Scenes From A Birthday

My baby is 5 years old.

 

Happy Birthday, Matthew.  We all love you very much.

What We've Been Doing

**I talk a good game, especially here on the blog.  We've got our chore chart, to-do lists, and wish lists.  I know how I want it all to play out here in my head; but in real life it doesn't happen that way.

The first week and a half of summer vacation has been called "the worst summer ever" by nearly every kid in the house.  Not sure when I became Julie McCoy...

but apparently I'm expected to fill the social calendar around here.

If you ask me, the summer is going just fine.  In the past week we have visited the library, started journals, played miniature golf, went to the pool, visited 4 different walking paths for our morning outings/exercise, played family kickball, went to the playground, hosted 43 of our friends here for the rosary, slept late, finished up baseball season, ate ice cream and popsicles, each made dinner, cuddled a LOT, and watched movies.

Isn't it funny how they only see the time in between all of these things and claim they're bored.

**On a different note, Billy got his stitches removed and his nose looks pretty good.  I'm very grateful for that.

There is a small notch on the nostril but that might heal and look better in time.  In the next picture you can't even tell it happened.

Love when he smiles!

**Mary Kate made the Silks, meaning she will be in Band Front next year as one of the flag carriers/twirlers.  All year I was rejoicing that she was only in Orchestra because Band seemed to be more of a commitment with parades and such.   Wouldn't you know she wanted to try out for Silks and made it.  Way to be ambitious Mare; you are your father's daughter, for sure!

**Still on the fence about Matthew and Kindergarten.  He is a July birthday and his preschool teachers think he would benefit with a second year of preschool.  Long story short, he can be insecure and shy, but I'm not sure that will ever go away. (I was/am like that) and his fine motor skills are lacking.  On the flip side, he knows a lot of sight words, is interested in math, and says he'd be bored in preschool.  Advice?  Anyone?  Bueller?

**It took me 13 years....

.....but don't you just love mud?

A Birthday And A Graduation

Mary Kate celebrated her 12th birthday yesterday!! 

When I asked her if she wanted me to wake the 3 younger kids to sing and have doughnuts with her before she left for school she said no.  Her reason?  "I don't want all the crazy."

She was just happy reading her new Tiger Beat that was packed inside her new backpack.

 

 

 

Since she had to sacrifice her End of Year Track party for Matthew's preschool graduation, I told her we could all go out to dinner as a special treat.  While we were there I asked the other kids what they liked best about Mary.

Annie wasted no time in answering with an excited,  "She's my sister!"

Tommy: "She's a good drawer."

Matt: "She's a good babysitter at the playground."  (she's in charge while I watch the boys' baseball games.)

Billy: "She's energetic and playful."

For dessert we headed home to have Cherry Cheese Tarts.

When I was growing up, instead of a cake, I asked my Mom to make these for me.   When Mary heard about them, she wanted to have them too. 

Then we headed to Matthew's preschool graduation.  The jury is still out as to whether or not he'll be heading to Kindergarten in the fall....so I was able to keep my tears at bay.

Here he is in the rainforest being introduced

3 Day Morning Class- Matt is on the right, striped shirt.

Boy on far left not mine, but I think we have that same shirt.

 

Such happy events for a Wednesday!