So, today after supper we decided we would take Isaac and Grace to the playground. We stopped at one in a neighboring town, one we had never been to before. It was so fun... Isaac is so much braver this year then he was last. He climed on a set of rainbow monkey bars (that's the best way I can describe them) that had a pole in the middle and he slid down it. He still shows his timidness, but is overcoming it each day. We were all having a grand ol' time running between the slides, the swings, etc. I spied the teeter totter and thought how fun it would be to go on again. So, I called Francis over and we did the whole "snoopy, snoopy let me down... what will you give me charlie brown?" thing. Of course, by then Isaac and Grace wanted in on the action and we thought, well, why not? BAD idea. Isaac sat with Francis and I held onto Grace. Everything was going great until it was our turn to go into the air. Well, we went up quick, bumped a little and because I was holding her on my left leg it was enough to throw me off balance. I started screaming to Francis to put us down, but he couldn't because he had put his legs out straight in front of him and wasn't able to get the leverage to get us down. The only other thought in my mind as we were falling was to not fall on Grace. We did fall, and we fell hard. Even though I've lost almost 40 pounds I'm still a big girl! :) Somehow (I know God had His hand right there), I managed to roll enough onto my side and back that I took the brunt of the landing... and I am feeling it. Grace only has a scratch on her leg from getting caught between me and the handle of the teeter totter. I hit my shoulder and head pretty hard on the ground, but my worst injury has to be my right leg. Because I was trying so hard to stay on the teeter totter, I ended up pulling my hamstring. Thankfully, I am able to walk and Trainer Nah (aka Jessie) says I will be sore, but fine in a few days/weeks. So, the lessons we have learned: We aren't getting any younger, though we are getting smaller :) No more re-living childhood experiences (at least with Isaac and Grace around), and that God is good and He watches over us even when we aren't very smart :)
This is the cake I made for Grace's birthday party. I think it looks pretty good, and you may too, until you know that it was supposed to be twice as wide and have Elmo on the other end. I had completely frosted Elmo's head and was getting ready to put on his eyes when the entire head began to crumble into pieces. There was no saving it, even though I tried. It was a little frustrating, but it turned out well in the end. Grace did ask where Elmo was, though, because she has seen him before he fell apart. :) 
Thankfully Cookie Monster survived and we were able to enjoy him later. We had a lot of fun with our friends over again, and enjoyed our night of pizza together. Grace loved having everyone sing Happy Birthday to her again. Another birthday gone by and one more to go on the 30th! I'm not sure I can handle one more cake!!! :)
Okay... I know I've eluded to it several time in the last few days... but TODAY is the day. 4 years ago, my Isaac was born. It is hard to believe how quick it has gone. No longer is he a helpless baby, dependent on me for his every need. Now he is a fun, energetic little boy who still needs his momma, but can do so much for himself. He will forever be my baby boy... but as each year goes by I am excited to see the changes he goes through. Each new day he is learn and exploring the world around him. This new year he will venture off to preschool.... how am I going to do this? Letting him go... that has to be one of the hardest things to do, but I know that it is all a part of life, a part of allowing him to be independent, allowing him to be himself, allowing him a chance to do things apart from us, allowing him to grow. So, today, we cherish the moments we have with him, the times to hold him, cuddle him, and love him... knowing in our hearts that all too soon we will have to let him go his own way. Happy Birthday, Isaac!!! :)
Whew... I did it... I actually did it. I almost can't believe it. Isaac absolutely loved his cake. At first he didn't like the idea that we were going to eat it... but when the time came he was all about having some. In fact, he wanted a piece of the Oil car, Thomas, and then the Troublesome truck (in that order). He had so much fun today. This morning he got up and was surprised by all of the decorations we had put up after he went to bed last night. There were streamers and balloons and pictures of Thomas all over the kitchen. The real fun came just before supper time when the real party began. It was really only our normal pizza night with our friends from church except for all the decorations, cake, and presents. But, that was enough for him. We debated about having a "real" party with more of his friends (from MOPS, too), but I'm glad we stayed small. It was a lot of fun and we all had a great time. The kids played pin the #1 on Thomas and ran around playing with the balloons we had blown up. They had fun watching as Isaac opened his presents and they all ate enough pizza and cake!!! :) It was a fun, though exhausting day. But it was all worth it to see the joy on Isaac's face! :) 
Tomorrow is Isaac's birthday party. I can't believe he will be 4 years old on Sunday *sigh*... but that is for another day :) Tonight I have been working on his cake for tomorrow. I have spent the better part of the late afternoon, evening, and up until now baking and freezing and frosting his cake. I'm tired... but I think the effort is going to 
