Farmington Festival Days

After Collin's birthday celebration and some much needed rest, we all headed out to the Farmington Festival Days. We kind of got there just as everyone was closing up shop, but we still had a good time.

The kids got to sit in a fire engine.

I thought this was so cute of Sophie, especially since she always says she wants to be a fire fighter when she grows up.

They also got to ride on a little train.

And Sophie talked us into letting her climb on the climbing wall. She struggled going up, but sure enjoyed going down. Maybe she would like repelling better!

Where The Wilds Thing Are Birthday!

We had a great party today! Collin had a great time. Really, he enjoyed every second of his party. We invited 3 of Collin's little friends to celebrate with us along with Grandma and Grandpa Sheep and Grandma Polar Bear.

I really had a great time preparing for this party and was happy with how it turned out. Here are some pics of the details:

wild thing : cupcake tower

a close up pic of the yummy cupcake with the best frosting ever

So yummy!

the scene

the adorable, happy, birthday boy

First we read the book . . .

the kids were so cute roaring their terrible roars on their bellies

then we played PIN THE TAIL ON MAX . . .

we had trouble finding a blindfold that would stay on their little heads, so i finally resorted to using ruby's sleep mask

the kids were a little wary about not being able to see. i think every one of them peeked.

After that we played Max, Max, Wild Thing (Duck, Duck, Goose) and had a WiLd RuMpUs!

for the wild rumpus the kids sprayed silly string all over each other and us.

And finally we opened presents and had cake and ice cream. MMmm good!

collin looking a little shocked that one of his friends blew out his candles before he did. too bad the picture of him blowing them out turned out blurry.

Happy Birthday Collin!

Thanks for coming to celebrate Collin's birthday with us. It wouldn't have been the same without you guys.

For Collin

I can't believe that today you turn 3! You have grown up so fast from a little guy (6 lbs 10 oz) with big hands and feet to the big boy that you are today. You are literally changing right before my very eyes and I couldn't be more proud of the boy you are becoming.

You have such a big heart. You are so caring and considerate and love deeply. I am constantly amazed at your thoughtfulness.

You are an amazing brother. You are always thinking of your sisters and what will make them happy.

You are such a good helper. I can always count on you!

You are such a special boy and I LOVE you like crazy. I love the way you say "One more time" every night when I sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to you before bed.

I love the way you will randomly tell me "I love you mommy!" It melts my heart every time.

I love how you negotiate with me to somehow get what you want (usually candy - you have an incredible love for sugar) "Maybe I could hold it for a long, long time and then I could eat it!"

I love the way you shake your seat.

I love the way you LOVE to jump and seem to never stop. I think you have been jumping since the day you were born, maybe even before.

I love that you share my curly hair - tangles and all!

I love that you talk big but really are so timid.

I love your hugs and kisses.

I just love you so much Collin. Thanks for being my boy. Happy Birthday Buddy! 3 years old. You are getting soOOoo big.

Love, Mommy

Anticipating This...

I think that I am more excited about Collin's birthday than he is. I am loving the theme of his party and have had so much fun planning for it. I can't wait! And I can't believe my little boy will be 3 years old!

Happy 4th!

We had a great 4th this year. The kids and I had an uneventful day full of house cleaning, laundry, and playing while Logan worked. In the evening we got together with our friends, The

Miller's and had a great time. We ate pizza and had our own firework show - in the daylight:) ! The kids enjoyed sidewalk chalk and running around and climbing all over Logan and Matt. Good Times! I am so grateful for this country we live in and the freedoms that we have.

Here are Collin and Sophie enjoying the fireworks. Collin wasn't too thrilled about the experience. He hated the loud noises and stood with his hands over his ears most of the time when he wasn't shouting "NO MORE!" He much preferred the snaps.

And so did Ruby . . .

Sparklers were a hit too . . . except for with Sophie.

She wouldn't go near one.

Cute Hallie was up for anything. She couldn't get close enough to the fireworks and was the first to step up for a sparkler. She had no fear and was more brave than my kids for sure.

And this girl has a great love for Lightning McQueen. So cute!

Look at that cute face!! What a sweet guy. Baby David hung out on a blanket through it all and and totally amazed me with his bottle holding skills!

Thanks for celebrating with us Matt and Cindy. It is so wonderful to have such great friends to hang out with. And your great to always get together on such short notice. We love being with you guys and your cute family!

Celebrating Summer: Red, White, and Blue

I'm not much of a baker (I like it . . . but it seems to take up a lot of time, and it creates a lot of unnecessary treats around my house that I end up eating) but every once in a while I get a baking bug. Today was once of those days. When I was little, at Christmas time I remember helping my mom make some delicious cookies called Festive Cream Sandwiches. It had been forever since we have made these. I could barely remember how they tasted. When Ruby was blessed I asked my mom to bring some of these cookies and when I bit into one they were even better than I remembered them. I have been thinking about them ever since. We only made them at Christmas time, but I thought why not make them to celebrate our upcoming holiday, the 4th of July! So the kids and I had a lot of fun making these cookies with a Red, White, and Blue flare.

I made the dough and the kids rolled it into marble sized balls and smashed the balls with a fork.

Then came the frosting . . .

I really had to take a step back and tell myself that it didn't really matter how they looked. The kids were having a great time . . . and they all taste the same, right?!?!

Collin just couldn't resist. After he got frosting on his first cookie, he put the top on it and started eating! MMmmMmm!!!!

Sophie couldn't resist either. Only instead of going for the cookies, she went straight for the frosting. Watching her lick that knife makes you want to eat some of our cookies, doesn't it?

Those look so yummy!

And they taste yummy too! You know you want one!

Later in the evening, I told Sophie she did an excellent job making cookies and that she should be a baker when she grows up. She didn't like that idea. It doesn't fit with her plans of becoming a Fire Fighter AND a Teacher! Such a cute girl!

Dragonfly

Last night Ruby and I stepped outside just to be out of the house for a minute (do you ever have times like that?) and found a ton of these little guys flying around our bushes. It was pretty fun to watch them and the kids enjoyed them too! Maybe the wind brought them . . . who knows? But we enjoyed having them here!