See the difference?

Surprise! Laser eye surgery for me! 18 hours in, and besides the bad pictures cause I just woke up and no mascara allowed, so far 20/20 vision! Woo hoo!!

10 months old

Okay, I did put this vest on him on purpose, and admittedly it makes him look way more grown up than is accurate, but it looked cute... He already has 6 teeth, walks everywhere holding our hands (or even just one hand), and is starting to get really upset when told not to touch something!

What?!!!

You what? You wrote that on your own?!!! Translation if you need it: "No people allowed, hahahahahaha" Daniel said there was something on his door, and explained that it wouldn't be there when his friends came over this evening (I suspect he thought ahead and decided I would think it was rude if that was on his door, so the explanation was for his own protection!). Okay, I went to have a look. Shock! He's suddenly begun to sound out words independently and write them! I know he knew the different sounds for letters, and he has written a few little things, but this was definitely a step above that. He's right on par with a lot of his peers at preschool, but I just think it's one of the most amazing thing watching and helping a child (my own this time!) learn to read and write. Seriously cool.

For Penny

Hey Penny, I did it. 10 Months after you helped me get the first 2 canvases up in Daniel and Laura's room, I finally got material for Nick's and have it up in his room. None of them have names on them, but really, will I EVER really do that?! I kinda like them without... Nick's room Daniel and Laura's room (notice sleeping kids at bottom of photo! :)

Nick Nick Nick

I love him. He's just edible with his silly pink cheeks and sparkly eyes. He wants to walk all around the house holding our hands. SOO not happy if we set him down in the middle of the floor anymore! So yes, Laurie, to answer your question, Nick is still living with us!!!

The party

I did a birthday party for Daniel this year. I mean a real kid-based one, complete with school friends, games and a green-icing Dinosaur cake (which was so fun to make, just anticipating Daniel's excitement when he saw it). I was intimidated by the thought of a party - I don't mind just a store-bought cake and a bit of family around for presents and a special dinner. But it was birthday #5, so it only seemed appropriate to indulge him... So the invitations read: "You ROAR invited to Daniel's Dinosaur Party". Get it - you ROAR invited?!!! I thought it was funny... The party was great. Games: Make your own dinosaur party hat, Dinosaur fossil dig, and Pin the tail on the T-Rex. Kids: grand total of 16 in the house at once. A bit of mayhem, but whatever, it was worth it all when I kissed a sleeping Daniel goodnight at midnight when I went to bed, and he woke up and with big eyes told me he loved it, and then promptly went straight back to sleep. That felt like the biggest hug. Didn't get a lot of great pics, but here's a few: I'm 5! Daniel and Laura digging Kids eating tacos Nick eating sand before the party - must have tasted good, he just chewed and chewed, and I was just happy he was entertained, cause I was too busy! On his actual birthday we did have just family around. Laura got him some toy dragons (the one thing he asked for), and he was thrilled! This cake was store-bought, but yummy! :)

He's FIVE

Have I really been a parent for 5 years? Have I only been a parent for 5 years? Happy Birthday Daniel. We have loved watching you grow up as a thoughtful, sensitive kid. We are so proud of your love for learning, how curious you are about the world, and the love that you have for your friends and family. I just can't believe you are 5!!!

Long lost children

It's so strange to look at pictures of these children I knew so well and yet can hardly remember now...

Addicted

... to Blurb.com. I'm using it to make Daniel's 5th birthday book (my fairly recent idea to START the process of making memories of the kids' lives, and the ONLY real photo creation I've done since any of the kids have been alive!). It's so much fun cause I just love pictures. I have forgone much in my life - such as blogging - to try to get this book finished and ready to put birthday party pictures in and send off to get printed ASAP after his birthday (which is 3 days away). Here's the picture that'll be on the front. A really accurate snap of this boy... (thanks Jenn, I think it was, for taking it!)

They keep coming...

... these fun quotes, I love 'em. This one I overheard from Daniel while he and Laura were playing: "That's not a job for a princess, that's a job for a prince!" ...from Laura a few days ago: "I'm not a kid anymore". (then what are you?) "I'm a people!"! ...and another from Laura: "Daniel, did you know God is the goodest?"