list of the species with their length and weight along with the date caught. Some held records or previously did.
Shark tooth necklace 
Yes, that's right, Mark ventured out with us after all. He just couldn't stand the thought of us having fun without him or being couped up all by himself. But he stayed in the car with the baby when we stopped to eat lunch since food in general was not yet appetizing, much less Taco Bell. 
My little Kindergartner was quick to point out the bluebonnet since they just finished their unit on Texas. 
This is the wetlands behind the center with different plant species and animals. There are different markers you can read about the animals and plants that live in this 
They also have a hatchery, that you can see by tour guide only. We didn't wait for the tour, but they have 
Now he's just getting plum crazy. 
Cort really just wanted to eat his. 
Please excuse the dirty face. I think he just ate a graham cracker. 
Early one morning the kids and I went for a walk.
Gage on the dock. 
I want to swing too.
After the weekend was pretty much a bust, we decided to come home early. We had planned on staying until Tuesday, but packed up and left Monday morning. Our friends that were to join us Sunday night were not feeling well either and it just seemed that everybody needed to catch up on some rest. 
