Ava Turned 10 Six Months Ago

I am giving this blog a present.  I'm sure it has felt neglected lately, but the pictures about to grace this space should make up for any lack of attention.

Ava is half way to 11 now so it's way past time for her 10 year old pictures.

I love her so much.

Her complexity is beautiful and curious and there is always something new to discover about her.

I hope that someday she will see and appreciate herself for the creative, sweet, and bright girl that she is.

And I pray that the people she meets will take the time and effort to see her and to know her, because it will be well worth it.

She guards herself closely, but if you're lucky enough to sneak in,

to catch even a glimpse of the stories and pictures that reside in her imagination, 

you can practically see the sparks and magic dust that surround her and she looks even more beautiful.

Max is Six!

Max had decided on glow in the dark bowling many months ago. So when his birthday rolled around, so did the bowling balls.

Max has a great group of little friends. And it was pretty fun to get them all together.

This was my second go at a Minecraft cake (also in Max's plans for months prior).  I will never be a cake maker, but this one did turn out better than the last.

  

I could write it out again, but the thoughts would be the same, so here is what I posted on Instagram on October 29:

Notorious for refusing to be in pictures, I got lucky this morning because he was just so gosh darn excited that it's his birthday today. So excited, he made himself a card last night. So excited, he said in the car yesterday, "Mom!! Can you believe it's my birthday tomorrow?!?! And can you believe that 5 is my last baby number and 6 is my first big boy number?!? I CAN'T WAIT!!!" So excited, he's been counting down for a month. He is so precious to me, though this year has been one of the more challenging as his mom. He is extremely stubborn and very sensitive. He went to his first football game, had no idea what was going on, but danced the entire time. He loves kindergarten but can't imagine going to school for more than 3 hours ever because he misses me too much. He plays equally well with boys and girls and can make a friend wherever he goes. He may be the instigator of sibling brawls at home, but at least when he's out of the house, he is amazingly good at keeping the peace. He has so much love inside of him there are times he literally cannot contain it and he bounces around hugging everyone until our eyes nearly pop out. He is a big, big boy but there are few more tender. In fact, with each excited birthday outburst, he would so sweetly comfort me, "But don't worry, Mom, I'll always be your baby. Even when I'n a dad, even when I'n a grandpa, even when I'n dead." You better believe I'm going to hold him to it. ‪#‎happybirthdaymymax‬ ‪#‎six‬

Halloween 2015

Originally we were planning a Wizard of Oz Halloween.  Luke wanted to be the Tin Man, Finn was going to be a lion, and I somehow convinced everyone else be the scarecrow, Dorothy, and Toto (Jack didn't need much convincing).

But as Halloween approached, Luke's interest in the Tin Man began to wane.  Slowly the plan fell apart as everyone came out with what they'd really like to be if their mom wasn't forcing them into a theme.  

So I let it go, and we had the perfect random cast of characters.  

A bat,

 a witch,

 a lamb, 

Clark Kent, 

and a lion.

And we had a great time.

Sometimes it feels like we're celebrating Halloween for a week between all the different activities. But I guess that's not all bad.

Max seems to attract the ladies.  Here he is with one of his "admirers" and best friends, Kamryn.  And on the other side is one of his other best friends, who also happens to be his 2nd cousin, Connor.

Finn was not feeling this picture, obviously.  But  like any good mother, I forced him into it with his best little friend, Mercedes and his 2nd cousin friend, Matthew.

I had planned to recycle Finn's Yoda costume from last year for Jack, but I couldn't find it.  So at the last minute I grabbed this lamb costume from a classifieds site.

He hated the hat but forgot about it as long as he had a lollipop.  The only time he was reminded was when access to his mouth was blocked. 

We threw in some Max birthday celebrations along the way and it made for some fun times.


Pumpkin carving,

And a spooky dinner,

opening presents, 

And we capped off the night with Trick or Treating, and it was a perfect night.