Rewind... and Happy Birthday, Micah!!

So I'm 4 months late with this post. At least we celebrated on time!
Micah excited about his new snow boots. This is one boy who is very easy to please! Just let him gorge himself at an all-you-can-eat buffet, give him a few birthday gifts & then some cake and ice cream to round out the day. He knows what he likes.

Gabe caught wearing Micah's new snow boots, while the older kids all ran off to test out the new toys. What a little lumberjack.


7 is a lot of candles for one guy!! :)

A happy 9th birthday

For weeks before his birthday, Jonah had been asking if cousins would be coming to visit. He wanted someone to drive for hours on end to be with him on his special day. And I kept telling him, "No, I really don't think anyone has plans to visit us then." But a couple nights before his birthday, my older sister Lavender called. "Do you mind if we come to visit?" We never mind if anyone comes to visit. Moving away from your whole family does that to a person. And so they hopped in their car the very next day and arrived at night, with hours to spare before his big day. We all had so much fun together.



We had to go to a walking trail beside the river, so he could test out his new r/c boat. The most special part to me was watching as he let his cousins and siblings take turns driving the boat, too. Jonah's growing and he has more moments of feeling frustrated with our crazy family, but inside he's the same as always. He never finishes his basketball snacks, or his scouting treats or any other kind of goodie... he always comes home with enough for Autumn & Micah. I love that about him. Anyway...

Right as we were about finished with the birthday cake, the power went out. And it stayed that way until the middle of the night. The kids felt scared about about the idea of sleeping upstairs in dark bedrooms, until someone came up with the idea of a slumber party on the floor of the living room. So 6 very excited children (Gabe was banished to the crib) eagerly set up beds, the fire was turned on and Auntie Lavender read and read and read some more (hoping someone would nod off, but there was way too much excitement for that!) And finally, the grown-ups left (after a few pictures) and it was the perfect end to a perfect birthday for a practically perfect kid.

Happy Birthday Baby

The past month and a half have been a blur. The start of our homeschooling adventure has been filled with excitement, frustration, challenge and success. It has been all-consuming, which has left no time for this blog. I'm finally coming up for air and plan to start a series of posts that will give you an up-close look into what homeschooling is... in our family.

But, for now, we're backtracking. Because my baby turned two a couple of weeks into the school year. And that is something worth documenting!

Gabe & big sis helping to make his favorite treat, cookies. Love that the shot captured his miscalculation.


present opening... playdough and tools from big brothers

candy from Daddy...that was a hit


a snuggly kitty from big sister


this cake may be a bit ug, but it was all he talked about for weeks afterwards...his "choo choo bir-day"


and a little candle-licking

Thanks for all the happiness & joy you bring us, angel boy. We love you!! (But PLEASE stop growing so fast.)

Happy Birthday to a Boy Who Knows Just How to Make his Mommy Smile

Six random remarks made by Micah over the years, to celebrate your 6th birthday:

1. (Background: the boys were at the kitchen table, drinking juice and calling each other names. I told them if they couldn't say something nice to each other, they should just say nothing. ) On my way to the laundry room, Micah says, "Nothing, Jonah." -- 2-1/2 years old

2. (Micah had taken off his diaper and was trying to change it himself. Clint said he thought Micah was ready to be potty trained.) Micah furrowed his brow, scrunched his nose, and - in his angriest voice - retorted, "Daddy, I not potty train!" -- 2-3/4 years old

3. Micah: "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, introducing the best - the greatest - the BOOGAR MAN!"
Jonah: "Uh, I think you mean the Boogie Man."
Micah: "Oh... the BOOGIE MAN!!" -- 3-1/2 years old

4. (Micah said he had black spots on his hands & asked me why.) Before I could look into it, he said, "Maybe I'm TURNING BLACK!"
I looked at his hands and said, "It looks like you drew on them with a black pen."
To which he responded, "Oh ya. I did." -- nearly 4

5. (Micah asked to borrow my mirror. I walked by him as he looked into it.) To himself, he said, "I think this is my mirror, because... Mommy's not in it." -- also nearly 4

6. (Pointing to his hind quarters, either meaning his pants or underwear.) He asked me, "Do you know why I put these on? ... Because then my poop will say, 'Oh my gosh! How do we get out of here!? We're stuck!" -- 4-1/2 years old

Thanks for making me laugh, Micah! I love you, and hope you know what a precious treasure you are to me.

Happy birthday, little guy!

As to be expected, Gabe wasn't entirely sure what to make of opening presents. At first, he seemed curious. Then, he tried to wiggle off my lap. Tearing strips of wrapping paper off the box caught his attention for a minute. And, in the end, the boxes and ribbons were the biggest hit. :)



J & M (especially J) were bummed that I was stealing this little guy away on his actual birthday (for a trip to CA to be discussed later). They've been looking forward to celebrating with him for.... well, a year now. We did the next-best thing, and that was to party a day early. I told them that Gabriel doesn't know the difference, which was a very small consolation. We did all enjoy, no less than we would have the next day, watching our little angel devour his pint-sized birthday cake.


(He got so much frosting up his nose, he sneezed yellow buttercream until it all cleared out.)

Happy birthday to Clint!

An extension to his FAVORITE computer game...i think he liked it. (It kept him up until one in the morning, anyway.)

Clint has owned and loved the same blanket since high school, and it definitely shows. The binding has ripped off half the blanket, it's not nearly as soft and cuddly, and - well - it needed to be replaced. The kids helped him try out the replacement, and so far it's looking like all thumbs up!

And a new mummy sleeping bag...


And a jungle gym...


I guess the children had their own vision when they picked this out at the sporting goods store!
I hope you had a good birthday, honey. I love you and sure appreciate all the sacrifices you make for our family!!!

Handyman

So after gorging ourselves at our Thanksgiving Feast, eating birthday cake, and taking the kids to the local bowling alley, we came home so that Micah could unwrap the rest of his presents. The kid loves to "explore" things, so we're hoping these wooden tools & gadgets will satisfy his desire to build and destroy in a more productive manner. Okay, we are really hoping our investment will result in fewer clogged toilets and overflowing sinks. But I'm pretty sure we're only fooling ourselves!