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To one surprisingly strong little guy who likes rearranging our kitchen stools!

To one very "agreeable" boy, as a friend described it, whose sadness can turn quickly to a smile when a "new idea" is offered to you.

To one funny babe who apparently likes his own jokes, when you are off by yourself repeating "your lines" and smiling.

To one smooth dancer, moving arms, waist, knees when a groovy tune comes on!

We adore you!

Happy 1st Birthday, AD!

[with your first horse]

[playing shapes today with sis]

[your giddy-up birthday cake]

[your precious lullaby book written and made by Grandma]

[birthday cards from cousin B and J]

[and one from cousin M, too]

[opening gifts]

[with sisters and cousins]

[And captured a mild version of AD's dance moves before this day came to a close.]

Alphabet Country

Inspired by Alphabet City and a couple other sources throughout the last couple years, I had been looking forward to taking H downtown on an alphabet hunt, and I'd still love to.

But downtown is not as easily accessible as walking out our backdoor.

This week when a friend came over with her 4 and 6 year old, we hiked around our home for letters in a tree branch, in the cracks of the driveway, in the front grill of our little John Deere... These three young ones discovered some creative finds with not a letter missing, NEARLY worthy of their OWN book or alphabet art poster.

42

42 reasons you are special to us.
Once one gets going it is hard to narrow it down.
I guess there is always next year and 365 days in between.

[Kind words from loved ones near & far where added to the mix.]

The girls helped clean-up shop after the batter was in the oven.

This bad boy took TWO batches of frosting:

And to give the girls a smile, Espi requested these:

Frosting called for clean up time AGAIN:

Only for you, Birthday Boy. And this traditional Spanish tripe dish is known for curing hangovers. I have NO doubt that it scares the symptoms right out of a person! (Tripe is hard for me to swallow.) So glad you enjoyed this taste of "home" though:

[Celebrating Daddy and enjoying all the kitchen work.]

Happy 42, Espi!

We love you.


[Me: "Everyone, look at Mom!"::Little A: "Mooooo"::Camera: "Click."::Little A: "ooooom!"]