slade is 12

Slade turned 12 on a beautiful spring day this year. His "Yes Day" consisted of playing screens nearly non-stop all day. He did pause the video games briefly so he could open presents and then take his new roller-blades out for a spin.

He requested a suit for his birthday as well. No more polo shirts for this twelve year old.

We went to Keri's for dinner that night. Colin and Amy were also in town. We had hamburgers, Slade's favorite. Colin was nice enough to jump with the kids on the trampoline. Also we got to hear their happy news of a little one on the way.

One of these bellies in not like the other but two are like each other. Yeah!

I made this delicious chocolate cake for dessert with a berry sauce, reminiscent of PF Chang's Great Wall of Chocolate. It got a little melted and bumped in the course of transportation but was still so yummy.

Slade at 12:
--loves to listen to fantasy books, rarely will read them himself but is starting to do that a little more
--is taking fencing lessons and finally seems to have found a sport that suits him
--still likes to snuggle and hold our hands
--can be really witty and funny at times
--is still very stubborn and easily frustrated but is learning to handle difficult situations so much better
--has one good friend who lives across the street and doesn't seem to care about having more friends
--loves to roller-blade around the neighborhood
--would play on the computer/Xbox all day long if allowed
--is growing so tall

birthday girl

Anne turned five! This girl loves birthdays and talks about her plans throughout the year. We began the birthday celebrations on Sunday when we hosted Daniel Dessert. We had a pink spread with angel food cake, berries, cookies, cupcakes, jello, rice krispy treats and marshmallows.

We had her "Yes Day" and presents on Wednesday instead of Thursday (her actual birthday). Thursday was full of other commitments.

She got to keep Buddy Bear from preschool during the weekend. She thought that was really wonderful. On Sunday, when I was completely wiped out from the stake activity I directed, Anne begged for a cake so she could blow out the candles. I couldn't refuse that request. We went to Aunt Keri's house for dinner and brought along a really delicious cake (yellow cake, peach jello and whip cream) so that she could finally blow out some candles.

Annie is full of personality. She loves to sing and dance. She has a great talent for remembering the words to songs. She quit taking ballet lessons for now but she still can be seen twirling and dancing through the house. She loves to play with friends and asks immediately after lunch if she can go to a friend's house for the afternoon. She only likes to wear dresses and leggings. No jeans. She loves many things girly like dresses, makeup, and fancy shoes but hates to have her hair done.

officially a teenager

We officially have a teenager in the house (and all the drama and tears to prove it!). Emma started the celebrations with French toast for breakfast and then we sent her off to school.

We brought her orange cupcakes (her favorite color) at the bus stop so she could hand them out to her friends.

Her friends made her a huge banner/poster that I hung up in her room while she was gone. It was full of fun memories and jokes that they share.

Per her request, we went to Golden Corral that night for dinner. She refused to let me have the waiters sing to her though. Then we came home and opened presents.

Thirteen Things About Emma at 13

1. She is turning into a beautiful young woman who is into fashion, hair and makeup.
2. She is anxious about getting her braces on this next year.
3. She is learning a lot through her public school experience about working with teachers, completing assignments, test-taking and making new friends.
4. She is most interested in being with her friends.
5. She is very into email, texting and Instagram.
6. She likes to bake treats. She has a definite sweet tooth.
7. She loves singing in the choir at American Heritage but definitely does NOT like violin.
8. She is adored by Anne and Ben and she can be very helpful with them.
9. She is kind and thoughtful to others (except her brothers!).
10. She has learned to enjoy being alone in her room when she is home.
11. She has a strong testimony of the Gospel.
12. She loves playing soccer but only with her friends. She isn't interested in moving up a level because that would be too much work.
13. She makes us look like awesome parents. We get compliments from her leaders all the time about how great she is.

We love you, Emma! Happy Birthday!

the Sawyerinator turns six

Sawyer started out his birthday as a star on the soccer field with a morning soccer game. Then we came home for pancakes.

Later in the afternoon, five of his friends joined him for his Robot Design Academy party.

 

 

 

 

Six Things About Sawyer at 6
1. He is taking off in his reading ability and reading everything in sight. Maybe there is hope for me to get one bookworm among my children.
2. He loves playing video games, especially Super Mario Brothers.
3. He is very coordinated in sports and dance.
4. He has a wicked temper.
5. He is entering into his destructive phase that both my older boys went through. Giving himself haircuts, cutting blankets on beds, carving into his bedroom walls, and on and on. AGH!
6. He hates being alone especially at night. He gets scared easily and often has bad dreams.

a year in photos

I put up these pictures of Ben all over the cabinets for his birthday. It was fun to see how he has grown. When I first sat down to choose photos, I was worried that I wouldn't have enough because of how sparse the picture-taking has been in the last year. Happily, I found plenty.