We're Havin' a Party!

We are celebrating Bryce and Drew's 3rd Birthday tomorrow. THEY ARE SO EXCITED!!! We are renting a place appropriately called "The Party Place!" It is a private party center that has a large room full of inflatable bounce houses, ball pits, toys, games and arcades. There is a separate room where we can eat pizza, birthday dessert and open the boys' gifts...and the best part...THEY clean up the mess!

In addition, the boys (and me & Jimmy too!) are excited because Mom, Mike and my sweet grandparents will be arriving today. They have been on a cross-country road trip for the past 2 weeks visiting friends and family. They will get to spend 5 days with us before heading to my brother's house.

All week, Bryce has been saying, "I need my Grandma!"

Drew has been saying, "I see my 'Grape Papa and Grape Grandma?'

So cute!

I'll be back in a few days with a post of their big celebration!

Our Letter to Drew

Our sweet Drew,

It's hard to imagine that in just a few days you will be turning 3 years old! 36 months ago you were placed in our arms and we immediately fell in love with you!

The 2nd year of your life has been a joyous adventure! You have learned your colors, numbers, letters, shapes and how to spell your name, Bryce's name and even a few words. You have learned to cut with scissors, to talk in complete sentences and to play your VSmile video games. When you pray it melts our heart! You have also learned how to go potty on the big-boy potty, although you're not completely potty-trained yet!

You love to play outside - to drive your car, ride your trike and scooter, to golf, kick balls, throw your frisbee, to blow bubbles, and to look at bugs and frogs! It is unbelievable to watch you shoot baskets on your basketball hoop. You can sink shot after shot from 6-8 feet! You love your bounce house. You adore swimming and are fearless in the pool. You love puzzles, games and spending time with Daddy outside. You also enjoy cooking with Mommy, Play-Doh, gymnastics, puzzles, singing & dancing, and playing hide & seek. Your favorite TV shows are Diego and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Your favorite books are Curious George and letter, color and shape books. You have 2 favorite colors - orange and yellow. Thankfully you are a fast learner because you don't have much patience to sit for long!

You are a pickier eater than Bryce. You tend to "snack" your way through the day. Mommy is always concerned that you are not eating enough so I tend to keep track of your calories and protein intake. Your favorite foods are: yogurt, fruit smoothies, french toast, pizza, olives, fruit, corn, PB & J sandwiches, grilled cheese and tomato soup, cheese, Mexican food (especially chips and salsa), and lollipops (you call them lollihops.)

You have such a sweet personality Drew James. You are very sensitive and tender-hearted. You love others deeply and show concern when they are hurt or upset. You love your family, your friends and ALL of your babies (especially D and Booger!) You love to give hugs and kisses. When Daddy or I leave the house you always tell us "I need hugs & kisses." You are very independent and like to do things your way. You are silly and do lots of goofy things! You tend to be the leader in most things and are very active. The only time you sit still is when you're watching TV.

At times, you can be temperamental and argumentative. You often have a one-track mind and want to do things "Drew's way." You are very sweet and loving with Bryce. When the two of you are fighting over a toy you typically just give in to him! You are very blessed to have your "Bryce a Bear!"

You are much like your Daddy when it comes to sleep. You prefer to skip your nap - why nap when you can be playing?! You prefer to go to bed around 7:30 and sleep for 12 hours straight.

Mommy and Daddy love you so much Drew. We are so thankful that God chose us to be your parents. It is an absolute honor and joy to raise you and to call your our son. We look forward to the adventures in your 3rd year of life and all the things you will learn. Thank you for being such a good boy!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy
Here's some of my favorite pics of Drew in his 2nd year of life...

Our Letter To Bryce

Our sweet Bryce,

It's hard to imagine that in just a few days you will be turning 3 years old! 36 months ago you were placed in our arms and we immediately fell in love with you.

The 2nd year of your life has been an absolute joy. You have learned your colors, numbers, letters, shapes and even how to spell your name and Drew's name. You have learned to cut with scissors, to talk in complete sentences and to play your VSmile video games. When you ask to pray it melts our hearts. You have also learned to go potty on the big-boy potty, although you're not completely potty-trained yet! You like to analyze everything and to figure out how it all works.

You love to play outside - to drive your car, to blow bubbles, to play on your swing set, to explore and to play in your bounce house. You love to swim, to read books, to play with your trains and cars and to go shopping! You also think it's hilarious to have us chase you and to play hide and seek. You enjoy cooking with Mommy, washing cars and doing yard work with Daddy, coloring, Play-Doh, gymnastics, puzzles, games, and singing & dancing! Bryce, you have an adventerous spirit and love to ride on fast rides and water slides.

You are a good eater Bryce. You love eggs, blueberry pancakes, Mexican food (especially chips and salsa), vanilla yogurt, olives, cheeseburgers, pizza, beans, fruit, pasta and Sundrop M&M's. Your favorite TV shows are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Diego. Currently, your favorite books are Curious George and Bible stories. And your favorite color is red.

You have such a sweet personality Bryce Matthew. You are easy-going and sweet-natured. You love your family, friends, your stuffed animals and even strangers! You have a beautiful smile that lights up a room and such a gentle spirit. Your laugh is contagious and your joy is unending. We love how you wake up everyday with a smile on your face. You are patient and enjoy learning. You are becoming such a polite gentleman. You like to hold doors open for ladies and you say please and thank you.

At times, you can be a little ornery and aggressive with your brother. If you two are fighting your are typically the instigator! You often take toys from him and hit or bite him. In spite of the occasional arguing, you love your brother dearly and are so blessed to have your "Dew Bug" as your best friend!

Just like your Mommy, you love your sleep. Now that you're a big boy, you don't take a nap every day but on the days that you do, you often just put yourself to bed. When you wake up you still like to cuddle and be held and kissed.

Mommy and Daddy love you so much Bryce. We are so thankful that God chose us to be your parents. It is an absolute honor and joy to raise you and to call you our son. We look forward to the adventures in your 3rd year of life and all the things you will learn. Thank you for being such a good boy.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Here are a few of my favorite pics of Bryce's sweet face in his 2nd year...