Joey's Birthday Party

Last Saturday, we celebrated Joey's birthday at Steep World, a rock climbing gym.  It was so much fun!  They had a little area where we could have cake and do presents, so we did that first.  Then we spent the next hour and a half climbing the walls - literally.  It was so much fun, and the kids were exhausted by the time they were done.  Very successful party!

Joey invited Reece and Ryan, Kanalu, and Breklen.  Kourtney and Kaitlin couldn't come because they went to Disney Land, but they took Joey and Andrew out for frozen yogurt on Joey's birthday.  What good friends we have!

A green light saber was at the top of his list.

We had most of the crew there.  Our whole family was present, Nan and Fred, G. Jerry, G. Bertha, Emily and Kanalu, and Sam and Allison all came with us to celebrate.  It was tight quarters, but we all love each other, so no problem.

We had to keep an eye on these two.  They are double trouble.

He also got several Star Wars and Ninjago lego sets, some shirts, a bow & arrow, binoculars, and $20 from Grandma Bertha.

Andrew and Breklen were the first two on the wall.  Andrew scaled it like a pro, and Breklen was not to be outdone.  She is a go-getter!  She didn't give up, and showed us all how awesome she is!  Her hands were red and hurting by the time we were done, but she didn't let that stop her.

Joey and Kanalu got the hang of it, and even though they were a little timid at first, they embraced the idea, and were monkeys after that.

Ryan was pretty afraid of heights, but he went up to the top anyway.  I just love to see kids conquer things.  Anything.  It gives them such confidence.

Joey and Breklen had a little race to the top.  They are kind of competitive with each other.  A little competition is good for you.  It shows you've got heart.

Haley babysat "The Old People".  The pretty much behaved themselves.

The kids had an awesome climbing guide.  Can't remember his name, but he was really great with the little kids.  Their favorite part was when he hid Starburst all along the walls, and they had to climb to find them.

Andrew tried some tough angles.  I was so impressed.  This guy is a tough one.  He likes a challenge.  I like a kid who likes a challenge.

This game was hanging on the wall.  They had to pick a spot and stay there for 4 minutes, and if they were successful, they got a candy bar.  These guys all made it!

I think we'll be frequenting Steep World.  The kids just loved it.

And of course, our little Gracie was not to be outdone.  If the boys can do it, she can, too.  Of course, a little help from Uncle Sam never hurts.  After awhile, she was climbing everywhere the boys went.

Love this picture of the birthday boy.  Joey sometimes needs a little sweet talking, but he accepts a challenge, too.  I'm so proud of him.  He is so sweet, cute, and fun.  He makes me laugh every day.  I'm so glad we were able to celebrate his special day at such a fun place!

What a Day

It's snowing and I hate that.  Especially when it's COLD and snowing.  Which it is.  Boo.

I sat on the stairs today while the boys were getting off to school, and when I stood up, my lower back was completely out.  It took me five minutes to stand up, and it still hurts.  I can't even hardly step on my left foot without pain shooting up my spine.

I tried to practice my Symphony music, and this is what happened:

Matthew made himself chicken nuggets, complete with ranch, ketchup, and bbq sauce.

He got out the Costco 5 lb. block of cheese with a knife and tried to cut himself a slice.

He put half a bottle of nano wax into his hair, plugged up the sink, and broke the mouse on the computer.

He did this in my first 5 minutes of practice.

Now he's in the bathtub, where at least he's contained.

So much for being productive today.

I still haven't prepared the awesome FHE lesson I had ready in my head.  Looks like we're winging it again.

It's 4:32 PM and dinner hasn't even started to prepare itself.  Where's the maid?  Oh, right.  We don't have one.  Except for me, and I'm crippled today, which = sandwiches for dinner.

But here's the good news:

Jill had her baby boy yesterday, and he's a major cutie!  Isaac Stanley was born on Jerry's birthday, February 6.  Can't wait to meet him!  Hopefully soon, so I can get some good newborn pictures of him.

It's still snowing.

Yesterday, we went over to G&G J&J's house for a birthday celebration.  Joey was ecstatic to get his new Wii (it's red!), and a new DS game.  We made a cherry cheesecake, GJ's favorite, and gave him some homemade cards and a gift certificate to City Brew.

