We're a Duuuo...

Charles LOVES Oreos.

Jaden loves Oreos.


Kaleb loves Oreos.



I like the cookie part...

...and Bradley likes the creme.

We're the perfect team.

We don't waste ANY food when we eat Oreos together.

Although sometimes...

I get can a little ahead of our team...


He's wondering why there is still a cookie on top...


And how to get it off...


Ohp, there we go...


A little help...


Yeah...


He's got it...

Six

Jaden is SIX years old! I can't believe it. That seems like a "no longer a little boy" age. He can't just show someone his age on one hand anymore... he has to use 2! I'm not a fan... but I learn to deal.


So this year we actually let Jaden have a real birthday party, friends and all. (10 to be exact) I told him he could choose 8 but it was too hard to eliminate those last 2 friends... I can understand. I think that is the worst part of throwing a party... choosing which few to invite while trying not to offend anyone. I'm glad I didn't have to make that decision! There was one girl in Jaden's Kindergarten class who invited all 27 kids in the class to her party. Crazy! One of them couldn't come, so we had 9 plus my 3 for a total of 12 kids.

Anyway, it was no surprise that Jaden chose to have a Star Wars theme for his party. To call him obsessed would be an understatement. I can't believe his love for Star Wars has lasted as long as it has.

While shopping for party supplies, I was just sickened at how expensive all the Star Wars themed paper product was. (This being our first party to throw, I was a little shocked) How could I justify spending that kind of money for stuff that was going to end up in the trash after just minutes of use? Jaden really wanted it. But eventually I got him to go for "Jedi lightsaber colors." The savings were huge. So we put the cake in the middle of the table to "theme it up" a bit more.


So the party went like this:

Lots of fighting...


...and retreating to the ship...


...more fighting...



...some casualties...

...poor Charles was ganged up on a LOT that day!...





... then he decided it would only be fair that he got to fight back using FOUR weapons instead of one...

... next was "Yoda/Vader" (red light/green light) using light sabers for the lights, of course...




...then came the pizza...



...then the pinata...



...some cake... (the cakes are my favorite part about my kids' birthday. Only this time I got to cheat and use action figures.)

...Charles trying to figure out how to cut through the cake...


...while the kids start on their Yoda Soda and Crystal-Sabers.



As you can see I had my mom and dad and Alli there to celebrate (and help.) And with 12 kids it was much appreciated!

So that was the kid party. On Sunday we had the family party. There was no way I was going to make another Star Wars cake, which was fine by Jaden because he likes brownies more than cake anyway.



Then we did presents. Jaden's Great-Grandma MacKay was there....


...as well as my aunt Bev, her daughter Jen and Jen's daughter Anna. Hmmmm, Alli and Anna have some similarities...



Here's Obi Wan Kenobi and young Anakin Skywalker. Jaden? Kaleb? Never heard of them. I only have jedis for sons.



... oh, and a storm trooper too.



Oh, there's Bradley. Yes, I still have one left. The Force is not so strong with this one... yet. He will still play things other than Star Wars...


Like the "balance-on-the-adult's-flexed-foot-while-it's-swinging-up-and-down" ride. Boy do my leg muscles love that one. :)


One of the gifts we got for Jaden was his very first suit. Too bad it didn't fit, so we took it back, but they had run out of his size. So much for the summer sale!


And here we are back at home, Master Kenobi and Anakin having their last playdate with Kyla and Kalissa before the girls move away to AZ. :(


These girls are good sports, putting up with all the Star Wars mumbo-jumbo. After a while Kalissa said that the "Control Center" was a house, and she was the Mommy. I guess she could only take it for so long!



