Where are the training wheels?

We decided that Matt was ready to learn to ride his bike without training wheels. He wasn't that excited about it and was a little scared at first. It only took him 3 short days of practice and he can do it now. We haven't practiced in a while since we went on vacation, but lets hope that its true that once you learn you never forget, "it's like riding a bike".

Kate is done with 1st Grade

Kate did so well in 1st grade this year. She loved going to school so much that she won an award for perfect attendance and also one for academic achievement. Her class voted her friendliest, which I think is true. She is always nice to everyone. I can't believe that she will be starting 2nd grade tomorrow (we are year round here). I was the room mom for her class this year. The end of the year party was a lot of fun. Her teacher told me she wanted to have a breakfast, so I had parents contribute food and I had Brandon come and make pancakes. We played a bingo game I made with all the kids names. Her class was called Bear Country so I made little white bears for all the kids and we used permanent makers and decorated the bears, then passed them around for all the kids to autograph. The kids really seemed to like it and there were some very creative bear decorators.

Brandon is getting old

or I'm just always young. Kate wanted to put the exact number of candles that Brandon is old on his pie (his favorite so I didn't do a cake). It looks like the whole pie is on fire. We had a family birthday party with his parents and David and Christy the Sunday before and then the kids and I decorated the house and had a "surprise" party for him the day before his birthday (can you believe he was on call the night of his birthday?) Kate has always wanted to have a surprise party. She and Matt were both so excited to jump out and surprise Brandon.

What brings me joy?

At our last Enrichment night we played a game where we had to share something about ourselves and I had to share what brings me joy. Well right now Annie brings me so much joy. She is at the greatest age 6 months and is so easy. As I type this she has just woken up and wants to eat, but I want to finish this real fast so she just sits her making cute noises waiting patiently. Just in the last month she has learned how to pick things up and bring them to her mouth. That is what I shared at Enrichment, I love how she picks up toys now and licks them.She loves me most and she smiles so easily. She is a great sleeper and goes to bed very easy. Still no teeth.

I also just started feeding her baby food. She isn't that interested yet, most of the food just runs out of her mouth.

Kate's softball season is over!

Kate just finished up her softball season and I think she has improved so much. She had a great time playing with her friends. I signed her up for winter ball so she will get some more practice for next year.

Kate with her coach...

Playing the outfield...

On deck to bat...

I love this picture of Kate relaxing with her feet on her helmet while she waits for her turn at bat.

Matt's birthday party had we!

You can imagine how proud Brandon was when Matt claimed he wanted to have a Star Wars themed birthday party. Both Brandon and I had a great time planning this party. Here are the invitations I made... I made Jedi vest out of brown felt and a rope to tie with and Brandon made light sabers out of PVC pipes, pool noodles and gray electrical tape. I gave Brandon the idea, but he perfected it, he was pretty particular about how it had to be done.

I wore my Princess Leia costume (oh sorry, no pictures) and Brandon wore his Han Solo. I did a training session with the kids, although as one kid (a Star Wars fan) pointed out that Princess Leia does not use a light saber or use the force. Like Princess Leia, I had no idea what I was doing, but the kids were all really excited to practice the moves I taught them anyway. Like a chop and a spin (true Star Wars lingo). Then we had a visit from Darth Vader.

Each kid took a turn to fight him.

Then we played "Master May I" (very similar to Mother May I). I was surprised that so many kids could be so good and excited to play. Only Matt's friend Rachel (far right) didn't know it was Brandon and was a little nervous to get closer. Brandon, uhhh I mean Darth Vader would say "All Padawans with blue light sabers take two giant steps, etc..." and they would say "Master May I?" and Vader would say "hhooooooo phoooooooooo yes you may".

We also had lunch, a pinata and Popsicles (no cake for Matt). A lot of the time the kids were just running around the yard fighting with their sabers. 20 kids with light sabers may not have been the best idea, but we only had a few minor incidents. Matt got a ton of fun gifts from his friends and I think fun was had by all. By the time is was over I was so tired (partly because I got up at 6am to run 9 miles, my half marathon is this coming Saturday).

Look who's 5...

I cannot believe that Matt is 5 already. He will start kindergarten in a month. For his birthday we all went around as a family and told him what we love most about him. Here are some of the things we said... We love how much he loves his sisters, so much he can't keep his hands off them. He is so smart. He is so kind and generous, always sharing with others. He has a lot of energy and loves to run, play and laugh. We love having this special boy in our family.