They grow up too fast--but sometimes they come back

I took my three children to one of these! (I didn't take any pictures because I was rather busy.) My two boys ran off together into their world of imagination. Running everywhere defending the universe from the bosses. I followed my little, but tall) three year old all around. Jumping on the air mattress, crawling through tunnels, sliding down twisty slides. I wish I had brought knee pads as I crawled through the tunnels. I even sometimes looked longingly at the mothers reading their books on the sidelines--wondering when I would be able to just watch. Then quickly reminding myself that the time will come and I will be sad. Then it happened. My little girl went on her own, climbed to the top of the tower all by herself, went down the slides, went through the tunnels, and I just watched from the sidelines. I didn't really know how to feel. Proud that she had done it on her own, yet at the same time I felt abandonned. Then her voice rang out clear, "Come on, Mommy!" Of course I followed her up the winding staircase, not envying those mothers on the sidelines, and glad that my knees hurt!

I like my birthdays everyone!

On H's birthday my dad took him and two of his cousins to the dinosaur museum. Then he went out to eat! When he got home, I asked him what he had to eat, he said, "milkshake and cheese fries." He was very happy!

We had a lot of family come in for H's big day. We moved his birthday celebration to Friday when the family was going to be here. Both sets of grandparents and two sets of cousins were there. My brother and his wife drove from Pittsburgh for the weekend, and we have one set of cousins that live here. It was fun to have everyone!

The traditional scripture cake for the 8 year old.

H loves the 2000 warriors! This is such a great scripture for this kid. He has so many phobias: heights, talking in front of people, having people put their hands into his mouth. He has to conquer each of these phobias every time he wants to go down a slide, have me turn his expander, give a talk at church. Never have I seen so great courage. . . .

There they are: father and son. I love how worthy dad's get to baptize their children. It is such a joy. There was a lot of work getting ready for this special day---and it turned out wonderful!

Our family. GG certainly knows how to put on the charm. I was desperately trying to loose weight to fit into the skirt--I didn't quite make it but wore it anyways--oh well.