Catcher

Baseball season!!

Grant, After a Win!!

Grant, #44

For those who'd like to see Lincoln

"The Party of The Year"

Nora had a big week. She turned seven and got her ears pierced.

Then she got a pedicure and manicure with Mommy. While all the boys fled to College Station.

They wanted to avoid the party - the "Year of Celebrations" party (inspired by Jill and Jasmine).

When the guests arrived, we made Valentines!

Then played a little and had a scrumptious gourmet dinner.
By then it was April! Easter! The girls had to use photo clues and work in teams to find the eggs hidden around the house. They had so much fun.... and worked up so much excitement.....

that this was necessary.

Then it was time to make some firework art using straws, white paint, and glitter! This was followed by two rounds of Black Cats and one parachute man firework left over from the real Fourth!

Before we knew it, it was Halloween! This meant Trick or Treat bags....

Masks.....

and Trick or Treating!!!! (thanks to my lovely neighbors)

A few moments later..... it was November. We had a leaf fight and made some little foam turkeys.

Thankfully, Santa came to reward all the girls for a good year.
After decorating the tree, everyone got a present! There were birthday presents under the tree, too!

Nothing follows Christmas like Masked-Cake-Eating.

And this is the piece that Nora chose.

Finally, we got on PJs and then with hats, beads, noisemakers and poppers (and in an apparently fatigued state in which I forgot to take pictures), we celebrated the New Year! We had so much fun. We sang happy birthday to each girl as we counted the months passing. The girls all slept in the TV room and were out by.... oh... 11:45 or so. Except Anna. She needed to finish the movie. 1:08 a.m., I think. Oh my.

Happy Birthday, Nora!

In one hour...

7 little girls will arrive to celebrate Nora's birthday and 7 other holidays!!

Noteworthy Nora

Nora wrote this for David to take on his trip this week.

Seven Years

Seven years of a sweet voice and silly antics

Seven years of making friends and being lady-like

Seven years of waiting to get her ears pierced!!!

(I took her out of school early to make it extra fun. She was really, really nervous, and it took some doing - but she was thrilled once they were done. She chose her birthstone for the first pair.)

Seven years of birthday presents

and birthday... cheesecakes

Looking forward to every day between now and 8.

Toilet Treats

Alek's price for going in the potty.... over 6 years ago... was a Buzz Lightyear toy. This summer I discovered Walt's price. It was Rex. God Bless Toy Story 3. Once we had his price, the training was a nonissue. He just needed incentive. And let me say this to all you "Train them early - sit in the bathroom reading to them for hours - cleaning up pee and poop all over the place" moms. I MUCH prefer spending $35.00 on a 3 1/2 year old and having to do nothing more than say, "If you pee pee in the potty, I'll get that for you." It's MUCH simpler. Just sayin'.

And yes, you may have saved hundreds of dollars on a year of diapers.... fine, I'll conceded that point - but I did it my way. And it worked. ;-)