Wyatt Dodd

A little photo review of our boy - 

Our sweet baby!

April 2010

 

 

Our one year old big boy!

April 2011

Our big two year old - 

his last birthday as an only child!

April 2012

 Our three year old cowboy!

Yee haw!

April 2013

Happy Birthday, Dear Wyatt

W turned three this week. THREE!!! I cannot even believe it. I swear, we were just at the hospital, trying to figure out diapers and baths, etc...next thing I know, he's going to be in college. [Which might be okay because the Terrible Twos have rolled on in to three. So, thanks for that, world.]

Still pretty precious to us, though. 

This week has been great - with both of our birthdays to celebrate. 

We couldn't have done it without help from our network, which we are SO thankful for: Sue, Gabby, Pop Pops, Aunt Katie, Uncle Brad...

We celebrated W's birthday at The Barnyard. We  ordered some chick-fil-a nuggets, grabbed a pony and a petting zoo, and called it a party. Pinterest provided some ideas for a cowboy themed party, so that took up an exorbitant amount of prep time - but provided a pretty cute backdrop [and an insane mama...].

Thanks to everyone for the well wishing, the presents, and your time! 

We had a great birthday week and it wouldn't have been possible without YOU. :)
Happy birthday, Dub! You sure make us happy.

Memory + Alphabet Game + Word Families

We have so many baby food lids coming in and out of this house right now, that I knew there had to be some creative thing we could do with them. I consulted The Oracle (Pinterest), and adapted this one from several suggestions. 

I printed upper and lower case letters and created a basic matching game. 

It was interesting to watch W play the first round because I've forgotten how some letters don't look like their counter part. For example, E and e look nothing alike. 

Eventually this can evolve into a monster sized Memory game. 

It can also turn into a spelling game - using basic words.

...or a game about word families, as W gets older. 

So - if you find yourself in the same boat (too many baby food jars and so much waste)...try this simple activity out. Supply list included: jar of Mod Podge, a sponge paint brush, printed letters, jar tops that have been sterilized. One lady on Pinterest Mod Podged colorful paper on the lids. 

Nobody here has time for that - but it is cute. 

Let me know if you need a set of lids. I'm in the lid business at the moment.

Happy 87th!!

Monday, we celebrated Grandpa Griffiths' 87th birthday (87!!) by having a picnic at the Arboretum. Aunt Donna drove Grandma and Grandpa up from Tyler. Sue met us there, as did Susan and Margaret.  It was the last days of Dallas Blooms and the tulips were amazing. So large and vibrant. We walked around until we found a picnic spot in the (kind of) shade. 

Wyatt sang Happy Birthday To You to Grandpa. I think everyone had a nice time. There was lots of laughing and conversation over delicious sandwiches and cupcakes. Wyatt had about 16 glasses of sparkling lemonade.  

It was a nice testament to the patriarch of our family. His birthday is on April Fools, which always seems so cruel. I remember many a time Grandma encouraged us to wrap up some little thing to surprise him with - like a fake spider. It was hilarious to us, and he never let on that he was probably completely over "the joke" of having an April 1st birthday. That's the nice thing about grandpa - one of many. He never let on impatience or irritation. He was always so supportive and loving. Now that I have kids of my own, I know how hard it is to always reflect those feelings. Some days I want to have a box of Franzia (was always cooling in their fridge on Green Oaks), and just be by myself. But I never got that vibe from Grandpa. He was always up for a back ride to the bottom of the pool, for making a killer Caesar salad and spaghetti dinner off the cuff, or for conversation where he is actually interested in your opinion. One time, when I was probably eight, he asked me to bake some muffins for a meeting he had at work. That made me feel like I was on top of the world. He is a good grandpa. Happy birthday! 87 years young. :)You're pretty amazing.

Easter

This Easter was as long and drawn out as the Christmas holidays, it feels like! It was full of family and fun - we couldn't have asked for a better time.

Monday saw our first Easter egg hunt - with playgroup. Before the hunt, I had to lay down the basic rules of egg hunting: if two people come across the same egg, let the other person have it. No hitting or pushing. We don't open the eggs until the end of the hunt, etc...We had some delicious snacks, some good old fashioned egg hunting, and our first candy overload!

On Tuesday, we had an Easter Egg Hunt at Wyatt's school.  Egg hunting was so intense, we had to follow it with snacks and beverages. The kids seemed to have a decent time and were humming with a sugar buzz by the time school dismissed.

W being tickled by the preschool director. It's a fun group.

 On Friday, we met Aunt Diane at White Rock Lake for a picnic. The weather was gorgeous and we had a great time by the lake. Aunt Diane pushed Wyatt in the swing and helped him feed the ducks. Ev tried his very first cheese puff, thanks to a pregnant Aunt Katie. Another fun day...until Gabby chipped her tooth on the monkey bars, poor girl!

Saturday, mom hosted us at her house for another celebration. We had a tiny egg hunt, but W really enjoyed blowing bubbles with Uncle Evan John. Aunt Katie displayed her bump for the first time! Gabby put out an amazing spread, so we ate ourselves silly. Brad mixed up some killer Bloody Mary's. It was the kind of day that all but demands a nap!

Sunday, we hosted the Cassady's for an Easter cook out. Jason grilled some burgers, the guys got caught up outside. Nana Gael held Ev the whole time - he loved it. 

And finally, on Monday, we celebrated Grandpa Griffiths' 87th birthday. More to come on that one! It was a nice day, perfect weather, and we had a great time picnic-ing at the Arboretum!

 

This is the first time in my life I have ever thrown out candy. W was so wired up that I just couldn't keep it around. Broke my heart. :) We did make the Peep S'mores for our friends (from Pinterest). I thought those were so delicious. I do love a Peep.

Happy Easter!!