In. A. Week.

Every year since, my second son was born, the end of October and beginning of November have been a very fun but FULL week for me.  So in a week this is what happens.

Jayson's Birthday.
Halloween.
Tyler's Birthday.

And it would probably be fine if it were just those three, but there is always more going on.  Friend parties (not every year), family parties, halloween parties, here and at school.  It has always been a week that wipes me out and so it has been a challenge for me, but as I type that I feel like I wouldn't change it, if I could.  So here we go!

Jayson.

Yes, we still do" heavy, heavy hangover" at our house (it is a Dean thing).  This year Jays received a lot of money for gifts, which he later spent the majority on DR. WHO memorabilia because well he is a FAN.  He also requested a TARDIS cake, so I did my best.  He didn't have a friend party this year but I still owe him a day at the movies with a friend.  He has changed a lot over the past year.  He now wears shoes larger than his Father and is taller than me and quickly gaining on his older Brother (they are just 2 inches apart).


Halloween.

Who are these two monkeys!

Halloween was thankfully a low-key day because all the HALLOWEEN activities had been done earlier in the week/month.  So after eating some mummy pizzas, we got all dressed up and one by one the kids took off to be with their friends so we didn't get a group picture.

We have Dr. Who (the Tenth Doctor).

A Ninja.

Batman.

And Snow White.

We also took a few pics with the PUMPKINS they carved and then it was time for TRICK-OR-TREATING!

Tyler.

 

 

The Lego was created by his youngest brother as a surprise.   This young man is pretty simple.  I made him choc chip cookie-oreo brownies for his birthday served with his fav ice cream, mint choc chip.  He also received a bit of money but is saving it for something special.  He really wanted to get his license on his birthday but had to wait two days longer because the DLD is not open on weekends.  He spent his special day with a good friend hanging out at Boondocks.  He too has changed quite a bit these last few years, of course he is taller than me and about the same height as his dad.  He grew out his hair and now it curls and waves every which way.  And he is looking forward to getting a job to earn a little money for a car and a phone.

I feel so blessed to be able to celebrate these two young men in my life but I also fear that if I blink they will be gone having new adventures in their lives, not under my roof and that makes me sad.

In The Last Last Few Weeks

We met the newest member of the Dean clan.

The new favorite baby cousin.

 

Just look at those smiles.  She keeps asking me where we can get a baby and put in my stomach so that she can have a little sister.

 Attended our first soccer tournament of the season and the outcome was a hard fought 1st place finish in the Glory Tournament.  What a great accomplishment for Mr. P and his team.

 

Celebrated a Birthday-

 Fancy Style with 7 little girlfriends and a few involved brothers.

 

 And played with sparklers to celebrate the 24th.

A Party

    

 A party was had for our little girl.

Anticipation of said party was as great as the party itself.

At the party there was lunch served.

Balancing acts.   Games.  Presents.

And Girlfriends.

She loves to be with her girlfriends and I'm glad they came and made her special day so wonderful.

Birthday Boy and a Loose Tooth

Happy Birthday

 Our Birthday Boy couldn't seem to eat all of his birthday breakfast.  After, when he got home from school he said that he was so full from his breakfast that he couldn't really eat his school lunch.   I think he had a good birthday.  He got to eat some of his favorite foods, got a delivery of donuts from his aunt and got to go to the store and pick out a brand new bike for his birthday present.  He picked a green one, his favorite color.

I cannot believe that my little blonde hair california boy is already ten years old.  Where have the years gone :(.  I still remember so clearly the day we celebrated his second birthday.

 

 And speaking of growing up.  Look who lost their first tooth on his brother's birthday.  Yep, my little kindergartner.  He mentioned to me when he got home from school that his tooth was loose, I felt it and it was like almost falling out loose.  He played with it the rest of the evening and got it out just in time for bed and to put under his pillow for the tooth fairy. 

Springtime Celebrations

A few events that were recently celebrated.

My favorite cub scout earned his BEAR rank.

My favorite KINDERGARTENER celebrated his
6th birthday

With FRIENDS

With FAMILY

At SCHOOL

And then yesterday we celebrated EASTER.

Next up for our family
SOCCER, SOCCER, SOCCER, SOCCER
As 4 out of 5 of our kids with be playing this spring,
each on their own team. HELP!

Young Men

Yesterday was a celebration of sorts.

We celebrated these two boys, or maybe I should say Young Men, because that is what they are now. How did I become a mother to two young men? When did they transform into young men from boys. How can I keep them from getting so old that they leave my home and begin their own journey in life?

These are the questions to which I have NO answers. I only know that time goes by much faster than I anticipated it would. Especially in these last few years.

One is now officially old enough to attend youth dances ( a fave of mine at that age) and is in well control of his own future by the wise choices he is making and goals he is accomplishing.

The other is now officially old enough to hold the priesthood. A big responsibility and honorable calling in and of itself. He still seems to be in his own world most of the time but I do see him starting to blossom out of it from time to time and I am grateful for the different perspective of living in this world that he shows me.

They are both very different from each other. They share a fondness of LEGOS and a last name but that is about where the similarities end. I am trying to enjoy what is unique about each of them and trying to show my love for them in the way they are most likely to hear it. Which of course is a completely different style for each too.

I love my boys, I mean young men, and was priviledged to honor their request of Ice Cream Cakes (another fave of mine) for this celebration. YUM.

Happy Birthday!

A Celebration

We celebrated our little girl's third year with us.
I cannot believe she is growing up so much.
I thought she was my baby.

Lots of presents were given - fit for a "princess",
and some non-traditional desserts were devoured like
a yummy fruit pizza and this creation that was a big hit.

I guess we will have to do it all again next year
but I would rather not.

I don't want her to grow up anymore.