Our Shecklet #4 had her final single-digit birthday today! She requested mini hamburgers on Hawaiian rolls. We had a few family members over to celebrate with us on the 19th and then she skied on her actual birthday. Year #9 seems to be off to a great start!
I looked at the clock around 12:35 this afternoon and thought about where I was 8 years ago today. What an entrance Shecklet #4 made into this world. Not many kids can say they were born in an ambulance on one of the coldest days of the year. It’s a day I will never forget.
This year, Shecklet #4 asked if she could have an 80’s themed birthday party. As someone who has fond memories of the mid-to-late 80’s, it didn’t take much to convince me to agree to her idea. The recent below zero temps we had gave us an opportunity to use the extra indoor time to create decorations and party plans.
This is part of the Pac-man photo prop the kids made back on 2/12.
And a few more of the decorations we had, including the birthday banner that Larissa and Shecklet #1 made on 2/6 when we had our day of crafting fun.
The birthday girl could hardly contain herself this morning. She was up at 6am and regularly asked me throughout the day, “How long until my party starts?” She even woke one of her sleeping brothers from his slumber so she could open a few presents from us.
She also received ski gear and is very excited to try it out tomorrow.
Tonight’s party was a ton of fun! The birthday girl had a blast! She could totally pass as a child of the 80’s. She rocked the side ponytail and blue eyeshadow like a pro. Her sister wore the 80’s trends well, too!
We had a few friends and family join us in rad neon, tulle, makeup and scrunchies. The kids had a boom box piñata and played “stick the cassette to the boom box.” Jake grilled burgers and hotdogs (birthday girl’s request,) we held a glow stick dance party in the basement, and enjoyed angel food cake and ice cream for dessert.
I love how everyone who joined us embraced the 80’s theme and helped make Shecklet #4 feel so special today.
We had to postpone Shecklet #3’s birthday party a week. Thankfully, it was a beautiful day and she had a lot of fun with the family and friends who celebrated with her.
Family and friends gathered this afternoon to share food, cake, and ice cream to celebrate Shecklet #3 turning 7! She is so full of life and I am so grateful to be her mom 💗
We took the kids to an egg hunt at our old parish this morning. We arrived slightly after the event began and it looked like there were plenty of eggs to go around. Â Unfortunately, by the time we went inside, dropped off our food shelf donations and went back outside, all but a couple of eggs had been collected. Â I felt pretty bummed for my kids (especially since other children were walking around with baskets over-flowing with eggs) but they didn’t seem to mind. Â I really am proud of their behavior in situations like that. Â They could have easily thrown a tantrum or gotten emotional over not being able to find any eggs, but instead, they just rolled with it and moved on. Â Perhaps one silver-lining that they discovered once we went back in the building to have a treat and work on a couple of crafts, is that this year, they had REAL bunnies for the kids to have their photo taken with.
Dear Miss Shecklet #3,
I can hardly believe I am writing about your 4th birthday! It seems like yesterday that we were stopping at Cub Foods on our way home from the hospital to pick up a “BIRTHday” cake to share with your brothers.
You are growing up to be quite the preschooler – smart, funny, adventurous, friendly & loving. We couldn’t ask for a spunkier, move vibrant 4 year old daughter than you!
You love to ride your balance bike, help in the kitchen, wash dishes, play at the park. You love horses, dresses, singing, dancing and currently, all things Frozen.
Your brothers and sister all enjoy playing with you and we definitely miss your presence when you’re away at preschool. But you are learning so much and love the time you get to spend with Miss Mary Ann and your classmates.
Your dad and I hope you continue to be the confident, strong, welcoming girl that you are and that your love of Jesus grows more every day.
XOXO,
Momma
Here are your responses to our annual list of birthday questions:
Birthday costume party for a classmate of Little #1. He had a blast! Games, candy, dance party, cake & ice cream. Great way to spend a rainy October day!
Dear Nolan,
Wow, 5 years! I can’t believe how fast time has gone. I suppose I may say that with each passing year, but it’s the truth every time. You have grown so much this year I can hardly believe it. You continue to grow in confidence and compassion and are such a funny and loving young boy. I am amazed at how much you absorb throughout the day and am grateful to be able to experience life through your eyes. I am so thankful to be your mother.
