Tuesday, January 31, 2012

HP Turns Three

I am trying to play catch up here in between my travels.  I just spent 10 days away from my cute bundles traveling to Orlando and then Malta.  I head to Germany again in a couple of days and then Baltimore the week after.  It's travel insanity and I'm grateful to Patrick (and Trish) for holding down the fort. They haven't complained a bit--I'm the one doing the complaining.  I am thankful for FaceTime so I can actually see them and chat with them while I travel....
Ok, on to more exciting things like Heath's 3rd birthday!

Heath officially turned three on Jan 5th.  He’s been talking about his birthday and his desire for a train cake for over 9 months now, so we’ve all sort of been anticipating the day (and the cake!).  Experiencing his sibling’s birthday parties, we also felt it was time he had a kid birthday party of his own. With his birthday on a Thursday, we were still able to do a smaller family birthday celebration on the actual day (including Trish and Kev of course), including chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes and his requested dinner –breakfast for dinner, or Eggs McLennon. 

Finny and Kev


Trish extraordinaire pulled off another fabulous birthday invitation and we pulled together a train craft appropriate for 3 year olds.  Lucky enough, Heath loved the train craft so much he did over 5 of them.  We had a sweet group of 9 kids total to celebrate his day and, at last, Heath has his first real kid party.  He loved the attention and adored the train cake--perhaps one of our best tasting yet.

Cake in the making...
Check out the cake master!
Prepping for the party.
To Our Silly Heath Bar, HP, Heath Patrick….

No longer Baby Heath--that’s for sure. You’ve grown considerably over the past year.  Not just in size, but in leaps and bounds in your ability to communicate.  Your language continues to evolve and while we miss “fruck,” it’s been replaced by equally endearing and perhaps less embarrassing new words like, “heeyah” (here), which is a cross between a southern accent and a Maine accent.   I guess your combining your dad’s North Carolina roots with your current rearing.  We moved you to a big-boy bed this year, which you embraced quickly and the paci fairy eagerly flew in to take your pacis to a baby in need. You are learning to share and show others you care, through kisses and hugs and telling them, “I love youuuu!” You enjoy playing outside, reading and always with trains and cars.  While you have an independent sole, your preference is always to be with Lexi and Finny if given the opportunity.  You have a love for “mommy eggs” (egg whites) and are less fond of traditional carbs. (who’s kid is he?)  For that, this year you’ve certainly begun to lose your baby fat and become leaner.  You have a fierce giggle and scream, both used frequently, sometimes interchangeably.  You have adored your first school experience and your very first music class, making your first very own friends and having your own activities.
We've tried very hard to transition away from calling you Heath Bar, but despite our efforts, you still tell everyone your name is Heath Bar Patrick.  You are starting to write your first letters and have mastered "H". Like Finn and Lex, you could spend hours drawing and your creative masterpieces and drawing skills have grown considerably throughout the year, turning from scribbles to actual shapes and intended design.

We love you Heath Patrick and look forward to watching you grow in many new ways this year!

xo
Mom and Dad

Monday, January 30, 2012

Lennon Family Fun

After a nice visit with Nana and a fun filled Christmas day, the Lennon clan from North Carolina arrived the day after Christmas--Grammy, Pappy, and Aunt Colleen. We definitely missed Ryan, but were thrilled to have everyone else. The days were cold (especially for our North Carolina friends), but we were able to do some site seeing.  The kids adored the 9 straight days of attention between the two back to back visits and Heath made a new best friend (Aunt Collen). Below is a visit to Fort Williams.  To fill our bellies, we went straight to the Cookie Jar after.  Awesome place and how can you go to Fort Williams without stopping at the Cookie Jar?
























Saturday, January 28, 2012

Pre-Christmas Activities

We're tradition rich here, so Christmas preparation could not go without a gingerbread house creation, Christmas cookies, and goofy snowmen too, of course! Although Nana does not debut in any photos, we were lucky to have her here to help with the festivities.




 Christmas Cookie Decorating.

 The Cool snowmen.  Note one has a beer in his "hand".




Check out our Christmas Cards (yes plural).  I was so unorganized that I didn't order enough, so I had to order some extras last minute and the originals didn't come in small batches.  Hence, two versions of the Lennons for 2011. Same pics, just different cards.