Will's 11th Birthday!

Here I go again: how in the world have 11 years gone by since this child has entered the world? Since I became a mom?! 11?!! Eleven. Geez Louise. Do you know what's next? Tw-- I can't talk about it... Will, I'm so grateful you're healthy, growing and strong. It's just crazy and bittersweet to keep watching the years tick by. We are so proud of the boy you're growing into. You've really matured a lot this year. You're taking school work more seriously and complaining less, taking the high road more often with your siblings or friends and in general approaching things with a better attitude. You still have growing and learning to do, as all of us did at that age and still do in different ways, but we're so excited to watch you grow and mature. I love you so much little man!!!

By request, we had a pretty low-key day. You wanted donuts for breakfast, pizza for dinner, staying home to play all day and a sleepover with friends. I almost didn't allow the sleepover because I said no parties this year after everyone had big parties last year. But in the end, I thought, not very many parties or sleepovers are gonna happen after 11, so we better give you this chance. And me this chance to enjoy your youth, before you're too cool for everything. :) So anyway, those are the things we did and I think you had a great day!

last night as a 10-year-old

You decided not to have a birthday cake. At first you wanted a homemade ice cream cake like Maggie and Jake had for their birthdays. Then I made some chocolate peppermint cookies for Christmas and you said you wanted those instead. So, I made the donuts into a birthday tower cake, and we sang to you at breakfast. Happy 11th Birthday, little man!!! I love you so much, am glad to call you my son and hope you had a great day!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy 6th birthday Jake!

My Bo Baker boy is now 6 years old!!! Happy birthday, Jakey! I cannot believe how quickly that last 6 years have gone by. That doesn't even sound write typing it. 6 years? Slow down time!! You're a big Kindergarten boy now and inching toward those older school-aged kid years. I love every minute of it, but they're not the same as those sweet pre-school years. I'm so grateful to have spent these years with you and I pray for so many more!!

last night as a 5 year old

Jake, Jacob, Jakey, Bo Baker, Bakey Boy. You are such a sweet, thoughtful, loving little boy who is quick to give compliments, help people and you can be a very good sharer. You can be very obedient but sometimes you just want your own way. You can also get overly emotional and whiney, but we're working on it. You love superheroes, especially the Avengers and have recently started liking spiders after watching Lord of the Rings with daddy. You have the best imagination and I love watching you play- in this way, you remind me so much of Will when he was younger. You can come up with these crazy story lines with your guys but you keep yourself entertained for a long time. And yes, you do still say things that make no sense sometimes, but for the most part you are just a super funny, silly guy.  We love you so much Jakey and are so glad you're part of our family!!!

Happy 6th birthday Jake!

How we spent your day:

Your birthday fell on Monday this year, so we had to go to school today. CC is a lot of fun and you really enjoy it, though. And you opened your present before we even left. We brought chocolate chip cookies for your class and your presentation was on your new toy- Hulk that fits inside the Hulkbuster (you call it Squishy Iron Man- so cute) - so it was a pretty good day.

After school you wanted play time, your cake and then CiCi's Pizza for dinner. You chose a confetti ice cream cake this year. I used the same ice cream cake recipe I've always used- similar to Maggie's but did vanilla ice cream, sprinkles and Nilla wafters for the cookies. You asked to skip soccer practice and go shopping with birthday money instead.

A little more play time and putting together Legos then off to bed. It was a good birthday for my Bo Baker boy. We love you so much, happy birthday honey!!!!!!

Happy 8th Birthday Maggie!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Eight?! 8?!!!? Maggie, how in the world are you 8 years old? Sweetheart, you are just growing up so fast on mommy! I am so proud to call you my little Maggie Moo, my sweetheart, my oldest daughter, my Moosie. I love you so much! You have the sweetest spirit and really let your light shine, showing kindness and grace to everyone you meet, which makes you such a joy to be around and boy do you love to laugh! That laugh is infectious too!! You can be impatient, opinionated and sometimes a little on the self-righteous side but you're happy to reign it in. You work so hard with your therapy and catch on so quick with your schoolwork smart girl; I'm always amazed by you sweetheart, I love you my girl!!

last night as a 7 year old

How we spent your day:

Sadly, you woke up with an upset tummy. :( You asked for a smoothie but lost it before you even got halfway finished. So you had to miss our Synergy group day with friends and Parent's Night Out, both which you were really looking forward to and had  been planning as part of your special day for awhile. The boys and I went to our group day just long enough to finish school work and came back home to find you were already feeling better. So much so, that you begged to eat the donuts our friends bought for your bday saying, "mom, it's my birthday!" I finally allowed it and you felt fine the rest of the day.

