Ben's Birthday Poster

I am somewhat of a dork and I've always wanted my kids to have to do one of those posters all about themselves  I've done one for one of my kids (I don't remember which but I think it was Sarah) but every school year I hope I'll be able to do another. Well, Ben's birthday came on President's Day and the next day he came home from school and told me he was suppose to do a birthday poster all about him. Let me just say this was a CRAZY week. It was the week before the kids went off track. We had 2 basketball games, Sarah had a book report due and a report on Thomas Jefferson that she waited until the last week to do. Ben had his World War II report to finish and he had to finish his great white shark project. Plus we had scouts and a 2 hour basketball practice on Tuesday. Then to top it all off we had kids throwing up. Yep it was a crazy week. When Ben told me we also had to make a poster I nearly cried. It had to be done early in the week because, as I mentioned above the kids were going off track for 3 weeks and he really wanted to take it around his birthday. So, we finally got it done on Thursday and he was able to take it to school on Friday. I felt bad, but luckily it was Ben and he really didn't care. It didn't turn out as great as I would have liked, but again, it's Ben and he doesn't care about things like that. Man, he's a good kid.

Birthday Donuts For The Birthday Boy (a day late)

Ben decorating his birthday donut.

I decided this year that I was not going to make 2 cakes for each kids birthday. They all decided they wanted their cake to be for their birthday parties so for their birthday's we decided on birthday donuts. This is much easier and makes me much happier. The kids enjoy decorating their donuts and I enjoying only having to make one cake. 

Gracie's very messy donut. Just perfect.

Adam had fun eating the frosting on his donut, as you can see by his face.

Hannah enjoying her donut.

Our plan with Ben's birthday donuts was to go see 'Wreck It Ralph' in the afternoon and then come home for dinner and donuts. It turned out we had to go to a late movie and we didn't bet home until after 9:00. We decided to do the donuts the following night and just extend his birthday. He didn't mind and the kids enjoyed making messes. Thank goodness it was also bath day.  :)

I know he's mine, but isn't this kid just so adorable.

Sarah's donut. She took a long time decorating it perfectly.

Happy 9th Birthday Ben

Ben with his presents.

Ben turned 9 years old this year. He felt especially lucky because this year his birthday happened to fall on Presidents Day. He's such a funny kid. Half way through the day he came up to me and said, "Happy Presidents Day Mom. This is the coolest birthday because I get to say Happy Something on my birthday and I've always wanted to say that." There are so many reasons why I love this kid and his funny comments are just one of the reasons.

Having a birthday on Presidents Day meant no school and all day to play. We let him open his presents fairly early in the day so we had time for other fun things. He seemed very happy with what he got which made us happy. He got a fishing pole, Skylander's, some Star Wars guys, and grandma and grandpa Newbry gave him a beach towel. After the presents were open we allowed him to go fishing off the back deck. He really enjoyed it and got pretty good at it pretty quick. All the other kids got a turn and it became a huge hit real quick.

Opening up his fishing pole. He was really excited and I love his face.

His towel from Grandma and Grandpa.

Opening Skylander's. Another success.

Practicing his fishing face. It looks like he caught a big one.

Filling up his tackle box with his sisters help.

Practicing fishing off the back deck.

After the presents and after naps we decided to surprise the kids with a trip to the dollar theater to see 'Wreck It Ralph.' We thought we'd to to the 4:10 show and even though we got there almost 40 minutes early, they were already sold out. I guess we should have remembered it was President's Day. We decided to go to the 6:20 show instead. We got some Little Caesars pizza and went for a drive and then headed to the movie  It was a darling movie and all the kids lobed it. The little boys even sat through the entire movie without any problems. Overall  I think Ben had a great birthday and he seemed to think so too. Happy Birthday Buddy.

Short Hair

On Sunday the 17th, I decided I was tired of the girls tangles and so before church I grabbed the scissors and started clipping. Hannah wanted her hair cut to her chin, but I wasn't comfortable cutting it that short so we compromised on her shoulders. Gracie wanted hers short, but not as short as Hannah's. When it was all done both girls were happy with the cuts they got. They used to have hair most of the way down their backs, now it's much shorter, but their still cute.

Gracie's short, but not as short as Hannah's hair.

I think Hannah's new short hair makes her look so grown up.

Children's Museum

Six little kids after a long, fun day at the Children's Museum.

I found out Wednesday, February 13th was free day at the Children's Museum if you brought in a blanket or coat to donate to the homeless shelter. It's hard to pass up a deal like that so I called my sister in laws and only Mindy could come, we missed April, but it was a lot of fun.  The big kids were all in school so we only had Gracie, Dan, Adam, Landon, Lilly, and Tate.  Only a few, haha! The kids played for hours and had tons of fun. We took a little break and went to the food court in the mall for lunch and then headed back to the museum. I loved watching the kids explore, play, pretend, and just enjoy the day. I loved talking with Mindy and getting some adult interaction. I love that my kids keep asking to go back and I love that it was free.  What a great day.

Driving the car!

The first thing you see when you walk in is the house. Dan and Adam spent at least an hour in the house and didn't want to leave. 

Gracie playing in the water.

Daniel and Landon doing a little gardening.

Gracie dressing up as a duck.  What a cutie.

Dan loved the cash register. He played there for hours and wouldn't look up for a picture.

Playing in the water.

My cute little niece Lilly bug.

Dan having fun riding the horse.

Gracie at the cash register. She's always got to pose.

Driving a big truck!

One last picture because Gracie is such a goof ball. She had fun climbing the sign outside the museum.