Happy Birthday Little Man!

He's 3. I can't believe he's 3. Little Man has been such a spit fire from the day he was born. He is full of energy and loads of fun. Kayman has his own wild imagination and loves to make people laugh. I love spending so much time with him while the girls are at school. He cuddles with me, plays games with me, watches movies with me, lets me read to him, sings and dances to Michael Jackson with me, does beads with me, exercises with me...he is my little buddy!

We had a small birthday party for him at our house tonight with our family and Andy's parents. He loved his cake and blowing out the candles!
And eating the chocolate off the candles, that's not a joint.
Andy and I were more practical this year. After strolling through Costco and realizing that we have EVERY toy there, in one version or another, I decided that Kayman probably has enough toys. We got him some shoes, socks, Toy Story underwear and pullups, and a few Toy Story action figures. I know it sounds boring, but I am trying to get him excited to potty train. He is finally interested, so I hope that not getting Woody or Buzz wet will be motivation enough for him! We'll see.
The girls are such wonderful big sisters. They went through their stuff and came up with meaningful gifts for their brother. They drew him pictures, found toys they knew he would like, an old wallet (since Kayman is 3 he will now be getting allowance, I'll post about that and how it works in our home later), some M&M's and Syd even gave him some of her money! They wrote cards for him and wrapped the gifts all by themselves. Kayman loved their gifts and played with the stuff they dug out of the toy box for him as though he had never seen any of it before. Such sweet girls to go to so much effort to make sure he had a fun birthday!
He loved his gift from Nana and Papa! Cars and a track that makes loud noises. What more could a boy want? He also got a Cowboys jersey from them! Kayman is a Dallas Cowboys fan by default...his dad has been a fan since he was a kid.

A little more about my boy:

Kayman had a rough start when he was born. He was hooked up to oxygen machines and IV's for the first 24 hours until he was able to function on his own. Then he cried and cried until he was 9 months old. He was very frustrated all the time. Thankfully, he is now a very content little boy. He's intense, but happy. He is independent and will continue on one activity for hours at a time. He is very smart and learning very quickly. He picks up a ton from the girls, some good and some bad.

Kayman loves to play with trains and cars, throw bouncy balls, put together puzzles, shoot his cap gun, watch Mickey Mouse, and his new favorite thing to do at night is choose which sisters room he is going to sleep in. He has had a lot of nightmares in the night, so he doesn't like to sleep in his own room anymore. It's great because the girls love to comfort him if he wakes up and I don't have to get up anymore! It's good for everyone. The girls always have something to bribe him with to get him to choose them.

Kayman is such a sweet child and I love him dearly! I am so grateful for him and all the laughter he brings into our home! Love you buddy!

Jessica turns 5!

My baby girl is 5 years old now and will be going to Kindergarten next month. It's surreal to me. This journey with her has been so amazing so far. She is such a special girl. I love Jess so much and admire her in so many ways. These are the 5 things I love most about Jess:

1. She loves to dress up every day. Looking pretty is very important to her and it's not unusual for her to sleep in her princess dresses. One night she even slept in her princess shoes, she just couldn't bear to take them off!

2. Jess is very helpful and loves to make people happy. If ever she makes her sister or brother sad, it doesn't take long before she is sacrificing something to make they happy again.

3. Jess knows how to make things fun. She has always been good at making me laugh, even in the times when nobody else could. She used to try to make me laugh during the sacrament when she was just 2. She is very silly.

4. She has her own personality and style, and she doesn't conform to what others think she should do. She know what she wants and doesn't let others push her around.

5. She comes up to me and gives me hugs all the time. She hasn't ever really been too cuddly or affectionate, but lately she just wants to be close to me all the time. I am eating it up while it lasts!

We celebrated her birthday tonight with friends and family with games, pizza, gifts, cupcakes, and a pinata. She was very excited about all her gifts and loved having so many people there to celebrate with her. She got some of her favorite things! Barbies, polly pockets, clothes, shoes, a movie, princess shoes, nail polish, etc...

The pinata was a hit! (he he) Each of the kids got a chance to hit it a few times.
It was Kayman who actually broke it down! What a little stud!

Next came the cupcakes, which was much easier than cake and ice cream might I add. The kids loved it. It was too windy for Jess to blow out her candles, we are in Herriman, but I'm sure she made a wish anyway.
Kayman and his friends chowing their cupcakes. These kids are all a month apart and are Kayman's best friends!
All but one of the kids who came to the party. One little girl didn't want her picture taken, but these are Jessica's closest friends. She had a great time with them!

Happy Birthday sweetie! We love you! Thanks for being such a light in our lives!

