Saturday, September 27, 2014

Wyatt's Birthday Party in the Woods

To celebrate Wyatt's birthday with the rest of the family who could make it, we decided to have a little evening party in the woods. It's just more fun in the woods, assuming you don't mind really long gravel roads into the middle of nowhere and no bathroom facilities.
Knowing I didn't have enough time to do all the things I wanted to, I asked my friend, Kelly, to make a batch of cake pops (her specialty) for me. I told her my plan and that I was thinking camo or something woodsy and she suggested a s'mores theme. Perfect! Because we were going to have s'mores and a campfire anyway! :) They turned out awesome and were perfect for our party in the woods. I really can't wait until our house is out there! ....someday...Lord willing...

Wyatt thought his party in the woods was super and told me he felt really special, which was the whole point!



Friday, September 26, 2014

Wyatt::9 Years Old

Wyatt's birthday always creeps up on me since it follows Brendan's so closely but so much changes between the two birthdays. Brendan's is still in the height of summer and Wyatt's is well after the start of the school year. Brendan is also much more vocal about his upcoming birthday and all the things he may want or want to do. Wyatt is less so and I feel less pressure for his birthday. For these reasons it feels like Brendan's birthday has been made a bigger deal than Wyatt's for several years in a row. I know it is impossible to do everything equal for each kid, but I really wanted to make sure Wyatt felt special this year (without too much pressure on myself....I really don't like throwing huge kid, invite all your friends, parties).
Similarly to Brendan, we decided to do something special for his actual birthday, just us and then have an extended family birthday party a few days later.  We had made secret plans but the day before got offered some free tickets to the WA State Fair. We decided to do that instead.

The fair was a total blast. We didn't get up there until about 2 and we stayed until 10:00pm when they closed. We could have stayed the whole day there was so much to do. It's been a while since we've been to a fair and all 4 kids had sooo much fun going on the scariest rides they were tall enough to ride!

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Brendan::11 Years Old

Well darn it all. I apparently have too high of expectations for myself. It is September 2 and Brendan's birthday was nearly a month ago. Slow down world!!!

Brendan is 11. sigh

We had Grandpa Mike with us and actually had to take him back to the airport on Brendan's actual birthday. Sad. But we tried to make it fun and managed to pull Rand away from work early that day (I think it was a Thursday). We made our airport run and then took the kids to a surprise dinner at Rainforest Cafe in Seattle. I swear they had been there before, but no one really remembered it. It was hilarious because they were all just a little freaked by all the mechanical animals, noises, fake thunder and lightening and rainstorms. Some of the pictures I got there were hilarious! It was really fun and we gave Brendan some gifts and then went to a movie after.

We had an extended family party the next Monday when everyone was free from work.
Brendan is officially in the 6th grade now which technically makes him a Middle Schooler. So weird. I'm happy to have him home becoming more and more aware of how quickly it all goes and how soon he will just up and fly away. His own life just around the corner.

Brendan continues to be a good helper. Full of interest in many things and bordering on obsession with whatever it is that he happens to be into. It has been many things. Today it is fishing and learning piano. If you run into him, no doubt he will tell you about one or both of those things!

We love you Brennie!!!

I'm an awesome mom and got my new 11 year old his own manly soap and deodorant. :)

Look how freaked they are about the sparkler on top of the cake!!!
 "not so sure about this, Mom" (these pics crack me up!)
Tackle Box!