Thursday, March 5, 2015

Birthday Time Four Amelia

Four. FOUR!?! The years are going by so quickly!

 So, a rundown on how birthdays usually go for us: I actually get up when the kids do and we let the birthday kid open their presents from their siblings and (sometimes) from their Grandparents. It's a pretty fun way to start off a birthday! Special kid gets the breakfast of their choice (and she chose waffles with strawberries, a kid after my own heart). Then we send older kids off to school and do other fun stuff with the homey kids.
 
 Sometimes, if the birthday kiddo is lucky, they get a package in the mail! This year Amelia is SUPER in love with Wonder Woman. She was over-the-moon to have a Wonder Woman shirt (with cape!) from Grammy and Pop.
So, birthday kiddo gets to choose their dinner (it is generally Pizza, although Sheridan went for TURKEY DINNER this year. Yeah.). And then, cake!
 This year, Amelia had a clear vision of the type of cake she wanted. A BUNNY cake (the girl is as obsessed with bunnies and chicks as she is with Wonder Woman). But not just any bunny cake. She wanted a bunny cake with chocolate frosting and strawberries. We figured something out (she was my helper in making the cake--she also told me I was doing it wrong more than once! A few tweaks got her approval).
She loved being the center of attention for once!
The kiddos usually get one or 2 bigger gifts from Mom and Dad (and a few clothes and certainly books). This year's winner was the Li'l Woodzeez Cottage. Smash hit--they played with it until bed!

A few days later we had a little party for Amelia. She's been wanting a party since last year, but things actually came together this year. 5 of her closest girlfriends came over for an afternoon of Duck, Duck, Goose! (excuse me, Rooster, Rooster, Chickie!), cupcakes, presents, and playing!
Mostly, they just played and played with the Li'l Woodzeez and Littlest Petshops.

In line with her LOVE of chicks, we did chick cupcakes. She LOVED her party!

When she grows up, Amelia wants to be a farmer.
Favorite Color: Yellow
Favorite Animal: (take a shot in the dark...it's a....) Chicks and bunnies, followed closely by octopus.
Favorite Princess: Wonder Woman. Amelia doesn't really care for most other princesses (although she'll admit she likes Anna, Belle, and Cinderella).
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Things to Do: go swimming, play with friends, play with siblings, help Mommy cook, read books with Daddy, and help Sister McDougal (our neighbor who has 4 boys--one of whom is a BABY--and she goes over to sew with her and weed her garden and dust).
Amelia is one little sweetheart! She loves people and has a way of making people feel loved and special. So far her hips are doing well (we'll see again in the fall) and she's growing like a weed! We love our little Miss Amelia!

Monday, March 2, 2015

Eight is Great!

Sheridan turned EIGHT this February. She decided she wanted a cupcake/baking party, so we did our best to accommodate her wishes!

 I made some cute aprons for the girls to have...Then they frosted and swirled frosting to their hearts content!
They frosted one for here and one to go!
 Would a party really be complete without a game of TAG? Note: Sheridan has never had a party with outside games because, HELLO, February! It was so warm that those girls were getting hot running around outside! We also played some parachute games with a giant sheet. Looks like I need to work on my themes a little bit... :)
Of course, the party needed some karaoke action. Everything is more fun when you can sing "Let It Go" with a group of girlfriends!
Sheridan's actual birthday fell on a school day (boo to that) but she was able to start the day with some gifts from her siblings. She ended the day with gifts from her grandparents and parents and with...
CHEESECAKE!
Can I tell you how fun it is that she wanted a "grown up" dessert like cheesecake rather than funfetti cake (not that I'm knocking funfetti--it's one of my favorites!). Methinks she's a teenager trapped in an 8 year old's body!

When Sheridan grows up she wants to be: A Veterinarian
Favorite Color: Usually magenta, but sometimes turquoise or purple or hot pink
Favorite animal: tortoise
Favorite Books: Rescue Princesses or Rainbow Magic
Favorite Movie: Robin Hood (the Disney version)
Activities and Interests: Piano lessons, school plays, singing, dancing, READING, swimming, playing with friends

Sheridan is becoming so very helpful. She is very, very responsible and usually takes care of whatever she is supposed to without being reminded. She loves to learn and love animals. We love Sheridan!

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Fabulous February

February was full of so much fun! 
Sheridan and I had a triple mommy-daughter date to the BYU Fairytale Ballet. The girls got to meet a ton of the dancers after watching them perform. They all got to go onstage during the intermission and dance with some of the ballerinas! It was a fantastic experience.
 The kids' school had a Family Valentine Dance. Elsa and Anna attended, which was pretty cool (see what I did there?)! Jack mostly ran around with his buddies, but the rest of us danced together and had a great time. Wish we'd gotten a picture of Cole getting down. That boy has MOVES.
Sheridan was elected by her classmates as the 2nd Grade Princess because she's such a great leader. I'll give it to Sher, she is super-responsible and wants to do what is right.

 The weather continued to feel like spring, so Cole started breaking out of the house to go for scooter rides.
We watched the Provo City Center Temple come closer to completion.

Jack and Cole practiced their selfie techniques.

Henry got into the swing of birthdays with some unique balloon art.

And we got to spend some time with family to celebrate our February birthdays (see the next 2 posts for the kids' parties and for Sheridan's special 8th birthday baptism)! Phew, February was full of fun!