THE BIRTHDAY WEEK!!!

Ben's birthday was first. He turned 5!
Here are a few pictures of Ben's party, he was all over the place so I don't have many pics of just him. I don't want to post ones with his friends since I don't have all their permission. Trust me, they had a blast!




The next day, Nana + Poppy and Amy and her family came over to celebrate. This was the first year I didn't have a BIG family and friends party in addition to Katie's friend party, Ben's party at child care/preschool and Katie's treats for her school party.
I bring it on myself because, I always feel so guilty that their birthdays are 3 days a part and I feel like they need their own separate day but also time with family and friends. Well, it gets to be a lot of planning, money, buying what seems like 5 cakes and stress on my part! I make way to big of a deal about things.
So,this year I decided for 2 separate parties and I hope everyone will understand. I know my friends who's children weren't invited to the parties will understand.We have a few sets of friends who all have older boys that couldn't come to Ben's because of the age restriction at the place. They certainly couldn't come to Katie's because, HELLO...it was a SPA party and boys are gross, according to Katie. So we will see them individually and hopefully stay friends:) Just kidding!

Jason's parents will come over for dinner at some point, his mom was sick the one day it was planned, to see them. I had my sister and parents over for a get together/birthday cake on another day. I think my sister and nephews were in shock that I didn't have a crowd, NO games, NO goodie bags and no hoopla. Just a good ol' day of playing fun!!! FYI, last year I had my wonderful brother-in-law, outside in the freezing temps helping me set up for a scavenger hunt and trying to put the pole in the ground for the pinata!!! He was soooo happy not to have to do that this year! Oh, I even made them share Ben's left over cake for our celebration with my sister!!!!!
Then Ben didn't want to bring anything to school for his special birthday treat. He told me he already had his party with his friends! WooHoo.
Katie of course couldn't imagine this!! But then she never mentioned bringing in treats either. WOW, I did end up having an easier time this year.

So there is my confession. My friends better be reading this!





Now Katie turns 8....

Poppy and Nana gave Katie a very special gift this year. It's a bed for her doll, Mia (AG). Poppy made it out of a piece of maple he had from his father. Two years ago he made Ben a beautiful set of blocks out of it too. It must be pretty big?!
Anyway, Nana, yes Nana, made the bedding with some help from her friend Mrs. Yates, an old family friend. Katie loves it!!! I do to because now, Mia has a place to stay.

Then she had her Spa Party with her girl friends....

This year she wanted a Spa Party at home with her friends. It turned out to be 12, 2nd grade girls. Thank goodness some couldn't come:)
Here are a few pics with her friends who's mom's I know won't mind them being on my blog.
Let me just say this...There was A LOT OF: SCREAMING, GIGGLING, NAIL POLISH SMELL, BUBBLES, SUGAR AND HAIR SPRAY GOING ON ALONG WITH TAYLOR SWIFT PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND! I went out for a drink with my friend when it was all over!!!!

Ben Turns 5!

I went in to wake up Ben on his birthday and he was sound asleep. I rubbed his back and sang the "Happy Birthday" song. He slowly wakes up and cuddles up to me. He says in his sleepy voice, "Do I have to go to tindergarten today?" He says "t" for "k". I said no, why. "You said when I turn 5 I have to go to tindergarten."
How Cute is He!!!!!

A few pics that some would enjoy

Jason and his brothers Noah and Ryan(goatee)


K and Grandpa Walter at Ryan's wedding


B with his LONGSHOT Nerf gun!!!

January is Birthday Month!!

Well our house is very busy this month. I can't believe the month is almost over!
The crazy cycle began two weeks ago as we started to send out invites for the parties. This year I decided to go easy and just have a little friend party for B this past Saturday and a friend party for K next Saturday. No big family/friend party at our house too like usual. It gets crazy and to much!
So B's party went really well yesterday. It was very loud but went off very smoothly!
K's will be really NUTS but I think I'm ready!?! Can you really ever be ready for a large group of giggly and loud girls in a confined space?!?
Then there's Jason's birthday at the very end of the month! By then I'm exhausted and I pretty much give him a kiss and say Happy Birthday:)

K started a new activity last week at church. Our church has a puppet ministry for children. They perform for the Sunday School classes and in nursing homes. K's seen them perform many times at church and in November they announced they were inviting children to join again. So guess who signed herself up? Yup, K! We waited until the new year and her first week was 2 weeks ago. She loved it! There are about 10 kids and the first night they started a new play and gave everyone parts. She jumped right in and did really well. (I had gotten there early to pick her up so I was able to see them practice). I'm glad she's not afraid to get up in front of crowds and speak. I was never good at that and NEVER volunteered. Jason either. So we are happy she is learning that skill early and gaining confidence.

B loves his gymnastics and having fun! He's had a few tough days at preschool, but we are working on his behavior. He loves to "debate" what he's done and why he didn't really do it!!! Oh he's a character!

A Few Funny Things heard around the house.

I told Katie I'd be up to her room/loft in a few minutes to play.
Katie says, "Ok, wait a few minutes, I have to go clean it up first. Whenever you come up and it's not picked up we always have to start a major project!"
Well, then KEEP YOUR ROOM PICKED UP!!!!


Ben announced while Jason was using matches to light the fire,
"Poppy always wastes the matches because he uses so many to start the fire"
WoW...there goes Poppy again...Thump,Thump,Thump...under the bus

Ever since we got the skin tag removed from under Ben's nose we tell him not to pick his nose or it will grow back. Getting it removed was torture for him and ME!!
So last night we catch him AGAIN and he says,
"I'm just scratching. Seriously, LOOK no boogers!"

REMINDER

If you click on a picture it will ENLARGE.
REMEMBER TO HIT BACK ARROW TO GET BACK TO PAGE.
IF YOU CLICK THE X YOU WILL CLOSE PAGE.

I KNOW, BECAUSE I DO THIS ALL THE TIME!!!

Great Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas!
We spent Christmas Eve at our house with Jason's family and had a great evening. Marcella & Paul, Bonnie & Phil, Ryan & Amy and Noah all came over. We enjoyed yummy food and drink, fun conversation and a rousing Yankee Swap. The coveted swap gifts were the bottle of Rum from somewhere in the Caribean and Amy & Ryan's Lemon alcohol thingy. Good Times!

Christmas Day we spent at Lynn's parents house. The Conroy family were there and we enjoyed a fun filled day! The kids all did great and there were no major fights or drama! Wow...they are getting older:)
The HOT items were the new annual trip to NYC for the girls & Barbie airplanes, thanks Nana. For the boys...Ben loved his Ninja turtles and guitar. Liam & Brody were siked for their new basketball sneakers.

Happy New Year!
We spent New's Eve celebrating Ryan (Jason's brother)and Amy's marriage. Katie was the flower girl and we had a GREAT time! It was a lovely wedding and WOW what a party to follow!!! It took us some extra time to get there, we got hit with a BIG snow storm that day. Everyone made it safely and a good time was had by all:)

Katie gets her hair curled...so adoarable.


We did our Mommy/Daughter Dance, no we didn't embarrass ourselves:)


Party Girl



Dancing w/her Daddy.


Dancing w/Aunt Marcella