Another Birthday

Audrey turned 11 on Sunday. It's hard to believe she is that old. We're almost in the teens!

I'm guessing she wished for a horse or a dog. A Husky, as that is her favorite lately. Although she likes wolves too. She has decided Jack London is her favorite author, for right now, and has been reading his books. She thought it was really neat when she saw a wine at QFC with a wolf on the label. It was called Jack London. I'll have to get it some time just so she can have the empty bottle.

She did get webkinz husky from Grandma and Grandpa, and Shane surprised her at the cabin with another stuffed dog. Poor substitutes for the real thing, but a lot cleaner and quieter.

The kids. Kateri's hair has not gotten any tamer- or smaller. I think she might be due for another thinning.

We had a great time on our vacation and we have lots of pictures but I'll post those later as I'm a little behind on my day right now. It's always hard adjusting to coming home.

6 Going on 30

KatThat would be Kateri. I can't wait until her age catches up with her abilities. So far she is ok, except for not being able to drive. The other day she asked if she could unlock the car. We were on our way to the store so I gave her the keys and went to grab my purse and shopping list. when I came out she was standing at the bottom of the steps grinning.

"Can you hear that?" she asked.

"Hear what?" Then I paused to listen.

"Kateri, did you start the car?"

She grinned harder and nodded her head.
I don't know why I was surprised. I guess I'd better start hiding the keys.
She loves to play Scrabble. She mostly makes up her own words, complete with original spellings, definitions, and pronunciations.

For her birthday breakfast, she decided she wanted to treat everyone to pancakes and bacon. I made the bacon she made the pancakes using her new butterfly spatula from Grandma Trudy.

Showing off her new things. Kateri used her birthday money from Grandma Mac to buy a flower clock for her room.

More treats from Grandma Mac. The kids are always so excited to get her cards. She was very thoughtful and shared the balloons and gum with the other kids.

Here is the little princess with the model of her future home. Designed and created by Grandma Trudy, who I think will have the title of Royal Chef as soon as construction on the new dwelling is done.

Shane's Birthday!

We celebrated Shane's birthday on Sunday. He doesn't like parties much, for himself, but it worked out that his mom and dad stopped by on Sunday with an ice cream cake and a gift. It also worked out that his sister Kim had her baby the next day, his actual birthday, so it was good we got the festivities in before Grandma and Grandpa headed out for Eastern WA. the birth went well. 9lbs, and as of yet she does not have a name. The kids are excited to meet their newest cousin soon.
I won't say how old he turned, but it was more than the candles we had for the cake.

His mom and dad gave him a thermometer for outside our kitchen window. Now we can tell if its cold enough for snow. It came complete with delivery and installation.

Past two days I've taken the kids shopping. Audrey is usually more inclined to save her earnings, Cyril typically has a hole in his pocket, or he loses his money. He lost two teeth in the last week and as the tooth fairy did not seem to be hit by the economic downturn, he was eager to look for anything "boy".

I'm not sure the best way to teach the kids about money and the wise use of it. I think right now we are on the lesson of if you spend it, its gone. Cyril did remark how if he had not bought such and such, he would have had enough to get the really big thing. As it was he picked out a super anoying gizmo. One of those little voice changing things which makes it impossible for you to not say "Luke, I am your father." I warned him before he purchased it, that it might be one of those toys that stays in his room.

So, I wasn't too sad when he brought it down yesterday and said Audrey had dropped it and now it wasn't working. So we took it apart and he found where a wire had come undone and said we needed to solder it back in place. So then we had to rummage around in the garage until we found everything we needed. Then we needed to decide who was going to hold the wire still and who going to wield the soldering iron. After a couple trial runs it seemed best for me to hold the tiny wire in just the right spot while he soldered in place. I guess I am happy he had a successful experience diagnosing and fixing a problem. And that no one got burned. But now it works again.

She reminds me of a Dr. Who character. "Are you my mummy?"

Kateri found a little kitchen set, and as it was only $5 and I know how much she loves to play cooking, we got it. The next morning I came down and she a bowl with melted butter, the flour, vanilla, and soy sauce all ready.

Just like in the picture. Although personally, I'd like to see her picture on the box. You might want to add just a splash of some dish soap, bleach, and ammonia to taste.

I was out of eggs, but as it was the feast of the Annunciation, we celebrated by making Russian Tea Cakes. This morning she was excited because I had bought eggs and she was sure there was no limit to what she could make now. I have such a hard time because when everyone needs breakfast, and we have school work to do, and tons of laundry, I do not feel her enthusiasm for starting out the day late and with a big kitchen mess. But I do love how excited she is and totally get the wanting to cook "just like in the picture". So we made a stove top version of Dutch babies, but more like polacinta ( not sure of the spelling)- it actually came out fine. A very eggy chewy crepe, which we put jam on and rolled up. And it solved the "what do I make for breakfast?' dilemma as well. Although she told me afterwards I could wash her dishes. And clean up the egg whites.

