Happy Birthday to my Firecracker

Today, eight years ago, we had this little booger. After 36 hours of labor (don't worry, it wasn't too bad) he decided he didn't want to enter this world and we had to help him along. As our family watched fireworks from the 7th floor of the hospital, we were in the OR having John David. It was THE best fourth of July ever. As soon as he heard Eric's voice he stopped crying and looked for his daddy. As mom's know, we carry them and then they end up looking like dad!! He was so tiny, 6lbs. 5oz, with a small cut above his left eye (still don't know what happened on that one) he came into this world. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful, caring, little man in my life. He loves his sister, his dog, and baseball (and not always in that order). Right now, he's into Legos, Nerf guns, and just this year, swimming, of course baseball. He plays as number 3 on the Tornados. You are an amazing little man, and I am so glad God chose me to be your mom. I love you , Bubba.

Julianne's FOUR

I can't believe my little girl is four! We tried to make her birthday weekend as special as possible, but with big brother having ball games all weekend, it was kinda hard. Friday night she chose Red Robin to enjoy dinner and ice cream with her Mimi and Aunt Nicole. They sang to her and she tried hard not to smile or show any excitement about it--she was thrilled though.

Saturday, we spent at the ball park watching brother play two games as well as dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings (dad's favorite). She was able to play a couple games while we were there.

And then, Sunday, her birthday started with a song from mom and dad. We again spent the first part of the day at the ball park watching big bro's team become runner up in the AA division!! (way to go Johnny D). Julezee wanted to eat at Chuck E. Cheese. Big Bro hates CEC, but went along anyway. He truly hates anything that's dressed up. Princess, on the other hand, really loves CEC. We got her the DS she's been wanting since big bro got his. She's been playing his. When she opened it, she was so excited--"this is just what I wanted."

We had to continue to tell her this morning that she really was four. She had a hard time believing us!! I'm still not ready to believe it. I think that's why it's taken me all day to write this post. I don't want my little girl to grow up.

Happy B-day my big girl! (her real party isn't until a couple of weeks--we're combining her's and brothers on the only free weekend we have this summer.)

John David's SIX

We celebrated the fourth with friends and family. Of course, Friday, the fourth, was little man's birthday--his day. We went out on the lake with Mom, Mike, and an ol' college buddy and his date from UTM. Later, we went and watch fireworks in another UTM friends home. Lots of fun!! We munched on chips and dip, smoked ribs, and potato salad--yummy!!

Then, Saturday, JD celebrated his birthday with cake, steak, chicken, and of course presents and friends.

He wanted a golfing cake, but it doesn't look much like one. I tried to do the dimples on the golf ball, but couldn't get them to turn out right. The cake design was from a Wilton book. John David chose chocolate (I got the recipe from an old cook book from a high school fundraiser project.)

Birthday Cakes

My favorite memories of my birthdays are of my mom baking my cakes. We would always choose the PERFECT cake and she would make it for me. I don't remember many gifts, but I remember the cakes. I hope my kids feel the same when they get older. I've made every cake, except my oldest ones first cake.

This year, Julianne wanted two cakes, a princess cake, and a castle cake. Everything had to be pink. Pink castle, pink Barbie, pink everything. I found the castle cake in the Wilton beginner cake book/magazine. It was really pretty easy. Bake two 10 inch cakes (I used two box mixes for this one). Frost with homemade buttercream frosting tinted to the brightest shade of pink possible. Cut off the base of four ice cream cones and pipe with prepared frosting. Top five cones with sugar cones and secure with piped icing. We didn't use candies like the book suggested. For the Barbie princess cake, we used the Wilton Wonder Mold. This was the second time we've used the wonder mold. Last year we did the mermaid on the box.