Sanders turns 7!

It's a little odd to realize it's been seven whole years since I was last pregnant. Sanders turned 7 yesterday on March 2. He was SO excited to reach this milestone. Me? I'm still processing it.

7 years is old. 6 is still little, but a seven year old really feels more like a big kid than a little kid. Even though they are still little. It's quite the paradox.

Sanders only wanted two things for his birthday. A fish and a pokemon binder. My sister had a 10 gallon fish tank she wasn't currently using and said we could use it for as long as we'd like! We took her up on that generous offer and set about setting that fish tank up in his room when Sanders went to sleep on his last night of being a six year old. The tank is bigger than a small fish bowl so we got him 8 fish. 5 neons, two gold fish, and one dalmation molly.

The set up went smoothly without a single stir from the birthday boy. I knew it would most likely happen, but it was even better when it did. He woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. I didn't hear him say anything, so when he returned to his room I went in to check on him. He said, "I just had to use the bathroom."

"Okay"

"...I saw my fish," he said with a sly little grin.

"Do you love them?!?!"

"YES!"

He got out of his bed and we laid on our bellies (the tank is currently on the ground) and talked about all the fish in there while we enjoyed each other's company. It was magical. Sanders is a bit stubborn, bossy, and moody at this stage in his life, along with a slew of good qualities, but you know, sometimes they go through these not so awesome phases. It was pure heaven to be reminded of his true personality in those quiet moments in the middle of the night.

Sanders is inquisitive and truly finds joy in the little things. He's very intelligent and remembers and seeks information just like his dad and his brothers. He gets his silliness from me though. I'll claim that trait any day of the week.

He is a dare devil and loves all big, fast rides. He can't get enough of them. It's the best that he's finally reached the height that he mostly likely will not be turned away from any ride.

Pokemon are life right now. His friends come over and they trade and barter. It's a good life lesson on making sure you get the value you want before you agree to give up something you love.

I got to go to his school and pass out his requested treats, green sprinkle doughnuts.Thank goodness his birthday is in March! We talked about the pictures on his poster and I read a Dr. Seuss book, "I Can Lick 30 Tigers", to the class. He shares his birthday with the author. School has been an emotional roller coaster this year. I was very grateful to help him have a happy day there.

For his birthday breakfast he wanted the cereal Lucky Charms. I love it when my kids make it easy to please them.

Our family isn't perfect, but they are perfect for me. Sometimes, in the still moments, after the chaos of the day has settled, my heart nearly bursts in gratitude that I get to raise these amazing humans. We're changing and growing. This might be my favorite stage yet.

Happy Birthday Sand-man. We love you!

Sanders turns 5!

Oh, Sanders.

Your 5th birthday (March 2, 2014) was SO highly anticipated by you. I kept asking the day before if you were sad this was the last day you'd ever be 4. (Truthfully, it was because I was feeling a bit sad it was your last day ever to be 4). Each time you'd look at me like I was crazy and say, "NO!" You could not turn 5 fast enough.

Your birthday landed on a Sunday this year. Earlier in the week you suggested, "So....if your birthday is on a Sunday, you don't have to go to church!" You are really disliking having to go to church every week. Partly due to the fact that you have to change out of your pajamas (which you hate to do everyday anyway) and into church clothes. And partly due to the length of time sacrament meeting takes. I can't say I disagree with you on that one.

Your pre-school birthday balloon hat Mrs. Karen made you.

You wanted legos and you got them! You have been building, imagining, and building some more.

We had a family party for you that Sunday. You wanted a lego cake, but you made sure to let everyone know that even though the cake was green it was NOT a GREEN lego party. Just a lego party. It was not the finest cake I have ever made. In fact, every time I passed it, I laughed at how messy and sad it looked. But when YOU  saw it for the first time you gasped, got the biggest smile on your face, and ran to grab your siblings so you could show them the, "awesome Lego brick cake mom made!" Thanks for seeing past the imperfection to the love.

We had lots of people come. You are very loved. Nana and Pappa weren't there because they are in Nebraska this year, but we got to skype with them in the evening. Grandpa Jim wasn't there because he is working out of the country, but he got to skype with you too!

We had your friend birthday party on Saturday, March 8th. The theme? Legos! We had a free lego build,

played lego bingo

put together lego paper dolls (you LOVED this)

I can't get this to NOT be upside down. Weird. 

Opened presents (almost all legos and one very special picture of Sonja and you in a small frame) and had doughnuts for a treat.

Clearly you weren't happy about the candy AT ALL!

You can see the picture Sonja gave you on the stool in the background. We didn't get a picture of her standing next to you :(

We forgot to play the game Lego, Lego, Build that you made up. It's like duck, duck, goose. Our hearts were both sad when we realized that too late after the friends had left.

Other than that you had a wonderful time and were smiles the whole party through!

Sanders, you are so snuggly. Every morning your grab your froggy blanket and you climb into bed with me for a few quiet moments of hugs before the crazy of the morning seeps into our lives.

You like things YOUR way and often question why I should have ANY say in how you conduct yourself throughout the day. But when you decide YOUR way includes trying to be obedient, you have such a glow about you and you can't wait to tell me all the good choices you are making.

You hate changing out of your pajamas and leaving the house. You love preschool after you get there, but hate getting ready to go and leaving. We argue about this most preschool days and I worry for when you have to go to school every day.

You LOVE your siblings and will chase them half a block away in the mornings if they gave you no less than 5 hugs and kisses each. That goodbye time is important to you and you follow them around like a puppy in the mornings because you don't want to miss it.

You also love movies, t.v., and the computer game, Mine Craft. We argue a lot about how much time you'll get with those. You are convinced there is no good reason I should have all the control when it comes to the amount of time you get to enjoy those activities.

You complain about what we feed you most nights. Usually with a loud, "YUCK! I will NOT eat that."and some tears before you have even seen what is for dinner. Which gets you sent to your room until you feel like you can be grateful you have food to eat and you didn't have to prepare it. Your happiest meals are when we say, "It's cold cereal for dinner tonight." Karaia groans and you run around like a crazy person doing a happy dance.

You like to give me random hugs and kisses. I like them too.

You eat a peanut butter and honey sandwich almost every lunch.

You can read! And have been able to for about 4 months before you turned 5. You can read a lot of three letter words, but you don't like learning new words so you usually guess when I ask you to sound something out. You loved learning to read at first and now it feels too hard. We are working on making it fun together.

You tell us Dad is your favorite grown-up, but won't let anyone but me help you with most things. Even if I am the only one busy.

We love you so much and are so happy you are part of our hearts!

Karaia is 10!

Karaia turned 10 Dec. 18th! She was so excited for this birthday and would spontaneously break out into giggles and crazy faces and body movements when her brain reminded her of the upcoming event.

We decided to have her friend party on Dec. 14th. She wanted a pajama party with manicure, pedicures, and facials. I thought that was a great idea. The one problem was I had a deadline for my designs. I worked on my designs all throughout the week and my plan was to plan and shop for the party the morning of the 14th. It would have worked out fine except I woke up with the flu and even blinking my eyes sent dangerous waves to my stomach.

I called my mom who graciously went shopping for gift bags and fun spa things to do. My friend Jo'elle came and grabbed the two younger boys so I could sleep. And Kevin took a half day off of work, picked up the boys and then started cleaning the house. I kept trying to get up and help, but it was no use. I was down. We talked about rescheduling it, but with the holidays looming we quickly realized it had to be that day or some day in January. My mom found the most perfect things for the party and put everything all together. I gave Kevin some last minute instruction and then crossed my fingers and toes...as slowly as possible...and said a thousand prayers and nine 9 and 10 year olds began to arrive for the party.

Kevin was amazing. I could hear the girls laughing. Karaia kept running in my room to show me the present she opened. I love that she was trying to include me. Such a sweetheart! After it was all said and done one of the little girls looked and Kevin and said, "This was a pretty good party, even if it was run by a boy!" Success!

Seriously. I married an amazing guy. He even showed them how to do mud masks!

Her actual birthday was on Tuesday. She got some new clothes and Lego Friends.

They are a big hit and I am reminded how much I love legos.  We also had our family party that night. We love that we live so close to family and that they are willing to add something else to their holiday season if they haven't got anything else that evening. It would be so easy to say no, this is our one night with nothing to do. Thank you! And thank you to everyone who was there in spirit or celebrated earlier with us!

Between her party and her birthday Karaia had a dance/choir recital. She sang a solo. I had tried to get her to practice before hand, but she struggled to get herself to sing in front of me. Finally I suggested getting in a dry shower with the door shut and I would just be in the room, but she wouldn't have to see me. Still struggling after that, I said, "Karaia, this might be a problem. How are you going to be able to sing in front of a lot of people if you can't sing in front of me?"

"Mom. I have this weird thing. I can't sing in front of my family, but I can sing in front of other people."

"Well, that's not fair! I helped make that voice. I should be able to hear it."

"I said I was weird, not awesome."

After that little exchange she managed to make a few noises that vaguely resembled her part. I thought, well, she'll do just fine. At least she's not scared.

 

At the performance, I was frazzled because Sanders did. not. want. to. sit. still. Holidays are hard for 3 year olds. There are a lot of places to be and a lot of people trying to entertain you while you be still. Then Karaia started singing. She was amazing! I had no idea she had such a voice! She wasn't nervous and her tone was pure and lovely. I was grateful she had that opportunity. It was such a treat that it was a surprise to me and I got to hear it for the first time along with everyone else. I learned my lesson. Weird is way better than awesome some times ;)



Karaia has been so fun this last year. We've started shifting the paradime of our relationship. While I will always be more her mother than her friend while she is growing up we've begun to have a lot more friend moments.

She has become so responsible as well. We have made her our go to babysitter for short outings. She takes it seriously and tries her best to learn from the challenges of the previous time.

She enjoys all of her brothers, but her and Sanders have a special bond. It's darling to watch.

She is an excellent friend and can't stand when one friend is mean to another. She just doesn't understand it. Which I am grateful for.

We are so happy she is a part of our family!