Happy 8th birthday Maggie!

You opened our present and cards sent from grandparents then we had cake after lunch. Jake really wanted a picture with his birthday girl sister! You two cuties.

You've been asking for this Hatchimal for awhile and were so excited to open her!! You never know what's inside, so I'm happy it was a yellow, pink & purple owl. Very girly for my girly girl. You asked for ice cream cake this year and it just so happens I have a recipe I used all the time years ago. It's Oreos, fudge, mint chocolate chip icing and cool whip. Just what you asked for and you loved it!!

Since you couldn't go to PNO, mommy and daddy took you out on a date instead. We got BBQ for dinner, one of your fave foods, and you requested a stop at Build-A-Bear to spend your birthday money. I really thought I took pictures of at least the bear stop, but apparently not! Either way, your day didn't go exactly as planned, but you still had a very special day and enjoyed it very much. Happy 8th birthday my sweetheart Maggie girl! I love you!!!!!!!!

Allie's 4th Birthday!!

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY ALANA!!

My baby girl is 4 years old!!!! I've been very transparent about my difficulty with change and my sentimental-nature so it should come as no surprise that this was a bittersweet birthday celebration for me. I'll emphasize how grateful I am that my children are growing and strong but boy it's just so hard watching those years tick away! Plus, ages 2 & 3 are pretty much my favorite ages and now they're gone!! I mean, I love all the ages, at least until 7/8 when things really start to change, but still.

I know, many people think I'm crazy for loving 2 & 3 because they can be so difficult. And believe me, about a month before Alana turned 2, she definitely took a sharp turn into attitude-town and fit the bill for three-nager. But, there is also so much sweetness, exploration and learning that happens during these years, it's just fun to watch. Just about everything a 2 & 3 year old does is adorable. Even in those difficult moments.

last night as a 3-year-old

Anyway, my sweet pea, precious Allie is now a 4-year-old big girl! Happy birthday to you baby girl!! I'm so happy God chose me to be your mommy, I cannot even believe how blessed I am to be mommy to all my littles. You are still an energetic, sassy, strong-willed, fun-loving, sweet little girl who loves to munch all day and would survive on cheeseburgers, chips & cereal if I let you! My sweet Alana can give hugs and kisses, but also give some attitude and are very difficult to get to sleep at night. Work in progress. We did not plan and were a little freaked out to have 4 kids, but you have added so much joy and personality to our family; you're the perfect bookend.

How we spent your day:
Today was actually your first day at Mother's Day Out for this school year. I hated to miss that time, but you wanted to go and it gave me time to finish your cake. Plus, I brought Frozen popsicles as a birthday treat to share with your class, so that was pretty cool. As soon as you came home, we showed you the cake and opened presents!

 I didn't get a good picture, but you loved the unicorn cake mommy made you! And my goodness, did you love your presents! You are such a My Little Pony girl, quite possibly obsessed. Love the pics I got of you opening presents. My sweet girl.

 Then, what's better than opening presents? Playing with all your new toys!! We played for awhile then Grandma & Paga called to wish you a happy birthday and asked if we could meet for dinner. So we met them at Cracker Barrel and you had yummy pancakes and eggs for dinner! After, they took you to the store and let you pick a present. More My Little Pony, of course!!

We had cake and home, then a little more time to play with all your new ponies before heading to bed. I love you so much my preshy girl, and am grateful to celebrate another year with you.Happy happy birthday to you Allie!!!!

My birthday

The kids are all at VBS this week. It's the only VBS all summer where all 4 can go and it happens to fall the week of my birthday. At first, I was kind of sad thinking about spending part of my birthday alone and then I realized that was crazy. It took me some time to think about what I would do with 3 hours completely to myself, able to do what I want, not tied to the house. And it occurred to me: reading on the beach. That's one of my favorite things to do. Problem is, I don't live near the beach. But I do live near a lake, so lake beach it is! I was going to save some time to hang out at Hobby Lobby but really got into my book and spent the majority of my time at the beach. It was glorious.

When I picked up the kids, it was lunch time. DQ was not my top pick, but it worked out as an easy stop, so we ate there and most importantly, I got a peanut butter & cookie dough blizzard. Shut the front door. Happy birthday! Literally. 

After lunch I actually had the chance to read a little more. Then later we went to the lake with my ice cream cake and enjoyed both. The kids loved playing in the lake! They can't wait to go back. Before we went I said, they'll be fine, no need for swim suits/trunks. Fool. 

What a great day spent with a little me time and some fun family time with yummy ice cream cake mixed in. Couldn't ask for a better birthday!