two.

Today is Peter's second birthday.  Yesterday afternoon, to celebrate, we took a picnic and went up on the hillside above Snowbird and ate dinner.  It was gorgeous.  It was spectacular.  It was stunning.  There are not words to describe it.   But in any case, the kids had a great time hiking around and exploring the area. 

No words.

Cute kids.

(See that tiny dot at the bottom of the picture?  That's our picnic!)

For dessert we ate cupcakes.  Peter did his best to blow out the candles, but after several tries, he got a little help from his siblings.

As we were driving home, the sun was setting.  From the back seat, Peter called me and when I turned around the sun was shining in his eyes.  He said, "Mom. Eyes. Hot."  Even with his limited communication skills, I knew exactly what he meant.  I gave him my sunglasses and he happily wore them the rest of the way home.

We are so excited to celebrate Peter today.  He is the funniest boy - and I mean all BOY.  He is happiest when he is working along side his dad outside in the yard.  He loves all tools.  Give him a shovel or a hammer or even a squeegee - and he will be happy for hours.  

He is a little athlete.  He loves basketball, soccer, golfing and has even tried riding Isaac's bike (that didn't turn out so well for him.)  He loves jumping on the trampoline and playing legos with his brothers.    He is so funny and strong-willed and cuddly. We love this sweet two-year-old boy!

Happy Birthday Peter-boy!  We love you!!

(And now our family's birthday season is done until January.  We'll have to find something else to blog about.)

ouch!

One of the worst things in the world is hearing your child get hurt.

The other day, I was inside cleaning up after lunch when I heard a loud thump coming from the patio.  It was followed by loud cries and I ran outside afraid of what I'd find.

As it turns out, Peter fell off our porch swing and did a swan dive onto our brick patio.  He got an enormous goose egg which turned into a green and purple bruise and a black eye.   Some days I consider it a miracle that any kids survive childhood.

A Celebration of Abby!

This past week, Abby celebrated her 8th birthday!  We had a fun day together as a family celebrating the day and celebrating our Abby.

Abby just recently finished second grade and she had a great year.  At the end of school, Abby's teacher gave everyone in her class an award.  Abby received the "Enthusiastic About Everything Award."  I can't think of a better way to describe Abby.  She loves everything and everyone with more enthusiasm than anyone I know.  This past year Abby has displayed her enthusiasm in so many ways.  

Abby has worked so hard in school.  She has loved learning Spanish and has really taken off with it this year.  She has good friends and tries to make sure everyone is included.  She is a great reader and she works so hard in math.  I have loved watching her as she tackled school projects and homework and activities with joy and enthusiasm.

It was a year ago that Abby started taking piano lessons and she has taken to it with absolute excitement and enthusiasm.  Now I admit, that there are those days that she grumbles and complains about having to practice, but generally speaking, once she gets on the piano, she practices her little heart out.  She works hard to perfect every piece, but has worked especially hard on the pieces she has learned for her three recitals and for Piano Federation.  She has played in each of her recitals with confidence and enthusiasm.  I have been so proud of her for her great attitude and her dedication.

 

Back in October, Abby came home from school and told us she wanted to try out for the school musical, "Annie".   She prepared a solo, "Doe, A Deer" and went to try out with kids from second through sixth grade.   She landed the part of Sandy - yes, Annie's dog - and she loved that role.  From October through March, twice a week, she would go to school an hour early to practice - and not once did she complain when I got her out of bed on those cold early mornings.  

The play was darling.  Abby sang "Tomorrow" in a duet with Annie and it was the cutest thing I've ever seen.  In between scenes, the dog catcher would chase Abby all over the front of the auditorium and the stage.  It got great laughs from the audience and she was darling.  It was so fun to watch her enthusiastically take on that role.  I was so proud of her.10801 

We love how hard Abby works in school and at piano and in dance and at everything she does, but the thing we love most about Abby, is that she is a great sister and a sweet daughter.  Abby is absolutely adored by her three brothers.  She has such a great imagination, she is always ready to lead them on any adventure.  She reads to them and colors with them and they all have so much fun together.  Abby really is a perfect older sister.

Abby is also loved and adored by her new baby sister.  Whenever Abby holds Lucy, it doesn't take long for Lucy to snuggle up to her and fall sound asleep.  Abby has enthusiastically embraced the role of being an older sister to a baby sister.  She loves telling Lucy "sister secrets" and helps me pick out what clothes she looks the cutest in.  I'm telling you, this Lucy is a lucky baby to have such an adoring big sister.   

We all feel lucky to have Abby in our family.  She is sweet, sincere, thoughtful, empathetic and enthusiastic.   I don't know what we'd do without Abby.  We all love our Abby-girl.

Happy 8th Birthday Abby!

And We Have a Winner....

Congratulations to the following:

Elizabeth (Andrew's sister - not wife)

Emily

Paul

and Abby

The correct answer is: 

a. Isaac

b. Lucy

c. Peter (should we be shocked that everyone got this one right?)

d. Abby 

e. Henry (weighing 3 pounds more than Lucy.  It must all be in his cheeks.)

You will each be getting a coupon for some Chunky Monkey ice cream.   Thanks to everyone who guessed and commented on what cute kids we have.  It was fun reading your guesses.

Five Little Monkeys (a contest with prizes)

I'll blame it on being a photo-happy new father; I'm not sure what inspired the first picture I took like this of baby Abigail, except that I had photographed her doing everything else (not sure what we'll do with the hours of video footage of her sleeping.)

Regardless what started it, the tradition has continued.  (not the sleeping videos--sorry for neglecting the others.) Whether it's a cute pose or they just look like sleepy little monkeys is up for debate, but at least it makes an interesting collection of five.  At least to me, but I am their father.

Can you tell who is who?  For anyone that can correctly identify 5 out of 5, I will mail you a coupon for a free pint of Chunky Monkey ice cream.  (the letter indicates the picture above it) Yes, one of these kids is doing their own thing.  Right arm, wrong angle.

A

B

C

D

E

Contest ends this week. 

You only get one chance.

Thanks for playing.