celebrating

This weekend we celebrated Seth's 5th and Olivia's 3rd birthdays.  I still cannot believe they're as old as they are!  When did this happen???  I remember when I first had Seth that many people told me to cherish each moment because it goes by way too fast, and boy were they right!  I know my kids are still babies, but these last five years have flown by!  Seth is now in school every day, learning to read and teaching me things, reminding me of the promises of God and amazing us with his creativity and sharpness.  Olivia is now capable of doing almost everything on her own - from brushing her teeth to putting on clothes - and is able to sing every word of the Doc McStuffins opener song, as well as almost any other song.  She fills our house with comedy.  Such a sweet girl. I can't wait to see where they're going to be next year!  ... Except that I want them to stay babies forever.  I tell them that on occasion and they each reply, "Mom you'd have to talk to Jesus about that." ;)

Here are some highlights from our family celebration.  They had a great time with their cousins, aunts, uncle and grandparents (and Rudy!).  It was such a fantastic time together.  The kids had a blast and were overwhelmingly blessed.

Starting the party out right: party hat, super hero mask, pizza and (per his request) star-shaped watermelon!

Super Olivia!

Presents!

Papa and Auntie Carlee bringing out Olivia's dollhouse 

Olivia seeing the dollhouse for the first time.  She was mesmerized!

Seth got the Super Mario Maker Wii game he's been wanting.  He was so excited!

Olivia already playing with her GIGANTIC dollhouse.

Each year, I let the kids pick what kind of cake they want.  This year, Seth's chose: blue velvet cake with blue frosting, sprinkles and balloon candles.

Olivia's choice: strawberry cake, pink frosting, pink wafer cookies and a pink "3" candle.  It was SO HOT on party day that Seth's frosting was dripping and Olivia's cake crater-ed and all the wafers split open, creating this rather awesome flower-looking effect.

It took Olivia quite a few tries, but she finally got the candle blown out.

Blew out all the candles!

The kids decided they wanted a piñata this year.  Olivia was a rather dainty hitter, but she got a few good smacks in.

Seth nailed it quite a few times too!  Ultimately, their cousin, Naya, whacked it open.  (All of their piñata candy is conveniently hidden away already.)

Bounce house time with Naya, Bella and Seth.

after awhile

Well it's been forever!  I've been having a building desire to update and start using this blog again, so I did just that.  As I was looking back through old posts (mainly of Seth), I noticed how special it was that I was recording and sharing all the little things that Seth was into at the time.  What great things to look back on, especially as they grow.  So I'd like to do just that, with all three kids.  

Seth
He's two weeks away from being 5 years old.  5 years old!  I can barely believe it!  Right now he's in transitional kindergarten (TK), which is basic kindergarten, Monday-Friday, but ends just before lunchtime.  He's been flourishing and is already learning sight words and letter sounds.  His best friend, Tony, is in his class and they are inseparable.  They were in two years of preschool together and he lives down the street from us.  They're like brothers.  Seth's creativity is still growing.  Every day he's making me color-by-numbers and hidden pictures (and asking me to make him ones).  He loves activity books with games like those and connect the dots, matching games, etc.  He also love stickers.  We could never have enough stickers!  I even found blank sticker-backed paper so that he could draw his own stickers and cut them out.  He was thrilled.  

Olivia
Five more days until this one is 3!  The fact that she's 3 blows my mind the most.  I still view her as my baby even though she's the middle child.  She has grown leaps in bounds in her linguistic skills.  Her ability to understand and then communicate in clear words and sentences has grown a ton.  She loves animals, especially dogs and dinosaurs, and loves to cart little stuffed dogs or plastic dinosaurs everywhere we go.  She also loves ballet and frequently goes into her room, pulls out her ballet leotard and asks to put it on.  She also loves TV.  She could watch it all day if I let her!  She especially loves Daniel Tiger, Clifford and Doc McStuffins.  When we have play dates or go to the park, she loves playing with Seth's friends and kids his age more than anyone her own age.  She's our little comedian.  She can get all of us laughing so hard!  Just her silly words, stories, facial expressions and noises.  

Cora
Baby girl is 6 months old already!  I can't believe how fast time has gone.  Just today I caught her in "plank" position, getting ready to crawl.  She's also viciously teething.  She has been such a mellow, smiley, go-with-the-flow baby so far, but the last two days she has been crankier than normal!  No tooth yet, but I feel a bump on her gums!  She is absolutely refusing baby food, but loves to gnaw on peeled cucumbers.  She love love loves attention from anyone and everyone and will flash her deep-dimpled smile in return.  She especially loves Seth.  They just have such a wonderful relationship.  He can get her to giggle like no one else.  He even said to me the other day that he wants to marry her.  How precious!  

I feel so blessed to have each of my children.  I love watching them grow and learn and love.