Birthday Take II

True to the tradition, we got cinnamon rolls from Hard Times to celebrate.  Add some sprinkles and candles and get your celebrating on.

We got her a wedge to practice gymnastics. 

Grandma and Grandpa Parish joined us later in the day and went up to Jones' to move cows.  The birthday girl got to ride Mobile all by herself.

Not long into the ride and it decided to rain.  We hid under some trees and hoped Brent and Dalanie did the same.

Delsee had us all laughing when she started whooping and hollering at the cows.

Picking a bouquet for the birthday girl.

We pulled another sweatshirt over her and sent her on her way.

We had a nice picnic under some trees and enjoyed fried chicken and oreo rice crispy treats.  We found a garbage sack and re-purposed it as dad's poncho since Brent took his coat.  It was a bit soggy but so much fun.

The festivities continued with a combined birthday dinner with Grandpa Hillman. 

We all enjoyed a beautiful sunset before heading home.

Baking Up Some Birthday Fun

Dalanie had been anticipating her birthday ever since her last one got over, especially since Hudson's in March.  After deciding on a theme, she had a list of things to get done and required that we spend some time working on it every day for the two weeks leading up to it.  We started with invitations.  Then we made chef hats out of poster board and tissue paper one day and decorated them with cupcake liner flowers another.  There were buntings to sew and aprons to make.  We finalized the menu and had to go grocery shopping.  Truth be told, she enjoyed all of the preparation more than the actual party.  Sound familiar?  Wonder where she gets that.

 We transformed our watermelon stand into her Bake Shoppe.

 We started by making pizza and mini cinnamon rolls.  Hudson was a great assistant.

They all thought the pizza turned out tasty.

We had a little relay game balancing the egg in a spoon and carrying a measuring cup of water.

The favorite activities were cracking eggs and tossing pizza dough.

And finally they decorated their own cupcakes.

Pioneer Day

Just having his tonsils out the day before, Hudson got to stay with Grandma during the party.  Everyone enjoyed watching the watermelon eating contest.  Even though Jake was up against kids twice his size, he claimed the title.

There was the tween/teen division that Mitch participated in.

And after all that juicy watermelon eating, the kids enjoyed some good old-fashioned fun.

Delsie got a ride in Syd's covered wagon.  It must have been comfortable, she fell asleep.

There was a pig scramble.  But look at the crowd, the pig could hardly move.

No More Snoring

Several years ago at a well child visit, the pediatrician commented on Hudson's large tonsils but encouraged "he might grow into them."  As time went on, he began snoring- something to rival his grandpas.  I finally decided it was time and scheduled a visit with Dr. Baker.  He confirmed my suspicions and a T&A (removal of tonsils and adenoids) was scheduled.

 He was rather calm and cool about the entire thing.  Due to a flight cancellation, Brent was still back in Illinois for training when it happened.  He knew what had to be done and was so tough about it.  He said he wasn't nervous or anything.  He thought the gown was the most awkward part.

The other girls spent the night at Grandma's, but Delsie got to tag along. 

The procedure didn't take long at all.  Dr. Baker warned that they were bigger than he thought.  "What we saw was just the tip of the iceberg.  I had to dig them out.  His recovery might be more like that of an adult rather than a normal 8 year old."  Once I heard that I was nervous.  I  didn't know what to expect since I still have my tonsils.

Coming out of anesthesia was a little ugly, but he made it.  There were a few tough times during the recovery, but he did awesome.  He really took the recommendation to drink plenty of fluids to heart.  For a week, he packed a bottle of Powerade everywhere he went.  I think that made all the difference.  He only stuck to a liquid diet for a day and then he started with mac n' cheese so he could fill up.   Within a week he was back to normal and eating us out of house and home.

Seven Months

I remember getting pictures of the other girls on Sundays before church.   It was obviously before my current calling and meetings and we could have had afternoon church.  At any rate, I finally remembered to get some of this silly girl that is closing in on her seventh month of life.  This tongue has become her trademark.

Her and Rosie have a strong friendship.  Delsie pulls her whiskers and Rosie licks her face.  I have to break it up when Delsie tries kissing back.  Rosie is so calm and gentle around her.  I hope they grow up being the best of friends.

 She loves playing with her feet.  I love the white tan lines you see in her little foot creases.

Her little chubby hands are quick and strong.  They can swipe glasses and pull hair but they are also so sweet.  I love watching her use them and gain more and more control.  And her cheeks, well, they speak for themselves.

Swimming Lessons

The kids enjoyed being in the water for swimming lessons.  I put them in the 12 o'clock class when things were nice and warm.  It ended up being a great time because we could get up and get our work done, eat lunch, and then go in for swimming lessons.

I was a bit disappointed with the quality of teachers.  I have never had complaints before, but it was frustrating that the kids learned more from me spending a half hour in the pool with them than they did during the two weeks of lessons.  I'll definitely rethink lessons in the future.