The Dinosaur Party

The Banner was hung:

 And Dinosaur Balloons decorated the room:

 The games were ready:

 Pin the Horn on the Triceratops drawn by my Dad!  And Don't Eat Rex!  (Other's were Musical Dinosaurs and Stegosaurus, Stegosaurus, T-Rex.)

 We even had dino plates and napkins!

 But the most exciting part, by far, was the hunt for REAL Dinosaur Eggs!

 Just watch out for the Mean Mama!

 Every kid at the party successfully found an egg without getting caught, and each got to take home one of these little guys to watch grow:

Success.

Ethan

Yesterday really was such a fabulous day!  I am so happy with how Ethan's birthday turned out and it was so fun to see his happiness.  I have SOOOO many pictures to work through, so today, I just wanted to write down a few things I don't want to forget about Ethan's sixth birthday:

The day before Ethan's birthday, Madeline got a pack of sticky notes (I had no idea this was going on) and wrote a big letter “E” on every one.  Then she hid them all around her room.  Yesterday morning when she woke up, she came running out and shouted, “Happy Birthday, Ethan!!”  She ran to him and they hugged while he twirled her around.  No joke, just perfectly like a movie!  And they giggled during it too.  Then she looked up at him and said, “For your birthday, you get to come and find all the ‘E’s.”  They ran off together into Madeline’s room full of giggles and excitement.  Yep . . . Cutest.  Thing.  Ever.

Ethan woke up at 5:23 in the morning.

Breakfast was blueberry pancakes with blueberry syrup and he went on and on about how good they were.  “Mom!  These really taste like a birthday breakfast!” 

Before he had even gone to school, he looked up at me and said, “This is ALREADY the best birthday ever!"

And it probably really was the best he'd had.  A friend party and a family party followed his fun at school.  I looked at all the people that surrounded him and love him (and thoughts of those not there that do too) and I think he might be one of the luckiest boys in the world.

Happy Birthday Ethan!

Six years ago today, I got the best early Christmas present you could ever get:

 And by the time he turned one, his laugh was one of my most favorite things in the whole world.  And it still is.  Ethan's laugh has always been one of my favorite sounds.

 When I think of my two year old Ethan, I chuckle just thinking about him singing "Bob the Builder" at the top of his lungs.

 And when he was three, he loved Thomas everything!  And followed me around counting things.

 It was only a month after Ethan turned four that he started reading books to me, and he hasn't stopped.

 And by the time Ethan turned five, he was spending at least two hours a day drawing me pictures of dinosaurs.  I've kept hundreds and thrown away thousands . . . literally . . .

 His sister adores him.  And I do too.

And I'm not sure how it's already been six years.  But I'm really grateful for my Ethan.  Sometimes I'm not sure what to do with him.  His clever brain.  His stubbornness.  His stacks and stacks of drawings.  But that smile.  That good heart.  That laugh.  My darling boy.  I love you!

My Christmas baby.  My firstborn son.  You turn my thoughts heavenward.  I'll always be grateful for that.

Happy 6th Birthday!!

Santa

This past Saturday was our ward Christmas party.  And FOR THE FIRST TIME, the kids decided to be brave enough to sit on Santa's lap!!  Look how cute the picture turned out (no tears!).  It was a pajama party in case you're wondering why they are wearing their pjs to visit Santa.  

Ethan told Santa he wanted new Dinosaur toys.  And Madeline said she wanted Barbies.  Hmmmmmmmm.  I hope Santa doesn't let them down TOO much. . . heh heh.  Kids should sit on Santa's lap way before their moms are done Christmas shopping. 

In other news, Ethan has been ecstatic all day about this being his LAST day to be five.  Tomorrow, the Christmas festivities will be put on hold and it will be all about ETHAN and DINOSAURS!!!  I'm almost ready for it . . .

Happiness of an almost 6 year old

Ethan came bounding in my room oh so early this morning.  He could not have been happier.  He couldn't wait to tell me his news:

  "Mom!  My birthday is in SIX DAYS!!  Do you know what that means?!?!  It means that on THIS Sunday I get to go up in Primary and get my new scripture bag!  I've been waiting for this All. My. Life!"

Never mind the dinosaur party he's going to have or the presents or cupcakes.  My dear heart is excited for a scripture bag.  What a kid!

A Few Things

A few things I've been thinking about today:

I should never buy swiss cheese.  Because then I'll have a hard time not eating the entire block.

I always tend to try and sew too many things this time of year, but I can't help it because it's so fun!

The previously mentioned item is made more difficult when planning a birthday party.

Sitting home waiting for packages to arrive is only fun if they actually do.

I love Handel's Messiah (though I am pretty sure I've already said that!)

My kids are sure cute!

Happy December!

Love, Madeline