Week in Review: Benjamin turns 9!

Benjamin:  Psst, Olivia, what did Mommy get me for my present?
Olivia:  Oh. An ooooooooooold boot!!

Olivia (holding up 4 fingers):  Mommy, I'm four.  But when I put my uller finger up like dis (lifts her thumb slowly), I'M FIVE!!

Benjamin saved his birthday money and his allowance and bought himself a camera.  He took 57 pictures on the first day.  It is hilarious to look through them.  Especially the one where it appeared to be under water.  He said, "Well, the camera said it was waterproof so I took it in the tub."  Oh, son of mine.  We discussed the different between "water resistant" and "waterproof."  Luckily it still works.  Thanks God!

We did the "Dress up like a cow and get free Chick-Fil-A" thing.  We met up with Angie, Jenna, Melissa, and all of their children.  So much fun!!

Benjamin turned 9.  Wow!

Benjamin had his family birthday party as a dinner at Papacita's instead.  He insisted that they NOT sing to him.  He wouldn't even let us bring out the birthday stuff until their were no waiters around.  He invited Dennis, Debra, Judah, Ev, Ken, David, Lori, Marissa, and Burr.  We had a good time.

Benjamin had his Sonic-themed birthday sleepover.  He invited Jasper, Josh, Blake, and Cody.  They played in the yard, made their own pizzas, ate Sonic-topped cupcakes, played Sonic video games, and then built Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction.  He had a blast. 

Olivia spent the night with Dennis and Debra while Benjamin was having his sleepover.  She went with Dennis to drop the dogs at the groomer and went to the grocery with Aunt Debra.  She sure loves them.

I saw a wonderful part of my son's heart last night.  I had fussed at him quite strongly for something he did.  I was a bit too harsh.  Last night I went in to apologize to him.  I teared up and he said, "Mommy, have you prayed about this?"  Oh, sweet son.  You're so smart.  You have the right perspective at 9 years old, and I'm struggling at 33.  God, please protect this part of his heart. 

I love those 2.  I am so undeserving, but thankful nonetheless.



 

Wii are "best fwiends!"

One thing I love about that sweet husband of mine is that when he sets his mind to something, he follows through.  He has decided to work on his health.  He has been using our dusty Wii Fit game and doing the yoga setting.  He is finding that it is really helping his back, neck, and posture.  Oh, it is also great father/daughter bonding time!

Olivia is interested in anything that Daddy is interested in.  She says it "because Daddy is my best fwiend!"   If Daddy likes Cheerios, Olivia likes Cheerios.  If Daddy likes reading, Olivia likes reading.  If Daddy jumps off a cliff.....well, she'd probably send Benjamin.  Anyway, Olivia decided that she needed "to get some eddercise like Daddy to be healfy."

Stretchiiiiiiiing.

This one is my favorite.

Racing!

She even stands like him.  I love this!

He is such a good Dad.  I love that man!

Who knew?!

After making the belly cakes for the baby showers at church, the pastor's wife asked me if I'd make the wedding cake for her SIL.  I have never made a wedding cake before.  I really wanted to do it simply to see if I could do it.  However, weddings and all things wedding-y tend to be very emotional things, so I didn't want to say yes, botch the whole cake job, and have a disappointed bride.  Keeping this in mind, I said yes.  (?!?!!)  There is something wrong with me.

Luckily, Evelyn was excited and wanted to help me.  She is really good at artistic things.  I am good at practical, methodical things.  We ended up being a great pair.

This is what we ended up with.  I was thrilled.  Hm.  Who knew that Ev and I could make wedding cakes.  I should probably change my phone number......  ;D

Beginning.  I think it is pretty just like this.

Terry wanted a teacup on the top that was tipped over and had flowers spilling out of it.

Cake sitting on top of little bowls of purple glass beads.  The cake was lit from underneath.

I love that they set it on burlap.  Pretty.

Cakes!

I've been messing around with cake stuff too.  I find that fondant is a lot easier than people think it is.  It's really like rolling out Playdoh (did I write about Playdoh twice in one day?!?!) and cutting shapes out of it.  So far I've made 3 belly cakes for baby showers at church and Olivia's birthday cake.  I really like them!

Memorial Day Fun

For Memorial Day we asked our new neighbors to come over and have dinner with us.  They have 4 little girls in their household.  My Olivia is thrilled about this.  She's already talking about having them over for a sleepover.  What is it with girls and sleepovers?

Kevin and Benjamin set up a pavilion next to our inflatable water slide, and the girls spent hours sliding and giggling and such.  Our new neighbor brought over a large bench, and we were all able to sit outside and chit chat until it was time to start dinner.

Kevin grilled steaks and we had baked potatoes, broccoli, salads, a fruit tray, and fried green tomatoes.  They had never had fried green tomatoes before.  They seemed a bit leery of them, but ended up liking them very much. 

We finished off the evening with a game of Scrabble.  It was wonderful to find out that they were Scrabble fans too!

Here's to new neighbors!!

Weeeeeeeeee!! 

My smaller engineer getting everything set up.

Ahhhh...Playdoh smell

Do you remember that smell?

Olivia purchased 8 containers of Playdoh today with her allowance (note how many shades of pink she purchased).  As soon as we opened it up I remembered the smell.  It sort of made me feel happy.  Odd, huh?

She couldn't wait to get home and use it!  She grabbed my rolling pin and two baskets of cookie cutters and went to town.  She's currently making "a medicine bottle."  Interesting.

Girls!!!

The new neighbors have 4 little girls.  Three of them are over here playing right now.  Olivia is the happiest girl in the world!!  All I hear is chattering and giggling and squealing.  This makes me happy too.