Brent's New Bed

Brent's small bedroom had been housing our queen-sized guest bed from Hawaii. Brent was enjoying sleeping on this, but there was no room for him to play on the floor. So... We sold the queen bed on Craigslist and then bought a twin matress the next day. (A nearby furniture store happened to be going out of business, and then we still had the twin frame from when Lucas was a kid). He loves his new space!! And he loves that his quilt now has some red in it too - his favorite color. :) And his dresser no longer has to be in the closet. We're so thankful for how this all worked out.

 

 

 

 

The Brent and Clara Dynamic :)

It usually starts with playing nicely,...

...and then things get a little rougher.

 

I think Clara finished this one on top. ;)

Learning to Build Lego Sets

 

 

Full Laps

This was me a couple weeks ago with 3 sick kids. (They were mostly recovered in this picture). But it was definitely a week of LOTS of holding and hugs toward better health.

Then this was Daddy giving horse rides on his knees after the kids were back to 100% health. :)

 

Enjoying Her Presents

 

 

 

The Birthday Party

As the kids arrived they gathered around the table, coloring pictures of Rapunzel or Flynn Rider. Then we moved into the Pascal party blower craft. This was when we needed "all hands on deck" for adult help. :)

The kids seemed to enjoy the little project.  

Then Lucas (and some of the other parents) took the kids to the basement for games: "Maximus Says," "Pin the Frying Pan on Flynn Rider," and "Rapuzel Tower Bean Bag Toss." [My good friend Sarah painted the beautiful tower!]

 

 

Present opening - very exciting.

The kids stayed behind the blue tape line on the carpet and watched until it was their turn to give the birthday girl her present.

Cake! Happy Birthday, 5-yr old Amber!!

Preparing for the Big Party

After opening her family gifts, Amber helped me prepare for her party the next day. This was the "crown and flowers" cake design she wanted (that I was pretty sure I could do).

She learned to empty the clean silver ware that day...

...and wash some of the pots and pans.

Then she kept busy with this birthday puzzle. 48 pieces...she did it all herself!

Amber's Birthday

I let Amber open a few gifts early, leading up to her birthday. These sparkly accessories were some of them. Then the morning of her birthday she opened all family gifts. This was a big year for her. :)

Clara Leilani

Clara tries to keep up with her older siblings. When I came up from doing the laundry the other day, I found her here on the kitchen table.

 

Being Clara

Coloring Projects

Brent has made huge strides is coloring all by himself this week. He did this dinosaur picture and was so proud of himself at the end.

Amber comes up with such creative ways to draw and write letters.

Just Another Day Around Here

Brent absolutley loves doing puzzles, especially puzzles with animal pictures!

Clara will sometimes stunt ride the horse, standing up on the horse or side-sadle. She just graduated to the next church nursery too, the one for 18mo-3year olds [she just turned 14 months this July] - she is doing so well. :)

Amber was making a "yard sale" in the basement. She wrote prices on the white pieces of paper...too cute!

Silly Clara (and Daddy)

 

PA Family - a Wonderful Visit