Birthday Round Up

We have a 'birthday season' at our house.  

It all kicks off in November with Greg, then 2 birthdays in December, then last but not least we have Mimi's birthday in February.  All that with Christmas and other holidays in the mix.  It leaves me exhausted but also happy to have healthy- energetic kiddos.

I already mentioned Greg's Bday back in November...

Then Yoda turned 7!

 We played a variety of Pokemon games and it was a crazy time, but fun!

 

 Next up, Parker turned 14--notice his height?!  This year he officially grew taller then me...

 

 He had his buddies come over and play video games and eat pizza and cupcakes. 

 Our Mimi Turned 11 this year!  She is not taller then me, but she's getting there! 

 She insisted on a White Elephant Gift Exchange for her party.  A little unorthodox, but so is Mimi. 

 We played lots of classic party games, had classic pizza and cake & ice cream. 

They ended the night with dancing on the Wii.  

Made it though another birthday season--Phew! 

Mimi and Field Hockey

 She's in the pink

 I have no idea how long her interest will last, but I'm glad she likes it now. 

Winter league is indoors, she likes that better then outside in the heat! 

This Week

Mimi made fake snow.  (Conditioner and baking soda)

Yoda played a little basket ball--it is IMPOSSIBLE to get a good action shot!  Greg is one of the coaches. 

Parker went to his first youth dance at church.   He's was super excited. 

Zzzz...

Mimi was tired after a long weekend and was walking around like a zombie.  I suggested she sit on the couch next to Greg who was already asleep.  This is what happened for the next hour or so.  So sweet! 

Real life

source 

Dungeons & Gibbys

It happened... our kiddos have been introduced to Dungeons and Dragons.  Mimi drew some pictures!

"Our Team D&D"

Mimi is a half-orc/half-human named Myev.  Parker is a dark Elf named Thoran.  Yoda is a dwarf named Flint.  Anton is a guy in their team. 

 And here they are playing and having a great time rolling their dice! 

The Funnies

Occasionally I want to share a comic that strikes me as funny...here's today's! 

source

The 60's this week

Yesterday at the doctor's office there was a Valentine's sign on the wall with hearts and ribbons and it read, "All you need is love" (like the Beatles Song from the 60's)
Then a woman next to me said in a grumpy voice, "that's not all you need."
Me, *trying, unsuccessfully to hold in a snicker*

----------

Yoda, "today we learned about a 1st grader that did a thing.  She went to a school that didn't want her and she went anyway, and the police helped her get there."
Me, "wha?" 

I had no idea what he was talking about then suddenly this picture came to my mind and I burst out crying.  It's a painting by Norman Rockwell from 1964 showing a scene of desegregation in the 60's. 

We opened this book and started talking about it.  Listening to him try to explain what he had learned about and thinking of this young girl, just my Yoda's age, having to do something so brave, I couldn't hold it in.

Curler Head

Occasionally we put curlers in Mimi's hair and she enjoys the results.

 Just after the curlers came out she wanted to see what her hair looked like without relaxing it at all. 

Here she is on her way to school... it was practically flat when she came home.  Stick straight hair strikes again! 

Snow Tubing

(video)

Yesterday our Girl Scout troop went snow tubing.  I had no idea it would be this fun or easy of an outing!  We had lots of fun.

 Here's a photo of the hill so you can get a little perspective.  

Our Christmas

Yoda decorated graham cracker houses at school and I was able to be there.  

 At church there was a pleasant Christmas party-- 4 out of 5 Gibbys were in the Nativity. 

Christmas Eve--reading the Christmas story and awaiting the opening of ONE present!

After part of the day with Greg's family, my family had a safe trip from the East Coast and we were so happy to have them! 

Christmas Morning...

 On a warm-ish day we went to the zoo, I think we went to every corner of the place looking for animals. 

Other highlights from Christmas break... 

We put together a fun puzzle, somehow we didn't get a photo of me with my sisters working on it. 

And we hit the art museum one last time before our membership expired.