Nathan Turns Five

Nathan was so excited to turn 5 years old.  

He had school on his birthday, and asked me to make him some cupcakes to share with his class.  We had some "Big Foot" candies left over from our New Years Party, and he had asked if he could have them on his birthday cupcakes.  I kept teasing him that he was giving his friends stinky feet cupcakes and he patiently explained to me several times why the candies weren't stinky or made of real feet.  

All ready for school on his birthday:

This was Nathan's first year to have a "real" birthday party with friends and games and decorations.  He chose a Star Wars theme and we had so much fun planning his party!

Nana, Papa, Grandma & Grandpa all came over to join in the fun and help out with setting up.  Papa blew up a LOT of balloons and Nana spent the morning taping them up everywhere.

The invitations:

The decorations:

The party bags:

The games:

Star Wars Bingo
Yoda, Yoda, Kit Fisto (invented by Nathan after Duck, Duck, Goose - with his favourite Star Wars Characters, of course)
Musical Star Wars Characters
Glow in the Dark Dance (with glow light sabres and glow bracelets they won as prizes for Bingo)
Star Wars Blindfold Game (kind of like Pin the Tail on the Donkey with ships and planets)
A Pass the Present Unwrapping Game that we used to play when I was a kid!  When the music stops, whoever is holding the present gets to unwrap one layer.  Thanks to Grandma who wrapped the prize at least 20 times.  It was very suspenseful.

Opening Presents:

Thanking all his friends: 

(Samantha dressed up as Princess Leia for the party.)

Cupcakes!

Nathan loves being five.  His main goal in life is to catch up to his big brothers in every way.  So turning one year older is only bringing him closer to this goal.  

He is growing up so fast.  He loves Junior Kindergarten, is learning how to ice skate and how to read.   He loves to ask questions, most of which I am not smart enough to answer.  

Happy Birthday, Nathan.  We love you!

Clara Turns Three

Clara was so excited for her birthday!

We went to church in the morning, and then we drove out of town for Scott's Grandmother's visitation and funeral.

We did get to enjoy some cupcakes in Nursery and again in the van later that night.

Scott decided to bring home an ice cream cake a few days later so that she could blow out her magic wand princess candles and open her cards and gifts.

Clara is such a joy to have in our family.

She loves to play dress up and play princesses.  She loves to sing and dance.  She loves to paint, colour, draw, and make crafts.

She adores her big sister Samantha.  One day during the first week of school, she saw Samantha come home after school.  She ran over to her and said, "Samantha!  You came back!  I'm so proud of you!".

She loves going to Nursery.

She loves her family, siblings, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.

She loves her special purple blanket.  She loves sucking her two fingers and snuggling her blanket at bedtime.

She likes to pretend to be a puppy, and will crawl around the house barking.  We try to avoid picking her up, as that will likely result in a slobbery "puppy kiss" on the cheek.

Clara will make friends with anyone who gives her attention, which is pretty much everyone she meets.

We love Clara so much and can't imagine life without her.

Brett's Birthday

Brett turned 9 and he chose to spend the day at Storybook Gardens. He invited a friend from school, and Grandma, and it was a lot of fun.

Before we left, we had a breakfast of bacon & eggs, toast, fruit and chocolate milk.

It was really hot outside, and super sunny, so the kids are squinting in most of the photos.

The bubble station had some fun wands. Some of the bubbles were huge!

We came home for chocolate cake before the soccer games.

JD's present to Brett... 2 goals at their soccer game!