Another day...another decade

Ugh, I'm 30. It was my birthday on May 3 and I'm no longer in my 20's. I always thought I wouldn't care a bit when I turned 30, but then the day came. It was not my best day. I don't know why it was so depressing, but luckily I got over it. My family made me feel amazing!

Early in the afternoon I was getting some work done at the computer (not liking the fact that I was spending my 30th birthday at home working and thought I should be out doing something fun) when my kids and their friends came sneaking into the room. I could hear little whispers behind me and I knew they had something in store for me. It wasn't the devious whispering I am used to overhearing, so I was pretty sure they were not up to something naughty.

All of a sudden Syd ran up to me and put a birthday hat sticker on my shirt and they all started singing "Happy Birthday" to me! It was the sweetest thing in the world! I seriously started crying! It was hard to hide that from them, I knew there was no way they would understand why I would be crying in that moment, but it made me so happy. My little angels brightened my day right up!

When Andy got home from work he had this yummy ice cream cake from Baskin Robins for me! It was divine. The kids colored some pictures for me and got me pop rocks, some of my favorite candy!

Everyone keeps telling me that 30's are more fun, so I'll let you know if it's true...

Then on the Friday night after my birthday I planned with my friend Velvet to go out with our hubbies. We go out often and share a babysitter since all of our babysitters have knows our kids since they were born. We planned to go a little earlier than usual cause I needed to just get out.

Friday morning Velvet called to tell me that they were coming a little early so they could clean my house as my birthday gift! What wonderful friends I have. Anyone who is willing to clean your house for you is a keeper as far as I am concerned! :)

We left early enough that we planned to meet Andy at the restaurant. We left and I was SO excited to go to Tepanyaki for my birthday dinner. Right as we were pulling into the parking lot Velvet got a call from the babysitter saying that she though Samantha had broken her arm falling off the trampoline. They started heading back to our house, and I came up with a million different solutions...I suggested they leave me at the restaurant to meet Andy there since he was on his way. Once I called Andy and he said he was closer to home that the restaurant I agreed to head home with Justin and Velvet.

Andy called a few minutes later saying that Samantha's arm definitely looked broken and we should hurry home. I suggested he take her to instacare and we would meet him there, then he could take me to dinner while Justin and Velvet took care of Samantha. I really wanted those noodles! I kept throwing curve balls at them unknowingly.

When we walked in the door at my house I was so confused as to why the kitchen table was outside, then all of a sudden a million of my friends came around the corner! I have never had a surprise party before, and I was SO surprised! Suddenly the fact that Velvet came and cleaned my house made so much sense.

We had a big BBQ and it was so fun! Thank you to everyone who was able to come and make my night so wonderful!!! You are the best friends in the world. Andy and Velvet planned this thing so quickly and so well. I always thought that if I had a surprise party that I would figure something out beforehand. It didn't happen. I didn't have a clue!

Here I am with Velvet the night of my party. She is such an incredible person, and I am lucky to be such good fiends with her. She has taught me so much and I love her dearly!

Birthday Girl

My Sydney turned 6 on Feb. 11! She is SO grown up! She had a very eventful day! Off to school in the morning, and I got to go help in her class for a while. She liked having me there on her birthday, and I took treats for her class, so she liked that too.

Right after school, Grammy and Grandpa came and picked her up for lunch. Syd chose McDonalds of all places. I guess 6 year olds never get sick of McDonalds. We had been there earlier in the week!

After lunch she got to go to the store and pick her present. She got a doll that came with hair paint she can use on the doll and on her hair. I don't remember what it's called, but she loves it!

The afternoon was spent playing with her new doll and then we went to dinner at the Training Table. She chose it all by herself, I swear! No convincing from me! It's one of my favorite places too because I LOVE the cheese fries! I think Syd loves the phones.

When we got home from dinner we had a family party with strawberry cupcakes and her uncle Brad and aunt Lindsay. They got her a jewelry beading set, and the same doll she chose earlier in the day with Grammy and Grandpa! We were all surprised! I can't believe I forgot go take pictures that night. I'm a slacker lately! Syd enjoyed the evening and didn't get to bed until around 10.

Saturday the 13th was Syd's party. She kept thinking of more and more people to invite, and we ended up with 14 kids (in addition to my own) over for the party! I had to put a stop to the numbers at some point!

She had a jungle Safari party! She was the Zebra.