A Birthday, a Ballet,and The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Cyril turned 8 on Jan 6th. More amazing than the fact he is eight, was his declaration of wanting to do his writing. I think it really helps seeing Audrey and all she can do. and even though we have been working little bit by little bit, we have been making huge progress since we started up after Christmas break. I have been daily amazed at how well and cheerfully he has been co-operating. We can see the same progress in 30 min as we used to see in 2 hrs.
He does still question why there needs to be 5 different ways to say "er" and how much easier it would be if there was only one. And why does "ch" have to also say "sh" when you can just use "sh". But even not seeing any logic in it, he still does it and making wonderful strides. (Finally) So, after 3 years, I very am happy to see the light. And so is Cyril.

We played some games so the kids could win prizes and I could give them their Christmas presents that were finally delivered.

I'm not sure who is blowing up who in this picture.

Cyril requested an oreo ice cream cake. And then cookie dough ice cream on the side.

Audrey had her Nutracker performance. She was a tin soldier. She did well and danced her hear out, as forgot to follow the other soldiers who were exiting stage left. She was also tired as they had two performances in one day. But it gave the opportunity for everyone to get to see it, including her friend Anna. Kateri was a little bored since the first half of the concert was made up of the other classes in the school. Everytime the little girls in their sparkly jazz outfits with sneakers left the stage she would ask "Is Audrey coming now?" I was a little tired of waiting too. And I was fully expecting a mini-stonhenge to descend any second. Actually, that would have been far more entertaining.

But the Nutcracker was sweet. Shane did get a video of her dance so maybe I'll post it later. `

And Guess Who's 10?

Grandma Trudy made another princess cake. I think that was 3 so far this year. Audrey's friend Anna came over to stay the night- a special birthday concession-and Grandma and Grandpa and we had a nice dinner and for breakfast we made dutch babies and sausage.


At 9:06 on October 18th, Audrey turned 10. At least I think it was 9:06. I wasn't looking at the clock by that point, but Shane remembers. I do remember thinking, "hey, we could show up at 10:00 Liturgy on time, with a new baby." But then the stupid hospital wouldn't let us leave until Audrey peed and threatened to call CPS. Or maybe that was over the fact that I said I did not want the ointment put in her eyes to treat her for an STD. Hence the three home births since then. But aside from that it was a lovely morning and Audrey was greeted by grandparents, aunts, and cousins lots of flowers and balloons. And I got a latte and a scone. Not from the hospital. In fact they never offered me anything in the 12 hours we were there. 12 hours too long. Needless to say I do not have fond memories of the maternity ward at Steven's Hospital. I did like my nurse a lot though. But not the doctor who was upset I didn't want an epesiotomy. Where is the "my body, my choice" philosophy when it comes to birthing a child? Midwives and husbands are awesome. Plus they feed you and rub your back. And generally do anything you want/need.

I have been struggling with how to give Cyril the outlets he needs for his energies in a safe and productive way. Mountain biking is good but only Papa can take him. You can only dig so many holes in the yard, and now it is getting too muddy and wet. So I pulled out his workbench and we went to the hardware store where I bought him a saw and some wood. He was very busy "hammering, sawing, and working away' until he cut his hand. Twice. I searched the garage and found his vise and things have been fine since. Here is showing off his helicopter. He was pretty proud.
Cyprian got this ball for his birthday. Unfortuantely, it is no longer a ball. Fortunately, it stretches and has now become a hat. Reduce, "re-use", recycle. I thought it was creative of the kids.

Guess Who's 3?

You will have to scroll down to see as I've loaded the pictures backwards- again. But I am sure you can guess who. Trying out the new bubble mower from Grandma and Grandpa. It was a big hit, the last thing he talked about before he fell asleep and the first thing after he woke up.
Cyril, and conequently Shane's, latest sport- mountain biking. Shane took Cyril out for about four hours of non-stop crazy trail blazing that I don't even want to witness. Apparently it was not enough because he came home and immediately got out the bike ramp to practice jumps.
Here is where the kids and I played while the big boys were braving the trails.
Audrey thought this willow was cool and said she wanted one in our yard. Me too.

And here is the birthday boy. Being the preepared mom that I am, I could not find three candles. And I could onlyl find pink, as Kateri's birthday was most recent.He didn't care though.
Here is the always much anticipated "Grandma Mac Birthday Card". It came two days before his birthday but he was with me when I got the mail and spied it. He ran back to the house, clutching to his chest and shouting,

"Hey kids, its my birthday from Grandma Mac!" He was so excited he had to open it on the porch.
He had frun blowing up the balloons and chewing the gum, which he was able to do simultaneously. Kateri helped him decorate her kitchen sink with the stickers.
Grandma Trudy started the tradition of decorating cakes with the kids so I filled up the frosting bag and let him go for it.
I thought it turned out pretty well.