Madison's Birthday

Madison turned 9!  This was Madison's off year for a birthday party.  Lucky for her grandma Hanna came to visit on her birthday.  They went birthday clothes shopping and out to lunch.  She had sour cream pancakes for breakfast and mac and cheese (but with mini-shells) for dinner.  For dessert she asked for a store bought Dairy Queen ice cream cake.  This was our first ever store bought birthday cake.  gasp!  haha (I was THRILLED!)

Dane was absilutly adorable.  He knew esactly what we were doing because one of his favorite Elmo's World's is about Birthdays.  So when he saw the cake he said, "birthday cake" - just like that.  We all about died.  

Some great things about Madison:

• She is getting into her own style.  She is particular about her hair and clothes and wants it all a certain way.  
• She still loves gymnastics and has a hard time sitting still or just walking some where.  She is constantly doing flips, cart wheels, and head stands.
• She is really good with Dane.  She still is a little girl at heart and likes to play in the sand box, play make believe, or play in the sprinklers, so she does those fun things with Dane when she plays with him.  
• She thrives when we give her independence and responsibility.  She likes to get things right.  She LOVES to get hard things right.  She wants to impress people.

Parties and Deacon's Quorum

We have been making a considered effort to have unity in our boys' deacons quorum.  It is a big quorum, with big challenges.  Our young men's program has been flailing the last few years and I want my boys to have a great program so  I figure we will do our part.  We have had some root bear float nights, game nights, night games, etc trying to build unity. 

They also did have one activity this summer to make up for no scout camp.  They went tubing down a river and then had a BBQ.

Also I let the kids have their first "kid" party.  I wasn't planning it or getting involved.  When I was their age my and my friends hung out all the time and planned our own parties.  But my kids seem to not do anything unless I plan it.  So I told them I would buy and make the hot dogs and that would be it.  They made the flyers, handed them out, got the house ready, "hosted" the party, and then cleaned up.  I didn't even take pictures.  It was a hit.  We had around 40 kids. It wasn't what I expected.  It was supposed to be outside and play night games.  It was the only night all summer it rained.  So they were inside - but it was fine.

 

Outings

After Eve was born our daily outings turned into less than weekly outings.  Dane and I still went to a park or swimming 3 - 5 times a week, but it was usually just me, Dane, and Eve.  Sometimes one (or both) of the girls would come.  By August I was missing my outings with my kids, but by this point they were used to just playing with their friends all day every day.  So for the last 3 weeks of summer I convinced them to go on one outing a week with me.  They obliged.  I don't have pictures of most of them.

This is one that just the girls came on with Zoe.  They spent the whole time doing their AG dolls hair.

I ALWAYS wanted a battery operated fan for my babies.  I finally got one (on my sixth)! I love it - and so does she!

The big kids usually grumble when I first tell them about the outing.   They are "too old" - but it just warms my heart to see the boys start playing like they are little kids again.  

Swimming

When the pools opened  there were some strict rules (still are).  You have to make an appointment a week in advance.  You can only have 2 appointments a week.  It lasts for 1 hour and 45 minutes.  Only 6 people can go at a time.  Everyone (including Eve) counts as a "person".  So for me, Dane, and Eve to go we can only take 3 other kids (I have 4).  So we all rotated and often took friends instead.  

Zoe comes with us 9 times out of 10.  Usually it is the 2 girls and Zoe as our "other 3".

We go twice a week, before Danes nap.  Even sleeps the whole time almost every time.

When Eve does wake - up she goes in the wrap.

umm... So Dane really likes to drown.  Seriously.  He likes to jump in the water, go under, and never come up.  I have tried to wait and see if he will get scared or try to come up on his own (he CAN touch).  But he doesn't.  He just lays there at the bottom of the pool.  When I pull him up he smiles and does it again.  

I let the boys use all 6 tickets one day.

First Family Trip

A few Saturday's ago we took our first family outing.  This was actually the first time we were all in the car together (since we don't have church to go to or grandparents houses - we are rarely all in the car together).  We have decided to make it a goal to go on a family outing every Saturday.  Our first one was to an athletic park. 

Jason and the big kids climbed up the side of a mountain on these stairs - twice!  Eve, Dane, and I made it up 40 stairs.

Then we played some games and challenged each other to some games ( and by we I mean - they, I carried Eve around in the wrap)

Dane was absolutely adorable. He followed the group around and try to do every activity. The older 

kids and Jason did.

It was a great night and a perfect first family outing!