Alan's Fourth Birthday

Alan is four years old now! We had a party for him this weekend at the Little Gym, where we could do his favourite game, Smack the Cheese! After lots of fun in the gym, Alan shared ice cream and cupcakes with a great big 4 on them with his little friends.

On his birthday, Daddy was Watch DOG at school, which meant Alan got to have Daddy at breakfast and Circle Time, and Daddy got to see Alan's turn as the line leader. Since he had such a busy weekend, after school and a trip to the doctor Alan had a nice long nap. Then it was off to Perico's for dinner with Auntie Chelle, Auntie Karen and Meme Nancy.


Alan getting ready for his party at the Little Gym


Getting a boost up onto the bars


Monkey brothers...


Alan takes a big leap


Alan loves challenges


Under the parachute...


... is so much fun!


Cupcakes with buttercream and marzipan 4's


Birthday dinner at Perico's


Happy Birthday Dear Alan!


Alan and Auntie Karen check out the sombrero!


Happy Fourth Birthday Alan!

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[slideshow - Smack the Cheese!]

Kevin is six years old!

Kevin turned six on Memorial Day! We had a party at the Little Gym where Kevin has celebrated many of his little friends birthdays over the last year with great fun. Kevin and Alan had a great time running amok all over the gym, and then enjoying cupcakes and ice cream.


Taking a jump off the balance beam


And again!


Everyone loves bubbles!


Smack the cheese!


Bamn!


Getting ready to hop!


... squish!


Mmmm, ice cream!


Cupcakes!


Hurray for cake!

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[video - Smack the Cheese!]



[slideshow]

Alan's Third Birthday Party

Alan was recovered enough from chemo to have his birthday party with his little playgroup friends. We all met at the McDonald's party room where Alan and his little buddy Dylan "played basketball". There was lots of fun, cake and ice cream, and when we got home, Alan went crazy with all the tissue paper from the gifts. We're so happy he had the opportunity to have such fun and so greatful to our friends, big and little.


Alan and Dylan shoot the hoops


Alan works on a lollipop under his "3" balloon


Yum! Alan nibbling on a hamburger bun


Dylan, Alan and Sawyer Belle are having loads of fun!


Did someone say cake?


♫ Happy Birthday Dear Alan! ♫


Yummy cake...


... and ice cream!


Ice cream everywhere!


Alan in a post-party tissue paper orgy

Happy 3rd Birthday Alan!

Alan celebrated his 3rd birthday with Auntie Chelle staying for a sleepover! Auntie Chelle and Auntie Maria got our little monkey Curious George books - how appropriate! Typically, Alan had as much fun with the tissue paper as he did with the monkey and books.





Then it was time to webcam with Daddy! The boys brought their toys to show Daddy over the internet, including the aforementioned tissue paper.





Then it was time for Alan to chase his big brother Kevin - what a workout! (Yes, the picture is blurry - these boys move way too fast!)



Even though he was tuckered out by all the running, Alan refused to nap. After a beautiful afternoon walk in the neighbourhood, it was time for dinner and a yummy cookies'n'cream pie to celebrate the birthday boy!





Happy Birthday sweet pea!

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video of the chase

Panda-monium

Ever since his encounter with Panda at the American Cancer Society's Cancer Kids Halloween Party, Alan has been completely in love with pandas. We have been getting him panda toys and books ever since, and so have our friends.

We got him a Kung Fu Panda cake for his birthday of course. Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, along with Po, Master Sifu and Mistress Tiger.



The first stuffed panda Alan opened was Ming, a small Ty beanie baby from Jaz and Em. So soft!



Poor Ming - Alan decided to rub his head on her, and then subjected her to a belly flop. That's no way to treat a lady!



The next one he opened was Ping, the Zoobie stuffed animal/pillow/blanket from Mommy and Daddy.



Ping is much better equipped to handle the belly flops, especially when she's in pillow mode.



Ming jumps on Ping! Yay! Alan's pandas know how he likes to play. How funny that Alan's first two pandas are named for his Auntie Janet (Ming) and his Mommy (Ping). Auntie Chelle found a panda toothbrush holder and a panda luggage tag for him. Then he got a third panda from Mackenzie, whom we have named Buddy (because Auntie Jenn found him at HEB).

The latest addition to Alan's group of pandas came from Auntie Neil - 30 inches tall sitting, which is just enough room for Alan to lean against and tuck his head under it's chin.



We decided to name him Tackley, since he is big enough for Alan to tackle. Here is a video of Alan's first encounter with Tackley.

Kevin is Four Years Old!

After Kevin's birthday party on Wednesday, we continued celebrating with cupcakes at school on Friday. Kevin demolished his!



For his birthday, we took him for a hair cut (not so fun) after a birthday phone call from Grandma Sanders. The hair cut, which was smooth sailing for once, was followed by lunch at Freddy's Frozen Custard (yay!). Kevin got chocolate cake to go with his frozen custard, yum!



After lunch, we came home so Baby Alan could nap. Auntie Chelle came to see the birthday boy and visit while he opened presents. This evening we will be going to a farewell party for playgroup pals Jaz & Em and family. What a busy day!

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Kevin's 4th Birthday Party

With many of the kids in Kevin's playgroup starting kindergarten or going to preschool full-time this coming fall, this was probably the last time we'd be doing a playgroup birthday party. Along with the playgroup, we also had Gymboree buddies and Mackenzie. Unfortunately, Baby Alan had to have chemotherapy so he and Daddy couldn't come.

We had the party at McDonald's - a great playscape, Happy Meals, cake and ice cream. What more could you ask for? Kevin had great fun with his friends, climbing up to the top of the playscape and making it down in record time when it was time for cake and ice cream.


Sawyer and Mackenzie


Kevin and Mommy



A birthday cake with Ronald McDonald

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