The Best Toy EVER!

Ah...the simplicities of life. Give a kid a cardboard box and he can do anything with it. Out of a cardboard box, Colin can:

1. Use it as a tunnel for his cars.

2. Make it into a jump for his cars.

3. Use it to keep his cars "warm" at night.

4. Hide Katie's dolls in it.

But best of all...give it to his dad, let him cut out a couple of eye holes in it, and you have "Robot Colin!"

Colin's Birthday

Colin turned 5 on January 13th. We took him to his favorite restaurant "Applebees" for dinner and let him open his presents that morning. Mike and I bought him a scooter and dominoes. The helmet and knee and elbow pads and Legos were from Grandma McCarthy; his Uncle Tim (Mike's brother) sent him a Yoda Might Mug; Aunt Amanda and Uncle Tyler got him a game. Since he was having a party that Saturday, I decided not to make him a cake, but bought a single serving size cake slice at the grocery store (best thing ever for our small family and it was plenty for the 4 of us!). The staff at Applebees sang "Happy Birthday" to him and he got a chocolate sundae for dessert. The next day Grandma and Grandpa Johnson came to visit from Twain Harte and spent the day with us. We went to the Sport's Park and Colin played at the playground and rode his scooter around. Then they took him to Target and bought him the "Moustrap" game. I think Colin just wanted the game for the silver marbles! He had a great 5th birthday.

Katie

Katie is just about 14 months old now. She is so independent and wants to be a "big girl." Katie started walking...complelety on her own without falling down about a week after her 1st birthday. She has really started to show her personality...uh...temperment. She started bringing me clean diapers and her wipes when she needs a change. She did this just today and she was, in fact, poopy. She is saying "thank you" now but she says it really fast and it sounds more like "dak-do." She follows directions very well and will do what whatever we tell her to do...whether it is to go to her room for a diaper change, or pick up toys, or give hugs and kisses before bedtime to everyone. She loves our dog and pets her any chance she gets. She even plays fetch with the dog and gives her treats from the pantry(needless to say that we have recently put a lock on this cupboard!). She is very good about playing with her toys, especially her doll house that she got for Christmas, her stroller that she will put all her baby dolls in, and pretending to feed her baby dolls with a bottle. Did I mention that she loves to go into Colin's room and get his underwear, try to put it on and then insist that I do it? You know I do! Katie also likes to pick out her own clothes to wear. The cutest thing she does is dance and clap to music. She is especially fond of classical music.

Now, the not so cute things that she does that really shows her temper (I blame it on the red hair): She will spring back flat on her back, basically knocking the wind out of herself if we tell her "no." She likes to knock her head into the walls, cupboards, floor when she doesn't get her way. She pounds on the fridge when she wants to eat, even if she just ate. She tried to bite me the other day, but after a fierce "no!" and a trip to her crib she doesn't do this anymore (thank goodness!).

I can't wait to see what the next 6 months will bring!

A Hairy Situation

Mike finally decided to buzz his hair. So this morning we blocked off the bathroom so the kids couldn't get in and I took the clippers to his hair and went to work. I think it looks good. No more "wispys" on top of his head. While I had the clippers out, I decided to take a whack at Colin's hair, too. I figured I saved about $25 on haircuts today!



Before...

After...

Happy Birthday Colin!

5 years ago on January 13th, Colin Brian McCarthy was born into our family. Here is a look back at Colin's first days of life and each birthday.

Newborn Colin. This picture speaks for itself...

I'll be brave and throw in a shot of me with Colin. What did you expect? This was after an intense and not so easy C-section followed by several hours of being incoherent from all the drugs to which I had a horrible reaction from that resulted in hours of vomiting!

Colin's 1st Birthday (love the hat, Mike!)

Colin at 2 years old

Last year our computer crashed and thankfully we backed up all our pictures, but have yet to put them back on our new computer. So that is why there are no pictures of Colin's 2nd or 3rd birthday. But here are a few from when he was 3 (almost 4 here). Spinnin' records with Uncle Tim...
Colin's 4th birthday (he was so sick last year. We just had cake and opened presents by ourselves)

Happy 5th birthday Colin! Thanks for being such a joy in our life and a great big brother to Katie. We love you!