Happy birthday, Iris!

We celebrated Iris's ninth birthday on Wednesday, showering her with love and some gifts. Sadly, Grandma and Grandpa were sick and could not make the trip out, but we were able to meet up with Uncle Will and Aunt Ashley and cousins for some cake and a movie at Stoughton Cinema Cafe. Mike and Will took Joel and Jayden to dinner and a park nearby while the rest of us took in the new Aladdin on the big screen (they brought pizza to our tables while we watched). I'd recommend the movie! (It's refreshing to have an actress who is worthy of our kids' attention in Hollywood! Pray for her.)

Words cannot convey what a sweet girl our Iris is and what a huge blessing she has been to our family over the years. She is such a good sister, generous and kind, so compassionate and eager to fill any need or cheer anyone who needs cheering. Many blessings on your last year as a single-digit! Happy birthday, dear Russie! We love you so!!!

May happenings

I'm just catching up on posting some pictures from spring... Presenting me with some roses on Mother's Day (after a pampered day of sleeping in, breakfast in bed, shopping by myself, and dinner out with my crew <3) The kids have had so much fun with this WOWMAZING Giant Bubbles wand It created magnificent colorful shadows In search of a wildflower bouquet Stinker Going to check out the neighbors in the fog Grandma and Grandpa came while Mike was in Seattle last week- it's always so nice to have them here. He was crawling out of his crib all the time anyway, so we switched Joel to a big boy bed a week and a half ago. It was a rough transition, with refusals to nap for a few days in a row, but he's taken to it now. "Take a picture of me, Mom!" I'm not usually up for the sunrise, but it is also pretty spectacular from here... the view out our bedroom window <3 Joel and Caleb This boy often just wants me to hold him so I got the Moby, which he loved. Our friends had us over for pizza and some frozen treats the other night. "Mom! Can you take another picture?" (Thanks for his shirt, Roccos!)

more scenes from spring

(I just realized I never published this from weeks ago) Mmmmm... pine needles! "Smells like good!" We finally got the badminton set (that I gave Mike for his birthday years ago) set up! I loved playing as a kid in our yard. It's been a hit. Making pizzas They've been on a Monolopy kick lately... and Jack beats the pants off of us every time (he read about strategies in some magazine- ugh :)) UGH! (Mike did get him down with this branch-trimming contraption) A sick, feverish fell who was only content to sit on my lap. But still managed a smile The return of our neighbors is always an exciting morning A lot of time spent outside and on our playset graffiti I can get on board with Entranced by the cleaning of the pool These scenes touch my heart and make me so grateful to be homeschooling. And this, too.