Here's the birthday boys, who turned 6 & 60:

Grace is getting good at posing for the camera:

 

Trouble makers:

 

Grace got some new goggles, courtesy of GJ:

 

Boy Meets Computer

We finally introduced Matt to the keyboard and computer.  He had noticed that the keyboard contained his favorite things in the world: HIS LETTERS.  He thinks the alphabet belongs to him.  He really does.  Whenever he sees a letter, he reminds us that they are his ("MY WETTERS!"), and if anybody else tries to say the letter, he gets mad.

So we introduced him to Microsoft Word last night.  Grace loves typing notes to us, and we thought Matt would love it just as much.  He does.

Finding a letter:

Something's going to happen on the screen.  But what?

Oh!  Oh!  Look!  It works!  Magic!

Did you see that, Mom?  It's like a dream come true!

My Little Warriors

I tried, but I can't seem to stop the boys from playing rough.  Perhaps it is the arsenal of weapons readily available in their room?  I guess I've done it to myself.  Oh well.  At least they're not playing barbies, or painting each others' nails, or something.  I'd be much more worried then.  With this, all I have to worry about is the occasional broken lip, bone, or eye.  No problem.  I love having boys. 

Grace's Faces

Every day, it seems, Grace makes this face.  It's her twisted up face.  Her mouth goes to the side, her nose squishes, and her eyes squint.  She makes it when she thinks something is weird, silly, strange, or goofy; when she is trying to be tough; and sometimes for no real reason at all.  It is an expression that is pretty unique to our little Gracie:

But it wasn't until this morning that I happened to be looking at the computer (which flips randomly through our pictures when it is "sleeping"), that this picture came on the screen.  It reminded me that this face is not one that is recent.  She's been doing it her whole life:

I thought that was too funny.

Joey's Birthday

My middle child is turning 6 tomorrow.  I used to say, "It'll take a miracle for that kid to make it to five."  Well, he made it!

Joey started life with a close call, and has continued to give us a few heart-stopping moments since.  Every time I look into those dark chocolate eyes, I just thank the heavens that we have him.  And so do all the little 5-year-old girls who cross his path.

Joey is a lover.  His emotions are strong.  ALL of them.  When he's happy, he's REALLY REALLY happy.  When he's mad, he's REALLY REALLY mad.  He hates it when other people feel sadness or have trouble.  He begs Grace and the other kids to obey so they don't get in trouble.  When somebody's feelings are hurt, his are hurt, too.  He has the greatest giggle I've ever heard.  You can't help but smile and laugh right along with him.  He is always thinking about something (usually something weird), and I always love to watch him ponder and then ask a question out of the blue.  It's then that I know what he's been thinking.  I love watching him enjoy life.  I'm glad he has nine lives to enjoy.

Some of Joey's favorite things are:

meat (any kind - we call him "The meatatarian")

Andrew - his all-time best playmate

Reece - his favorite friend from school

Kourtney - his favorite girlfriend

math - he loves numbers

green light sabers

Mom - his favorite person

pizza - as long as there's meat on it

zip lines - he's an adrenaline junkie

Star Wars - his favorite movie

Clone Wars - his favorite TV show

Arby's - his favorite place to eat

Happy Birthday, Joey boy!  We love you.

The Weirdos

I took a couple of pictures of The Weirdos for my photography class yesterday.  I'm really enjoying learning more about photography, and excited to be able to get better shots of my kids!  These two have no problem posing for me.  In fact, they say, "Again, again!"

We're having a Kazamoto game night tonight!  Pizza, desserts, and games, games, games!  Daddy is going to miss out, but we'll be awaiting his return later tonight.

Here's to a safe trip home!

It's Gonna Be a Long One

I'm having the feeling it's going to be a long week.

Ben will be gone Wednesday through Friday.  Kanalu has been staying with us since last week, and the boy who sits next to him in school went home sick today.  So did Kanalu.  Last week, that other boy's sister was throwing up.  Kanalu doesn't look so good.  Joey, Andrew, and Kanalu have been sharing a room.  It's going to be a long week.

