Arrr! Pirate Party!!

We were planning to have a small movie date for Peter's birthday.  But he kept telling me he wanted a BIG party.  So with Kathy's help with the kids, I threw together a little pirate party for him.  This is sorta how I roll.  I don't love having something over my head for a few weeks, but two days, OK!  I had a hard time geting past yesterday.  After it was done, I was ready to kick it into gear to do this party!  And it was a super fun end to the week!  YAY!

Sweet Sophia, who has been with us on Fridays this summer, helped me run out for a few last minute supplies and then set up!  It was so awesome to have her help and a sweet final summer time together for us to bond a little more without the distraction of the little kids.

 We first went out to see "Planes".  Peter seeing his friend, W, for the first time.  
Peter didn't know know I'd invited other friends at the last minute (i.e., the night before and they could come!).

 In Peter's social ways, he invites every new person he meets year round to come to his birthday party.  So I felt like it would be heartbreak for him to not have a "big" party.

 Driving back to our house.  Our friends family, the As, come along as the other chaperone parents.  :)

Mike and Tim made balloon swords for the boys. 

 There were some cute pirates in attendance!

 Pizza, of course!

 And since this mama doesn't really make cakes, I think it may become tradition for our summer babies to have ice cream cakes.  Thank you, DQ!

Theses are the official friends who were here his age.  :)

 We got him these foam swords.

 ...and a stomp rocket.  I'd seen that these were good on a few blogs I read.  I am here to tell you, it is awesome!  (and cheap!) 

Love this one of everyone looking up.

I have to say it was a really fun party.  I enjoyed getting to set it up today and decorate.  And I especially loved only thinking about it for ONE day.  I felt like Peter really enjoyed it and it was fun to sorta surprise him with it (he stayed at Grams's last night- thanks Kathy!  Such a fun end of summer treat for them...  and I am totally spoiled) so hadn't seen it before he arrived after the movie.  He was super sweet with his friends telling them he was happy they were there and giving him sweet birthday hugs as they left.  Love our boy and thankful that God put him in our family.

Last Week of Summer

... and the last week of this "season" of our life.  CrAzY!  The pressure & bittersweet of it was almost too much.  Although I was stressed about it, looking back on it, God was gracious to give me good distractions and sweet gifts of time from my wonderful mothers.  We also had a few appointments to fit in before school.  And of course, a few moments of crazy mixed in.

We went to the pool a few evenings.  Its been warm this week so I didn't feel bad subjecting them to the cool water like other weeks recently.

 We had dinner with friends at their pool, which was just so fun.  Mike and I both left talking about how we just had FUN & it did us good.  Peter went off their high dive.  Without hesitation.  Maybe he should have more than he does.  The mamas went off too (fighting the fuddy duddys!) and it was scary!

 Another dose of Mike's magic.  He has the kids put their hands in like at a game.  When they were sad to get out at the end of the eve, he had us put hands in for a chant.  When the kids were rinsing off in the shower, Peter initiated the kids doing it again... so sweet & fun.

Don't hate me... Mom came up on Wed (to my credit, it has been a while) and Kathy offered to watch the kids.  We shopped nearly all day long, we ate lunch out, etc, etc.  It was glorious.  I felt like such a grown up!

 The kids and I did some play doh and 

 ...paint.  Squeezing in some last minute "school" at home. 

Lily is still on her abstracts.

Peter is on outside scenes.

 Cutest part of this pic?  Some bare tan legs!

 And then we did this on Thurs.  (!!!)  It went fine.  

And God has been good to reel back in some of my anxietys.  Thankful for His faithfulness.

Kindergarten Orientation

We are headed there today.  We got his supplies weeks ago and the last few days I've been gathering up all kinds of things in addition to the "normal" requirements... filling out forms, faxes to and from doctors, looking up old documents and updating them to give to his teacher and the school nurse, reviewing emergency plans, etc.  

Its stirred up a little anxiety for me and what I like to be dramatic and call PTSD (not really, but maybe sorta?).  Remembering what those days were like and just the many unknowns for Peter.  Thankfully, time has eased those and allowed us to see that most of the possibilities have not been the case.  He has done so well.  But looking again at medical reports, documents and the like, it just stirs some heartbreak and grief in me.  And I have to try to not stay on the tiny bit of trepidation of the future possibilities and trust the Good Shepherd to lead us.

So you can pray for us and for Peter that he'd continue to do so well and that he'd thrive and excel in school and his health would continue to be great.  Thank you.

Mike's Birthday

 We spent Mike's birthday weekend at the river.  

 A classic Peter position for playing with Legos.  I love the messy river hair.

We cooked hotdogs at the fire pit. 

 Sparklers.  Peter took note that they were like a fuse on the bottom of a rocket.

Mike has a few quirky tricks up his sleeve that he uses on our kids.  They have worked surprisingly well and we've been wanting to document them to remember. 

*  He has our kids "toast" and say something nice about someone when they are having a hard time eating their veggies.  We hold up our broccoli and say "Here's to Daddy!  The best Daddy in the wowld! (misspelling intentional) ;)"

*  When Peter is having a hard time focusing to put his socks on or another similar task, he counts down from 10 to see if Peter can get his socks on before he gets to one.  It works every time!

*  And our favorite:  When we want the kids to go upstairs to brush teeth, get clothes on, go to bed, whatever, they drag and drag and don't obey.  Then he says "The first two upstairs are GREAT GOOGLY MOOGLIES!!" and the kids BOLT up from where they are and RUN upstairs.  Months later, we glance at each other and shake our heads in disbelief that it the novelty just hasn't worn off.

 Uncle Henry was at the river with us.  He let Lily paint his fingernails!

 These were the best family pics we could get ;)

 Thanks, Maw, for Mike's delish lemon cake!

 The whole gang

 Mike requested a canoe ride.

 my mini-me :)

 Love this picture of Paw :)

 Such a fun weekend and happy to celebrate Mike!