Madison is 3!!!

My precious Madison turned 3. She loves all things girl so we mixed Disney princesses with Minnie Mouse. Cupcakes was the choice this time, it was easy and less time consuming. 

I used the same concept as Jackson's birthday and made a Minnie Mouse without her bow. So we played pin-the-bow-on-Minnie. It was a hit. Madison's bow is the big red one. NOT BAD. Of course Jackson got his right in the right spot again. I swear that kid. Geica and I weren't even close. LOL. 

She got a new Minnie doll and Minnie dress. As you can tell, she was pretty excited. 

Madison is such a girl. I love it. I am not a girly girl so it is actually fun playing girly things with her. She wants to do everything I do. We have to paint our toes and fingers at least 2 times a week. She loves to dress up and prefers dresses over any other type of clothing right now. She is independent but loves to snuggle with me still. She wants to be doing so much more than I allow. She thinks she is so big. We are currently easing into potty training. She is so smart. Her speech is a little behind so when we go to her yearly check-up we will be asking if she can see a therapist. It is definitely a frustration for both of us. She brushes her own teeth. She loves baths. She loves her church class. She loves to have her picture taken.  She is my ball of energy. They girl never sits down, even when she should be eating she is up and down out of her chair. She is warming up to the babies and has good and bad moments. Her and Jackson are getting along much better. She is his little shadow, which I am afraid will probably be that way forever. I am just so lucky to have her as a daughter. She is such a sweet spirit. 

Christmas 2013

Christmas this year was the best we have had so far. It started on Christmas Eve. Uncle Kirk came over and Daddy got off work about the same time. We had pork chops and cheesy potatoes for dinner. YUM! Around 7 we all gathered in the living room. I had prepared a little spiritual thought so we would remember the real reason for christmas. I read the story of Christs birth with pictures. Of course I cried almost immediately. We had a little discussion about what I read. It was perfect. Jackson was really in tune and it was just what was needed for Richard. I need to be a better christlike example for him. It was my most favorite part of Christmas. After that we let the kids open a present from Geica. It was pajamas and a movie. They changed into their new jammies and we put in Monsters University to watch. Very cute movie. Put the babies to bed and the older kids fell asleep during the movie. 

It was time for presents. We gathered all the gifts and placed them under the tree. Normally us adults will play games and just relax the rest of the evening. No games here. We literally sat on the couches until about 2AM talking and laughing. It was nice to have that adult conversation and talk about politics, the world, the gospel and our trials. It was really nice to have that connection. We finally all went to bed knowing the kids would wake us up around 730. 

Sure enough we all got up around 830. It was present time. I always have this idea in my head that we will each open a gift and it would be a long process. Nope, the kids get anxious and we end up just tearing them open. Maybe next year. :)

The kids scored on gifts. Secret Santa showed up at our house on the friday before Christmas, so needless to say they got a lot more than we could get them. Madison got enough clothes and Minnie Mouse merchandise to last for a while. Jackson got enough boy toys and a scooter, that he was a happy boy. They babies got their own toys finally. Mom got us a waffle maker, which made Richard very happy. We didn't get her anything, which she swears she didn't want but it still makes me sad. Overall it was a gift collection that exceeded my expectations so I was happy. 

We had a nice breakfast and then it was time for naps. Richard watched basketball and we just played with the kids new toys. Since Christmas day is also Richards birthday, we eat what he wants for dinner. This year he chose corned beef hash. I look forward to the day I can make him a steak and potatoes. Something fancy. :)

The rest of the day was just spent with each other. I absolutely love Christmas. 

Jackson's is 5!

December 18 is a special day to this little boy. It is his day and he gets to do whatever he wants. He chose spiderman/super heroes as his theme. Since we were short on cash, I decided to decorate the cake myself. Not bad for my first time. 

I decided to do something different this year. We decorated the night before so it was a nice surprise for him. He woke up, saw the decorations and came running to my room. "mom, it's my birthday!!"

I wanted to play some games but completely forgot to buy any so I quickly made this Captain America shield and we played pin-the-star-on-the-shield. It was a hit and Jackson got it smack dab in the middle. He loved the game. I was proud of myself. hehe

Here's the birthday boy. He scored some legos and some Iron Man figurines. He loved his day and was felt so special. 

Jackson has grown into this sensitive, caring little man. He is very curious and is constantly asking questions.  He is always playing with some sort of blocks/legos and building these incredible buildings, or planes, or cars or boats. All of his builds are symmetrical and so detailed. I wouldn't be surprised if he went into a field with those expertise someday. He is my big helper. He is trying so hard to learn his alphabet and numbers. He won't be in kindergarten until the fall so I pray we get them by then. His siblings love him and look up to him. Madison does EVERYTHING he does. The babies laugh at him and want to be wherever he is. I can't imagine how devastated they will be when he starts school. I am so lucky he chose me to be his mommy.