Noah loves to watch Super Why on PBS, so for his birthday his friends Hailey and Hannah got him a Super Why doll that talks and sings. He loves this thing and carries it around everywhere! This morning while eating breakfast, Noah danced along with Super Why. Thanks, friends!!
On the program, Wyatt (Super Why) has a brother named Jack…maybe I’ve been watching too much TV that it influenced us in naming our boys!
With Noah’s birthday being on Sunday, we started his birthday festivities today with formal pictures at the mall (stay tuned for those!). Then this afternoon, Noah and I went up to Reunion Hall to have some Birthday Cake Ice Cream and play on the playground. I don’t remember the last time he had ice cream, so I can see why he was so surprised when he realized it was COLD! It didn’t take Noah long to warm up to it, though 
Wow, that’s COLD!
(Notice Thomas had to come with us to get ice cream!)
Noah liked to dip the cone in the ice cream and lick it off
He figured out that the cone was yummy, too!
I can’t wait to see what he thinks of his birthday cake on Sunday!
Don’t tell those child labor law people, but I’m loving that I can put Noah to work around the house now that he understands what needs to be done. He “helps” with so many things, dusting, dishes, laundry…even cooking dinner!
Noah helps with laundry by putting his trains on top of the hamper and rolling it around.
(He got a balloon at Nordstrom earlier in the day, so he carried it around on top of the hamper)
Noah helps cook lunch by pulling a chair in front of the oven to watch the pizza bake
(He’s telling me it’s hot – don’t touch!)
Crushing the crackers for the meatloaf really was a big help
I just had to watch him with that hammer!
Noah got a set of instruments from Grandma Nancy and Grandpops for Christmas. He LOVES music and is working on starting a rock band. Yes, I am doing you a favor by not putting a video of the music these guys made – let’s just say we’ll continue to hold practice
Noah loves the trumpet – Pacey hides.
You can tell he’s concentrating when the tongue comes out!
Who ever knew Daddy was so musical?
Wow, I can make a lot of noise with this!
Thanks so much for my new instruments, Milwaukee G-Parents! I’ll work on playing a special song for you 
Last weekend, we went to Monkey Joe’s with some friends to get the kids out of the house and let them burn some energy. Noah had so much fun bouncing around and going on the slides with Daddy.
Noah had fun in the play area specifically for toddlers
Living on the wild side…going down slides head first!
And then Noah realized there were bigger slides!
Daddy was scared…he needed me to hold him!
It’s quite a hike to the top of the slide
Everyone loves a good action shot!
Saturday was a rainy day. Noah took the rain coat and rain boots he got from Aunt Marge and went splashing through the puddles. Like the bike, Noah had to test drive his new stuff inside first. Because he was a little apprehensive about the boots, we showed him pictures of firemen with boots, and now he thinks they’re terrific!
Noah loves to help out with the dishes! We thought maybe wearing his rain coat would prevent so many wardrobe changes.
I love my new rain gear!
Puddles are for stomping!
We’re not quite sure why he feels he needs to hold his arms out…
Daddy helping Noah so he doesn’t tumble down the hill
Noah got a bike for Christmas from Aunt Connie and company. He’s been “riding” it around the house for several days…
Noah’s first time on his tricycle
He doesn’t quite get what to do with his feet
Friday, the weather was nice enough for him to finally take the bike outside!
Stay tuned for tomorrow when the weather turns bad again…Noah will put another Christmas present to good use!
We really enjoyed spending Christmas with family. Of course we missed seeing the Fons/Fennig/Blumer Family, but they were in our hearts as we celebrated Christmas.
Mommy, Daddy and Noah on Christmas morning
Christy and Grandpa Phil
Mommy and Aunt Kim
Cousins Jon (13) and Hannah (7)
Aunt Regan (7)
Special time with Grandma Linda
Singing with Poppa Joe (Grandma Linda is “playing” the player piano)
Noah gave Great Grandma a picture of the two of them from her recent visit to Atlanta
Noah had a grand tour of Ohio in 6 short days. First we went to Columbus to visit Grandpa Phil, Christy and Regan. On Christmas Eve, we visited with Aunt Kim, Uncle Aaron (and extended family), Jon, Hannah, Grandma Linda and Poppa Joe. Christmas Day we went to Aunt Kim’s, back to Grandpa Phil’s for dinner and then visited with some of Grandpa Phil’s extended family in the evening. (Are you exhausted yet?!) The day after Christmas, we drove to Cleveland, where we saw Great Grandma Marbles (Grandma Linda’s mom) and family. Sunday we drove to Grandma Linda’s house in Dayton where we met with an old friend of mine (and saw some snow!), and Monday we drove back to Atlanta. Noah was a great sport through all of the travel; he slept well and was in good spirits the majority of the time. And we’re so thankful the weather allowed us to travel to all these cities!
Smiling at 5 AM
Still smiling when we got to Ohio, 9 hours (and only one nap) later
Enjoying a Tim Horton’s Bagel on the drive home
(They really need to get Tim Horton’s in Georgia!)
For Christmas Vacation, we went to Ohio to visit family. Noah had so much fun with his “Aunt” Regan (7) who spent a lot of time playing with Noah, showing him her old toys and teaching him how big kids eat.
Regan showed Noah how yummy it is to mix Mac & Cheese with baked beans!
Noah’s working hard to use his spoon
Noah wanted to share his water with Regan’s elf
When Noah bonked his head, Regan showed him how to put the ice pack on to make it feel better
Riding together in the car to visit cousins
Making music at Aunt Kim’s
We caught Regan sampling the cookies for Santa
No wonder the “Big Man” is so big – these cookies look good!
We had a lot of fun, Regan! Maybe you can come visit this summer!
More tomorrow on our Christmas trip…
