Five

Wyatt, today you turn five years old! We're so excited to help you celebrate your special day. Mommy and Daddy prepared some fun things to greet you as you came downstairs in the morning...

We kept you home from school because you were sick, so you had a fun day of playing with your new play-doh garbage truck and helping make your birthday cake...

Later we had cake first and then headed to dinner at your choice of restaurants--Frisch's!

 

You've grown into quite the little man over the past year, Wyatt. Here are some fun facts about you...

• Your love of all things garbage is as strong as ever. You plan to grow up to be a Rumpke man. You practice your trash-can-emptying skills in the driveway almost every day. You help gather all the household trash and take it outside. When we are at a party you offer to throw away everyone's plates when they're finished (and sometimes when they're not). A funny thing is when we catch you "stalking" someone--watching them as they eat the last bites of food so you can swoop in and get their plate.
• You are Colby's best friend and mortal enemy at the same time. You guys can play and have fun together and scheme together like the best of buddies. You especially enjoy bonding over potty talk and fart noises (much to Mommy's dismay). You get very frustrated, though, when he bothers the toys that you're playing with. Hey, Colby didn't earn the title Dr. Destructo for nothing!
• You love school. Your teacher sent home a progress report that said you ask lots of questions. That's a wonderful thing! Your best friends at school are Ava, Adalynn, Riley and Brenna. Yes, all girls. 
• You're the BEST little helper, and you seem to be happiest when you have a job to do. From loading the dishwasher to folding the towels, you're a workhorse, for which we are eternally grateful!
• You're observant and inquisitive. If you wake up in the morning and Mommy has left a dish on the counter, you're very likely to ask what was in it, who ate it, where the food is now, and why it wasn't put in the sink. If the Rumpke man plan falls through, you'd make an excellent detective.
• Your favorite books are about the Berenstain Bears. Mamaw gave you several of Daddy's BB books from when he was a little boy, and you love to read them before bedtime. You also like Arthur books. We had a very interesting dicussion the other night about why the illustrations of Arthur are so different in his newer books. He looks a lot more like a human than he did in the first Arthur books.
• Your favorite TV show is Curious George. We watch so much of this show that Mommy has become obsessed with trying to mimic George's language. This highly annoys you.
• You love the color blue so much that you get furious when Daddy gives Colby a blue dinner plate and you get an orange one. It's like World War III.
• You're very affectionate. Mommy loves to be surprised by an "I love you" from you!
• You adore baby Jackson. Everything he does cracks you up! And you help calm him down when he gets upset in the car.
• Your favorite foods are:  Eggo blueberry waffles, chicken tenders/nuggets, ham sandwiches, and fortune cookies. It's all about the carbs around here.

We could go on and on, Mr. Wyatt. You're just so smart, cute and busy, and we're so thankful that you're ours. We love you very much!

September in Pictures

Wyatt started Pre-K three days a week. He loves being in Miss Amy's class with cousin Ava and his new pal, Brynna.

We had portraits taken with all three boys. Aren't they sweet?

This is what our living room looks like by 10 a.m. each day. No kidding!

 Wyatt did his first homework assignment, "All About Me".

Colby started gymnastics classes at the YMCA. He does a great job listening to his teacher, Miss Natalie, and he's a natural at all the physical challenges.

Jack checked out the Little Lion Activity Gym. It was a big hit with Wyatt and Colby when they were little, and he seems to like it, too. And of course once Jack's gym time is finished, at least one of his brothers has to lie down on the mat and do "tummy time" as well.

Jackson: One Month

Happy first monthday, Jackson! Your little personality is slowly revealing itself to us, and for the most part, you're a pretty easygoing little guy! You didn't even cry during your one-month photo shoot. What a good sport!

 

This month you've become more alert. It's like you're emerging from your newborn fog. You look around when you hear voices, especially Wyatt's! You hold your head up pretty well, although you're still a little wobbly. Your newborn acne and peely skin have arrived in full force, and most of the hair on the front of your head fell out. Don't worry, though, you're still as cute as can be!

Your biggest brother still loves to hold you, although you're getting a little too large to be held for long! We estimate you're around 12 pounds now. Your little legs are chunking up, and those chubby cheeks are the best!

We're so happy you're here, Jack, and we can't wait to see what the next month brings!

August in Pictures

Colby went to the dentist for the first time and he did a great job! No cavities and no tears!

We played with shaving cream. Wyatt wrote his name in it.

We went to Touch-a-Truck, and Wyatt was so excited to see a Rumpke truck up close.

Colby had fun checking out the cab of a real backhoe!

We made some guesses about how big Hunkerdinker would be and when he might arrive.

We also made some onesies for him. Wyatt made the soccer one and Colby made the spider one.

Jackson was born! How cute is that little baby burrito?

We did marble painting, and the boys really got into it!

Here's Colby rolling his marble around.

Mr. Jack did some tummy time. He actually rolled over immediately after lying down, but he hasn't repeated that feat.

Wyatt played his very first soccer game! He played goalie for one quarter and he stopped the ball!

This is what weekends look like. Daddy and his helpers are working on a Lego pirate ship.

Jackson screamed through his first bath. Not a fan of water!

Wyatt made a giant Play-doh road.

Jack discovered that hands are fun to suck on.

Wyatt and Colby played together for a long time under the pine tree. They were collecting cicada shells and, of course, putting them into a trash can.

Such a handsome little guy!

Jackson at Home

Yes, like Wyatt and Colby, he got his own name hat.
 

Wyatt still loves to hold him. 

Colby does, too, but never for more than 30 seconds at a time.  :)

 

Sometimes he fusses...

...but mostly he is a squishy lil ball of sweetness.

And while most people say Jackson resembles Wyatt the most, check out newborn Colby...

Jackson is Here!

Jackson Henry Hickle

Friday, August 9, 2013

11:59 p.m.

8 lb., 13.6 oz.

22 inches

Precious in every way, he is so loved.

July in Pictures

We got a new playset! The boys couldn't wait to play on it the minute it was installed. Colby went for the swing and Wyatt climbed into the second story.

What says summer more than popsicles with your favorite cousin?

Colby loves to build. Here he is next to a Magna-tile creation.

He also likes to make silly faces for the camera. Look at his big blue eyes!

Our usually camera-shy Wyatt joined in on the silly-face fun.

We went to the County Fair at the end of the month. Wyatt liked petting the pigs. Colby was a little uncertain.

Wyatt rode the kiddie car ride and somehow wound up sitting between two little ladies.

Colby had fun riding the carousel with Daddy.

Daddy made a blanket fort for the boys to lie under while watching a show.

Wyatt went to his first soccer practice!

We had a laid-back 4th of July. While the rain poured down outside, we enjoyed ice cream with sprinkles inside.