Brennan's Birthday

I can't believe it, but Brennan is 11!  It is so fun watching him grow into such a wonderful boy!  And growing he has done.  In the last year his foot has grown 2 1/2 sizes! He is now in the adult sizes at an 8 1/2!
Besides physical growth Brennan has grown in so many other ways.  He has become a terrific reader!  He can out read me if he is into the book.  His favorite is fantasy.  He has enjoyed the Percy Jackson series, and anything written by Rick Riordan, Leven Thumps, The False Prince and so many more this year.
For Brennan's birthday he got a Nintendo 3ds game in which he guessed what it was despite my trying to wrap it in a clever disguise.  He shook it once and called it!  He declared I needed to use tissue paper so it wouldn't rattle.  Brennan also got a lizard!  I can't believe I am letting all these reptiles into my house! We made the trip to Dothan so he could pick it out. Brennan decided on an ice cream cake!  It made things easy on me! We are so Happy to have Brennan in our family. Happy Birthday!

  Brennan being silly!  When we went to celebrate that morning Brennan had serious bed head.  I didn't think he would appreciate those pictures haunting him down the road, so I suggested he comb his hair.  This is what I got!

  Daddy trying to make it better?

 It was so nice to get a happy Brennan on camera! You can tell he was having a good time.

 

 This is Brennan opening Connor's gift, a dollar.  Watch the sequence.  It shows both their personalities.

   

Here he opened his pet, plastic lizard!

  Here he is reading my note:  This may be exchanged for a real live, breathing lizard.  All supplies may be purchased as long as the lizard doesn't totally creep Mom out!

 And here he is Arsenal.

 

 

Connor turns 8!

Connor is such a fun kid!  His personality is so dramatic!  We gave him a Star Wars shirt to wear to school and started his morning out well..  I visited his class at snack time to help him celebrate.  There were two other kids in his class with the exact same birthday!  So cool!  Connor has decided cake is not his favorite.  He takes his daddy's lead and has berry pie instead!  For his birthday we gave in and let him get a pet.  He has been asking for a turtle for a long time.  Sea turtles are his favorite.  He opened his present which was a turtle aquarium and was speechless when he figured out what that meant.  His party was a trip to the pet shop where he chose his baby turtle. He is very proud of his little Todd Turtle!

Shaking it a little

Thanks Grandma Joyce

Thanks Brennan

This present was heavy!  See the dramatic side?

Picking out his turtle.

Todd Turtle home at last!

The Nutcracker

 It was a wonderful night! I have looked forward to this for a long time.  I always seem to make special moments with Daddy and the kids happen, but it finally dawned on me that they might enjoy some special time with me! Most of all I would enjoy some special time with them. 
It was so nostalgic as just Ryleigh and I spent the evening dressed up and at the Nutcracker.  I remember going to the Nutcracker with Grandmother and the "four girl cousins"!  Grandmother was so beautiful dressed in her Diane Freez dress and we girls were on our best behavior.  Grandmother was definately in my thoughts.
Ryleigh loved the special attention. She held my hand and watched the show in such a grown upo way.  I found myself wishing I could stop time, but I just enjoyed every moment instead.  I think I watched her reaction more than the ballet.  After she did a few ballet movements with the nutcracker and I milked the experience for all it was worth.

Happy Birthday Kelsey!

At one year old Kelsey can....
-wave goodbye
-cruise along the couch
-say mama
-scoot around the house
-sing
-fold her arms for prayer all by herself
-give cute open mouth kisses
Kelsey's favorite things...
-being around her sibling
-Ryleigh's favorite doll
-bath time with Ryleigh
-being outside
-watching Connor be silly
-rubbing Brennan's fuzzy head
-being tickled by Daddy
-snuggling with Mama
- playing peek a boo
-likes to stand on her head
Kelsey has such a fun loving personality. She is a cuddle bug with me, an adventurer with the older kids and a ham with Daddy. Kelsey is the glue in our family. She is the one everyone wants to be with, help, or pray for. She brings happiness to all those around you. Kelsey watches others very carefully and she mimics what she sees. She learned to fold her arms for prayer all by herself! Kelsey has the cutest smile. Well it is more of a grin, complete with squinty eyes and crooked jaw! I can't seem to capture it on film but man is it cute!
We love you Kelsey!

Mad scientist blue and gold banquet

We had so much fun creating lava lamps, goo, and balloon races! We ate eyeballs(gum balls), lava cake and root beer slime. Oh and along with all the fun, Brennan received his bear badge and four arrows! Good work Brennan! We love you!

Happy Valentine's Day

Daddy spoiled his girls today! We are so lucky! Flowers for Ryleigh a plush elephant for Kelsey and a canister full of my favorite candy bar for me! He knows his girls well! He didn't forget the boys either they got a box of chocolates. We love you Daddy!

Date Night

Today our goals were simple.  Haircuts for the boys.  While we were out and treating the kids to a cola, Kyle sent me a text.  It was quite romantic!  It read "I want Red Lobster!" Now you might not find that romantic but because Red Lobster is priced above our "family meal prices", I knew it meant we needed a babysitter and I would get that adult time with my husband that I crave.
While we didn't get Red Lobster, we did go out for dinner just the two of us!  We ended our date on a park swing over looking a pond.  The weather was perfect, it was quiet and I had my best friend with his arm around me! What a great date! Thanks Babe!

Making pizza

Ryleigh's school went to mellow mushroom to learn how to make pizza. They made their very own personal pizza! Ryleigh liked stretching the dough and placed her pepperoni very artistically. Fun afternoon!

Kelsey is 11 months

No way! I can't believe she is almost one! She scoots, babbles, laughs, and loves to follow her brothers and sister around.

Connor

Today Connor and I were reading a Star Wars book.  We read how Jedi's must learn to control their emotions.  The mom in me thought what a great learning lesson this could be.  I said, See Connor,  Jedi's must learn to control their emotions just like you." Connor said,"I'm not a Jedi!"

A few hours later, Ryleigh wanted to sit next to him in the big leather chair.  He was not happy about it.  I said, reminding him of the primary song, "Connor,Kindness begins with me."  Connor said, "Not me!"

How will I ever get through to him!  Truthfully, sometimes it is hard not to laugh!

Sleepwalking

Ryleigh has become quite adept at sleepwalking.  There is seldom a night we don't see her walking around before we go to bed.  Usually it is just because she needs to go to the bathroom.  It can be quite scary because she has mistaken many things for the toilet.  Lukily we have only had one of those mistakes.
Last night she had me rolling with laughter.  She walked through the living room with her backpack on as though she was in a fashion show. When she saw me she looked at me as if I was invisible and walked right back to her bedroom.  She took off her backpack and started to climb in bed.  I couldn't stop laughing!  I hope this stays innocent like this and she doesn't become one of the who walk out the front door and go walking or something.