Today we began the day in the best way possible, thanking God for the gift of you at mass. When word got out afterward that it was your birthday, you proudly told people that you were now 5! And you held up your fingers to prove it 🙂 We stopped to pick up donuts (which has become a bit of a Sunday tradition) and a cappuccino (for me) and brought them home to share. Then I got started with frosting your cake. This year, I asked if you wanted a caterpillar cake (like the one we saw in a magazine) and you said yes. While I was frosting the cake, Daddy went to the garage to get your present ready. The look on your face when you saw your new red bike in the garage pure joy! Lincoln helped you check out every detail of it and you hopped on to check out the size. I think you have a great summer in store!
Our family & friends arrived around 2:30 for cake and ice cream. After singing to you, we dug in to the tasty caterpillar and then you went outside with Lincoln and our friend, I. A little while later, you asked if everyone could come outside to watch you open your presents. You did a great job sharing your new things. Your uncles helped you break in your new bat, glove & baseball and you also played a round of croquet with Nana.
I pray you always share that wonderful smile and welcoming personality with the world. Your Daddy & I love you very much and look forward to seeing what God has in store for you this coming year.
XOXO
Mommy
Dear Lincoln,
I thought I’d write you a recap letter detailing today’s events. I can’t believe you are 3 years old today. As I sit here typing, I’m looking at a picture of you and your big brother when he visited us in the hospital after your birth. You look so tiny! Yet, I can see in your eyes, it’s you! You have become such a fun, independent, inquisitive & loving boy. I thank God for the gift you are in my life!
The day started off much like it did on the Easter Sunday you were born – we woke up to wet, heavy snow. You, Nolan & I had breakfast in our pj’s and gobbled up purple waffles – your request. After getting dressed, we had planned on going to the Children’s Museum, but the snow and slop made the roads extra messy (and dangerous,) so we decided to save that adventure for another day. You didn’t seem to mind since you had a chance to play with a few of the birthday presents you opened in the morning.
For lunch, you asked for “Taco Bells,” so you and Daddy (who took the day off from work) picked up tacos and nachos for us. After lunch, you, Nolan & Daddy went to pick up your cake – Buzz Lightyear was what you asked for this year. I briefly considered making your cake again this year, but decided to let the ladies at the bakery make it for you this go-around. You fell asleep in the car on the way home, so Daddy laid you down for a birthday nap – probably a good idea since you ended up being up past your bed time yet again tonight.
Our family and friends came over for cake and ice cream at about 6:30. We sang “Happy Birthday” to you and your eyes just beamed! I think you enjoyed being the center of attention today 🙂 After cake, you politely asked if you could open your presents, and had so much fun doing so. You received many wonderful, sweet well-wishes & gifts from your grandparents, aunts, uncles & friends.
You are loved by so many wonderful people, Lincoln. Never forget that. And in the words of your great-grandma Fran, God loves you, and so do I!
XOXO
Mommy
My mom celebrated the first family birthday of the new year. Several years ago, my dad started a birthday dinner tradition to commemorate her special day. He prepares his now famous, Beef Wellington, every January 3rd. This year we had twice baked potatoes (made by Tony), julienne carrots, asparagus and chocolate vinegar cake for dessert. I think everyone looks forward to this meal each year. The boys were more interested in the veggies and cake, but I’m guessing if they’re anything like their dad and uncle, it won’t be long until they go back for 2nds from the main course.
It wouldn’t be a birthday without opening gifts. The kids helped Nana find her presents inside the birthday bag. I think they pulled everything out in less that 20 seconds. 🙂 My mom hardly had time to see what they pulled out before they grabbed something else. After opening gifts, I tried to take a picture with Nana and all of the boys, but Nolan decided to pout. (That’s him behind the railing in the green sweatshirt.) To round out our visit to Nana & Papa’s the boys had to visit Taz & Gwen (Uncle Tony’s bearded dragon & gecko.) They love going upstairs to say “hi” and feed the lizards. It was an extra special treat to have Uncle Tony with them for tonight’s visit.