***

I have been very pleased to get more notes from Grace lately.  Here's one:

HIYTHISGRACEINOMATHYOOISSSIKFRUMGRACE

Translation: Hi.  This is Grace.  I know Matthew is sick.  From, Grace.

She wrote one to Emma:

EMMASOHALRUDOOENRUDGRATFRAMMGRACE


Translation: Emma, so how are you doing? Are you doing great? From, Grace

There's also this one I found:

HITISISGRACEINOYOOLAKMEYDAD

Translation: Hi.  This is Grace.  I know you like me, Dad.

***

I've been taking a photography class on Tuesday nights.  It's been very educational, and I have to admit: it's kind of fun to have homework.  This kind of homework, anyway.  All I have to do is take pictures.  Here are a few of my favorites so far:

Assignment: Stop something in motion

Assignment: Photograph something outside at night:

Assignment: Photograph something with a narrow depth of field:

I think I'll make a binder.  I like making binders.  I wonder what next week's assignments will be?


This Week's Fun

Okay, having six kids in the house is more work than I had previously thought.  I haven't had much time to sit down and blog, but now that everybody is at school (and it's too cold to do anything else), the turkey is in the oven, and the little ones are laying down -- here I go.

I just thought this picture was cute.  The boys dressed the same on accident.  Now I've just got to get Joey a flannel shirt, and we'll have a trio of lumberjacks:

Grace stayed at Grandma Jane's house last Friday (again -- she really likes sleepovers), and they went shopping before coming home.  One of their purchases was this "back scratcher".  However, Matthew picked it up and thought it was just a big toothbrush.  He found out that it wasn't a very comfortable one.

And I tried my first attempt (and probably the last) at fondant.  I had no idea what I was doing, and it took a really long time.  My arms are still sore from kneading.  Haley was not very supportive.  She said it looked like a rainbow threw up on my cake, or something like that.

I've been messing around with my camera for my photography class.  I'm trying to figure out what I'm doing, so I'll throw in a couple of random pictures of Sunday night dinner at Grandpa and Grandma's house.

We heard hysterical laughter coming from downstairs at my parents' house, so Ben went to investigate.  These two riffraffs were so proud of themselves for getting the elliptical machine to go all by themselves.  They thought it was very funny.

A Week of Fun with Kanalu

We've had an amazing week, and the children are still so excited that Kanalu is here for 6 weeks!  And the best part is that he gets to go to school with the kids.  The even better part is that he gets to come home with us, and we have another playmate here at the house.  It's been so much fun.  Kanalu seems to be liking school and making friends quickly.  He didn't miss a beat, and he even said that being at our house is funner than going to the zoo!  What a compliment!

First day of school (yes, it was very cold - but we were prepared) --

Tonight we went to Grandma's house to celebrate Kanalu's birthday.  We had lasagna for dinner, and we were glad to see Uncle Sam, Anthony, and cousins Lita and Hiram.

We smooshed as many little kids at this table as possible.  And they even ate their dinner!

Andrew trying to get some alone time:

And let us not forget that Matthew's very favorite thing in the world (after his letters, dee dee, and the Harris ladies), is blowing out birthday candles.  He gathers things from around the house, like pens, pencils, crayons, Popsicle sticks, mini lotion bottles, etc. --  sings the birthday song, and pretends to blow them out.  I was distracted with taking pictures, and I should have seen this coming:

Kanalu got the rest of them, though.

Joey's birthday is exactly 4 weeks after Kanalu's.  Grandma Nan was so nice to let him have his present early -- a new suit!  He quickly outgrew his old one, so a new size 7 is perfect.  He already has it laying out on the floor, ready to go for tomorrow.

In other news, Matthew started going potty in the potty chair yesterday.  I knew it was coming because he has been bothered by his diaper lately.  He went at Grandma Nan's successfully, and is continuing to tell us he needs to go.  He even went poopy today!  (I know you're going to read this sometime when you're an adult and yell at me for writing that, but it's for posterity:)

We'll see how long it lasts.  Each kid always has a false start, so this is probably number one for him.  But I'll enjoy it while it lasts.  He refuses to wear the train underwear he picked out at the store today, and won't have anything to do with the pull-ups unless we take him swimming, so we'll see.  He's pretty pleased with himself, though.  Very cute.