Happy Birthday Jonah

On September 25th my dear sweet Jonah turned 11. Eleven years ago Jonah was born at night in a blazing fast way.  He was so still and calm as a baby.  That has so changed because he now is one active boy who can't sit still for anything.  He is in constant motion!  He is still mostly calm, but there is fire within him.  He is definitely tender-hearted.  He is my sensitive soul who is older than his 11 years.

For his birthday he wanted to go to the zoo.  Jonah loves the zoo and especially loves monkeys.  Because we only had so much time Jonah played tour guide and planned our way through the zoo.  Monkeys, gorillas, large cats, giraffes, seals, and elephants were on the itinerary.  It was so hot that the kids spent a good bit of time at the spray stations.

He wanted Whataburger for lunch

Jonah is not a hard child to make happy.  He likes to read, play thinking games, and be in quiet environments.  So, birthday shopping was pretty easy.  He was so excited about his books and chess!

 

A few weeks after his birthday Jonah celebrated with a small group of friends.  They played minute to win it games and it was hilarious.  Watching those boys try to complete the "easy" challenges was funny!  Some of those games were admittedly harder than initially thought.  Silly boys!

At age 11, Jonah loves are:

Harry Potter books and anything mystical
Gymnastics
Riding his bike
Playing video games
Playing thinking games like chess
Going to school
Sleeping late tucked under 5 blankets no matter the weather
Playing at parks so he can climb

Happy Birthday my sweet Jonah!  I know age 11 is going to be fun and exciting and full of changes.  Daddy and I are excited to be on this journey of finishing 5th grade/elementary school with you and experiencing gymnastics at a new gym. Love you!!!!

Happy 8th Birthday Samuel Keath

Happy Birthday to my sweet Samuel!  At 7:25am on Friday he turned 8!!!  I gave him lots and lots of kisses on the way to the bus stop and embarrassed him thoroughly.  It was fun!

His day began with a birthday kiss from me when I woke him for school.  I don't think he has ever dressed so quickly because Samuel knew ice cream was waiting for him.  Cherry Vanilla was his pick this year...

I took Samuel Chick Fil A for lunch and we got to have a fun little birthday lunch at school.

Then the birthday craziness began.  Samuel invited four friends to go to the season opener Rice baseball game.  I downloaded a template to make these awesome invitations.  I am so glad other people are crafty!  One sweet boy thought it was his actual ticket!  That was what he wanted for his birthday party.  So almost as soon as school ended his friend began arriving for cake and presents.  Samuel requested a chocolate chip cookie cake that looked like a baseball....easy!  I decided to get each boy a Rice t-shirt instead of a goodie bag.  Then it was all up to Drew to feed the boys at the game.  Easiest party ever!

Samuel has assumed his baseball watching position for the next four months!  I have no idea why we buy that boy a seat.

Samuel and his friends

With all the craziness of Friday night we didn't give Samuel his gifts until Saturday.  Samuel knew this ahead of time and was totally fine with extending his birthday celebration.  Drew made Samuel a baseball hat holder.  It is super cool and Samuel loved it!  He also got a new baseball bag and that was a huge hit as well.  Finally we gave him a new Army toy and Pokemon cards.  If Samuel isn't playing baseball or football he is playing Army or with those crazy cards.    It makes him happy!

Louisville Slugger cut in half with pegs added

This sweet boy is such a gift.  He is growing into such an incredible person and I am just so proud to be his momma.   His smile makes me happy.  Those adorable freckles on his nose and cheeks make me want to hug him.  His love of sports and desire to talk with me about it all the time makes my heart full.  Listening to him play the piano and secretly admit that he really likes it is awesome.  He is a good student, he works hard, and he is kind to others.  Samuel plays sports with his entire heart.  And that is Samuel....cautious, but all heart.  He gives his all to the things and people he loves. 

Happy Birthday Elena Joy

My sweet Elena turned 6 last Friday!  Sometimes this doesn't seem possible and other days it feels like she should be 20 because of her sassiness.  It is hard to believe that my tiny baby girl is an active, full of life Kindergartner. 

Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream for breakfast

Elena is a sweet, happy little girl.  

She loves to color, draw, paint, and really do anything crafty.  

She likes to sing and dance.

As much as she is a little princess Elena can get dirty outside with her brothers in no time at all.

Elena worships Emma.

She loves to play with Samuel.

Elena and Jonah struggle the most, but their nice times are the sweetest!

She is really enjoying learning to read and thinks math is too easy.

Elena loves to play with her friends and makes "friends" everywhere we go.

Elena still things Frozen is the most awesome movie ever.

Elena pushes or attempts to push the boundaries more than her siblings.

Elena is filled with sass which is both cute and other times not so cute.

Elena is still figuring out what her thing (sport) is.

Elena really likes school.

Samuel was helping her read her birthday card

Her favorite little gift

Lucky girl had a celebration with me and Drew on Friday and with her friends today.  On Friday everyone had an activity except Elena....this is our norm!  So, Drew and I decided to take Elena out to dinner for her birthday.  We agreed on Hasta la Pasta for spaghetti which was better than Elena's original thought of Chick-Fil-A.  We had such a fun date with our sweet girl.  I really think she enjoyed the 1-1 time with us.  Her sweet little spirit shined.

I just love this.  She twirled without a thought to anything around her

I want tiramisu mom.....really?

Do I like it?

Yep!

Today we had her birthday party.  It is tricky to have a birthday in December for many reasons and one week before Christmas poses its own set of challenges.  I was so happy to find a date that all her friends could come and a theme that was fun, but not "Christmasy".  So we had a snowman party today and thanks to the creative people on Pinterest we had lots of fun!

Elena invited five friends and Emma and her two friends helped.  Thank goodness for 12 and 13 year old girls!!  We did two crafts and played two games.   They made hot chocolate snowmen and painted an ornament.  The games were fun, but the silliest was definitely trying to draw a snowman on their heads.  That caused lots of giggles!

Little girls crafting

Ashlynn, Emma, and Sadie crafting

Older girls Popsicle stick ornaments

Snowmen hot chocolate

Little girls ornaments....the comparison makes me laugh!

Lunch was of course snowman themed and was the snowman cupcake cake.  After lunch, cake, and presents they watched Frosty the Snowmen.  That was it.  Fun activities, eating, and a little resting.  It was a blast for everyone!!

I am so thankful that Elena has a sweet group of friends.  I am even more thankful they could all help her celebrate being 6 today!!!!  Thank you mom and dads for bringing them!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Elena....we do love you so much and do think you are such a joy to us!!!!