Happy 6th Birthday Katie Bug

I firmly believe that we are born with our personality. My daughter continually confirms this for me.

6 years ago today, she came into the world abruptly and swiftly. She decided it was time and out she came, whether I liked it or not.

Not much has changed 6 years later.

Katelyn marches to her own drum. She always has. It is a good thing that she has always been so cute...

katelyn at 15 months
She is a performer who doesn't really want to be in an actual performance. She is an extrovert who doesn't want to play with her friends. She loves clothes and shoes and hair ribbons, but continues to wear the same outfit until I make her put it in the dirty clothes. And don't even start me on brushing her hair. She wants chocolate cake with chocolate frosting that she is not ever going to eat. That she is puzzling is to put it mildly. But yet...with that craziness comes great, positive emotion. She LOVES to see you. She will kiss you until you think your cheeks will fall off. She is excited about stuff...not everything, but lots of things. She moves from sad to happy very rapidly. It's easy to convince her that life is good. She loves almost everyone.

And today was her day. She had been ramping up for it for the last 2 weeks. "How many days NOW until my birthday, Mommy?" I thought she might blow a gasket this morning, she was so excited. But no. She made it through the day, the cake, the treats and the presents. No tantrums or drama to speak of. She even went to bed without a fuss even though we could not find her brand new American Girl Doll Kitten.

Wow. I guess my baby girl really is maturing. Who knew?

Happy Birthday, Katelyn. We love you dearly. Even when you make us want to pull our hair out. We love you dearly.

This is What a Seven Year Old Looks Like

Happy Birthday, Padyn. Seven years ago today you came into the world, changing it forever. But you've certainly changed our lives for the better. We are so grateful for you...even when you drive us crazy.

We love you, Birthday Girl.

Robert's 1st Birthday

The little guy turned one on Saturday. His big day coincided with our town's biggest day of the year, so Robbie is going to grow up thinking that the parade, the 100,000 people, the dogs, and all the other fun stuff on campus is happening just for his birthday.We had no less than 58 people (adults and kids) show up at some point during the afternoon to help Robbie celebrate. Twenty five kids running around can get pretty crazy, especially when most of them are under the age of 6. The other kids all loved their cupcakes, but like his sisters before him, Robbie wasn't too sure of this cake stuff I slapped on his highchair tray. I had to help him at first, and he liked the whipped cream, but he never got to the shoving-the-cake-as-fast-as-you-can-into-mouth stage. Maybe it's because I never make them chocolate cake.

While he might not have really liked the cake, he certainly liked being the center of attention...

This is the original amount of cake I gave him...and it's what was left on his tray when he decided he was all done. And that little dab of cream on his lip? That was about the extent of his messiness. Happy Birthday, Buddy! We love you!

Big 4 Year Old Girl

Saturday was Katelyn's 4th birthday. It's very hard to believe that she's already four. Well, for Mommy that is. Kate is VERY excited to be four and will not hesitate to tell everyone how old she is.

As with most birthdays, Kate's was spread over at least 4 days. There was the cupcake celebration at school on Thursday... Then there was the little birthday party with her friends on Friday morning. It was supposed to be at the park but when it started raining an hour before start time, we had to move it to our house at the last minute. No balloons or decorations...just lots of toys and noise and chaos.

Lulu helped open the presents...

Mommy helped blow out the candles...

And Kate was the perfect hostess...Then there was Kate's actual birthday on Saturday. She spent most of the day in the car driving down to the desert. She wore that crown all day in the car. Then on Sunday, she got a little more birthday fun when her cousins came over to visit. I think that today her birthday is finally over. Now we can get back to our normal existence...no more cupcakes on a daily basis. Well, until Robbie's birthday in two weeks that is.

Go Tell It

Kate's preschool performed in church this past Sunday. They do it every year as a "thank you" to the church for providing the space for the preschool. This was our first experience with it. I was really not sure what to expect, especially from my daughter. Every time I played the song for Kate to practice over the last two weeks, she'd only do the motions. She refused to sing. I think at one point she did reassure me that when it was time to sing on stage, she really would. But you know me...I know better than to believe what comes out a of three-year-old mouth.

