Naomi turns 10

This girl is officially 10! I can't decide whither to laugh or cry. I love the young woman she is becoming but there is just something about my baby wearing my clothes that seems sad. 

Naomi loves volleyball, Darth Vader, and tie dye. She is a big sweets lover like her momma and loves to spend her free time crafting. 

At Naomi's birthday party we did a M and M taste test. We bought 16 kinds of M and Ms for everyone to sample and try to identify. We had a blast realizing how hard it really is to tell them apart. I had no idea how similar they all taste.

On Naomi's actual birthday we played a game of Magi Quest at Great Wolf Lodge. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it. It was well worth the money for a whole day of fun.

Naomi had a field day tie dying all of the projects she got for her birthday presents!

And shortly after her birthday we did ear piercings. First time for Leah, second try for Naomi after her first one didn't end up looking even.

This is my favorite picture from Naomi's photo shoot and the next one is Naomi's favorite of herself. She doesn't like any of the ones with "teeth smiles." What is with that? I love those toothy grins, must be a mom thing.

 

Grandma Joy

 Lately, we have had the honor of spending lots of time with my grandma. Over the years, the kids and I would visit her on occasion during the day. She loved to take us out for hamburgers or sausage biscuits at the local McDonalds. For a time there, we were able to take her out grocery shopping or to visit the dollar store. She loved to browse the isles often buying the kids dolls, coloring books, or snacks that they didn't need. Then covid hit and her alzheimer's really took a turn for the worse. When she needed someone to come help her out around the house during the day, the kids and I were happy for the job. We got to spend lots of days watching cable, playing in the backyard, and working on school work together. Just recently, her condition progressed to the point where she was unable to live alone any more. She joined a memory care where she is happy and doing well. I am so thankful for that extra time we had there with her. She loved when we played the piano for her, or read from Little house on the prairie. For fun we just sat out on the deck and watched the kids play or roast hot dogs on a fire if the weather was right. Life seemed so much simple when we were there. 

I promise I picked only my favorite pictures to share, it's just that I love so many! They all make me think of happy times. 

Silas 7

My little buddy, Silas, turned 7 this month but he is still the cutest thing. He will definitely be my little buddy forever. On his birthday, we got sonic for dinner and made a little obelec (cornstarch and water). 

His cake was bakagan themed and for a fun party activity we had a blind ice cream taste test which turned out to be easier then planned but tasty none the less. For dinner was Silas favorite mashed potatoes, white gravy, and chicken nuggets. 

Silas is an "all boy" as a guy with 4 sisters can be. He loves to have friends over, and wrestle or play video games but still plays great with his sisters as the dad or puppy of their game. More then anything, he can be found playing with action figures or with some sort of slimy gooey substance. He is beyond excited for basketball season and can't wait to be back in in-person school. 

 

Halloween

 Halloween was on a Saturday this year! That (and the fact that we are currently homeschooling) made extra time for halloween fun. 

We went Trick-or-treating with some Manthe cousins,

 and visited Grandma on Halloween afternoon.

On Friday night we had a Halloween party at Nana's

Eve turns 5

Our sweet Eve turned 5 in November and can I tell you she is one fun 5 year old. She is always saying and doing things that keep us laughing. She loves playing Barbies and get along fantastically with Ella. I can not figure out how I have been so blessed with this sweet little girl.

Eve often sits down at the piano and makes up songs and is excited to finally be learning piano like her big sisters.

Eve loves to let her sisters dress her up or give her makeovers. She totally loves looking like a fancy princess but enjoys a more practical look like this one by borrowing my shoes and dresses too.

Eve wanted to have a puppy birthday party. She requested McDonalds for party meal but was able to be talked into McDonalds on her birthday and make your own pizza for her party.