Andrew's 8th Birthday ~ Family day

 



Some of my favorite days of the year are my kids' birthday.  I love having a family celebration and spending time together and saying "yes" to things to which I would normally say "no."

 The birthday child gets to choose what to do on their birthday and Andrew chose to see a movie.  (I think it was Epic...this is the problem with updating my blog months after the fact!) 

Dan got off work early so that we could all go to the movie together.

 

This video game is always a draw when exiting the theater.  The kids always want to sit on the motorcycle and inevitably ask, "Can we play it."  And the answer is always "Not today."

Except on this day!  Being a Birthday and everything is just a little more special, it was nice to say, "Yes!"  Dan played a game of air hockey with the kids as well and then we headed out to Red Robin (Andrew's choice) for dinner.





The exciting thing is always the song and sundae ~ which we always pass around the table and share.  (I'm big on sharing ~ even on your birthday.  I think it helps nurture a generous heart.  But the birthday child always does eat first and the most).  :)

Then we went home for gifts and cake!






Andrew received a Lego Set and a head lamp ~ so that he could read in bed at night (which he uses every night!) and he was most excited to receive an ipod shuffle so that he could listen to music.





Then it was time for cake!

I did a quick cake for Andrew with a camo print I had ordered online and then when it came realized it was way too small and had to execute Plan B.  Andrew really wanted to use it so I did a little cake for him and he was thrilled.  It looked like a grocery store cake to me.  But as long as he was happy! :)





It was a very fun day celebrating our very special Andrew!

Matthew turns 10!

I always look forward to our family birthday celebrations.  The birthday child gets to choose what we do as a family as well as where they would like to eat for dinner and what they would like for dessert.

When I asked Matthew what he wanted to do he said, "Have a lazy day at home and then go somewhere fancy for dinner."
"Fancy?  Like where?"
"You know, someplace fancy.  Like Red Robin."

Sounded perfect to me!!



We opened gifts early in the day after our Disney surprise.  He didn't receive many gifts from us because he received a new bike!

We set it out while he was upstairs and then called him down.



He was really happy!

He also received a whole series of Star Wars Origami books and was really excited.

He stayed in his sweats all day.  He read, we played Clue, and he took his new ride for a spin.






He worked on putting his gift together from Grammie and Grandpa.



And took a picture with me.



We went to Red Robin....

 

When I asked him what he'd like for dessert his request was simply, a sundae at home.  (We don't count the Red Robin sundae as it is usually passed around the table for everyone to share).  His low maintenance birthday continued....

 

 

I was so grateful for Matthew's easy requests.  It was wonderful just having a quiet day at home with our family celebrating our sweet boy.

Happy Birthday, Matthew.  I hope this next year is extra fun for you!  We love you sooooo much!

39!

 

My self portrait at 39.

Thirty-nine.

Teetering on the precipice of 40.

It's an interesting experience getting older.  I remember my Dad saying to my Grandma Helen one day, who was in her 80s at the time, "There's a young lady inside those eyelids, isn't there, Helen?"

"Oh, yes."  She replied.

 That was really a learning moment for me.  One that I now feel I embody a bit.  I'm getting older, (not that I'm old by any means!  But looking 40 in the eye is a definite milestone!) and yet I don't feel mentally that I should be nearly 40.  Though I am noticing small things about my body that suggests I can no longer take health for granted...my hair falls out if I don't get enough Iron (I'm losing it again, to my dismay), my cholesterol continues to creep up and is on the verge of requiring medicine, after being nearsighted my whole life, I'm quickly losing my close up vision and it's harder to make the number on the scale budge downward...Some intentionality is definitely required.  And the need for that feels a little surreal as well.  Surely I'm not old enough for these things to be happening!  And though they are small things, it definitely suggests that I need to pay attention.

But there are things I really like about getting older as well.   The clear definitions of my values, and priorities in my mind and the confidence to live them out.  Feeling secure in who I am with little worry about what others might think.  (Though I do care about the opinion of those close to me whom I respect). And I just really like this phase of life.  I love the ages that my kids are at.  Though challenges present themselves, we are feeling more equipped for parenthood.  Dan and I have figured out how to successfully navigate marriage and are content in our relationship.  I feel grounded in my faith.  We have wonderful friends.  And despite the uncertainty that continues to plague other areas of our life...

Life is good.

So each day I step toward 40 feeling very blessed and happy with the life I lead.

I had a really simple but lovely birthday this year.

Dan got up and went to church with the kids, while Mom and I slept in after arriving home very late the night before.

Dan bought me this beautiful corsage.




After church, we met up at Hudson's for brunch.  Dan and the kids were already there and when I walked in they were all holding up signs that they made that said, "Happy Birthday Mama!"  It was so cute.

 

Though Matthew is growing up and is nearly 10, he still likes to sit on my lap.  He came to get a little lovin' during brunch.  I love his snuggles.



After we ate, we snapped a few photos by the Koi pond.

