Ugly Party

Yup, you read it right. Avy's birthday party theme this year was UGLY. But, it actually, it turned out very, very cute. She's really been into her drawings and being an artist. So, I had the idea to let her (and Kennah) design their own little creations and turn them into dolls. I guess, a version of Build-a-Bear, but in our home. And so the girls and I designed the shapes, Mimi sewed the shapes together and like that, we had a birthday party.

There was no school today, so Avy had 6 friends over. First we started with questions all about Avy. Hey, it's her birthday, why not give her some attention? Then, the girls with the most correct answers picked the body "shell" she wanted.

We entered the "operating room" and stuffed the dolls full of filling and a little red heart. Then they sewed it up and put a band-aid on for recovery. They named the dolls and filled out birth certificates. The babies rested in their "bassenette" baskets in the nursery while their moms enjoyed cake and ice cream. Avy opened her gifts and it was time to go home. It was really very fun. (If I had really been on the ball we could have sung lullabies or made a bigger deal out of stuff. But, you can only do so much, so it was what it was.)

And thus ends the 4th family birthday of 2008! Shew!

Double Digits

Well our little boy has hit a milestone--double digits! The big "10"! (Although Sawyer confidently says he'll make it to triple digits.)

He had 5 friends over for a slumber party--a first in our home. (When I grew up, our family rule was 8 years old. And NOW I completely understand.) The boys had a great time playing video games. . .until 3:30 am. At that point Slade finally threatened seperating the boys unless the projector was turned off. It was very cute to see a room full of boys laughing & talking in their own little language and awareness of each other.

Happy Birthday Sawyer!

Since he's 10, it is the perfect time to share:

Top 10 GREAT things about Sawyer:

1. He has a keen awareness of how things work and go together.

2. He is definitely an outside the box thinker! (Or at least knows how to push things to the limit.) (There's a funny story about recess soccer rules & the last day of school.)

3. Everyday Sawyer makes himself do things that aren't easy for him to accomplish. (As an adult I can make things work out for myself, but Sawyer has to work within many rules and guidelines.)

4. Sawyer can't look you in the eye when he lies.

5. Doesn't take hot showers for granted.

6. Is super creative!! (He writes and draws detailed and entertaining cartoons and takes after his dad in designing mazes.)

7. Is very loving and loyal to his parents and sisters.

8. Works hard and has shining behavior at school.

9. Is gifted with a 6th sense of understanding electronics.

10. Has a strong sense of justice and fairness.