Birthday Girlie...

We are great planners and managed to have 2 kids in December.

Right before Christmas.

They are going to love us later in life ;).

Right now it doesn't bother them-

as long as we spend a day or two just celebrating them.

That is what we did for Middle child girl.

She turned 6 years old at the beginning of December.

Our little daisy girl- we just love her.

(she fell on the playground at school a few days before this-

that's why her face is all scratched up!)

We brought cookies to her kindergarten class...

YUM!

Daddy was home that day, so he got to be there, too.

The next day we went to Trafalga, but no pictures.

They had lots of fun playing miniature golf, laser tag and riding on

the one ride that was open- the Frog Hopper...
over and over and over again :).

She did get the gift she asked for...

and nothing else- those dolls are expensive!

We celebrated at Chuck E. Cheese with Grandma Judy a few days later.

That was for both December birthdays- pictures of that to come soon.

Principal's Pride...

Oldest child received the Principal's Pride award at school!

Back in October- but better late than never!

He is in 3rd grade this year and doing wonderful.

He's such a good, easy going kid.

(even with a mother who never charges her camera, thus has to take awesome cell phone pictures ALL the live long day)

He received his award because:

"He loves to learn and he is an enthusiastic member of the class"

He is an enthusiastic kids, that's for sure!

He kept closing his eyes in every picture...

so I told him to open his eyes WIDER.

That is why he looks a little TOO wide eyed in this picture.

We are so proud of our Dominator and happy

that he cares about his school work and wants to do well.

I hope he continues to be this way as the years go by.

Halloween!

I can't believe Halloween has come and gone- AGAIN!

I am a big ol' brain-dead slacker and can't remember

to charge our piece of garbage camera.

So we have some awesome cell phone pics here :).

Also, I didn't get even one picture of the biggest child, the Dom...

or of the kids out trick-or-treating.

Just know we had a great time and got SO much candy.

So much that I will be able to eat half my body weight in chocolate

for the next 2 months- if not more!

Momma likes.

Our sweet little "Alice":

Just the perfect costume for her.

Oldest girl coordinated with her as the Cheshire Cat:

I loved this!

No one else went along with the theme...

especially not middle girl child!

She is the wolf girl Clawdeen Wolf from Monster High.

Yeah, we got a lot of "Now, who is she supposed to be?"

Totally understandable.

Little boy man wanted to be something else...

(ie: Strawberry Shortcake, Princess, etc.)

but I decided to make the decision for him.

Good call, I'd say.

He had a birthday...

Our oldest, our first boy...

he turned 9 years old!

I can't believe we have a 9 year old child. 

(Also that we have a 7,5,4 and 3 year old)

Of course, his choice of a birthday dinner restaurant

wasn't exactly what I would have chosen...

but it was his birthday ;).

So off to Golden Corral we went!

I will spare you the pictures of just how messy our table got.

It was not pretty.

Grandma Judy came to join in the birthday celebrating...

The kids were so excited that she came.

After our kids ate their way through more dessert than dinner,

we headed outside for the final present!

Yes, the boy now has an appropriate sized bike for his age.

Up until then, he was using the bike we bought for him 

when he turned 3 years old.

It was way too big for him when he was 3, but still.

I feel so very lucky to have this big 9 year old boy.

He is such a good kid.

He is so helpful, kind, smart and polite.

I really couldn't ask for a better oldest child.

Aaargh!

It's a Pirate Party!

They had a Pirate Party at church for all the kids!

 Such a cute idea and so much fun :).

Since the husband and I are primary teachers

I thought it only made sense that we dress up a little, too!

 I'll just say it...

we are probably the cutest Pirate Family ever. 

Back in session...

So, school started up again!

It's a bit crazy around these parts- but I like being back on a schedule.

These two started school last week:

3rd grade for him - 2nd grade for her!

man, they grow up too fast.

Hali managed to be in the same class as her BFF...

Poor teacher ;).

Then yesterday, child #3 started Kindergarten.

She has been SO excited for... well, months now.

Not scared at all- just ready.

I may have shed a few tears, but behind my sunglasses... so it was well hidden.

She loves her teacher...

and she barely looked back to wave at me before marching into class...

Fun that I get a little teary-eyed looking at these pictures.

Three kids in elementary school.

Fun fact:  2 years from now I will have FIVE kids in the same school.

That's how the cool kids do it. 

#4 child- this cute girl:

 She started preschool.

She wants to go everyday, but she just can't :).

My kids just don't have a problem leaving me and going to school.

Hmmmm.

Even this one wants to get out...

but he's stuck with me for a while. 

Splash padding...

My spouse says I am neglecting our family blog...

and only focusing on the other one. 

I'm not doing it intentionally, I promise! 

I just keep forgetting my camera whenever we go places.

We have been spending a lot of summer days at the water park.

I never remember to take the camera, so no pictures there!

I did finally get some pictures- but at the much smaller

and not as exciting splash pad.

Still, they sure are cute kids...

 Now get ready!

Here come the pictures.

Oh, so many pictures :)

Hmmm... showering?

 My handsome little B-man...

So polite and civilized...

What are you looking for in there, boy?

I never did find out.

This one has quite the fancy duck stance:

I'm so glad my they taught each other to drink the splash pad water.

School started around these parts 

(no more year round school)

as well as soccer season.

Those pictures to come! 

I will attempt to be a better blogger here on the family page.

I make no guarantees!