Happy 1st Birthday Jack!

Who knew you could go from this...




to this in one year?!?!


(Or that your name could morph from Jack to Jackie boy to Jackbo to Jeekbo to Jeekers to Jeeker Squats to Squatters/Skeekbo in one year?)

Happy 1st birthday Jack!

Presents!


For me?


Another failed attempt at getting 2 kids to smile nicely at the same time.


I don't know how we would have managed to open Jack's presents without Clara's help. She kept shouting that it was her turn. Not sure she understood that her turn was 13 days ago.

The card


Ooo, a lawn mower!


Lots of buttons to push


Let's see how it runs.


Hey!


After presents and breakfast we headed to playgroup. Jack showing off in his new big boy carseat facing foward!


Lunch on the deck looking v. regal.


Sandbox time after lunch.


Post-nap walk


Dinner at Armadillo grill for one of Jack's favs... tacos & guac!
Pre-dinner pose


Where's the food?


Yum!


Post-dinner taco face


Cake time! Clara's waiting in her seat - she knows what's up.


Happy Birthday Jeekers.


Must have been delicious!




Jeekbo is a bundle of energy after eating all his birthday cake


Time for a "both bath" to clean up the day's eatings. We survived the first year of double trouble!

Jack's 1st Birthday Party

This past weekend was very busy for us all. On Thursday night we arrived in Richmond and spent Friday with Gramby and Su-su. Then Friday afternoon Brec and I left the kids in their grandparents capable hands to head to Charlottesville for my induction into the Virginia Swimming Hall of Fame. It was my first night ever away from Jack so needless to say I was a little worried about how he'd do. Turns out, there was nothing to worry about, he and his sister did wonderfully, and I need to figure out what his grandparents did since he slept until 7 am! We returned on Saturday afternoon and that night celebrated Jack's upcoming first birthday with family and friends at Nay-nay & Pop-pop's.

Watching Sesame Street with Gramby.


In the hammock with Daddy




Off to the moon with Gramby... note Clara's observation that "this wasn't as much fun as I thought it would be" Busted Gramby grams!


Now at this point there is a 24 hour gap in the pictures... I can only conjecture about what Gramby & Su-su were doing with their time. :)

On to the birthday extravaganza - I still can't believe we're celebrating Jeekbo's 1st birthday. Where did the time go?

Showing a little sisterly love on a wagon ride


Birthday boy


Homemade cake


Not so sure about it




Hmm.


Happy Birthday Jack






He likes it afterall


The older kids don't waste any time messing around.

Lucy & Clara




Carrie & Luke


And now to Jack's presents... you can see who's helping.


And there's Jack


He's really excited about his presents


Last but not least, the newest addition to the Schaeffer family... Anna Clare born April 16th. You know Memo couldn't wait to get her hands on her.


What a beauty.




Look at all that dark hair!


The new mantle shrine!




Getting some snuggle time with Augs.


And after a weekend in bigger houses with more room between furniture, I feel like Jeekbo's walking has really taken off. He is now walking about half the time as long as he can pull up on something to get started.

And on a final note - last year at this time I was not feeling so good! I'm glad to say I weigh a lot less now than I did then. :)

Clara's 3rd Birthday Party

Saturday morning was the perfect spring day for a backyard princess party with 6 almost 3-year olds and 4 almost 5-year olds.


Everyone arrived shortly after 10 and the playing commenced immediately. The new swing set was a hit. There were also wagon rides and sand box play.


Queen of the castle.


Lead by the older girls, the sand box combined with our outdoor kitchen set evolved into an elaborate tea party.

"Big" Clara serving Molly & Stella


Stella, Katie, & Molly


Stella, Clara D., Back of Janie's head, & Carmen


Eva in full princess regalia


Kierstin playing in the silly crab sand box


Carmen offering tea


Now the table is packed: Stella, Katie, Clara, Eva, & Janie


Tea is served...


Tea party in action


Prince Charming finally woke up for the party


Enjoying some of the delicious party fare


Molly, Katie (can you tell they're sisters?), & Clara


Molly, Katie, Clara, & Kierstin


A festivus miracle, everyone's looking at the camera


Now for the group shot: Stella, Molly, Katie, Eva, Clara D., Carmen, Clara Jean, Janie, & Kierstin


Oh how they've grown in a year, (back) Janie, Kierstin, Clara, Lula, (front) Carmen, Molly, Stella


Prince Jeekbo


Now its time to make the royal crowns!
Katie, Eva, & Clara


Her royal highness deep in thought


Sup!


Looking very regal.


Happy Birthday Clara


Enjoying the delicious cupcakes


Cupcake tree with Eva in the background


Jack with Nay2nay


Jack and Carmen literally bouncing off the walls


Post-party amazon princesses


After the guests left, lunch was eaten and a brief rest ensued before we were back out in the yard having more fun. A cold front moved through around noon which brought less humid air and sunny skies. It was a perfect afternoon.

Clara tackles & tickles Jeeks


Poised for a wagon ride


Clara joins in the fun


All aboard, the wagon's leaving the station.


Nature!Jack


All cleaned up, ready for more cake. Somehow Clara is butchering the word, "Cheese" such that this is her resultant face. The girl makes it her job not to smile for pictures I take.