Birthdays and Bruises

Z's actual birthday is tomorrow, but we celebrated a few days ago. His desire was to have a Wii birthday with a RED theme. So, he invited family and his two best friends. His request was to have a Wii cupcake cake. Oh my...Safeway does not make Wii cupcake cakes! So this mommy got to make it! I asked him if it would be ok for me to go and buy a cake with red frosting if the Wii cake did not turn out. He said, "No, it will be just fine." "But what if I am too embarrassed," I asked. He then told me that I would have to hide in my bedroom. :) Well, it turned out ok so I didn't need to hide out this time. :)

When the boys first arrived everyone went online to make their own Mii (a computerized person that looks like them - or not)! They were able to print them out so we put them on their gift bags (which had a tin Wii remote with gum inside and other RED candies).

Then they began to complete a word search...a favorite activity for a few of Z's friends. I had them search for shades of red. It is amazing how many there are! Once the word search was completed, Z and his friends went on a scavenger hunt throughout the house looking for his gifts. It was so fun to follow them around with the camera. Excitement was in the air as they searched for the treasures while following the clues. It is also fun to watch your son get things that he has asked for. His grandma got this book for him that he has been drooling over at Barnes and Noble.

I love birthday cake pictures...especially those of the birthday boy blowing out the candles. I was thrilled to get him in action! I had a hard time counting out the ten candles to put on the cake. He can't really be that old already, can he? The picture in the middle is one of my favorites. Z had the cutest face while we sang "Happy Birthday" to him. Little B was enjoying it very much too! Too cute.

Once all of the adults had left, Z, his brother, and his friends played a Wii marathon. We ordered pizzas and played and played and played. This was EXACTLY what Z wanted to do for his birthday. I could not believe how well all of the boys got along while they played. I also couldn't believe how loudly they all talked...trying to be heard. :) Fortunately, I had some ibuprofen handy and they are such a polite group of boys.

The next day I took A and Z on a date to the batting cages. The slow baseball cage was not all that slow, but A was having some success in hitting them. Z had amazing form, but was missing each pitch. The more anxious he got, the closer he would move to home plate. I continued to encourage him to step back, but them a pitch got him...right on the finger. Oh my...there was so much blood! The whole nail turned black, but he could bend his finger...fortunately. So, we got some ice and a band aid and headed home. It is no longer throbbing, but it is still as black as ever. In the picture it looks like he has fingernail polish on his nail...nope, that is blood UNDER his nail. Ugh... What a great birthday present! I think that we will practice baseball in the park from now on. :)

Bike Rides, Science Fairs, and So Much More!

We have had a busy March and it is not even over yet! I wanted to fill you in on what has been happening around here this month.

My wonderful husband talked me into doing a bike ride with him called the "Tour de Ed". It was a 20 mile fundraising bike tour to raise money for local people who have been injured riding their bikes (inspired by Ed). I felt completely out of my league as we began the ride. I sat atop my hybrid bike (not a racing or touring bike). Fortunately, M took the child seat off of the back and the wire basket off of the front so I didn't look quite so much like a homeschooling mommy. :) We began this ride in downtown Chico, but quickly headed to Durham by way of the almond orchards which were in full bloom (I still say aw-lmond even though I have lived in Chico for almost four years now). For those of you that do not live in Chico, it is almost a sin to say aw-lmond...it is pronounced amond here. I am so glad that I went on this amazing bike ride with my husband. It was so much fun to do it together. And afterward, I was even able to lift A up on my back as you can see in the picture!

M has been really busy working. He has been busy with safe deliveries, moves, and service calls as well as his new job working for B-Line. M has been driving for the city bus since January. It has been a fun change for him as he finds many ways to share the love of Jesus with others along the way. It's amazing what a simple smile and hello can do for people! So, on his time off (which is not a lot), he stays busy being a most amazing daddy, riding his bike (you should see him!), and keeping up with the yard, church activities, and quality time with his wife. How does he fit it all in?

Z has been busy studying for the County Spelling Bee which is coming up on April 2nd. He also participated in C.O.R.E.'s science fair. He did a demonstration on how to make butter. He received a 3rd place ribbon. Way to go, Z! He is also busy memorizing his lines to play Hamlet in an excerpt from the play for the Renaissance Faire at school. He has also begun a drama elective at CCS. They will be performing Pinocchio in a few months! He is SO excited to be involved in this! Z will be 10 this coming Wednesday. We celebrated with my family last Saturday. Z made his own cupcakes and decorated them with chocolate rocks. He is such a boy! He will have a Wii birthday party this Sunday with more family and a few great friends. I plan to make him a Wii remote cupcake cake. Oh dear, wish me luck!

A has begun his second season of baseball! He has been doing very well during his practices. Opening Day is tomorrow and he is so excited. Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures to post of this tonight, but will hopefully add some tomorrow! A continues to take guitar lessons and is taking a ceramics class at CCS this trimester. He has already made a pinch pot, a monkey, and a few other animals.

Little B is growing right before my very eyes! I can't believe how grown-up she is all of a sudden. Her personality is full of silliness and fun! She still enjoys singing and telling stories. She often sits with a doll or other stuffed animal just talking away. I love to overhear these little conversations. One of her favorite things is to go to "Gramma Bonnie's" house to put on makeup. She is quite a good pray-er too! Her prayers often include the following, "Dear Jesus, please be with the Lord's Army and please be with baby Elizabeth and make her strong. In Jesus' name, amen." I'm not sure how the Lord's Army ended up in her prayers, but she LOVES that song! Baby Elizabeth is my cousin's baby girl who was born premature. She has been in our prayers since her birth. She is growing like a weed, by the way. We joke and say that she might grow up to be a football player with all of B's prayers for strength.

Well, I realize that I have gone on and on in this post. Please forgive my ramblings and enjoy our latest!

The Funny Little Things

I love to listen to the funny little things my kids say...these were the most recent:

Little B - While having a serious discussion at the dinner table about manners, Little B proceeded to demonstrate for her brothers how to properly eat a ravioli. In her little mommy voice she said, "First, you make sure that it is in half like this. Then you poke it and put it into your mouth." After she SHOVED the ravioli half into her mouth (and before chewing and swallowing) she said, "That is using manners." At least I think that is what she said through the ravioli in her little mouth. :)

A - A and I were laying on his bed and I was telling him about the very first time that I met him (he loves to hear this story). As I was telling him about how his daddy had told me that he had two "angel boys", A said, "And your licence plate frame says, 'I teach angels'!" That I do. :)

Z - While watching Jeopardy, Z was so excited to find one that he knew. The answer was, "4 pecks is equal to one of these." Z shouted out, "What is a BUSHEL?!" I looked at him in awe and asked how he knew the answer. I expected him to say, "I read it while doing my school work" or something like that. His answer? "I read it in Calvin and Hobbes!" Ha! Leave it to Calvin to teach my boys what they need to know. :)