35 Reasons Why I Love You

Every August 31st begins a week-long Team Cohen Birthday Extravaganza. (or as Ethan assumes, "Get through Daddy's birthday and celebrate me for a week straight.") This August 31st was a Saturday and Jon's first birthday that he could spend with the whole family without working! A fantastic, full day was planned and enjoyed, and Daddy was celebrated! Happy 35th Birthday, Jon!

Spencer and Ethan were up bright and early to spend as much special time with Daddy on his birthday as possible!

|             | ---- photography by Ethan

Gabi woke up, and we kept the party going!

The kiddos were super excited for Daddy to open the brand new backpack that they painted, colored, and decorated just for him.


Daddy opened a present from me with 35 reasons why I love him, including "You have an adorable tushy," "You scoop a LOT of cat litter," and "When I told you not to fall in love with me at 18 years old, you didn't listen."

Before we could start breakfast, we obviously had to have an impromptu dance party.

For the first special meal of the day, we made whole wheat pancakes WITH SPRINKLES!

Daddy got a little carried away with the pancake ingredients.

Daddy's Team Cohen Birthday Party was celebrated at Splash Shack, an indoor water park with tons of slides and no sunscreen required!

You would never believe that this little guy was hesitant at first.

The Team Cohen party continued with a nice, outdoor lunch at one of our favorite restaurants.

Post-nap birthday snuggles:

A whole bunch of surprises showed up later in the afternoon when the Cohans decided last minute to join the celebration and the Gildens showed up for the "surprise" birthday cake that no one saw coming.


Thanks to some pretty helpful surprise babysitters, Daddy and Mommy got to finish out the birthday celebration watching the beautiful sunset on a lake at a yummy restaurant and laughing hysterically at a comedy festival downtown. I'm gonna go ahead and declare birthday success!

August 2019

August came and went, and the fall will be here before we know it. We saw family, started school and new classes, and celebrated the beginning of our birthday extravaganza. Here's some of the captured moments:

Sibling Togetherness:

Gabi happily reading to her younger brother

got squash?

got pickles for breakfast?

day that ends in 'y'

doesn't seem safe, but it sure seems cute

The kiddos worked hard (and thoughtfully/creatively) on this Hot Wheels ramp.

(I'm not sure why cymbals are ever included with kids' instruments.)

The music school where Ethan will start taking classes had a grand opening, and we were excited to join the party!

School may be back in session, but Texas is still having summertime.

He's a nut.

After 4 heads got checked for lice, 2 heads got treated, and the house had just about been throughly scorched, it was time for ice cream!

after ice cream

This big guy is getting VERY excited about an upcoming birthday!

(I wish I could claim that most "special Mommy time" doesn't include some frozen treat, but that wouldn't exactly be honest.)

(I loved these pictures that school shared with us.)

Whoops.

When Spencer's cute, he's CUTE.


Spencer turned 2.5 on August 24. Little peanut is hanging strong in the 3rd% in height at 33.25 in and weighing in at 24 lb 15 oz, 4th%. It's gonna be great.

at least he doesn't lie?

This month, we started emphasizing that Gabi turn off her lamp before she falls asleep.

So far, first grade looks pretty good on her.

Graham and Gabi enjoyed a special "big kid playdate" that is very rare in a world with siblings.

Thanks to the amazing generosity of neighbors in our local "Buy Nothing" group, Gabi's room is now the proud setting of the perfect desk and chair.

finding out about the surprise

all set up and ready to work!

And last but not least,  the two who started it all, just a little rougher around the edges.

(And of course, the often neglected other pair that have been around from the start, doing their best to keep up with the ever-changing chaos.)