July 4th around here means more than red, white and blue. More than fireworks, corn on the cob, and watermelon.
It means our blessings from China are having a birthday! Lainey Q is now 5…the age she’s been DYING to turn for so long. And, Dylan Y is a big boy at age 4.
The day began just like last year. A July 4th parade that passes right by our house. We drag the chairs to the end of our driveway and wave :)
Of course, there’s candy to get.
Present time! Prior to this, Randy led everyone in an opera version of Happy Birthday. Yep, that’s my husband.
Birthday boy
Birthday young lady!
Laughing at daddy’s opera
Someone loves her new watch…she’s been asking for one for a while now. She also got an 18″ doll and clothes for her.
Dylan loves this, he’s played with it everyday. Highly recommended if you have a little guy who likes daddy’s tools!
He also got a watch, and a kid sized tape measure.
Next request for their birthday was to go boating. We were happy to oblige.
Dylan is fully on board now, as far as swimming and boating go. He bobs along in the waves, wearing his green monster floatie, happy as can be. We affectionately refer to Lainey as our “fish”.
That night, we made the mistake of asking them where they’d like to go eat for their special day. We had our hopes high. We ended up at Taco B*ll.
Since we have 3 other birthdays this week, I decided against making 5 full birthday cakes. Who needs THAT much cake? Cupcakes worked much better. Especially since they get to decorate their own.
Was the day done then? Nope. Another boat ride, this time at night. We went out about 9pm, and cruised around looking at all the fireworks. We felt like those tornado chasers! Instead, we were chasing fireworks. We got home around 10:30…don’t tell Randy I told you, but, we got LOST. Abbey pointed us in the right direction.
I think Dylan really enjoyed his first birthday with us. It makes me sad to think that he had those first 3 without us – and without anyone to really make it special. We’re taking care of that now. And, Lainey….I can’t believe this is her 4th birthday with us! She’s growing into such a beauty. This year has been difficult for her. Really. But, we’re working on the rough spots and I know God will honor her (and our!) hard work.
Happy Birthday, Lainey and Dylan!
July 7th, 2011 at 10:25 am
Happy Birthday Littles! I had forgotten that they shared the same birthday–that is so cool! What a great celebration day too. We couldn’t go boating this weekend because our boat rolled into one of our bedrooms at the lake house. Really. All is well now and the insurance appraiser should get up there next week to figure things out.
Now you’ll be getting geared up for the trips b-day!!! Fun Fun!
July 7th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
The first two individual pictures of Dylan and Lainey are GREAT ! Lainey is so pretty in hers and Dylan is just fantastic in his. I love that they got to decorate their own cupcakes, too. Better than store bought anyday.
Who puts on the parade that comes down a private street in a neighborhood? I love it, but just wondered. You can’t get better seats for it, can you?
So Dylan is now comfortable on the tube w/o you with him. Boy, does he fit right in with your family. But then he has the “fish named Lainey” to lead him.
It is amazing that Dylan and Lainey share the same birthday and that day is on the 4th of July ! God’s planning is so great, isn’t it. I just love my 11th and 12th grandchildren as much as my first 10 (which is more than life itself).
Hopefully, Dylan and Lainey will always enjoy the less expensive places to eat (like Taco) for a long time. With 8 people eating…. they need to.
July 7th, 2011 at 8:49 pm
Happy Birthday to my good friend Dylan!! Have a wonderful day. I sure hope we get to see each other again soon.
And a big Happy Birthday to you Lainey!
Love,Seth from NY
July 8th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Well, ya can’t beat draggin’ your chairs to the street and enjoy a parade right in front of your house!! Love the shot of Jack drinking from the water bottle!! LOL!!
Boy, the lake looks so refreshing in the photo of the kids on the tube! So glad that Dylan is more comfortable in the water now and is actually enjoying it! Looks like a tedius job…frosting those cupcakes! Gotta get it just right!!! Really cute shots of Lainey & Dylan with their birthday cupcakes!! Wonder if they both made a wish before they blew out the candles?? They really don’t need to, as their wishes came true when they joined the Clark family!!!! (Our wishes came true, too…for two of the cutest, smartest adorable grandchildren that could have possibly come from China!!! We love you guys!!!