Birthday Party!

We had a wonderful time celebrating Wiley's 5th birthday back in May (and in London). We had a bit of an "old-fashioned" (read: low-key, low maintenance) birthday party in our across-the-street garden. Thankfully, the weather cooperated, and it was really a nice day to be outside. Here are a few highlights.

Wiley and one of his best friends, Fabian along with F's brother Kit and sister Imogen. They lived above us for a little while. Unfortunately, they moved outside of London last summer, but we still kept up. They are our best "English" friends and were sweet to drive up for the afternoon and stayed for birthday dinner.

Back to the party--nothing better than a little pile-on action. Which of course ended in tears.

Playing duck-duck goose

Divine cake from Primrose Hill Bakery.

A little pinata action. Wil was in the danger zone to protect the other children (and grab the bat if someone got carried away).

Red rover! No broken arms, thank goodness!

And finally, back to the beginning of our morning--Wiley with all of the Toy Story gang. He got Jessie, Slinkdog, and RC Car.

Five Cakes

Here's a little look back at Wiley's past birthdays! I can't believe we are celebrating #5 today!

Turning 4 in London with a bouncey castle and cupcakes (and military style haircut)!

Turning 3 at Wake Forest with all of our lovely college friends.

Animal cake to celebrate birthday number 2 on Davis Field.

Our first birthday at Crowne Polo with a smash cake that ended up all over his face!

Ready to go home from the hospital wearing his Daddy's outfit.

May 1, 2006. What an amazing day and incredible blessing from Him. We are so grateful for Wiley's life and cannot wait to watch him continue to grow up.

Four

I can't believe it. We have a four year old! We had a wonderful time celebrating yesterday with pancakes for breakfast with Allyson, a trip to Diggerland, and pizza and cake for dinner! Wiley loved playing with his new remote control helicopter too. I have only been hit by it once, and I am considering myself lucky. Both Wil and Wiley are trying to earn their wings.

We started our morning lounging around after opening presents and having pancakes.

Counted how old Wiley is...

and took a group picture before leaving for the train station...

We took the train out to Diggerland. It is this small little park with just enough diggers and bumper cars to keep you busy but not overwhelmed. You can dig and move dirt, lift up (pretend) ducks, drive small ones, and go on a train. We could not imagine this ever happening in the States...too many lawsuits.

Scooping some dirt!

Driving the helicopter!
On Friday, we took brownies to Wiley's school to celebrate his birthday. We played games with the children, including Duck, Duck, Goose. Yes, I was even the goose. We loved having Allyson here to play and celebrate with us!

Happy Birthday Wiley!

Happy Birthday...Whew...

It is 9 pm. Wiley has just gone down. He did not take a nap today. We have been going going going. But what a WONDERFUL and FUN birthday for our little 3 year old! Here are a few pictures to share what we did!

Remembering...

Wiley will be 3 tomorrow, and we wanted to take a moment to remember some of our favorite "Wiley-isms" of the past 3 years.

- 1st word= "uh oh" (he had an early sense of irony)

- Dog = "guh-guh"

- Airplane = "go's"

- On his 1st birthday he reached for the lit candle on his little cake. Everyone yelled No! and Wiley proceeded to burst into tears.

- Movie = "ninnies"

- Memorable prayers in which we are thankful for poop.

- Pooping on the Watertower Field at Wake (see above).

- "Ms. Cold", "Mr. Eaff"

- "Oldy, Oldy, Oldy"

- Basketball = "da bia-bia ball"

- Remember = "Ne-member"

- "Mom, trust me on this."

- "It goes something like this..."

- Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band, one of Wiley's favorite songs which he sings as "Friday Night Friday Night"

- Dancing to Rolling on the River (Proud Mary)

- "Mark-n-Melvin"

- Watching Regis and Kelley with Mommy, Wiley, always the observer, says "Look Mommy, it's Mr. Sam." In fact, it was Russell Crowe. (You are welcome, Sam)

- Singing the song, Hot Dog Hot Dog Hot Diggity Dog.

- "Yeah...but we can't do it." (The negotiator)

- Recently, at Midtown, Wiley picked up a menu, opened it, and announced quite wisely: "Awww man... I can't read."

- Wil and Wiley are on campus at Wake on afternoon. At 5 p.m. the bells start ringing. Wiley says, "They are going to wake the Deacon up." (He believes the Deacon lives in Wait Chapel.)

- "You look wonderful."

There are so many memories that I don't want to forget of these first three years when so much has happened! What are your favorite "Wiley-isms?"



Wiley and his Senior Ladies of Wake.

Wiley and the boys