Scout

I'd better make a dentist appointment, because I'm pretty sure he's not going to brush his teeth the entire week he's at scout camp.  I'm praying he doesn't get cut, burned, lost, poisoned, bitten or embarrassed. 

Weblos

Thank goodness for pack meeting . . . I always know I'll get a hug! I'll even take goofy hugs at this point.
Good job kiddo! Next year you'll move into Dad's troop!

Spooky

Faith

Seth confessed that he prayed really hard last night that he wouldn't have to go to school today. I guess that would explain why he spent the majority of the night and early morning hours barfing.

I hope that next time he will choose to pray for something a little less contagious.

Things a Mom Tries Not to Think About While Her Boys are at the Father-Son Campout:

Blood, guts, getting lost in the woods, running with sticks, peeing on campfires, how late they are staying up, ticks, hatchets, pocket knives, out houses, rain, hypothermia,

Rusty old nails . . .
How much she misses their smiles . . .
Their close proximity to fire . . .
Their over-consumption of things cooked over the fire with sharp pokey sticks . . .
Their over-consumption of bacon and pancakes . . .
How they get distracted on the drive home by fancy car shows . . .
And cheese factories . . .
And how much laundry will have to be done when they get home.

Ten

Ten years old and we love his guts.

Photo by Sunshine Soul Photography

At ten, every waking moment of his day is spent reading, wishing he was reading, or thinking about what he can read next.
So we got him more books for his birthday.
And made this recipe he requested for his birthday cake. I'm a kind of sad that he's too old to request character cakes anymore . . . but the amazing deliciousness of the chocolate peanut butter cake soothed my aching heart a little. The kid has good taste in desserts.
And good taste in friends. We did a teensy tiny little bowling and ice cream get-together for him with a few friends since we are moving and have new twins and our life is a general tornado of upheaval right now. Sorry kiddo. Maybe you can have a real birthday party next year.
Happy 10th birthday Seth! We are so glad you are ours!

Neverland

I know I've mentioned this . . . but I really really really love the kid's school. They put on productions like this:
Seth was a pirate. The highlight of the entire production for him was when he got to engage in a mock sword/tomahawk battle with an indian. I loved the song and dance numbers. I'm not biased or anything, but I think he deserves a grade-school Tony award.

Seth with the cast members from his class.

Alice was the lucky ducky who got to attend every performance but one. She loved it, and was slightly heartbroken she wasn't old enough to participate herself.
Sidenote: If that girl doesn't start growing some permanent teeth she'll be on an applesauce and milkshake diet.

FrownSmile

I like this picture. (smile)

Amelia left, Evelyn right

It makes me sad to see that the girls have already outgrown those preemie sleepers from their great grandma. (frown)

This is actually a good thing, because they are finally putting on a healthy amount of weight. (smile)

But it is all happening so quickly. (frown)

They are getting cuter every day. (smile)

I slept three hours last night. (frown)

What have you people done with April? How did it pass me by? (frown)

I sent Michael to The Motherland alone to buy a house. (frownsmile)

He did a good job. (smile)

I didn't get to go. I stayed here alone with five kids. (frown)

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. (smile)

We are under contract on a house! (smile)

Seth earned his Bear badge. (big smile)
He is a goofball. (frownsmile)
Certainly it is not a genetic trait.

Ball

Please forgive the photography . . . it is kind of hard to get a decent action shot with two other kids vying for lap space.
The stars on his sleeve are awards for sportsmanship, offense, defense, effort, etc.
Great job on another season Seth!

Nine

Happy birthday to the big guy!
(Cake disclaimer: I'm practicing for my sister's wedding. The torting, tiering and icing went off without a hitch, but I'm kind of a fondant novice. I'm making a couple more practice cakes this week Em, don't stress out. I figured out what I did wrong and plan to rectify it in the next cake.)

We kept the festivities kind of low-key this year because we have SO much going on, and because he had a huge birthday celebration last year. We invited a few neighborhood friends and the cousins over for Mario cake.
There is a Mario theme here. The fact that he preferred these action figures to the fighting blood and guts kind of action figure was okay with me.

He also got a long-range walkie talkie set (that he plans to use to communicate with his good friend next door after they are supposed to be in their rooms for the night . . . though what he really wanted was a cell phone),books, an Ezy roller, some toys for the pool, the Percy Jackson boxed set, and various and sundry other exciting things that I can't recall right now.
He's really growing up . . . and we just love his guts. He's such a smart, funny, creative young man. And he's read more minutes than anyone else in his class this year! Seth loves to tell jokes, play the piano (I about burst with pride as he played Ode to Joy and Old West Rodeo at his recital and school talent show last week), write his own comic books, swim, ride bikes and scooters, play basketball, soccer and Super Mario. He's always surprising me by dropping intelligent new words into casual conversation. The kid's brain is a veritable vault of scientific facts. We are so thankful he's ours!

Happenings

Pinewood Derby. Not a winner . . . not a care.
His car was voted "Most Rocket-like."
Alice's performance day at her dance/tumbling class.
Pretty great, but she saves her best performances for our living room.

Back in the Saddle Again

The kiddos have to get all that running out before they are in the building.
Kindergarten!
Ali rides home on the kindergarten bus at lunch . . . she's the last one off doesn't mind the long ride at all!

Seth's Baptism

Lanie did all the refreshments and totally rocks the #8 cookie cutter. Thanks Lanes, I owe you!
The family that was present. My kids possess mad family-photo wrecking skills.

Roach Infestation

Seth's school play was the musical Bugz. He really really wanted to be a cockroach. Since it wasn't a particularly sought after part, his wish was easily granted.
The Mexican theme of his costume was actually his music teacher's suggestion. I had my reservations about it (I wouldn't want to offend anybody of that particular heritage) but since it was her idea and I didn't have a better one . . . we went with it.

Grandma and Grandpa came and congratulated him after his amazing performance in the bug chorus. Some of the kids got balloon bouquets and large arrangements of roses after the show. Seth was happy with a high-five and a hug. If he eventually ends up on Broadway we'll think about throwing in a carnation or two.

Back in the Saddle Again

It has been such an eventful two weeks, I'm going to have to share it with you a little at a time. I wouldn't want to overload you all with a deluge of photos.

We'll start with this.

Seriously, he's eight.

The birthday party at the park was rained out, so we held it in the dining room with my treadmill standing sentry. Michael and I were then nutty enough to take the six rowdy boys (plus T) to see the movie Up. It was a blast . . . and went surprisingly well. Eight year old boys crack me up.

A friend gave him a Cub Scout hat. Cub Scouts! He's old enough for Cub Scouts! I can't wait for his first Pinewood Derby. He won't remember, but he did Cub Scouts before as a baby riding in the Kelty Pack on my back when I was the Wolf Den Mother in Arlington.
Michael's family came for the big week. We had a mini-celebration with them too. I stole the idea for the crocodile cupcake cake from Mia. Sorry Mia. You are so brilliant, I couldn't help myself. What else can I say?

So, in honor of Seth and his achievement of successfully aging himself to eight, I present some of my favorite pictures of him. Indulge me by enjoying them. Or you could go look at YouTube videos of Susan Boyle. Your choice . . . but you'll be missing out if you pick Susan.

I love this kid. Happy Birthday Big Guy!