The Noble Family: Ethan's 4th Birthday

My Mom was on Winter break last week, so she was here all week long. It was fabulous! Mark and I had Valentine's Day date night with a free babysitter! That Monday evening, we had a Paris Party at a friend's house. There are 12 of us here from Memphis going to Paris with a group from Georgia (well, actually just a few from GA now and some from Nashville and Chattanooga). So we got together to discuss the trip and eat some wonderful food. Mark started baking and making his pastry dough on Sunday. Monday morning he started in the kitchen and didn't turn the oven off until we walked out the door at 6pm to go to the party. His class at Viking paid off!

Thursday (the 19th) was Ethan's 4th birthday. I know people say this all the time, but seriously, where does the time go? It seems just like yesterday Mark and I were at the hospital when Allie was born....now she's 5 1/2 (Ethan's birthday is her half birthday). Anyways, he's such a fun and loving child and Mark and I enjoy being around him. He loves preschool and has quite the imagination. We are so blessed with an extremely healthy and happy little boy! Mom read to his preschool class that day - "Drummer Hoff", one of his favorites. That evening, we picked Ro Ro up at the airport. Mark was at work that night, but we started celebrating Ethan's birthday.

Friday morning we met some of his friends at Chuck E Cheese! It's so nice going there during the week when no one is there. The kids had a great time - and so did Mark and Ben. They had so much fun that Mark missed Ethan blowing out the candles on his cake.....well, he missed the first couple of times....Nona and Ro Ro left a little early to get the cake and run a few errands. I called them and asked them to pick up candles too - Ro Ro ran in a store and grabbed some. Well, she grabbed the trick candles, but we didn't know it until they kept relighting. It was seriously the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. Ethan did not know what to think. We had a great time!

It's always so nice to have Nona and Ro Ro here with us - it's even nicer when they're here at the same time! Happy Birthday to our Ethan!

Chocolate Eclairs filled with vanilla pastry cream

Prosciutto and Parmesan palmieres (puff pastry dough)

Almond palmieres

This is an outfit I made Nina for Valentine's Day - she was showing it off.

Ethan playing in preschool

Nona reading to Ethan's class

Ethan showing Nina the birthday chair that he got to sit in

Ethan showing off his birthday hat and shirt (Ro Ro had the shirt made for him)

Happy Birthday to you!

Can you tell I couldn't find my candles....thus the tea lites!

Nona and Ro Ro with Ethan and Nina

The kiddos enjoying pizza at Chuck E Cheese

Any excuse for Mommy to get a Cookie Cake! Although, they didn't quite follow all of my instructions - I asked for more chocolate icing. Oh well, still incredibly good!

Ethan blowing his candles out

He literally took a huge step back as they re-lit. It was hysterical!

Having cake with Gracie and Macie

Nina and Sydney are serious about their cake

Playing some skeeball!

Ethan and Macie Mae loved playing air hockey together

Ethan loved the Monster Truck, but Gracie wasn't so sure about it

Trying to get a group shot....after 4 hours at Chuck E Cheese wasn't the best time...Sydney wasn't happy when the Mouse started talking behind her. Gracie wouldn't sit on the stage because of the Mouse.