First Day of School and 30 Years Old

Summer wrapped up in a big way for Lowell.  He had what is hopefully his last first day of school ever - as he started his MBA program.  And he wrapped up his 20s.  His 30th birthday was September 10th - sheesh he is old.  ;)

Ready to head out the door on his first day.  Tanner was super happy to be awake.

Lowell requested a pretty low-key 30th Birthday.  He was scheduled to run a marathon the Saturday before, however came down with a horrible flu and was confined to bed with a fever.  I don't think I have ever seen him that sick before.  He had to delay his marathon - luckily they were able to push his registration to next year.   In an effort to spoil him, I (along with family members) came up with 30 memories and accompanying presents.  Tanner was SO excited for his dad to get home so we could open the presents. In fact, Tanner keeps talking about birthday parties and birthday cake.  I have to assume it came from Lowell's birthday.

We ran out of wrapping paper - so he got diaper boxes for the last two.  That is how we roll around here.  Please note Spencer's location.

Opening the gifts.  Spencer just couldn't stand being left out of the action, he has become quite the daredevil. 

Finally, he got to his dad.

 And the culminating gift...I threw Lowell a surprise "virtual" party, meaning I sent out an email requesting birthday wishes from family and friends (pretty much anyone in Lowell's email account that I recognized the name got an email).  He was so surprised and declared it to be his best birthday present ever.  Thank you everyone that contributed!!

See the joy in his face? 

After unwrapping 30 gifts we had two tired boys so they were put in bed.  I surprised Lowell by attempting to make homemade tortillas along with a Cafe Rio inspired dinner.  He requested Coconut Cream Pie for dessert and thanks to the freezer department and Marie Callendars - that request was granted.

Happy Birthday Lowell!

Thank you for being such an amazing husband and father.  You truly inspire me everyday.  

Love, 

Elise

Tanner and the Fridge

Tanner likes to explore.  And he likes to cook.  And he has learned how to open the fridge. This makes for some interesting discoveries on my behalf if he is left to his own devices for too long.  One day he decided he needed some milk.  So he found a bowl, got the milk and filled the bowl to the brim, then got a spoon to stir it so he was "cooking."  

Caught red-handed.  Putting the milk away upon discovery.

Running to get a spoon to stir.  I am amazed that with a mostly full cartoon of milk he spilled so little.

 Another day I had just purchased a cartoon of 18 eggs.  I put them in the fridge and went upstairs to check on Lowell (he had been super sick and feverish all day).  Tanner came bounding up the stairs with a cartoon of 4 eggs (wait I thought there were 18 in that package) and tried to break one in his hand in front of me.  I went running to the kitchen and found the other 14 eggs.  For the record, I think eggs are some of the hardest things to clean up - they just move around and are slippery!  That mess took an entire roll of paper towels and a very long time to clean. 

14 eggs crushed with his bare hands

He is also known to get the chocolate sauce, lime juice, and lemon juice and squirt them in his mouth at various times throughout the day.

His new favorite thing?  He gets the cartoon of strawberries out of the fridge and takes bites out of each strawberry before he puts them back.

Please note the strawberry container

You might ask, "Why don't you get a fridge lock?"  My answer:
1. Our fridge is crammed in there pretty tight so normal fridge locks won't work. 
2. As much as I don't like cleaning up the messes, it is pretty humorous to see what this kid comes up with

3. I have hope that someday, hopefully soon, he might actually listen to me and not get in the fridge.  ;)