10 Years and counting...

Enjoying their cupcakes..

Preparing to blow out the candles

Riley lost his first tooth during the party

Emilee's American Girl Doll....Bella

Haydn's favorite thing to do , eat junk!

Anne of Green Gables...the movie

Dig in!

Emilee had her birthday on the 3rd. I can't believe she is 10 yrs old already.  She didn't ask for much, just another American Girl doll. I wanted to give her a few other things that I enjoyed around her age....Anne of Green Gables, the book and movie, and Pride and Prejudice, the young adult version. Emilee loves to read and I intend to give her all of my favorite books.  It's one thing I really want to encourage and thankfully, she already loves to read! Emilee has really been a great kid and a good example to her parents. And I'm sure I can count on her to make good decisions and most importantly enjoy life....that's one thing she's never had a problem with. You come to a point while your children are growing up, that you do a lot of reminiscing and looking back with fondness on your days as a child. You notice the ways they try to become independent or try to find out where they shine....and you remember everything you went through and hope that in some small way, you can make the trip a little easier for them.  Last but not least, I have a wonderful husband who never fails to remind me that I could be a grandma in another 10 yrs. (I prefer not to focus on that part).   But I am very grateful for Emilee and all she contributes to our family. Happy Birthday Emilee!!!

Super 6!

Enjoying a little cake and ice cream

Blowing out the candles

Basketball shirt

Let's try one more time...

Riley's version of Guitar Hero..

Riley has been waiting for this birthday FOREVER!!  Apparently being 6 is much better than being 5.  Riley didn't ask for much, just semi-trucks and some new basketball gear. Of course Dad always treats the boys to a lunch and a chance to pick out a few gifts. This way there's no complaining. 

I can't believe Riley is already six.  I tend to see him much younger than that. He is right smack in the middle of them all and tends to demand a lot of attention, but he has such a great personality!  We all know our families wouldn't be complete without each one of us, but I often think I need them more than they need me.

Happy Birthday Riley.....thanks for keeping things interesting!  We Love You  :)

 

Moose A. Moose

Jake has an addiction..... which, of course, we always take advantage of.  Luckily it's nothing that will harm his health or well-being. But it's another story for the rest of us....

Jake's best friend is Moose A. Moose, a cute little moose found on the Noggin cartoon channel. He LOVES this moose and talks and sings about him ALL of the time. If you don't believe me, ask anyone who has been to the house. We have all these songs memorized and somehow every conversation involves Moose. At our house Moose brushes his teeth, dances, goes to bed at night, eats Frosted Mini-wheats and takes naps, as you can see from above.  It's quite encouraging to know that if there is anything we need Jake to do and he hesitates, we always explain that it's also something Moose does.....works every time! Thank goodness for my "Mortimer Moose" stuffed animal a friend gave to me 10 years ago...Jake couldn't live without it!

Put a little DELON on....

So I was browsing the aisles at Sams Club and came upon a body butter called DELON+. Seriously, my first thought was, "You've got to be kidding me!" So I called none other than Delon and told him what I had found. He, of course, asked me to buy it so he could see his name on this product.  I've never even met or heard of anyone else named Delon.(Oh wait, there was the old guy, about 70 or so, that I called accidentally with a wrong number). I personally think it's a very...shall we say, interesting name. I did buy it and actually love it!!  It's also at Walmart, Walgreens and several stores. So if you're looking for a lotion that smells great and has Delon's endorsement...there you go!  

It comes in Coconut,  Pink Grapefruit Tangerine and Pomegranate Mango. 

Seven Pounds...

No, it's not the weight I'm trying to lose this year. It's one of the best and most thought provoking movies I've seen in a long time. I must say, it's perfect timing too. What better way is there to improve yourself, than to see how you can give back? Of course...nothing as drastic and permanent as what the character of Ben Thomas does....but life-changing nonetheless. I think I will try to ask myself more often ,"What can I do?" To see others and what they need instead of always being concerned with what my needs are....it seems I may have a lot to work on. 

By the way, I recommend this movie to everyone! 

New Year

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I guess the traditional thing would be to make lots of New Year's resolutions and promises to myself of how I'm going to improve every aspect of my life......well, I hate to be your first disappointment of the year.  I could make all of these things with very sincere intentions and even actually write out my plan. But I know all too well that I would just be setting myself up for disappointment. So the only things I will promise, is to be a better friend, a thoughtful neighbor, a selfless wife, a kinder mother.......oh, and a sweeeeet guitarist! (I had to fit that one in....I've wanted to do this forever and I finally have a guitar and the time.) Hope you all have a successful year and can look back and be proud of everything you've learned and experienced! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Not a creature was stirring....

On your mark, get set....GO!

Just what he needs, to be encouraged to hit!

Jake and his truck

Emilee's look-a-like doll, "Kit".

Wonder pets...a favorite at our house

Princess "jazmint", as Gracie would say.

Haydn has turned into quite the bookworm.

Yeah, wii got the wii!!

Garbage collector..

Aftermath...

One of Gracie's many Fairy costumes.

Yeah right! My kids were up at the crack of dawn....I guess I'm just not that motivated by gifts anymore. :) But I do love to watch the kids' reactions as they open their gifts. Our Christmas was not as big this year, (Grandma and Grandpa Hillesheim took us to Disneyland for Christmas) so we didn't have the usual mountain of gifts piled up by the tree. It was kind of nice to keep things simple...less garbage to clean up and haul out! Of course we finished in record time because they only take turns for the first few presents and then they're opening everything all at once. It was a good day....but this year was a little different for me. I think because we were so busy and gone a lot the month of Nov., I didn't have as much time to prepare myself or even get excited for Christmas. The older I get, the more Christmas means something different...which is good, I guess that means I'm growing up. :) Of course, it will ALWAYS be my favorite time of year......(with the exception of those quiet moments when I'm walking in the fall and can hear the wind catch the leaves on the ground and swirl them up into the air)....okay, okay, guess I should enjoy a little spring and summer first. But I do hope that everyone had a good Christmas and enjoyed the time spent with family and friends.....besides, that's really what it's all about....isn't it?