Happy Birthday Jaden, you're too stinkin' old. But here's a little bit about you at this age:

~you love Star Wars... no really, you do!
~everywhere you go, you can be found with a lightsaber.
~you collect lightsabers.
~you practice twirling it around while watching Star Wars movies and you are actually pretty darn good!
~you love to play with your brothers.
~you take good care of Bradley.
~you are very patient with Kaleb.
~you love to hear the scriptures, you always ask for more until I have to tell you that we are done for the day.
~you are very sensitive. You tear up if you see that anyone else is sad or hurt.
~you are the best helper to me.
~you are obedient most of the time and hardly ever whine when it's time to do chores.
~you are a green belt in Hapkido, and you rock. Although we have had to talk to you about using it on your brothers and even a few friends. But you also use it on your Dad when you feel he isn't treating me right... and even though he is just playing around, I love that you will defend me.
~you are in love with Kyla White (who has just moved away) and have lots of girlfriends.
~you want to save everything. Your bed is a huge shrine of "special things." Both the inside and on top of your headboard are packed with stuff, and now your bed itself is becoming so full, there is hardly any room for you to sleep in it. But you won't let me "declutter" any of it. And if someone ever touched anything, you would know. But I allow you to have this private space, and it is important to you.
~your favorite candy is a Hershey Bar.
~you will only eat pizza if it is from Costco.
~you are extremely bright. Your teacher can't say enough good things about you. Some of my favorite comments she has made is that you are a "good kid... so kind to others... you are everybody's friend."
~your favorite part of school is Recess. The entire day was a waste, if you didn't get to have recess.
~you recognize the value of a dollar and are very aware of it's use. You sometimes worry too much about finances and have had to have a talk with Daddy to calm your financial worries.
~you are up every morning before anyone else and you watch TV. It wasn't until you started reciting infomercials that I realized how early you were actually getting up!
~you love to watch The Biggest Loser.
~you have lost and regrown you two front bottom teeth. You have one loose one on top. It makes me sad.
~you look forward to Mondays when we have the scouts at our house for Den meeting. You think they are hilarious and the coolest people you know.
~you are the silliest kid around girls... all of a sudden you fall down a lot, and you can't seem to say your "R's."
~your brothers watch everything you do, and they want to do whatever you do.

Jaden, you have been a great example to your little brothers. I am so proud of you for the person that you are. We love you.

Too Young to Enroll?

Yesterday we found Bradley doing this in front of anything reflective. He even did it while he was with me at the store in front of the dressing room mirror.

I think Bradley as been paying close attention to Jaden's Hapkido moves. He starts out each kick with it's command, "set" and then a loud Kiap as he executes each kick. If you need to compare him to Jaden to know what I'm talking about... see here.

Hmmm... is he trying to tell us he is ready?

Watch Out for Parked Cars...

"Oops! My bad. YOU try driving in platforms!" At least I'm finally getting something out of my insurance company...

Okay, Okay...

ENOUGH WITH THE EARTHQUAKES!!!

Guess it's time to start taking the Prophet's advice and BE PREPARED. We loaded up at the case lot sales, found our 72 hour kits, and finally started a bit of a water supply.

So much more to do...

It's only a matter of time...

It terrifies me to think about not being able to take care of my kids.

Life is Good

On Friday Charles and his buddy, Ryan, put up the new swing set. (Thanks again for the help, Ryan!)

Hour 1

Hour 2

Hour 3

Hour 4

All done

The kids have been out here every chance they have had. In fact last night was movie night, and it was the first time all day that they had watched any TV. And if you know my boys, you know that is huge. Charles and I were reminiscing about how much time we used to spend outside as kids. Life outside is so much more fun. I hope the weather will stay nice.


We have to supervise Bradley when he is out there because the ladder is a little too wide, and the slide is a little too fast.

One time, I looked out the window and Jaden was helping Bradley up the ladder. I was frozen. I knew I couldn't get out there fast enough to do anything, and I didn't want to break their concentration with my pointless screaming. So I just stood completely still, not breathing as I watched.

He made it.

Then he went right to the slide and Kaleb was at the bottom saying, "Come on Braa-Braa, I'll catch you!" And he did. Whew!

Then another time, when we were all inside, Bradley slipped past us...

Charles and I looked out the window and this is what we saw...


Charles ran out and stood ready to catch him if he fell. But he was just fine.

Now we have taught Bradley to use the rope ladder. The steps are a little bit closer together, and if he falls, the rope will be a softer hit than the metal bars!

The kids want to be out there all day. They don't even want to come inside for meals. So here they are eating their lunch outside.



The house is so much quieter. I can get things done. The kids are having a blast. Life is good.