 

Kaitlin insisted on wearing this hat to church and carried this "parasol" around nonstop for days.




Dan asked me what I'd like to do for my birthday and I just wanted a lazy day at home.  Life is so busy and I'm always on the go, so it was a treat to just put on sweats and be at home.  The kids were invited to 2 different birthday parties this day, but we opted to give ourselves this day off from running around and had a family day at home.

We put a movie in and I sat on the sofa and worked on organizing the tens of thousands of photos on my hard drive.

Dan made beef stroganoff for dinner for me upon my request and then we opened gifts.  Kaitlin had been working so hard wrapping gifts for me.



She even decorated the bottom of the package with part of a Valentine's Day napkin.  :)



Inside one of the boxes there was this beautiful crocus.

 

The kids all made great cards and were excited to tell me all about them.

 

These were all the treasures Kitti gathered from around the house and wrapped for me.  So preicous.  Even spare buttons.  :)

 

Andrew worked really hard on his card and did some amazing writing.  I was so proud of him.

 

This is some of the best writing he's ever done.  I know he worked really hard on it, and that made it a special gift.

This photo makes me laugh.



It's just so our life.  Andrew wrestling inside of a blanket ~ Kaitlin in her silky pony PJs with her hat and the flower decorating the tea pot.

Matthew made me a wonderful card and gift as well, but sadly Dan didn't happen to have gotten a picture of it.
 
Mom thoughtfully brought a beautiful cake from my favorite bakery in Richland.  It was delicious.



Making a wish....



It was a quiet, and wonderful day spent with my family.

Celebrating FIVE!

Happy Birthday sweet girl!!

Your birthday fell on a Wednesday this year which made for a fun day due to brothers' weekly early release that day!  It afforded us some time to do some fun things together and that was special.

Photos were first on the list though.
Here you are at FIVE!



You were SO excited for your birthday this year.  Which made it such fun!



You are such a character. :)

You were quite pleased to be wearing a pettiskirt to school for your birthday.



The birthday girl gets to share a treat on her birthday...you selected the cookie cutter and I made sugar cookies for your little friends.  You were very excited to share them.

 

The gifts on the coffee table were tormenting you and I obliged your request to open "Just one."

 

A gift card for a Mommy Date to build a bear!  "Sheshell" is in need of an outfit...so we have a fun outing to go on!



We arrived at Pre-school and after you received your birthday crown I snapped a photo of you by your birthday sign.

 

You sat down to work on your opening activity ("writing" a letter to another child at school)....

 

And putting it in the mailbox to be delivered!

 

You were so cute and so happy....I was glad you could celebrate with your friends on this day.

After pre-school we headed to the mall to get Cupcakes at the cupcake store that we like.  But first we had a bite to eat and you got to ride in the pink train!



After all, it was your birthday.

You were SO happy and literally skipped through the mall.  Your outfit heralded your birthday and so you received many smiles and "Happy Birthday!"s to your delight.  What fun.  :)

Then we discovered the Cupcake store had moved!  After a quick search on my phone I discovered it opened the next day.  You happily played in the play area while I called Aunt Michelle and Auntie Shannon for ideas....

 

They concurred that "Treat" was the way to go.  But there wasn't time to make the stop.  We had to go back and pick up brothers and then made the trip to downtown Vancouver....



Where everyone had fun making their selection....



And you were so pleased to carry your treat back to the car....



I took you and the boys to "Kids Club"where you could run and play and slide and throw balls and have all sorts of climate controlled fun.  And then we went to Red robin and met Daddy for our traditional birthday dinner!



After dinner we headed home to open gifts.  At LAST!



You received a tooth fairy pillow so that we'd be ready in the next year or two...but there's no need to rush.

 

And your favorite gift was your "Tangled" wedding dress.  Your expression said it all....

 

Then you hopped up and twirled around with your dress....



You had wanted this dress for Christmas, but it was sold out.
I had checked online and at the Disney store before your birthday but it wasn't in stock.
Katie knew I had been looking for it and happened to be in the store the day before your birthday when it was restocked!  She picked it up for me.  What a friend!  And after seeing how happy you were, I was so glad that she found it!



Then it was time for a cupcake!



You saw this candle at the grocery store and really wanted it....



Make a wish!!  (You wished that unicorns were real). :)





Then it was time for bed.  You and Elizabeth donned your matching PJs and Daddy read you your story.  You were really sad that your birthday was over.  You asked, "Could I just stay up with you a little bit longer?"  You didn't want your day to end.  Honestly, I didn't either.  I had so much fun with you from start to finish.

 

Upon being tucked in, you wanted a picture of you "sleeping."  :)  Notice Dolly's crown?  You made that for her.

 

The next morning you said, "It's a long time until my birthday again."

Thankfully, it is.

I want to enjoy every last minute of you being five.  You will never be this little gain.  I'm not in a hurry for you to grow up, my love.  I look forward to another wonderful year with you.

Happy 5th Birthday, my precious girl!