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It was monkey madness at the Dykes Family household last weekend as we celebrated Cole’s 1st birthday with a monkey themed party.  This was a bigger party for Cole and invited the rest of the family to help celebrate Cole’s big day.  I went a little bananas finding all things monkey and ended up buying everything you could think of online. 

I made Cole a personalized birthday banner using good old Martha Stewart tools and ideas. 

I decorated the tables with what else, monkeys, bananas and palm trees. 

I made favor paper bags that resembled monkeys. 

Cole even had a special monkey T-shirt….

With his name on the back.

The kids saw that we set up kiddie pools in the back yard and couldn’t hardly wait until they were finished eating so that they could splash in the pools.

We also laboriously filled 100 water balloons so that the kids could play a water balloon toss game.  They ended up just throwing them at the walls and plants and such.  Kids love water balloons.

Cole found one and it sprung a leak.

Nice water fountain Cole!

The kids were excited about what was next.  They had their bags ready for….

The pinata!!!  And what do you think it was?  That’s right.  A monkey of course.  The pinata was a pull string kind and ended up being a dud so Carson gladly volunteered to whack it with a broom stick. 

It was time for cake and Cole was ready in his high chair.  At first Cole was scared because everyone was staring at him waiting for him to do something.

But then he realized that big white thing was made of sugar!  He didn’t have any problems after that.

The day we celebrated Cole’s birthday happened to be on Yaya’s actual birthday.  We surprised her with a pink daisy cake.

You look fabulous Yaya in your pink boa, tiara, and flashing margarita eyeglasses.

What do you think the kids did after cake?  More pool time!  It was a great way to wash away all that cake from Cole’s little body.

It was time to open gifts and Grace taught Cole her special technique of ripping all the paper off as fast as you can.

By the end of the night we were all zonked.  Daddy was passed out early on the floor.

Grace found a perfect spot under the table.

Cole says quit monkeying around.  I’m outta here!

Since Cole is still a new walker he bumps into things around the house.   A lot.  With every new day, comes a new bump. 

Like this one he got while bumping into the door jamb the day before he was suppose to get pictures taken. 

It’s the big purple bump on his forehead, the scratch was from another time when he head butted the cement patio.  My little Bruiser.

Cole is starting to really understand what we’re saying and can do simple commands like “give it to me” and “out of your mouth!”.  Those are pretty common in our house. 

But a cute thing he’s been doing is going night night on command.  As soon as you say it, he will gently put his head down like he’s sleeping and even lets out a little sigh.

He will do it anywhere from on the big couch to Gracie’s couch….

To the ottoman.

Who’s the big boy?

I am, I am!

I can’t believe that a year ago Cole was new to our family.  He’s fit in quite well.  This year has honestly gone by faster than any year I can remember.  So I am both a little sad that he’s already 1 but at the same time so proud of my little guy.   

Last weekend, Yaya and Papa came up to watch the two kids for us while Dan and I went to a friend’s wedding.  The next day we decided to have a small family party at our house to celebrate Cole turning the big 1.  In true grandparent fashion, they came bearing gifts for Cole.  Yes, more balloons.

He also received his favorite thing in the whole world.  A sand box.  A sand crab box to be exact.  He knew exactly what it was as soon as he saw it.

Both Cole and Grace love playing in the sand.  It’s the perfect present for him.

The day of the party, Ava visited and all three of them jumped right in.

So what kind of treat did Cole eat for his 1st birthday?  Since we’re having another bigger family party in a few weeks we decided to get him a small cupcake to eat.  But this one was very special.  It was an ice cream cupcake.  Yummo!  Cole is trying so hard to reach that cupcake.

Wow, Cole, you sure know what to do with that thing.  You truly are my son.

Um, you’ve got a little something on your face there buddy.

Nope.  Still there.  Oh well, that’s what baths are for.

Happy Birthday Cole Bear.

I’m really infatuated with coffee cups or any cup for that matter because I always think there’s a milkshake involved.  So when my mom gave me my first latte, I couldn’t believe my lucky stars. 😉

This stuff is so good I can see why people are addicted to it.

What?  Would you like a taste?

Just a little sip……

Because the rest is for me!

CHEERS!

The sun is finally shining and June gloom seems to have burned off.  And that means lots of outdoor activities.  Since I’ve had kids, I find myself going to the park a lot these days.  Luckily for us, we live in a great community that has several different kinds of parks.  This particular weekend we went to the park three times.   

We have your standard park with swings and playground equipment.  Grace loves to swing.  In fact she could swing the entire time she was there if I let her.   

Cole on the other hand can only sit in the seat for a few seconds.

He prefers feeling the ground under his feet.  I can see you.

He also likes the train with a tunnel running through it. 

Watch out Cole!  That kid is gonna get you!

We also have parks at the beach.  This one is Grace’s favorite.  Surprise, surprise, Grace is on the swing again.  

This playground has a tunnel too for Cole.

Hurry Mom, take the picture!

We also went to another park that weekend.  A water park near Lake Casitas.  The kids loved it.  Grace couldn’t get enough of the slide. 

She went down that thing over and over again. 

Cole was just happy in Mommy’s arms. 

Life is good.

Everytime we get a new box in our house Grace and Cole must ride in it.  Grace loves to push Cole around our house like he’s in a race car. 

It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.

Actually, I think he liked crashing and burning. 

As I posted in Grace’s blog we went to the La Habra Children’s Museum and Crystal Cove recently.  Even though Cole is only 11 months, he seems to take it all in and enjoys new experiences. 

At the museum, Cole got to push around a mini shopping cart.  Too cute. 

I wonder if he knows that those veggies are fake.

Can’t leave the museum without a carousel ride. 

In the same room was bus that was cut in half to fit into the room.  Last stop, La Habra.

The driver on the bus says “Move on back, move on back”. (Nice mustache Daddy)

A blue cow?!  What the?  No Cole, cows are normally black and white. 

Cole is really enjoying ride-em toys right now. 

While at Crystal Cove, Daddy took Cole to discover the tidepools. 

Daddy is pointing to a crab. 

It’s cold out here!  Gotta run!

Hey everybody!  Haven’t you heard?  I’m going to Las Vegas!  My big sister Grace is teaching me how to say “Vegas Baby!” and I’m all packed and ready to go.

I did so many things like hitting the pool.  My chin was shivering but I didn’t care.  My floaty thingy is super duper.

But I liked snuggling with Mommy best.  She kept me nice and warm.

I also got to play with Grace and Ava a lot. 

Grace was teaching me how to use her lacing cards.  She’s shares so well.

Until I take the card she has right out of her hands.  She doesn’t like it when I do that.

We ate at some great places including these things called buffets.  My mommy fed me so many different types of food.  I also like to feed people.  Grace was hungry so I gave her some of my french fries. 

The trip home wasn’t so bad because I had a long two hour nap.  When we got to Yaya and Papa’s house Grace and I needed a snuggle.

I miss Vegas already.

Cole loves cats.  Our cats to be exact.  Because they hang out outdoors Cole doesn’t get to see them much which is probably why he is so obsessed.  When we picnic in the front yard Lola, our oldest cat, joins us for the fun in the sun.  That’s when the cat hunting begins.

“There she is.  I must move swiftly but quietly.”

“Check out my ninja style.”

“Why does she keep running away from me?  Here, kitty, kitty.”

“Finally in my grasp.  I want to hug her, and kiss her and squeeze her forever.”

“I wonder what cat tastes like.”