A Never Ending Birthday

Therese turned 10 on Friday.  4/4/04...love that birthdate! 

 

Since Thursday, she has been partying hard.  Starting with getting her ears pierced...

 

after badgering her mother incessantly waiting patiently, we finally made it happen and she was

 

 thrilled!

 

Then, she slept overnight at her godparents' house and spent Friday shopping with them and out for

 

lunch, topping the day off with a movie.  Wow!

Every 10 yo needs a hula hoop.  (Grandma even wrapped it.  Can you tell?)

Since lots of homeschool dads (We missed you, Daddy.) were on retreat this past weekend, 

 

Saturday turned in to an all day playdate with a favorite friend and Sunday

 

 was her actual birthday party.

 

 

It was the first truly beautiful day this Spring, so we stayed outside as much as possible.

Grandpa borrowed Fran Man's hat for a little added warmth on his head.

 

and everyone had to take a turn trying out the hula hoop.

 

Johnny wins the prize for master hip swinger...and he hasn't even had much time to practice...yet.

 

We ramped up the celebrating with Coffee Toffee Cheesecake and Lemon Meringue Cake...

 

and Grandma's Infamous Cocoa Bars (which I'm still trying to finagle the recipe for)...

 

and Watergate Cake (seriously, four desserts...yep Therese really knows how to party).

And that's not the end of it, last night she stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's and will get another

 

 shopping spree today.  Gee, can't wait until I turn 10.   Oh, wait a minute...

A Compromise

Too cold to be outside long...

but little people are tired of the long winter indoors. 

Solution to the problem...

 hang out in Dad's plow truck.

 

Or for the brave and desperate...play matchbox cars in the snow.

You choose the caption...

Dad is my hero...or...I'm coming to get you.

Brotherly Love...or...Let me DOWN!

I want that camera!...or...Look at those huge big,boy teeth.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Dear Gabers!

Gabriel is the happy age of six!  So even though this is very late, I am posting his birthday pictures.
(Better get caught up before next week, which is Therese's birthday!)  Here are six things I love about Gabriel...

 

#1  He's a very serious guy...gotta work hard to get a smile but it's always worth the effort.

 

#2  He's a very good buddy to his brother Johnny.  Did you know that wrestling is an important component of being buddies?

#3  He's persistent...a necessary skill as #9 in the family.

 

#4  He loves being a BIG brother.  Waited 5 years for that little guy and is still looking forward to the day when Fran Man will sleep in his bed with him.  How sweet is that?

 

#5  Can you tell?  He's kind of shy.  In a family of talkers, love to see some quiet ones.

 

#6 Gabriel can stow away food like nobody's business.  Does a Mama's heart good to see such an excellent eater!

 



Peek a boo!

Who is that girl in the D-d-dora jammies?

Spring Fever

 

These pictures are from the last snowstorm, when it was fun to play outside

because Spring was on its way!!!

 

Today's snowstorm....

 

 

yep, the thrill is OVER.  Can't even bribe them to play outside today.

 

We want GREEN!!  We want GREEN!!

 

We are SO over winter.  Just sayin'...

 

From today's spelling test....exaggerated.  Except this is how it appeared on my student's paper...eggsaggerated.

Makes a homeschooling mama proud.

Grandma said I had to post this...

Our laundry room happens to be the bathroom for the majority of the boys in our family. 

Occasionally, this means that I have to wait to start my laundry in the morning. 

It's only a problem once in awhile but last week it was downright annoying. 

I needed to get in that room to sort clothes and get things moving for the day. 

Couldn't though, door's locked.  

Waiting patiently, I try back later. 
 
No luck, still locked. 

Waiting impatiently, I yell, "When you're done in there... let me know, I REALLY need to start the laundry." 

A minute later, Timothy emerges, "Sorry, Mom, I was writing a song."

Now that's creativity for you!