Gavin's Birthday Party

Last weekend, we had a great celebration for Gavin's Birthday party. He decided at the last minute that he wanted something with the theme of "Where's My Water?" a game that all of the kids really like to play right now. Since he doesn't really like cake, I decided to make a giant cookie and decorate it with the alligator in the shower, from the game. It didn't turn out too bad, and Gav really loved it. Though the first thing he did was claim the piece without any frosting.

Gavin had been talking for months about wanting to go to Fats Cats the bowling and fun center that also includes a pizza place and bowl and have dinner with his cousins. At first I just considered this an idea and not a plan, but he just kept telling everyone that was what he was doing and he even wrote an essay about it a month before in school. So despite the craziness of taking 8 kids and 4 adults bowling, we all went. Nathan and Stacy were great to go along with all of our plans and the slightly hectic atmosphere.

Needless to say, Gavin loved it and had a great time, as did all of the kids.

Here is what they did when I said, "All of you get together for a picture." Very chummy... hands at sides and lined up by height. They sure are cute. I believe Henry was bowling and Claire was getting her dinner.

Everyone gathered around our lanes just watching the bowling. Stacy was such a sports chasing Jaren off the lanes and still managing to majorly beat me at bowling.

Gavin blowing out the #7 candle... or pretending, since we couldn't light it in the bowling alley.

These two toddlers were pretty nuts about the party. They both really love anything to do with balls, so you can imagine the craziness of heavy bright colored ones everywhere. They each got a turn to bowl for someone, we'll pretend like Wyatt's bowling is what affected my score. Luckily, the food and drink kept them busy some of the time. It can be a crazy life to be the little brother and be dragged around on all of the big kid fun.

Gavin is 7!

It seems impossible that 7 years ago we spent today at the hospital watching basketball and waiting for our first little bundle of energy to arrive. What a roller coaster of emotion and unknowns he has been for us. We really had no idea what we were getting into when we decided to become parents. Luckily, Gavin is a loving and determined soul who seems to have done alright putting up with his novice parents. He has taught us so much.

Being the middle child that I am, I always imagine that being the first would be a daunting and hectic experience. Gavin has proven that he is up to any job we have asked of him. He is an amazing big brother and tries to supply all of the information to his brothers that they could ever need. Last weekend, he and Henry headed out to the yard for Gavin to give him karate lessons. Caleb made the comment, "Such a good Cardon. Always ready to teach someone else something that you have no idea how to do yourself." :-)

Gavin loves to be outside running, riding, jumping and setting up the next action adventure. He can be a Ninja or Galactic Hero or even any animal you choose at the drop of a hat. His imagination knows no bounds. He is also my budding little artist. He would choose sketching in a notebook or doing and art project over almost anything, and he is growing those talents everyday.

Gavin is such a good student and I love watching him learn and grow in school. This has been a year of bigger social developments and he learns to deal with all the little things that 1st grade bring, from a kid pushing you down in line, to someone stealing your cheese stick at lunch. He is certainly not the most aggressive kid, and I am grateful that he tries to find the peaceful alternatives to his problems and then just blows off the things that don't matter much in the long run. I know these traits will take him a long way in life.

I am so grateful for Gavin in our lives. He is such a good soul, and while I hope that maybe he will slow down this growing up business just a little bit. It is exciting to watch him head out on new adventures and return a little stronger and a little smarter in the end.

A Fun Weekend

We had a nice 3 day weekend. The boys were out of school Friday, and I am really starting to appreciate the slower pace of a morning without school. We started our weekend with a sleepover with the Cardon girls. The night was spent with an exclusive screening of the first Star Wars movie. It was fun and enjoyable for all, though there were a few comments about how they would have liked a little more light saber fighting.

Mallory and Claire weren't quite as into the movie, but they did love snuggling up with a lot of stuffed animals.

There was a lot of giggling and chatting until the late hours of the night, but the boys were so excited to have spent a fun night and morning with their cousins. We really love living so close to these great girls. (And their little brother, tho he stayed home with his mom. Maybe next time, Jaren.)

After the end of the week snow, we had a could of super nice days to melt most of the white away. It wasn't quite 60 degrees, but my boys will take any chance to wear shorts. Hence the fact that we found them out building snowballs and sculptures in their shorts.

Gavin and Wyatt were sculpting something nice.

Henry and his giant snowball.

It has been so nice to be outside and feel warm in the last couple of days, I am officially longing for spring.

Occupy Cafeteria- 1st grade play

Last week, Gavin had his school program. He has spent the last couple of months working with his class to memorize lines and songs and even dances. That is one thing that I love about Wasatch Elementary, the kids in all grades get a chance to not only go to music class, but also drama and dance. They put on the best programs. It is always really impressive.

Gavin's class did a play about the members of the cafeteria going on strike because the kids were not treating them properly and acting the way they should at lunch. It was pretty funny. Gavin played a hungry student who was also a germ-o-phobe.

Here he is looking handsome for the big day.

One of his speaking parts with a few friends from class.

Doing a spin with his friend, Ruby.

One of the dance sections.

