Ollie's Birthday

Ollie was excited for his eighth birthday.  In our religion 8 is a big deal because that is how old you have to be to be baptized a member of our church.  We opened presents in the morning before school.  He got everything that he wanted.  :)

We woke him up by singing "Happy Birthday" to him.

He wanted a picture with him monkey which is still his favorite toy.

He asked for a green cake with a Harry Potter figurine.  Green is his favorite color and he loves the Harry Potter books.

I told him to hold up 8 fingers and this was his first idea...  not really very comfortable...  you should try it.  :)

Ollie telling us that he is eight.

I can't believe that my little boy is eight.  He is getting so grown up and independent.  He is a joy to our family.  He was got to be the best big brother ever!  He is so loving and kind to his little sisters, especially Lily.  He loves to read and draw.  His favorite books are learning books about animals.  His favorite thing to draw is animals.  His favorite color is green with his second favorite color being blue.  He loves swimming, like wanting to swim every day all summer, loves it.  He is learning to play the piano and doesn't really enjoy practicing.  He alternates chores with Lily and he likes it when it's his turn to clean the bathroom (which he does really well).  He loves to listen to oldies and musicals.  His favorite show is Phineas and Ferb.  He loves school and his teacher, Mrs. Bottoms. and always gets straight A's. 
We sure love you Ollie!

Christmas Decor

Lily loves this flag.  She carries it everywhere and is always waving it.  :)

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Handsome boy!  Love the dimple.

The finished tree.  Ollie took this picture (and about 100 others of the decorations but I figured I'd spare you... )

Ollie also took this one.  Lily is sure a cutie!

I guess since it's March and almost Easter I should put up a few photos of the kiddos and the Christmas decorations.  We love decorating the house! 

Kid Quotes

Lily Quote
Yesterday I taught sharing time in church (kids Sunday school).  It was about the creation of the world.  I had made some papers about the different days of the creation and what was created each day.  After church, Lily said to me, "Mom, I know Jesus made more things than what was on the posters.  He had to make the stores and stuff."

Ollie Quote
I picked Ollie up from school the other day.  As he was getting his seat belt on he said, "Mom, I have a metaphor headache."  I laughed pretty hard at that one.  I'm not sure what a "metaphor headache" is but after he ate some food and had a big drink of water he was okay.

Nighttime Claire

We recently moved Claire (and Lily) into a big queen size bed.  Claire used to sleep in her crib.  She has been enjoying her freedom and has been getting up at night to play with her toys.  This leads to a sleepy toddler the next day.  Last night after telling her to stay in bed a few times (over the course of 1.5 hours) I got down a bottle of glue and pretended to "glue" her into bed.  She must have believed that she was really glued because she stayed in bed after that.  Here's to hoping it will work again tonight!

Misc. Photos

Right now I should be doing the sink full of dishes, painting the girls' bedroom door, or sewing on Ollie's cub scout patches.  But, I don't feel like doing that.  So instead I'm holding a cute baby and adding a post to my blog.  :)  Above is a cute pic. of Ollie and Katie.  Ollie sure adores his sisters!

The kids playing with Papa in the sand box.  I feel that every kid should have a sand box and be allowed to get dirty.  I do however, feel that it should be covered for those times when I don't want them getting dirty.  :)

This picture is over a month old.  She is much bigger now!

Ollie helping fluff the Christmas tree.  I love his dimple in this picture.

We got the target!

Grandma's Visit

Grandma Beck came to visit a few weeks after Kaitlynn was born.  She was a big help in playing with the older kids so I could take care of the baby.  She helped Lily make rice crispy mice treats.

Grandma also spent a lot of time outside playing with the kids.  They loved having Grandma play with them on the swingset and fort in the backyard.  Yeah for warm Novembers in Texas.  :)

I enjoyed sitting and talking with my Mom.  It's nice to get some adult conversation during the day!

We sure loved having Grandma come and give us all some attention.

Helping Hands...

There is a saying that helping hands make the work light...  We have lots of helpers at our house.  :)  We have a tradition of letting the whole family participate in the babies first real bath.  That is a lot of hands!

Kaite did really well with all the attention and little hands touching her.  She even tolerated the water spilled in her face.

All the older kids thought it was really cool to be able to help.  Now, however, baths for Katie are done after bedtime.  :)