She has just started showing interest in Hannah Montana and got 2 different Hannah Montana bags! She was very excited! She also got a lot of makeup and art stuff, barbies, little pet shop animals, and more makeup! Thanks to everyone who gave to generous gifts and made Syd's birthday party so much fun with your kids there!
The Safari cake. This is the best picture I got of it. I can't believe I didn't get a good shot of it...it was awesome! I didn't make it, no, but I did put the animals on it...
The kids waiting patiently for their cake and ice cream.
We don't have near enough chairs for everyone, so we cleared out the kitchen and told the kids they could sit on the floor and eat. They all decided to sit under the table. So cute!
This is the goofy face picture! Quite the crowd!

Syd is such a special girl. She has such a big heart and loves to help others. She is always thinking of others' feelings and how to serve. She is very tender and loves to spend time with family and friends. She is very active and would spend all day riding her bike if it wasn't so cold outside! One of her favorite things is for Andy and me to lay with her at night before she falls asleep. That's when we get the most information out of her about her day, school, friends, concerns, etc. We love you Syd!!!

Big 2 year old!

Happy Birthday Kayman! My baby is 2 years old! My little man is growing up way too fast! He has changed so much in the last few months, it's amazing to me. He has found his sense of humor and loves to make us all laugh. He LOVES fire and was excited (although it's not obvious from the picture) to have some lit candles on his birthday cake.

He didn't love all the attention though. There were about 15 people singing Happy Birthday to him and he got pretty shy. He just started this hiding behind his hand thing recently and does it whenever he gets embarrassed.
He loved his gift from his great grandma. She gave him a little teddy bear that he carries around everywhere.
Syd and Jess helped him open his other gifts. He got some puzzles, bean bags, stacking blocks and a big monkey pillow! He loves it all!
I absolutely adore this little boy. He is my little man. I love the way he giggles so hard when I tickle him, the way he kisses each cheek and then my lips, the way he turns my head to look at him when he wants to tell me something, his new dance moves, his independence, the way he looks at me as he runs away when I try to get him dressed, that he cares so much what shoes he wears, that he loves having his hair fixed, that he tackles his sisters already, the goofy faces he makes at me, and that he loves to cuddle up on the couch and watch Nemo with me. He is the most loving boy. I am so grateful for him and the joy he has brought to me. Happy Birthday Man! Love you forever!

My older man!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDY!!!

Andy had his birthday last week and turned 30! He is officially OLD! :) I tell him he's my distinguished older man. Nevermind the fact that I am only 6 months behind.

When he got home from work I took him out to dinner to Olive Garden. We enjoyed a nice dinner without distractions from the kids, but went home to them and had a little party.

Jess got her daddy some Flarp. It's puddy stuff that makes farting sounds when you push your fingers into it. She thinks it's hilarious and wanted to play with it all night! Syd got him a gum ball machine, then of course wanted some gum as soon as he opened it. They are such sweet girls! It was fun to watch them pick out gifts for him and see the excitement as he opened his gifts! Kayman got him some socks. I know, he was really excited too! :)
Happy Birthday Babe! We love you!

Happy Birthday Jessica!

Jessica turned 4 today! She has been so excited to be 4. For some reason, it is just so much better than 3! She is very excited to go to preschool in a few months and start doing things her big sister is doing. In February, right before Syd's birthday, Syd kept talking about going to Chucky Cheese's for her birthday, and she ended up choosing Boondocks when the day actually came. Ever since then, Jess has been saying that she is going to have her birthday party at

Chucky Cheese's. I couldn't let her down.

Here are the kids being themselves, after LOTS of sugar...if you couldn't tell!

Kayman got to play a little ball and couldn't have been happier! He loves to play ball!
The girls played lots of games and rode lots of little rides together.
Jess chose the party hat cake pan at the store the other day. This was my first attempt in decorating a cake in a creative way. She chose the colors and I did my best. I could use a little practice, so it looks like this may be the traditional birthday cake from now on!
Jess is the sweetest little girl. She is still very into princesses and dressing up. (She slept in her Cinderella dress last night!) Her gift from Andy and me was a Princess vanity for her room, and she was sitting at it all day long! She loves to put on make-up, paint her nails, and dress pretty. It is rare when she doesn't have a skirt on.

Jess loves to sing songs she has learned at church and on movies. She doesn't like to be caught singing too often, she gets a little shy. Jess is a funny girl who makes me laugh every single day. She even makes me laugh when she is in trouble. She knows just the right face to pull at just the right time to get off the hook. It's hard to discipline when she does that, but somehow I manage. :)

I am so lucky to have Jess in my home. She is a wonderful child. She is happy and energetic and very creative. I love her originality and unique personality. She likes it when I lie down with her at night and the talks we have are hilarious. I learn a lot about her during this special time with her. I admire her and try to be as carefree as she is. Happy Birthday Jess! We love you!