Happy Birthday, Papa!

Happy Birthday, Papa! So glad you take care of me when I'm sleepy ...


...and when I'm ready to have some fun!

Can't wait to see you again at the holidays so we can play trains again! Love, Simon

Simon is 3!

Simon is 3 years old today! He has been talking about turning 3 for several months. He knew that his birthday is in September and when they do circle time at day care, they talk about the months and days of the week. So to help him understand that even though it is September, it would be several weeks until his birthday, we made a countdown paper chain for him. Here he is on September 1 ...

... and FINALLY, today, September 25th! It became our routine to take one chain off each morning. As you can see, he's still in his jammies this morning, ready to take down that last chain and begin the birthday festivities! He requested scrambled eggs and sausage for breakfast.

Simon has also been asking for a Mack and Lightening McQueen cake for a long time. He is definitely a boy who knows what he wants! It turned out really cute and was delicious too. (Just yesterday, he told me that he wanted Thomas the Train on his cake too. Yikes! He was easily convinced that Thomas was too big to fit on a cake.)

At last, it was party time. We had another one of Simon's favorites for lunch -- Puccini's pizza. Here he is eating with his second cousins, Lily and Braylee. Braylee is 4 and Lily will be 4 in December. They can play well together but boy, does Simon know how to push their buttons! I know that they will grow up to be great friends but it's surprising to me how early they learn how to tease and get at each other!

We found this cute wall decoration to go with our Cars theme. It looked so cute on the sliding glass door. Doesn't it look like Lightening McQueen is parked on the patio?

Among Simon's birthday requests was his wish for a polka dot party hat. We don't know where he gets these ideas! But would you believe we found one at the first store we went to? He wore it till it started falling apart! He was so serious as we sang to him but he told me earlier today that everyone else would sing and he would just listen -- and that's exactly what he did. Video proof below. : )

He loved this card -- it plays a song from the Cars movie. He actually received three of the same card and he listened to each one play the full song. Our family and friends have been so generous to Simon! And I am grateful for the ways in which he has learned to say thank you and share hugs.

We saved this gift for last -- Mack the truck with Lightening inside. Simon LOVED it! He has been talking about this for months, too. And I was so proud of him when he shared it with his cousin.

Simon's birthday was super fun but ohhhh, was bedtime challenging because he missed his nap. Funny how the more tired kids get, the more they fight sleep. Simon was so sad that his birthday was over. He is so social and had a really fun day. Here are a few things that I want to remember for Simon right now:

• Favorite color: blue



• Favorite drink: milk



• Favorite food: ravioli and pizza



• Favorite movie: Cars



• Favorite toys: anything Thomas the Train and Cars



• Simon is now 36.25 inches tall but hovers between 28-29 lbs. Yes, he's skinny! He's grown three shoe sizes this year.



• His imagination is flourishing! He is really good at pretend play and making up stories about his toys and animals.



• Simon loves to sing songs and will change words to suit the situation or to get us to laugh.



• Favorite songs: Days of the Week, ABCs, Punk Rock Girl, Ding Dong the Witch is Dead, Old MacDonald, Farmer in the Dell.



• Simon will wear a yellow construction hat or fireman hat and make us call him "Bob" as in Bob the Builder.



• Simon will cover one eye with his hand and say, "I'm talkin' like a pirate" in a gruff voice and calls coins his "gold de-blumes."



• Simon can "read" three books to us -- he has them memorized. And can tell you countless other stories from memory. He loves to make up stories that begin "Once upon a time there were ..."

We can't wait to see what the next year brings as Simon is already talking about turning 4! Slow down, little man! We want to savor 3. We know that he is going to be an awesome big brother. He loves babies and younger children and is very good at sharing and bringing them toys at day care. We are looking forward to many fun fall activities.There's not an hour in the day that goes by that Mark and I don't shake our heads in awe that we are Simon's parents. He is pure joy and brings so much love and laughter to our family. We constantly feel like our hearts are going to burst because we love him so very, very much. Happy Birthday, Sweet Simon Kebebe!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Guess who has a birthday on Thursday, September 22??? Mark! Happy Birthday to an awesome father and husband. I am still camera-less so pulling a few of my favorite photos from the last year ...

We love you, honey, and are so grateful for the fun, laughter and joy you bring to our family! Happy Birthday!! We can't wait to see what the next year brings. Love, Wendi and Simon

For Aunt Heidi

I left my camera at Mark's parent's house last weekend. My sister requested a new video of Simon so here you go, Aunt Heidi. This is from about a month ago. Simon wanted to wear his cowboy boots, which are now about 3 sizes too small. He looks like me when I try to wear heels! Enjoy.

When I get the camera back, I'm looking forward to sharing some videos of Simon dancing with his cousins Braylee and Lily, our visit to Hands On Trucks at Imagination Station, and some photos from last weekend's Purdue football game.

But for now, enjoy the video, Aunt Heidi! : )

Happy Birthday, Mimi!

Happy Birthday, Mimi! Thank you for playing with me, reading to me, pushing me on the swing and spoiling me. : ) I love you very much! Sending you lots of hugs and kisses today!

Love, Simon

Happy Anniversary, Heidi and Thinh!

Happy 16th Anniversary to my sister Heidi and her hubby Thinh! Wishing you many more crazy, fun, and happy years together! We love you.