Four is the Perfect Number

It seems that 4 is the perfect number of little boys for our family. We had our ultrasound and our active little guy gave a shout out that he is also a HE. Ready to join "the brothers." I laughed out loud when the technician took a picture and asked me if I could tell what the baby was... the same thing I have seen 4 times now. Pretty obvious.

Gavin and Henry came to the appt and while Henry was interested in watching until he found out the gender, Gavin was really into picking out the body parts and watching all of the movements. The Technician was great and talked a lot about all of the things she was seeing and measuring, which I really enjoyed.

We are all very excited about our new addition and looking forward to his arrival. Now to spend the next 4 months searching for another boy now...

A Star Wars Birthday

Henry had a great day and a great celebration. He couldn't seem to think of anything he wanted for his birthday and his main response was, "Maybe Star Wars stuff, like a movie or a poster." So that is what he got, Star Wars stuff, and even some legos and a couple super heros from his friends. He kept looking at his presents and saying, "Best Birthday Ever." It was quite hilarious.

It is safe to say that I don't have a lot of cake decorating skills, but when we went to get decorations, Henry chose a white cake and white frosting. He did agree that it should probably have sprinkles. I added the transformer to spice things up just a little.

We had dinner as a family at Red Robin. We were laughing about taking Henry there with a bunch of friends and family for his first birthday. And now that he is five, he chooses it as his favorite place to eat. Perhaps we brainwashed him at an early age, but he eats a lot of food without complaining about anything, so that must means he likes it.

All three boys were hamming it up for the restaurant photos.

Happy 5th Birthday Henry!

I can not believe that it has been 5 years since we had our little Henry. He is such a grown up man now. He pretty much keeps things jumping around here. He manages to handle the role of middle child with quite a bit of ease.

A few things that I know we will want to remember about Henry today-

He loves to eat candy and more candy and will ask for a "lunch dessert" as soon as he tells you what he wants for lunch.

His friends and brother like to say that he is "addicted" to playing Super Mario on the Wii. As his mother, I have a hate-hate relationship with this game now, but am still convinced to let him play it and pass more and more levels on a regular basis.

When we ask Henry what he did at school or what he learned at school, he always says, "Not much." or "I can't remember." Even if we just walked out of the classroom. Luckily, he gives a more thorough answer when asked about his class at church, so we can be grateful he is willing to talk about his spiritual education.

He is well known among his peers for two appearance attributes- "his dimples and his swirl on his forehead" (otherwise known as cow-lick).

When we ask Henry to get ready to go somewhere, whether it be getting dressed or putting on shoes and a jacket, he takes that as his cue to move slowly and distractedly and sometimes just pretends that he can't hear us at all... He has even gone as far as pretending to read a copy of "The Economist." Keeping in mind that he has no interested in world politics and also that he can't read.

This guy is really such a ball of energy and love. He is so open with compliments and such a caring a cuddly fellow. He was the first one to teach me the all important parenting lesson that even though a child of the same gender comes to the same parents, it doesn't mean he will be anything at all like the ones who come before or after him. He is only himself, and I love that about him.

Our Valentine's Fun

We have a great and fun Valentine's Day. With 2 boys in school, it was even more fun for them to exchange Valentines with all of their friends. They really enjoyed writing them up for each class member and even some neighbors, and then sorting out all of the loot and checking out the goodies when they got home.

We also continued our tradition of having some delicious red and heart-shaped food for dinner.

Wyatt loves to watch things cook in the oven, so he even got Gavin to come over and see the pizza and get excited about dinner.

Here is our first tastey creation. Thanks to Stacy for suggesting the use of parchment paper to get the pizza easily on and off the baking stone. It made the whole event much less stressful for me, since no pizzas got stuck to the peel and not a bit of cheese or toppings ended up on the bottom of my oven. Fabulous.

The boys gathered around with their new Valentine animals and some great cards and treats.

We opted for red creme soda this year. Gavin even enjoyed his with the heart silly straw from Nana and Vatti.

Henry loved his new super soft dog.

Wyatt was excited about everything and has loved carrying around his little bear for the last couple of days.

This guy was there too. We had a great night hanging out and enjoying being together.

Some jumping around

This winter business has started to feel pretty long to us, so we have started to plan some outings to get us out of the house and give us a chance to socialize with friends.

A couple of weeks ago we headed to Jump Around Utah, a big warehouse someone has converted into and indoor play area. It has all kinds of bouncey houses, a big play structure and a giant pillow that you can jump on. The boys really love this place, and I love when we can find half off coupons to go.

Josh and Henry getting some serious ups.

I wasn't quite ready for how high Henry jumped this time, so he is missing the top of his head.

Josh showing off his skills, these two were the only ones that would pose for me.

Gavin and Noah in the play structure.

Wyatt loved this place when we went this summer, but of course his older and wiser self was a little nervous this time. He spent the first hour walking around with the moms and pointing and people and smiling. Finally he found this tiny slide and after some coaching had a lot of fun going up and down it, until Gavin came over and coaxed him on to bigger and better play areas. It is fun to watch what he is convinced to do when he has a big brother to follow.

One crazy guy

This little Wyatt is turning out to be one crazy guy. Spending our mornings together without the distraction of brothers has really brought out his wild and silly side. Just a few fun shots of some of the things he gets into now that he is 18 months going on 12. What a blast.