Day 30: Thankful for Beginning to Look Like CHRISTMAS!

My FAVORITE Christmas tradition is the first gifts of Christmas each year....ORNAMENTS!

The boys have their own tree, just of ornaments, and it's getting full.  (They get yearly ornaments from us, Granna and Gramps, Auntie Deb, AND Grama Sue.  They'll have enough for a whole tree by the time they move out on their own!!!)

The ornament hunt becomes a bit of a challenge each year, as I try to follow not one, but TWO, themes.  First, the ornaments represent something we've done that year--a vacation or big event.  Then, I try to match each person's special character: Us = Santa; Kyle = snowman; Ryan = reindeer; Evan = bear.  It's fun, and I'm often thankful for the inter webs in helping with my search.  

 This year, I did a beach theme, for our trips to Cabo and a Caribbean cruise.


Kyle's sand snowman:

Stephen's tubing Santa:

Evan's tropical bear:

I couldn't find a reindeer or anything with antlers for Ryan, BUT this starfish in a Santa hat is close enough.

I got a beach-ready Santa, ready to build a sand castle.

We finished the small tree, and then the boys helped me with the big tree.  How thankful I am for their help!!!  They love climbing the ladder to reach the very top, and I'm glad they are old enough to not break anything.

I love being able to get Christmas decorations up over Thanksgiving break!!!  Our trees are my FAVORITE!!!

Day 29: Thankful for Parties

Finally, FINALLY, our birthday boy's special month came to an end with his party.  The only Saturday that would work happened to be the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  I figured this would mean most of his class wouldn't be in town or would have other plans, but that turned out to be kind of nice.

He helped me fill up some balloons and got lost in them in the car!

He and Ryan both helped with setting up and decorating for his Ninja party.

I LOVE having parties at the gymnastics place.  The kids just run around and entertain themselves!!

Pizza and cake.  Done!!

We all sang Happy Birthday, and he blew out his candles!

I also forgot about Evan's 6-year-old check-up with Dr. Schaums.  First, I love him.  He's the dad to 3 boys, and is amazing with mine.  This was a big year for our Meow-Meow.  He grew quite a bit.

Weight: from 45 lbs to 55 lbs 14.4 oz  (from 78th percentile to 90th!)  Dr. S said that you usually don't see that amount of growth at this age, but he's healthy.
Height: from 43 in to 47 in (53rd to 78th percentile)

I'm thankful for this growing boy!!!

Day 28: Thankful for Kindergarten Programs

I forgot how popular the Kindergarten Thanksgiving Program at our school is!!!!  I arrived THIRTY MINUTES early, and it was STANDING ROOM ONLY!!!  What is this, Hamilton??????

The hottest ticket in town was pretty worth it, though.

My FAVORITE part was when Evan kept telling the kid behind him to quite singing like a baby!!!!

I was also so glad that Stephen was able to come, and so was Evan.

Day 27: Thankful for Talented Friends

I am so thankful for friends, especially those with amazing talents like photography!  I don't have all our portraits back, but I am LOVING the previews.

Day 26: Thankful for Milking It

When it comes to birthdays, this apple doesn't fall far from his mom's tree.  I'm all about the birthday MONTH, and Evan is learning the same.  Before his birthday (before we left on the cruise) we let him open one present.  Then, we were on a cruise for his birthday, and he opened more.  Once we got home, he kept using "because I'm the birthday boy" as a reason to get something he wanted.  "Can we get ice cream.....because I"m the birthday boy?"  "Can we do this or that.....because I'm the birthday boy?"  "Can I open one present?"  "Two Presents?????"

So, as a behavior tool, I'd let him open a present every night leading up to his birthday party, if he had made good choices that day.  He loved it!  

He FINALLY got to open the main haul the night before his friend party.  What a lucky boy!  

He was so grateful and excited about his gifts!

Day 25: Thankful for Ups and Downs

This was a week of highs and lows for Kyle and Ryan.

Kyle qualified for the 3rd & 4th grade spelling bee, along with 42 others.  

He froze up and misspelled the word: mine.  He was the FIRST speller out, and took it hard.  Felt all the bad feels.  

Ryan qualified for the 2nd grade spelling bee the next day.

He made it to 6th place, missing the word: basting, which he thought was base-sting.  

He took it hard.

"I at least wanted to make it to the TOP THREE!!!"

He was feeling all the bad feels.  

Later that day, Kyle found out he made the lead for the 4th grade play!  He has the only real speaking part as Old Man Winter, acting as MC for a Winter Special.  

He was feeling all the happy feels!  

I'm thankful for the ups and downs in life and how they teach up to get back up and keep going, even with feeling the bad feels.  Soon enough good feels will come our way!

Day 24: Thankful for Healthy Teeth

A big milestone happened this week:  Kyle got braces!

He's starting with a short half year of just the top.  Although it's actually a little early to start, Kyle's teeth are ahead of the game.  He only has 2 more baby teeth to grow in, but he doesn't have much room or a place for them to go.  The first round of braces will straighten the top teeth and prep for the  second round, which will happen about a year to 18 months after this first part is complete.  

Brothers watched.

He's got them on!

Oh yeah: Ryan pulled out 2 teeth this week.  I am thankful for their healthy teeth!  

Day 23: Thankful for Thanksgiving!

It's been a tradition for the last few years for us to make pies the day before Thanksgiving.  We've mastered pumpkin, so this year, I took on pecan.  

They turned out great!  

We had Friendsgiving at the church with several families.  We made ham, bean-bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, stuffed celery, pies, and whipped cream.   

The boys love talking like Grandma Polly and cousin Josh.  Here's a Thanksgiving edition: