Happy Birthday Bella!

Today Isabella is 7!  She is such a sweet girl and a blessing in our family.  She is the peacemaker and the calmest among us.  She just finished up first grade and is officially a second grader.  She loves playing with her friends and doing projects with me.  She has been in gymnastics for just over two years now and loves it!  She is also going to play baseball this year and probably soccer in the fall.  She is kind to her brother and sister and always helpful to Nate and I.  We love you Bella!  Enjoy being 7!

New Niece

My little brother is a daddy.  He and Tiffany welcomed Ellery Jane on May 5th!  She came in weighing 7 lbs and 3 ozs!  Tinier than any of my babies have been.  The little girl already has her daddy wrapped around her finger.  We can't wait to meet her, hopefully sometime this summer.  This brings the nieces and nephews up to a total of 19!

Jack's Party

When the kids are 5, 10, and 15 they get to have a friend birthday party.  Jack chose to have his at Jack and Jill's bowling alley.  There was bowling, laser tag, birthday cupcakes, presents, and good friends.  We had one that couldn't come, so Bella got to bowl and play with the big boys.  It was two hours of insane fun.  As parents came to pick up their boys, Nate and I were commended on our bravery.  We all had a great time!


Jack hadn't had a haircut since last September.  So he decided he also wanted to do that on his birthday.  I really don't mind how he wears his hair, but he doesn't like to take care of it, so he's really better off when it is short.  Though I think he is only planning on cutting it every six to eight months.  

 We like the short do, and I thought it was funny he wanted to commemorate his birthday with a haircut.

10

Ten Awesome Things About Jack

1. He loves all sports, and all aspects of all sports.  He loves to play, watch, analyze and talk about them all.  When his dad gets home, the first thing he asks is for the days sports news.  Since today is the beginning of the NFL draft, it's like and extra birthday present for him.
2. He is an excellent student.  He does a really good job at school.  He has a teacher that lets him do his homework in his free time at school, and boy has that made this year nice.  The only homework he and I have to debate over is book reports, and they are only once a month.  
3. He is a great friend.  He always gets along with so many kids, and such a variety of kids.  I like that he can play nicely with anyone.
4. He is an avid reader (except when it comes to book reports).  And he and I like to read some of the same books.  We just passed the fifth Fablehaven book back and forth.  We raced through the Septimus Heap books.  He loves Harry Potter.  We read Chronicles of Narnia together.   
5. He likes to be moving.  This kid only sits down to read so far as I can tell.  He's outside playing as much as possible.  He plays indoor basketball in my sewing room constantly if he can't be outside.  I can't remember the last time he sat and watched a movie here at home.
6. He's always willing to try new things.  The kid has foods that he despises (potatoes), yet still eats them without complaint.  If we are eating something new he is always willing to give it a try.  He will also try new non-food things whenever he gets the chance, I would bet that I am not witness to most of those though.
7. He is a fabulous big brother.  He takes good care of his little sisters.  He helps Sophie get breakfast regularly, and keeps an eye on Bella wherever we go.  He's always been good at being the oldest, though I am sure his sisters think he is a bit bossy sometimes.  As an oldest child myself, I give him the benefit of the doubt.
8. He's a great conversationalist.  I love to talk to Jack!  I love his ideas and hearing what he has to say.  He's not shy about his opinions.  But he's also respectful and introspective about things.
9. He is my right hand man.  He always helps out when I ask, and even when I don't.  He cleans up messes that aren't his.  He shares his treats, even when he doesn't have to and isn't compelled to.  He loves a schedule and will gladly complete tasks I give him. 
10. He is a great all-around.  I love hearing people tell me stories about Jack!  They always have such nice things to say!  I am so grateful to have been able to see him grow up these past ten years!  I love every minute of it!

Imitation Is The Highest Form Of Flattery

Sophie and I went on a little adventure in March.  We flew to California to see my Grandma in the bay area.  Sophie was a trooper all through the airport.  Loved traveling and everything went really smoothly.  Even better, when we got off the plane she ran to my aunt and uncle and hugged them.  This was their first meeting.

The weather was perfect.  My grandma has flowers and greenery everywhere.  I totally associate the smell with good things.  The first morning I went out to get her newspaper and was inundated with the aroma of the dogwood tree.  I loved going to her house in the summer.  My brother and I spent a few weeks there every summer growing up.  That is one of the hardest things about growing up, not being able to visit as often.

Sophie loves Grandma Penny.  She still talks about her all the time.  She would crawl up in her chair and snuggle her.  She followed her around the house.  Grandma now uses a cane, so Sophie found the umbrella stand and found herself a "cane" and walked around.  It was hilarious, and something you can get away with when you are two years old.  Because it comes from love.  Grandma and I had a great visit, and I always long to go back.  This trip my uncle took us to Tilden Park, which is filled with memories and nostalgia.  We rode the carousel and the little train.  We ate lunch at the club, the same waiter has been there as far back as I remember.  Sophie and I wandered around the yard and looked at all the flowers and fruit trees.  And best of all, Grandma told me stories about my family.  Some things I had never heard before.  I wanted to hear more.  I love our visits and can't wait for the next one.

New Chair!

After much wandering around furniture stores I finally found a chair for my computer desk.  I had just about given up, I went to Ethan Allen for goodness sake.  I found one chair that I kind of liked there- but just kind of and it was around $1000 dollars.  I can't justify that much for kind of.  So as a last ditch effort, I went over to Pier 1.  I hadn't been there in quite a long time, so I only remembered wicker type furniture, which wasn't really what I was going for.  Then there was my chair, and on clearance! 

I am going to make a pillow to put on it, then I will post that over at Sew Accomplished.  It is just the right height, the same color as the armoire, and pretty comfortable.  All in all I am very pleased.  And so is Sophie, she won't have to spend her days wandering the furniture stores any longer. 

Family Home Evening Treats

I love Jacks intensity.  I think he could eat a dozen of these a day.  I have decided when you make chocolate chip cookies, the only logical thing to do is to take two, slap some ice cream in between.










Bella really loved these, she wanted the biggest one of all, then ate half and gave the rest to Jack.