Aubrie is a TEENAGER!

I CAN NOT believe that I did not take one photo of Aubrie’s birthday party.  Probably because I didn’t want to be the embarrassing Mom out there taking pictures.  This year was the big 13, and so the dynamics were much different than they were in the past.  This year it was a big backyard party...swimming, pizza, music, basketball, soccer, and whatever else they could do back there.  Aubrie was in charge of everything.  Invites, picking out the food, setting up the back yard, etc.  This year I allowed Aubrie to invite boys.  All the boys she wanted to invite were from church, and only added up to be 5, so I wasn’t too worried about it.   The party run’s itself at this age.  We just provide food, and clean up!  At first it took awhile for things to warm up...probably a good hour!  I don’t think the boys and girls are quite use to hanging out yet.  Another year, and they will be at church dances, so it was good practice!  The girls all grouped off and did their thing, and the boys did theirs.  Then about an hour and half later  all started having a good time swimming, playing soccer together, etc.   The party ended with Cotton Candy making, and when the parents showed up, no one wanted to leave.  It was a success and Aubrie had a great time!  No ER visits this year, thank Heavens! 

        It is hard to believe that Aubrie is a teenager!  Probably because she hasn't even hit five feet yet!  j/k  I'm sure she will get there by 8th grade.   Thought we butt heads a lot, I feel very fortunate to have her.   She is responsible, has high moral standards, and is always willing to help, to her own detriment of time management sometimes.  She is always friendly to  with , and has a way with children.  She is going to be a great leader, and mother someday!

Sophia's Water Party!

April is the birthday month!  By the time April is over I feel like I aged two years instead of one!   Sophia had a Water Birthday party.  She brought balloons to school with the invitations inside.   I only invited the girls, and the boys felt left out.  So Sophia brought balloons for the boys the following day with a treat inside.   We had to keep it mainly girls, with a few exceptions, because Sophia’s list was too long  between church, school, and soccer friends, and of course every one was able to come!  I organized a lot of water activities to keep them busy!  First we had the water slide to always keep them occupied.  Then we had a fishing game, which they all enjoyed.  Other games included a water balloon toss, and a car race.   That one was a little trickier.  You used a squirt bottle to race the cars.  The only problem was that some of the cars were harder to move than others, and some didn’t want to move at all.  They still had fun.   Sophia is always so happy and grateful, so it’s hard not to always throw her a big birthday bash!  I love how appreciative she is.  All her friends had a lot of fun.  It was another success!  I just can't believe my baby is SIX!!!

My Most favorite Party Favor's EVER!  (Thanks to the help my friend Rachel Despain!)

The Big Slide 

Yummy Cake Pops!

Aubire always helping!

Tobi--My Early Birthday Present

Lately I really have been missing Simba.  He was always so social, and loved to be held at any time.  Then I went to Petsmart to get crickets and cat food, and I found this guy.  He was an answer to my mourning.   He is super frisky and is always getting into trouble, but I love this cat!  Happy Birthday to me!  

Boston had a great first year on the white team, and his skills were recognized.  The black team got a new coach, and He (along with a few top team members) was invited to play up with a team for the Prescott Tournament.  Ben was out of town at the Master’s (Yes, I’m the awesome wife who encouraged and convinced him to go!), so I took the kids up there on my own.  Actually, Aubrie had a Saturday morning game, so Boston went up the night before with another family, and we met up there for the second game.  It was a great trip, and opportunity to meet the parents of the team he most likely would be playing on in the Fall.  All the parent’s were so nice.  It was like a little family.  The weather was great, and I had a great time with just the kids and I.  There is always a different vibe on trips when it’s just me and the kids.  Not better, but different.  The boys played well, and ended up in second.  Not bad for a newly formed team.  Good Memories, and something to look forward to in the fall!

Easter 2013

Another Easter with the Hawkins.  How weird it would be to do it any other way.  I love our Golden Egg tradition (the one with the dollar in it).  I love how we only have to go next door when its the year its not at our house.  I love how we have brought our own Easter traditions together,  Tirza with her pickles and olives, and me always making the Ham.  (FYI...tried a new recipe this year, and will never do that AGAIN!)  Fun traditions build families and friendships! 

Playing Hooky!

The luxury of half day Kinder, is that it’s not a huge deal if they miss.  I pulled  Sophia for the Hawkins last day of Spring Break, to go up to Anthem park and enjoy the beautiful day.  They had fun feeding the ducks, eating lunch, and making a Sonic stop on the way home!