By the way, isn’t that smile one of the most captivating things you’ve ever seen? Combine it with the laugh and you’ve got two parents who ooze and gush with pride.

We had almost all of the family together. Once we got to the Easter egg hunt Maddox and I put our game faces on. I tried to coach him up and let him know that this was not the time to be nice and let other kids get all of the eggs. This was the time to go all out and show the other kids that he was a force to be reckoned with. It didn’t work.

He did exactly what he did last year. He casually walked from egg to egg (if someone didn’t beat him there), picked up the egg and inspected it, then gently placed it in his basket. He looked good doing it though.

Good times…definitely good times.

What most people may not know is that the parents of a tricycle owner typically get more of a workout than the actual tricycle owner when riding. You see, Maddox’s philosophy is…sit on the tricycle…hold the handlebars…and tell mommy and daddy “…this way…faster…no that way…” Regardless, our little man is the coolest cat on the block and makes the tricycle look even awesomer (no, it’s not a word but it should be).

Mommy is looking pretty good herself!

We bought him a bed, which we like to call the “big boy bed”. After he went to sleep we put it together and placed it by the tree. When he woke up Christmas morning he ran into our living room, paused, saw the bed, then ran and jumped on it…then started saying “my big boy bed…I wuv it”. It’s so amazing how something so simple can mean so much to a child. Being a parent can be a constant reminder of how we take things for granted at times.

Another big moment was getting him to sit in Santa Claus’ lap. He was excited about it until we got in line and saw Santa Claus. We, as any good parent would do, bribed him into following through. Once he sat in his lap he was good to go and even told Santa that he loved him.

Every moment was perfect!

By the way, the “big boy bed” is still practically brand new…but mommy and daddy’s bed has exceeded its’ capacity.

As far as the party went, the plan was to have some of the family over. To my surprise Jennifer thought she would be a little sneaky. While everyone depressed me more with a Happy Birthday song, Jennifer came from behind and ever so gently placed a pie on my face…oh wait, did I say ever so gently? Whatever! The pie reached speeds up to 35 mph when it hit my face…causing discomfort (especially in the nose area) for days after.

Her birthday is right around the corner!

Maddox got lots of cool things…guitar, harmonica, swing set, motorized golf cart, table and chair set, and toys, toys, toys galore! It is now unofficially Toys-r-Us at our house

The random pic of Jarod and Maddox in the big box was from Pee-paw and Ray putting together Maddox’s new swing set that he got.

I can’t believe another year has past and our baby boy is another year older! Happy Birthday Buddy!!!

I’m not 100% sure where he inherited this trait from but the word is I’ve got some skills in this area. There might be a little truth to that…

The most incredible thing about this is seeing how our son is growing and learning. I’ve said this so many times and I’m sure I’ll say it 1,000 more times, but it seems like every phase of Maddox’s life is my favorite! Being a dad is the most rewarding feeling.

We also took a glass-bottom boat ride where we saw dolphins, sharks and sting rays…and Maddox even got to be the captain of the ship and drive for a while! Scary…I know.
The next day Will, Cole, Ray and myself all went para-sailing…which was so fun!

It was a great vacation that we will remember always!