Bryan is almost 3!

It's so hard for me to believe my baby is almost 3. It's been a difficult week as we began it battling some flu-like symptoms and have ended it with possible allergy symptoms. Through most of it, he's maintained his sweetness as we enjoyed a lot of time around the house.

This is a picture I had to take because it's one of the things that I know I will one day forget. Every night Bryan asks, "Will you lay with me for one song, Mommy?" Of course, I can't refuse him, so every night we sing "Jesus Loves Me" together. For the past couple months, it's become extremely important that he have two "diapees," one for his head and one for mine so when I came in the other night, this is what I found.

On the seemingly long days when the girls are at school, Bryan has become my little helper. Here he is watering my rosebushes.

Part of the frustration of the week was that Shari came to visit and we didn't get much time together because of the illnesses. Fortunately our plan for an early birthday party for Bryan worked out and we were able to have my whole family here on Friday night. We'll be heading down to Indy for Memorial Day weekend so we'll be able to make up the lost time then. Here Bryan is checking to see if Grandma left him any frosting.

Our "almost" 3 year old with his monkey cake.

Alivia and Ashlynn were very willing to help with the unwrapping of the gifts. Here Alivia seems to be more interested in the wrapping paper than what is actually in the box.

Loving a Superman card from Grandpa and Grandma.

Any picture of Grandma during the evening would be likely to include at least one of her grandchildren.

James and Bryan enjoying the new toolset. Boys will be boys.

Shari and her little buddy.

Elizabeth is ready to hit a home run. She was heard saying that she's very upset to be a girl because it lessens her chances of playing baseball and football.

It's no wonder that these two are mistaken for twins every once in a while.

We love the opportunities that they have to play together even though they are few and far between. We love you, Alivia and James (and Shari and Stephen), and we'll see you in just 2 weeks!!!!