Two

I remember April 28, 2011 very well.  A little boy named Palmer Stephenson Halman was born in what was my easiest labor and delivery out of all 4.  He took it easy on me then because now Palmer has me on my toes 24/7.  He is such a loving little toddler but is constantly on the move.  Since the day he took his first steps at 9 months old he hasn’t stopped.  Since turning two he has needed stitches on his left eyebrow (which we didn’t know until the next morning that he had sliced it open and so it already closed), needed stitches inside his mouth on his bottom lip (which the Dr. refused to do because it’s such a traumatizing experience so he will just live with the scar), and has been saved by a lifeguard because apparently ISR lessons do not work on zero entry pools.  Oh boy, mamma has had a few heart attacks with lil Palmer but I love his on-the-move personality and especially his drooly kisses he gives me daily. 

Palmer woke up on his second birthday knowing it was his special day.  We had cupcakes for breakfast and spent the day at the zoo celebrating his turning two.  He loved all the animals except the dinosaur exhibit.  That may have traumatized him just a tad.  Then we continued the celebration at Coach and Gigi’s with dinner, cake, and a walk to the marsh.  It was the perfect day for such a perfect little boy!

(The resemblance is uncanny)

Happy 2nd Birthday, P-Nut!  Your big brown eyes and bright smile light up our world.  Your little giggle, your drooly chin, your food stained clothes, and tan little feet are just some of the things I never want to forget about you at this age.  You are the absolute best and we love you so very much! 

At Two:

Palmer loves playing in the hose, swimming at the pool, zooming down the sidewalk on his scooter bare foot, raspberries, applesauce, yogurt, pizza, his piggy, having mommy kiss his boo boos, copying whatever Isla and Leo do or say, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, choo choo trains, and reading books at night.  And we love every little thing about him!

Six

Isla Shea Halman celebrated her sixth birthday on April 26th, 2013.  Our first born, our only girl, our angel baby who made us parents, is 6!  A part of me can’t believe it but another part of me knows it’s true.  Although the past 6 years have flown by they have also been filled with a love and happiness that only 6 years can bring.  So we celebrated that day and we celebrated big!!!  She wanted to have dinner at Carrabbas and to light a sky lantern off at the beach…

The sky lantern didn’t happen as the wind was having a party too but the beach trip was perfect just as it was…

Isla, you will never know the depth of our love for you.  You teach us, love us, and remind us that every day is special and meant to be lived to the fullest like you do every day.  In your 6 short years you’ve already learned so much and have the most beautiful soul any little girl could have.  We love you, angel!  Happy Birthday Isla Lou! 

At Six:

Isla loves putting on makeup and dressing up in princess dresses or fancy dresses any time of day.  Her favorite colors are purple and pink together or blue by itself.  She will eat all foods finally but really enjoys garden salads with ranch at restaurants.  She takes care of her brothers and dresses them for the day every morning.  She loves reading and writing in her journal and doing school workbooks.  Isla reads at a fourth grade level and would be just fine starting 5th grade next year.  But our little Kindergarten Grad. needs to slow down a little bit.  We want to keep her young and innocent for a while longer.  

Disney Day Trip

Our first one with 4 babies and it was no different than any other time.  I think Disney was made for us.  Even though we’ve been so many times, each time brings new adventures and discoveries and the kids can’t get enough.  It truly is our ‘happiest place on earth’ aside from our home. 

This time our new adventure was eating dinner in Belle’s Ballroom at the Beast’s Castle in Fantasyland.  I made reservations for this 6 months ago because it’s new and ever popular.  The castle was incredible and inside was the West Wing and Ballroom and both were awesome.  We sat in the ballroom because there is thunder in the West Wing and that doesn’t go over well with our babies.  The room was very cozy with ‘snow’ falling outside the dark windows and candlelight everywhere.  Isla, of course, loved every second.  The food was French inspired and delicious.  The napkins were rolled into red roses and Isla was even served ‘grey stuff’ (mousse) at the end of the meal.  (It’s from the movie when they say, “Try the grey stuff, it’s delicious, don’t believe me?  Ask the dishes!)  Such a fun experience!

Meeting the Beast was a bit traumatic but I couldn’t resist posting this picture!  Classic!

Easter

(First in a series of blog posts…time to play catch up)

A glimpse of our Easter 2013 Holiday: 

Coloring the eggs this year was a little bit of a challenge.  Out of the 18 eggs we started with I think only 2 were left intact.  The kids enjoyed themselves anyways and really that’s all that matters. 

Our first Easter in this house was wonderful.  The tradition of taking pictures before church Easter morning lives on and even though it’s not beneath the shade of our old Camphor tree I think the second best thing is a peaceful pond backdrop…

(Hart was taking his morning nap during these)

It makes me smile when I look back on our previous Easter pictures.  We have added a new baby almost every year.  Love it! 

Here’s our little sweet Hart on his first Easter.

The egg hunt took place in our front yard.  Isla was on a mission to find the eggs filled with money inside, Leo was an expert at finding the ones hidden the best, and Palmer would find one, open it up and eat the candy before moving on to the next.  It was a sight to see.  

(Isla didn’t find any cash in hers)

But candy makes anything better!  It was a sweet Easter for sure!