Happy 3rd Birthday to Chase!

Trains, trains and more trains. That's what Chase's 3rd birthday party was all about. Train decorations, train songs and whistles, train tracks on the floor and even a real train ride through the neighborhood. Oh, my!

Chase had a grand ole time, especially when it came time to open presents. He totally racked up, receiving more Thomas trains, tracks, games, books and gifts than I could have possibly imagined. You should see the train sets we're building now. SO COOL!

I took way too many photos, but I did manage to pare them down to 80 good pictures. Thankfully, I've not uploaded all 80 photos to this blog. (You're welcome!) Here's just a small sampling of photos from Chase's train birthday party. What fun!

I loved the colors of the decorations.

Grammy helped me decorated. It was very festive!

Here's the birthday boy, arriving for his party.

I thought the invitations turned out great!

My little snug-a-bugga.

Sweet boy.

Charlie was excited to ride the train.

Isn't it cute!

Time to open presents!

Chase with his buddies... Lexi, Brody, Jackson, Charlie, Rhys and Henry.
Aren't they cute?!

Working hard to blow out the candle.

Cupcakes. Yummy!

Chase loved the icing best of all.

Chase is now the proud owner of 154 Thomas trains.
(I exaggerate... a little.)

Isn't the decor so fun?

Happy 3rd Birthday, Chase!

Frantic Friday and Fun with Thomas

What a C-R-A-Z-Y day we had on Friday. Totally insane and C-R-A-Z-Y. Please know that I did NOT plan for it to be so nutty. It's just that everything that could happen on Friday, did.

Initially, all I had scheduled was a trip to the North Carolina Transportation Museum for a Day Out with Thomas. We had so much fun last year, so I really wanted to be able to take the boys again.

But, then we had to reschedule our family photo shoot and Friday was the only day both photographer and Mike were available. So, our Friday started off at 7:50 a.m., all dressed up and smiling big for the camera.

Next, we took Charlie to school. While he was at McKinney, I had to make a pit stop at our first Mom Prom bake sale for Cookies for Kids' Cancer. (We raised $1,000!) Then, I picked Charlie up at school, we drove straight home to pick up everyone else, and we all headed to Spencer, N.C., for our Thomas train ride.

We had a great time at the event, but it was super hot. We were all sweating buckets, but the boys didn't see to mind. Chase was SO EXCITED to see Thomas. I really think he thought this was the real Thomas. As soon as Chase saw him, he said in his cute, little, super excited voice, "HI THOMAS!"

Charlie loved the model trains. He could have watched model trains all afternoon and been happy, although he did have a good time on the train ride. All in all, it was a great day with Thomas. Both boys really enjoyed themselves - and so did we!

Afterwards, we rushed home so that we could arrive in time for a furniture delivery that was set to arrive at 5 p.m. (Traffic was TERRIBLE, so we were a little late, but the good news is, so was the delivery van. Whew!) I bought the boys a treehouse for their playroom. Yes, a treehouse! It's SO CUTE! I don't know who loves it more... me or Charlie and Chase!

To close out our crazy day, we had pizza and fun with family and our best buddies, Erin, Jonathan, Colby and Max. What a long, hot, exciting, fun, memorable and nutty day. I'm tired just thinking about it!

Here are a few photos from our Day Out with Thomas.

Don't you love how Chase is so invested in the conversation with
Miss Raz and Grammy?

In this picture, Chase has spied Thomas for the first time.

Charlie was obsessed with the model trains.

Chase thought they were pretty cool too!

Chase and Dada... so cute!

"There's Thomas! Hi, Thomas!"

Isn't he cute?

Charlie looks so big, doesn't he?

He loved the train ride!
(And I love this picture.)

Chase with one of his many expressions.

"CHEESE!"

Look at those cute cheeks!

Cutie patootie!

Until next year!

Life Is Good

I love living in a neighborhood. I love it! I especially love my cul-de-sac. It's perfect for gator driving and bike riding. It's made even better by the fact that there are two other boys on the very next street over that are almost exactly the same age as Charlie and Chase. What great memories my little monkeys are making!

Here are a few CUTE photos I took of Charlie, Chase and some of their best buddies, Colby, Max and Henry.

This photo is so funny to me. If you could see this in person, you'd understand.
Chase loves to ride his little gator which literally putt-putts along.
Meanwhile, Charlie and Colby are lapping him on their bikes over and over again.
It's hysterical!
Can't you just hear the putt-putt-putt?

Sweet Charlie on his big boy bike.

This is Henry. He has the curliest hair, the cutest eyebrows and the sweetest spirit.

This is my good friend Lyndsey and her 2-month-old munchkin, Lily.

Big boy Chase pulling buddy Max.

Erin decided to give Charlie's Razor Big Wheel a try!
Look at the faces of Charlie and Colby behind her. So fun!

This was earlier in the week. Colby and Max were racing against Charlie.
Look at their expressions. They're having a blast!

I LOVE this photo!

Look at Max. He's laughing hysterically!

Isn't this photo A W E S O M E ? !

Charlie gave little brother a ride on the gator.

"Stick with me little brother. I'll teach you how to drive!

Look at Chase's expression. This is his grumpy face.
It's a hoot!

Chase's First Day of Preschool

I can't believe my baby is now going to StoneBridge Preschool.

My sweet baby Chase... going to preschool.

Unbelievable.

It seems like just yesterday that I took Charlie for his first day of school. Remember? (Click here if you'd like a refresher.) And now, it's Chase's turn. Wow. Time really does fly.

*Sigh*

What a wonderful, confident, well-mannered little boy I have though, and so full of personality. He's going to be Mrs. Yascur's favorite... without a doubt!

Last week, we took Chase to Open House at StoneBridge and he literally busted into the classroom like he owned the joint. I guess he'd spent enough time there with Charlie that he felt right at home. He loved checking out all of the cars and trucks and the train table was also a hit, but when he found the reading area lined with stuffed animals and the class mascot, Cuddles, he was in heaven. I foresee him spending a lot of time snuggled up in the corner with all 10 animals piled up all around him. (Mrs. Yascur might want to think about getting a new mascot as I'm sure it will be hard to pry Cuddles out of Chase's death grip.)

The first day of school was no big deal. We were so excited for Chase, but he was so cool and laid back. Nothing phased him. We pulled into the parking lot and he hopped out of the car and practically drug us into the classroom. He did a great job "checking in" and hanging up his backpack. He even went potty in the class restroom! Then, he sat down in his seat and started working on his puzzle.

And, that was it!

This kid is one cool dude!

Here are a few pictures of Open House and the first day of school.

OPEN HOUSE

Getting snuggles from Mrs. Yascur.

Pooh Bear! In school! Does life get any better?

Checking out the trains.

I love preschool room decor!

Cuddles and Pooh Bear. In love.

Getting a treat from Mrs. Yascur.

Chase is ready for school now!

First Day of School

SUPER CUTE!

Sporting a new haircut.

Isn't he adorable?!

The Chase "nose scrunch." Typical Chase!

Checking in. No big thing.

Hanging up the backpack. No big thing.

Ready to work a puzzle. No big thing.

I forgot to give Chase his card before school started
so we did it after school. Oops! 

Welcome to Preschool, Chase!