Zombie bride?

Anne started walking around saying, “I'm a zombie!”

February birthday catch-up: Andy

We had a fun day for Andy's sixth birthday! E did have school that day, but I think it was fun for him to go. For his birthday dinner Andy requested spaghetti with meatballs. “With real meat!” Benny called out from the other room after Andy made his decision. Yes, we had real meatballs. Next time, though, I need to add more breadcrumbs to help them stick a bit better. They were quite tasty, though. I also tried my hand at making French bread. That turned out quite well, also! It was a nice dinner. 

Opening and being excited about his Lego Star Wars set!

It doesn't look like it, but he does really love the Captain America and Iron Man action figures he got. 

Birthday cake with Optimus Prime and a small Bumblebee. 

The next day we went to The Children's Museum to celebrate Andy's birthday. One of the kids' favorite places. Here we are at the fossil digging section. 

Janie had a great time, too!

Benny and Andy were very good “helpers” in the playscape area for kids five and under. Since Andy was just older by a day I didn't have too much of a problem letting him play a little. He did keep coming to the edge of the climbing section to “check” on Anne who was playing in the sand section by me. 

Everybody loves making music!

Who doesn't love riding a carousel?!

We had a great celebration for Andy's birthday! Andy is great at being six. He loves to play with his siblings and is great at watching out for his younger sisters and making sure they don't get into things they shouldn't. Andy really enjoys being a kindergartener and is doing really well at school. He is loved by all who know him. Church included. 

I especially love that Andy is so tender-hearted. He cares about things. And he likes to feel secure. Benny would love it if he and Andy could go to the bus stop on their own every morning. They can, but Andy always asks that I go with them. I do almost every day. I know that some day that will stop. One of my favorite things is that sometimes when I am walking by Andy he will reach up to hold my hand. Another thing I know won't last forever. Nor should it. But that doesn't stop me from enjoying it when I get it. 

Happy Birthday, Andy Dandy Dooby Doo!!

February birthdays: Anne

I think these first two are a repeat, but this was the morning of Anne's birthday. She came in initially complaining that Andy kept saying she was three. I said she was three. “No, I not. I two,” she replied. We finally convinced her she is three and she loved all the happy birthday singing all day. 

This was one of our snow days for the kids and Spencer was home, too! We were all able to take it easy. 

I wish this picture were better, but we were watching Sleeping Beauty as a family (Anne's favorite) and Anne just loved it. 

The other spectators:

After the movie we made party hats! The kids love these. It has been a fun, if sporadic, tradition. 

The roads were clear enough that we went to Chicago's Pizza for their lunch buffet. The kids love it! We had a great time. 

Most of us had our party hats on still, and at one point the manager came up and wished the birthday kids a happy birthday. Then he told us we could go to the adjoining frozen yogurt place and request free frozen yogurt! He came back a little later and said he already talked to the owner/manager over there so we could just head over. It turns out we all got a free frozen yogurt! It was very generous and we all. Enjoyed it.

Anne's birthday dinner: quinoa with beans, peppers, cilantro lime dressing, and I think we even had avocado. Delicious!

And here she is wearing Lilia's Snow White dress – Lilia's birthday present to Anne. 

The group. 

Still don't have the camera pictures yet, so the cake pictures will come later. Here is Anne with her favorite! A Sleeping Beauty dress with some necklaces. She has worn that dress most days since her birthday. Luckily grandma and grandpa's present that came a little late had a duplicate dress! She has been able to trade and occasionally even share with Lilia!

Our February birthday kids!

Happy third birthday, Anne! We love your many faces, your smile, your laugh, and all your different mannerisms. One of my favorites is your love of a dancing dress and all things princess. We love you, Annie Banannie!

Lost tooth!

Morning buddies

Cinnamon bread

Definitely a work in progress, but I'll get there. I am sure of it. 

This was just my regular bread recipe rolled out with a coconut oil/cinnamon/brown sugar mix spread on and rolled up. It was delicious despite the imperfections. 

I'm not a superhero...

...but I play one in real life. 

I often realize at the end of the day that I have been wearing any number of things that the girls have had me wear. It's fun. 

Cold days

The boys had to be bundled up this much for school or it was just way too cold. It felt like “A Christmas Story” every day for a while. I was surprised how rare two-hour delays were, but when I looked at the hourly weather report it made sense: there was usually only a two-degree difference in two hours. 

Injuries

I don't remember exactly what happened, but Anne banged her lip pretty hard ad ended up with a bit of a fat lip. Poor girl. 

The next day. 

A day or two after Anne, Lilia wanted to join the club! You can't see it very well, but Lilia banged her lip. Thankfully they both got over it pretty fast. 

Kids' Play

Andy and Lilia had a few nights of coming up with different "plays."  Nothing scripted and no real story line, but it was fun to watch them dress up and put on a show. They loved setting up the curtain on the mantle. 

The spectators. 

Taking their bow (Benny ended up joining in).

The obligatory "silly picture."