But sure enough, little Miss K did not lie. (Not about this, anyway. There are many many other things she lies about. And if anyone can give me some advice on a good way to deal with that, I'd be grateful.) Here they all are, in their glory singing "Go Tell It On the Mountain."

That's right...my daughter was right in the front. You can imagine what I thought when I saw that. I, too, was RIGHT IN THE FRONT which is fine for a singing performance, but a little disconcerting when it's the pastor's turn to get up and speak. Let's just say that photo of Kate I wanted to send to Daddy (who couldn't be there) had to wait until after the service to be texted.

I've totally sidetracked. As I was saying....she SANG. And LOUDLY. In fact, the second time around (the kids performed at both services) I could hear Kate through all the other voices as I stood against the back wall of the auditorium. I was so proud. And amazed. It did take a bit of scraping to get my jaw off the floor.
I love looking at all the other kids, too.They had the kids projected on the two big screens that flank the stage. Kate didn't realize it until the end. But when she did, where do you think her attention was?

Her pal next to her here (with the red bow) is also a Kate. I can't believe they let the two of them stand next to each other. At one point before they started singing, they pulled each other down to the floor. I was sure the rest of the performance was going to be a disaster. But no. They pulled it together. It was a Christmas Miracle. Well, a small one compared to the original, anyway.Just so proud.

If you come over, I'm sure Kate will happily show you the DVD.

My Baby Turns Six

"Padyn, what did you enjoy best about your birthday?"

"EVERYTHING!"

She seems to have had a good day.

Happy Birthday, Padyn Baby. We love you!

If you are interested in seeing Padyn's birthdays blog entries over the last couple years, go here and here. And here and here.

Photo Friday-Sleeping Babies and Last Day Celebrations

Yesterday was the last day of the 08-09 school year for us. Kate will be moving to a different preschool next year and Padyn is moving onto 1st grade. GASP! I have a first grader! I'm supposed to be the teacher, not the parent. It's a bit surreal and I'm sure I'll be grappling with my new reality for a while...

Anyways, here are some shots from yesterday's school celebrations...Padyn and one of her BF's, Ninners. Fingers crossed that they are in the same class next year.

P and her teacher, Mrs. B...

Kate and her teacher...

For Kate's last day, her little class went to the park to play. I joined them for a few minutes to get some photos...

And now onto the sleeping baby...

I love it when Lil' R falls asleep in my arms, then actually stays asleep when I put him down. It doesn't happen often...

Sweet little hand...how did you escape the swaddle?
We're at the lake now, so hopefully I'll get a few good pics this weekend. So far, I've only managed to take a much needed nap...

Happy Friday.

Happy Mother's Day

From me and my brood to all you mothers out there...hope you had some type of break from your 24/7 job. I got a 15 minute nap, so that's something.

Kate's Birthday Party

Here are a few shots of last week's birthday girl. These were taken at playgroup where we had a little celebration for Kate's 3rd birthday in the form of cupcakes and an egg hunt.

Funny, when you ask her how old she is, she'll say she's not three yet because she isn't a big sister yet. Guess she believed that her brother would be born as soon as she turned three.

But in other amazing news, she has given up the pacifier. It's been a week now since we told her she was a big girl now and didn't need it anymore. She occasionally asks for it, but there has been no major trauma or showdown. I keep waiting for the middle of the night drama. I'm sure it's coming...

Photo Friday-Kate's 3rd Birthday

Today is Katelyn's 3rd birthday. Well, officially it is anyway. We aren't tell her that today is her birthday. We are pretending next Wednesday, the 8th, is her birthday. That' when we are having her little playgroup birthday party. I didn't want to confuse the situation or let her think her birthday should last all week long. And honestly? I'm lazy and didn't want to make two cakes. So, as far as she is concerned, her birthday is a few days away yet.

But, for the purposes of the blog, and particularly since it is Photo Friday, I thought I'd better recognize today for what it really is. Here's a brief look back at Kate's previous birthday days, starting from the very first one...

And then she turned one...

Suddenly, the terrible twos hit...

(that is chocolate frosting from her birthday cupcakes)

And here we are today at 3...

Happy Birthday, Super Girl. We love you.

And Happy Friday to all of you.