7.

Calling all Super Heroes!

We've had one more birthday in the house! 

It wasn't really planned, but somehow we were blessed with a Winter baby (Ella), a Spring baby (Evelyn), a Summer baby (Nathan), and a Fall baby (Addie).  So, 'tis the season to celebrate Nathan's birthday!

Nathan just turned the  big 7.  This fall he will be starting 2nd grade...yikes!

His original party theme was Avengers.  Upon going to Target, he changed it to Justice League, and then later that night decided it would be both Justice League and Avengers.  I believe his actual words that night were, "Mom, I hate to tell you this, but I've changed my mind..."  Oh well, this was a good chance for me to actually learn who was an Avenger or Justice League member...valuable information I'm sure!

 

We did a simple, yet multiple tiered cake featuring Justice League members.  When it comes to cake I do all the baking, designing, making of frosting, frosting the cake...and then it's midnight and I can't make the Superman symbol to save my life.  Thus enters Matt.  Matt's super power is doing anything he puts his mind to.  In this case it was making a Superman and a Batman symbol.  I did the Green Lantern.

 

 

For Nathan's birthday we've always grilled.  So simple and fun for hot July days.  This year we tried to do a little bit of a theme, but the food doesn't change much year to year (hamburgers, hot dogs, watermelon, chips, veggies, etc.).

 

These were a big hit with the kids:  Thor's hammers.

 



 

We also had a lot of "Super" foods! 

(mainly in the form of berries & carrots)

 

 

Here's the spread:



 

This is what you get when you ask a 7 year old to stand by his cake for a picture.  Super Hero pose of course.

 

 

I can't believe how grown-up looking Nathan is getting.  I look at him and it makes me want to stop time for a little bit...can't he just stay little!  At the same time I am amazed at the person he is becoming.  Nathan is kind, brilliant, and still ever so passionate.  I'm so excited to see what God has in store for him!

 



 

 

Lunch time!  It was extra special this year because the Klein cousins made it!

 

The kids were put to task in the morning to decorate.  Well done.

 

Following lunch we of course sang and then devoured the cake.

 



 

Then present time!

Nathan really loves to receive gifts, like any time anywhere.  So, his birthday is especially exciting.  He talks for months about what he wants for his birthday.  He had a few Lego requests this year.  Here he is with a Lone Ranger set from Grammy (Matt's mom).  He also got some "cool" clothes (like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles t-shirt), a disc golf set, Darth Vader slippers, Target $, Star Wars water bottle, and other things I'm forgetting about.

 

We love you Nathan, our first born.  You are still our baby boy, and yet we see you ever-changing before our eyes.  You often say and do things that simply amaze us-we know you are special, and God has great things planned for you.  We are thankful for the privilege we have to call you our son!



Evelyn Jane Lucille

Another milestone birthday in the house!  Today marks the 3 month anniversary of Evelyn's first birthday and also her Daddy's 33rd birthday...cause for celebration right?

 

Here are some highlights of the big day!

 

I could probably say this for every child's birthday, "Oh, I can't believe_______is already ________years old!  But it still holds true!  I can't believe my baby is 1 year old!

 

Here she is the morning of of party day!

 

 

The theme:  Rainbow!

How did I ever decide on such an amazing theme you wonder?  Well, it went down like this:  We went to Target and they had a bunch of rainbow party accessories and I said "Let's do a rainbow party.",  and the kids said something along the lines of "Yes, what a great idea...". 

I know, the creativity in this house is mind-blowing!

Here's the rainbow cake:

 



 

Before mentioned rainbow accessories:

 

 

Eat your rainbow:

 

 

Fun times!

 

 

Cake and candle time!

 

 

Evelyn had been denied any and all sweets the entire first year of her life.  But, by the way she responded to them and wanted them when they were around, I knew she was going to be all about the cake.

She did not disappoint.  Evelyn  loves cake! 

 

She didn't have to be showed what to do or encouraged along, but sat there happily and contently eating away at her cake.

 

 

She at the whole thing... even the scoop of ice-cream!

When she was finished she picked up the plate and started to lick it.

 

 

It's worth saying again, Evelyn loves cake!

She is also our only child who required a bath at her first birthday party.

 

 

Moving along to present time!

She was not as into this, but not to worry because she had a lot of help!

 



The traditional first birthday gift from my parents is a riding toy.  Papa did not disappoint.  We now have a truck, rocket car, giraffe, and a pink scooter.  (confession: we actually sold the giraffe to Once Upon a Child, it was my personal fave but the one the children voted to get rid of.  We still do have 3 riding toys in the house however).
 



 

 

We love you Evelyn Jane Lucille! 

 I can't imagine our family without you in it.  It' been an emotional year as I experience many "last firsts" as a mother, and many firsts without my own mother, but we have been richly blessed by God, and I pray I never take it for granted. 

 

Ella Grace.

So, last time I blogged it was about our April snow.  If I wanted to give a weather update now, it would be about hot and muggy July.  Oops, I guess the blog fell by the wayside, though not for lack of things going on.  We have been occupied by birthdays (3 out of 6 of us with another next week), finishing up school, summer activities, removing wall paper, and putting up paint. 

My reasons for beginning this blog was to archive our lives as a resource for myself, (and maybe it can be a blessing to someone else as well). So, time to carry on...

 

Since it's a milestone event, I'll share some events from Ella's 5th  birthday...and next post I'll catch up on Evie's first.  (The 3rd birthday in our family was my own, which this year I decided to ignore so no post necessary :)

 

Here is sweet Ella Grace!

 

 

Big 5 year old!

 

Since she could talk, or maybe since she has had a little sister, Ella has been our peace-maker. Ella is our gentle, thoughtful, sweet little girl.  Don't get me wrong she can wine with the best of them, but if there is someone else who wants a toy, a piece of candy, the last piece of pizza (you get the idea), Ella will give up what she has so the other person will be happy.  It is amazing to see how God has blessed her and works through her.

 



 

Ella loves to sing and dance, though never for a crowd, would love to do gymnastics, and has consistently stated for the past year that she would like to be a dentist when she grows up.  Overall, she is our laid back, goofy girl.

 

Sadly Ella's birthday fell the same week that my mom passed away.  Everyone was still in a state of shock, and it was difficult to get out of bed let alone plan a birthday party.  But, we didn't want her to feel forgotten, so the day of her birthday, Mar 13, we celebrated with dinner at McDonalds and cupcakes.

 

 

We waited a week and celebrated again with a pizza and pool party at a local hotel.  It honestly was what Ella requested and it meant I didn't have to cook, clean my house, or plan activities.

 

Ella's chosen theme was princesses! 

 The guess list included uncles, aunties, cousins, Papa, and Grandpa and Grandpa Thompson.

 



So cliche' but it's hard to believe our baby girl is 5!

(Ella's trademark since birth has been her dimple on her left cheek, you can see it a little in this picture...still makes my heart melt.)

 

It was a crazy time, keeping everyone corralled.  For me personally the party was a little emotional, but Ella had a blast.  I remember Matt and I were trying to serve cake and ice cream and kids were running around (were were just in the lobby).  Matt looked at me and said, "Why is no one helping us?"  My first thought was because Mom's not here.  Mom is the one who takes charge, finds what needs to be done, and does it.

 



 

But, all in all it was a successful party, and I think Ella will remember the fun stuff.

 

We're so thankful to God for our  Ella Grace. We love you baby girl!