Happy 7th Birthday Jude!

Happy Birthday to the cutest red head I know!

This kid has the biggest heart and puts everyone before himself, the best little and big brother anyone could ask for.

You have become my little social one, always asking about the next play date or sleepover.

I love watching you enjoy the little things in life.

still remember you as my baby, my thumb sucker, how did you grow up so fast?

A Perfect 10

Happy 10th Birthday Monroe Belle, with not so perfect teeth, showing off her new braces on top. BTW, never heard of a child so excited to get them!!

 You continue to amaze me with your knowledge, choices, attitude & effort in all things.   I hope I will say this in the teenage years...

 Meet season is over, bring on the nail painting!

 Between the gym & the teeth, you may be my most expensive child but definitely the most self sufficient for now.

 Love your non-drama, silly, determined, confident humble little self. Pray that some of this will rub off on your little bros.

Thanks to my organized one for filling out our calendar this month & the verse, love it!
(wheather;)

SURPRISE Swim Party!

The best part of being a procrastinator is that you can pull off a surprise party pretty easily. I had called A&H pumpkin patch a couple of weeks before his b day because that is where he had wanted to have it. Well, the friendly fire and zipline wouldn't be open until 

May. So I had suggested we have a 6th grade graduation party there in May in lieu of a birthday party. He was fine with that. 

Meanwhile, I called the natatorium to see about having a party there. Yes, they had never done parties but were open to it and we pretty much had the pool to ourselves for 3 hours and classroom available to us on his b-day. Woop woop! No games planned, just a bunch of active tweeners swimming for a few hours, it worked out great. 

We waited for him in the classroom, didn't get a chance to turn out the lights or hide, but he was pretty shocked. I don't think he could see who all was there because he was blinded by silly string.

the best group pic I could get

 twins

I don't know if they were following "the no dunking" rule, or any rules for that matter.

 
I love that Xander has a good relationship with girls & good taste in friends too:)

 Even close with his sister, there is room for growth with Jude for sure.

Im not sure whose feet these are, Brady?

I think Grant should be recruited to the high school diving team already, he was bringing back some memories of several hours of practice with Coach Days on these boards.

 Xander reenacted his surprise several times;)

 Jude forgot how to swim at first, after a few times jumping in he was right back on it and got pretty good at catching the ball off the boards.

 Of course there had to be races with swimmers involved.

No close ups of the box mixed cupcakes, must not have been terrible because they went for seconds.

 
Xander giving goodbye hugs, love Brady's smile, reminds me of Jenny in this pic:)

thank you to the clean up crew, Xander acted sad leaving.
Now Monroe and Jude are asking for surprise parties;)

March Madness

The kids were off for Spring Break so there is no spring cleaning going on here,

otherwise there would be;)

We made a daytrip to Kc and went to the College Basketball Experience.

My big kids + Cole, perfect ages and had a super time. A sports announcer, right up Xander's alley, I can totally see him doing this someday.

They have been asking to go to Skyzone since the last time we went there, I thought an hour would be more than enough time. I think they could have stayed longer.

Jude ran a fever but came back strong and skyzone after some Tylenol.

The kids are truly bouncing off the walls.

The boys loved the dodgeball, 11 and under, Xander barely made the cut.

We tried out Spin City for some skating.

Limbo, one of my favorites.

This is what happens when your kids don't grow up roller skating, love this picture of them all holding on to one another:)

 The kids went out to the farm for the day while I worked,

I thought this picture looked fake.

12

Happy 12th birthday Xander!

I couldn't ask for a better more well rounded kid, we love you and your silliness, thank you for making our lives easy, please.don't.change.

Yesterday you told me you wanted to ride to the grocery store with me because we needed some one on one time. You are honest, open, dependable, a lover of swimming, college sports, friends, have a big smile like your dad's and feet that are bigger than mine. You are the best big brother your siblings look up to and I can see why. We love you Xander!

Meet Season Finale State Photos

some relaxed faces of relief following the meet 

;

Monroe had an awesome cheering section so thankful for family and friends who will come watch a 3+ hour meet to watch her compete less than 5 minutes, that is some loyalty. (Although I am not sure how many routines the boys actually watched;)

Nice to have the meet so close in Wamego, the awards & meet was a bit of a cluster, but worth it to be able to take all these little friends along! Wesley, Avery, Grayson, Monroe & Kennady

So fun to have Kennady come with us, we miss her! A flashback from 4 years ago, they look like babies. Roe, Kennady & Paige above, & with Jeryka below.

Pary burb, love model Wesley in this pic, or actually every picture...

Aves made it a late night with Monroe staying for the next session to watch, even carried her flowers. We got lost on the way out and laughed a lot.

the boys cheering section with a big poster sized Roe head, thanks to Aunt Tia, good thing she is cute.

Thankful for this group of girls

Kenzie made my life so much easier, can she come live with me please?

Roe with crazy hair & green teeth, we got to stay and watch Georgia compete, we thought she was the best:)

I can only imagine what Ericka is telling Jazmine

An awesome season but excited for new music, new skills & new routines!