Happy 5th Birthday, Gage!

Oh Gage, Happy Birthday you sweet little redhead! We are so happy to be entertained by your silly little comedian self each and every day. You are growing so big and learning so much. We love the way you love to make everyone around you laugh and smile. We are so proud of you and look forward to seeing all the new ways you will keep us in stitches through the next year = )

The requested Batman Birthday cake (before it started to melt and fall apart!)

Gage loves to help decorate. Since we were having issues keeping this cake together after a little incident with it getting squished into the door in the refrigerator (what, that isn't normal?) mom decided it would be best if she continued decorating the cake by herself. So, we set up a Batman design on paper for Gage to decorate.

The artist hard at work. Gage had so much fun decorating this Batman. He sure loves anything to do with creating art!

Birthday celebration morning, giving the thumbs up while enjoying dad's Harley.

Riley loving his Bumblebee Transformer from Grandma and Papa!

Thank you Grandma and Papa for the Darth Vader talking mask.

This one is fun for everyone = )

So excited to use his new snorkel set!

Finally a "BIG" Batman.

Gage has wanted a big Batman action figure forever!

Gage checking out his new Leap Pad. This is all he's talked about for months. Once we got it all set up, it did not disappoint. This thing is so fun and educational!

 The lighting of the candles would not be complete without a nerf gun within quick reach!

Crazy candle blowing form!

Another shot. This many candles takes a lot of blows!

Gage requested to go bowling for his birthday activity. Here he's showing some of his awesome technique!

Riley showing his cool  moves as well. This boy bowled a 97 complete with 2 spares where the ball didn't even touch the bumpers! We might have a future Pro Bowler on our hands = )

All in all it was a pretty great birthday weekend celebration. Can't believe we now have a 5 year old and a 6 year old in our house. That saying about time-flying sure is the truth!



Bring on the waves!

It's getting to be that time of year again. The boys are busting out of last year's swim trunks, so it was time to get some new swimming clothes for the season. Ol' mom here finally gave up control and let the boys go to the store to pick out their own styles. I think they did a great job and their choices definitely reflect their own tastes! Gage, of course, could not choose anything other than these Batman trunks. He sure does love his caped crusader! And Riley went with a shark theme, as in his words, "cuz I'm quick, fast, and sneaky just like a shark!" That's as good as reason as any to choose a swim outfit = ) Come on summer!

A visit from Papa and no more flopsy mopsy topsies ....

A quick fun visit with Papa Soukup - he sure is comfy to snuggle with!

Whew, apparently that visit tuckered these little fellas out!

Papa may have mentioned a time (or 20!) that these long haired hippie boys needed a haircut.

Riley decided it was time to follow Papa's advice.

Here's Rileybug posing pre-buzz ...

The pile of shorn locks = (

Cheese! Here's our brand new boy = )

Riley thought it would be a great idea to burn his cut hair,

so here he is posing by the stinky fire!

Oh the ideas this boy comes up with!

After checking out brother's cool new 'do, Gager decided he would like his hair cut, too.

But, not until he was done with his burger!

Here we go ...

Sniff, sniff. The pile of beautiful red hair so many girls would kill for.

Another brand new boy. He looks so different!

He couldn't stop touching his head for several days. He said he liked that it felt so "spickely"

(a cross between spikey and tickely = )

Funny boy!



Well, the verdict is the boys both really like their new short hair for summer. Although I miss their long swingy hairdos, I must say these close cropped cuts sure are a lot easier to take care of! Looking forward to seeing what their next changes will be!