Happy (Barf) Birthday

Once upon a time, when I turned 16, I got super sick on my birthday. My Mom had planned a surprise party for me & instead, she cancelled as I was sick, lying on the bathroom floor, throwing up a lot. My poor older sister, when she called to tell me Happy Birthday, got to hear me throw up on the other end of the line. I'm sure she didn't love that.
But one other thing I remember was the next time I went to school, passing my brother (who was a senior) & some of his friends & they said "Hi" & "Did you have a Happy Barfday?" I laughed. Good times. Anyway, I don't have a great track record for being super healthy on my birthday. And this year was no exception.
Lexie got sick on Monday & Eliza on Tuesday. I thought we were all done. Nope, Friday morning I spent it throwing up. Lovely. Gratefully, Saturday I was starting to feel better, but I've decided that being sick when you're older is much harder on one's body than when you're younger.
Rick was already excited about not having to make me breakfast for my birthday as the Ward Christmas Party was this morning. So, he wasn't going to have to make me breakfast either way.
Andrew had Brady's birthday party to go to this afternoon at Chuck-e-Cheese. (Rick got out of having to make me lunch, too because he took Andrew to the party. Lucky boy!)

Ready for the game.

Looks intense. (I LOVE how expressive our Andrew is. We always know what he's feeling.)

Woah!!

And that party totally wore him out!

While they were gone, Lucy was very good for us while Lexie, Joseph, & I played Settlers.

They were nice enough to let me win. I've always wanted to make an 8 on this game & today I did. :)

 

Then we played Monopoly. That was fun & they let me win there, too. So kind!
Next, we opened some presents.

And then cake-which no one really ate because we were all sick. (Andrew got sick today, too.)

Overall, it really wasn't that bad of a birthday. Different, but enjoyable getting to just hang out with the kids, relaxing at home.
(And yes, there was more sickness. Joseph got sick on Sunday & Rick on Monday. Yep, everyone, except for Lucy, got it-gratefully she stayed well!)

Happy Girl

Someone is happy & excited for scriptures tonight.

We're going to finish the Book of Mormon again as a family this year. We're a bit behind, but I think we can catch back up & get it done! Hooray! It helps when everyone is happy, as Lucy is tonight, for us to really make some progress. And I'm grateful she is happy because I've had a really rough day today with being super sick. And of course the events in CT broke our hearts today as well. (Gratefully our discussion with the kids about it went well. I was pretty nervous but knew we had to say something about it.) But we also got a new niece/cousin. That was fun & happy, too!

School Concerts

Tonight Joseph and Lexie both have concerts at the school. And Andrew is ready to go!

So are Lexie and Joseph!

And Eliza. She was pretty good tonight, except for when we lost her during intermission. Our first time losing a child...for shame... Gratefully the Principal brought her back to us. Never again!! Oh wait, then Andrew left the gym without us... so 2 lost kids in 1 night. Yeah, we are awesome.

Now Lexie, she's really ready to go and hit the high note!

First up was the Second Grader Concert.

Lucy liked it. Well, at least she was very good during it.

Joseph waiting for the 12 Days of Christmas to start.

Perfect. He got to be the partridge in a pear tree. He got quite the workout.

Waving bye!

After the short intermission, the School Choir, which Lexie is a part of, performed. It was really good as well! I was surprised that they sang a song about a "baby born born in Bethlehem." I'm glad they did. I wish I had known they were singing "Still, Still, Still" because then I could have helped the choir director pronounce everything in German, but it was still lovely in English.

If I can figure out how to upload videos, I'll put some of the songs up. It was a lot of fun and the kids did well, always a plus!

Patiently Waiting

Every day brings a new adventure for Eliza. How will she spend her time waiting for the older kids to get out of school. Some days we watch a show, others read a book, many days are spent crying to be let out of her carseat or sleeping peacefully in it. Today she was a cheese while patiently waiting for school to get out.

 

 She loves discovering the mirror and adjusting it until it's just right.

And Lucy just looked on.

12/12/12

Proof, we were here on 12/12/12! Maybe some of our kids will be around for the next repetitive date in 2101...maybe.
I took this picture from my friend, Amy. Since at 12:12 I was talking with my sister & listening to Eliza throw such a tantrum. 

Also, this morning, Andrew & Eliza were having so much fun with Lucy! They played peek-a-boo & read to her for so long. It's so much fun to see how much love these siblings have for each other.

 

 

 

I hope it never changes.

Pah Rum Pah Pum Pum

Tonight we had a really fun time singing lots of Christmas songs together. We also decided to learn a new one. The kids picked "The Little Drummer Boy." It was so much fun. Thanks to Andrew's great idea, (he was inspired to go get the drum from the basement to play) they all had such a great time playing different instruments & singing along. We don't do this enough, that is for sure.
Our Little Drummer Girl.

Our Little Drummer Boy.

 And Rick even got his guitar out to play & he also taught the kids a few chords.

Lucy really enjoyed listening to everyone sing and play.

Then, Andrew had a genius idea to sit in the drum. It was rather humorous.

Yep, he's really stuck.

Almost got it...

Happy to be free!

It was a peaceful evening of lots of fun and lots of good music. We need to do this much more often.

A Boy and His Kazoo

All morning long Andrew has been playing his kazoo. He loves his kazoo! He especially loves to play/sing "Choose the Right" on his kazoo. He likes to play "Name That Tune" while he plays the kazoo. This morning he would sing "CTR" & then ask Rick what song he was playing. Of course Rick said, "CTR." But then Andrew asked, "Yes, but what verse?"

Yep, he's a clever one, that Andrew.

On a side note, I'm really going to miss 11 o'clock Church. But gratefully I won't be missing these faces & goofy kids before Church.