November Birthday #3

Do I look older? You better say no, or say nothing at all!

Yes, I just had a birthday. But that is not why I am writing this post. Although birthday wishes are always nice, even if they are belated. Just kidding. But seriously, tell me happy birthday.

No, I'm writing this now to talk about this little girl...

She is amazing. I don't write about her as often. I don't really know why exactly. I guess it's just easier to write about the younger kids.

On my birthday, she was the mastermind for breakfast in bed. For me, of course. It was toast with Nutella and sliced bananas. Perfect. She knew I would love it. She also made me a card, which was filled with words I don't deserve. AND she made me this bracelet...

All on her own. She really worked hard to make my day special. She succeeded. It was awesome. I love her. I really really love her.

I accuse her of being selfish a lot. Too much. I am wrong. She is such an amazing example of love. Unconditional love. There is no one on this planet who loves more than she does. I hope I can be like her when I grow up.

November Birthday #2

I don't think 3 counts as a baby anymore.

I hope age changes his naughtiness.

Just kidding. I love him the way he is. He's awesome.

When I asked him what he wanted for his birthday, he always said, "Cake, ice cream, and presents." He was just happy to have presents. I don't think he cared what was in them. But I think we made great choices. He wanted to sleep with them.

Also, I wanted to mention that he picked out his own candles. One day when I was at the party store for Dare's party he found some candles with stars on them. I bought them for him, and he carried them around the house for days. Anytime he would set them down, I would grab them and put them away. I didn't want them to get lost. And, inevitably, he would go to the drawer and get them out again. I have never seen a kid so excited about candles in all my life. He would have been cool if I told him that was his present.

Interview:

favorite color - dark dark dark dark black

favorite book - Pokemon book (It's true. He gets one at the library every time and carries it around with him everywhere.)

favorite movie - Nemo (? I don't even think he has seen it.)

favorite TV show - Go Diego Go

favorite game - Super Smash Bros.

What do you want to be when you grow up? - Batman, I mean Spiderman

What do you like to do all day? - play with Mads and cry with him (?)

November Birthday #1

I don't think 7 counts as a little kid anymore.

I hope age never changes her bouncy-ness.

Then we had a friend party.

Interview:

Favorite color - yellow and red and orange

Favorite movie - Alice in Wonderland

Admin

I think Washington DC is so freaking cool. Everyone should come here at least once. (Preferably while we are living here so you can visit us too.)

Tiger Trail

Some memories aren't enough. You have to have pictures to back them up.

We didn't think we'd be in DC this long, but I'm glad we are. The fall is amazing. And we get to take the most beautiful walk on the way to school. I can't wait to see it in spring.

Opposite Day

This isn't just any drink...

It is G's chocolate milk invention.

It makes me think of hot chocolate in reverse.

G is the most independent child I have. I thought it was bad when B.A. was 10 months old and insisted on dressing herself. She managed it, it just took a while. And I haven't been able to do anything for her since. But then G came along. He is a different kind of independent. He doesn't insist on doing things on his own. We are way past that. It's more like, he doesn't ask for anything. He never needs my okay. He pretty much does what he wants all day long. He makes himself snacks, changes his clothes, watches TV, plays games (even when they are on the top shelf of the closet), and, last but not least, makes himself chocolate milk. It's not usually the Cocoa Puff kind. That was a new, one-time thing. I'm pretty sure, if he didn't get lonely, he could live on his own.

Nate and I are appalled and impressed all at the same time.

Futbol

Soccer was so fun this year! Mads loved it. The girls loved it too when they were 4, but their love wasn't even close to the amount of enthusiasm Mads had. He would count down the days until Saturday, and ask me every day what day it was so he could keep track. He always ran fast and gave it his best.

Instead of having games every week, the four year olds met with a coach and learned different skills for the first 40 or 50 minutes, and then they would have a mini scrimmage at the end. I really liked it. Mads was happiest when he was kicking the ball in the goal, but I think he learned more this way. And he didn't get worn out or bored.

He was the best one out there. Of course.
Just kidding, but he was pretty good. I think the enthusiasm helped.

He would get so excited when he put the ball in the goal. It was really fun to watch. And he would stay after it was over and keep kicking them in. Even when the coaches were trying to put stuff away. They were nice though, and always let him try one last time.
Notice his tongue out in every picture? So hilarious. And awesome!
The last practice he got a medal and a coupon for a Slurpee. He calls it "his gold" and he thinks he's rich.

Starting To Grow Cold

This is a fall like we've never experienced before. We have never seen so many leaves. It's not surprising considering we haven't ever seen so many trees. Around town. Especially the leaf-shedding sort.

Double U Double E

Fire Chief

First G wanted to be a tiger. Then he wanted to be a dragon. I bid on a couple dragon costumes on ebay, but didn't win. Then I saw this costume in a craft store. He loved it. I was surprised because he wasn't going to be able to growl at everyone, or blow fire, but he liked it and it made my job easy. Little did I know that he thinks fireman actually means FIRE MAN. He thinks he blows things up. The costume came with a megaphone that he called his "fire gun." He used the fire gun confidently as he started everything (and everyone) on fire.

Fire Mario

Regular old Mario wouldn't do. He was certain he wanted to be Fire Mario. I settled on this after he started dreaming about being Ice Mario, and Heli Mario. He was thrilled! I was glad I could make it work for him. He has a pretty good Mario impression too. "It's me. Mario!"

Cleopatra

She was a contest winner. The irony is not lost on me that one of the two costumes I bought won a contest. Yes, I am questioning my need and desire to make costumes in the future. But she looked good. I don't think anyone recognized her. Chris (who sees her all the time) asked us who she was at the ward party. And another guy couldn't figure out how she had my face, but she wasn't one of my kids. Funny.

Aphrodite

It was all about the hair for this costume. It was fun curling it. She looked beautiful.

Amelia Earhart

This one almost didn't come together. We found goggles last minute, and I was able to make a hat. I'm glad. She really had her heart set on being her.

I'm not going to lie. I really wish they were standing in front of our house with our decorations, and carved pumpkins. Oh well. The balcony is cool too.

Trick-or-treating.

We went with friends in the ward who live in a house. It was really fun. The weather was perfect, and it was very fall-ish. There were huge trees losing their leaves, and there were big piles of leaves everywhere. There was one house that was haunted. They had several people dress up as scary characters and jump out at us as we passed through their yard. It was actually pretty freaky. I don't think the boys liked it, but they acted brave. For now, anyways.

The aftermath...

Now, we feast.

{cue evil laugh}