Happy Birthday Jax!

My sweet Jaxon turned nine last week and had a week long party. It started out at Grandma Haacke's house with presents and a cake, followed by his real birthday on Tuesday, September 21, then a birthday party with his friends and finally another cake and presents at Grandma White's. In all, we sang happy birthday to him four times and he made four wishes to blow out his birthday candles.

On Jaxon's birthday, we had a pajama party because Dad works late on Tuesday nights. Jaxon chose to have some late night scotch-a-roos for his cake.

Jaxon received a night stand (that he had been begging us for since he has had his own room) and some glow in the dark stars for his birthday. Of course we couldn't "bump" him on the head with his night stand, but McKay and Josh made sure they bumped him with his other gift.

Birthday gifts with friends. Jaxon is bracing himself and praying that Noah's bonk won't be painful.

Olivia giving him a nice whack.

JD was gentle, but firm.

Jaxon had such a good time Laser Tagging at McKay's birthday party that he wanted to have a Laser Tagging party of his own. Here is the whole laser taggin' gang.

Preparing for battle.

Jaxon had a great birthday week!

Nine things that we love about Jaxon:

1. Jaxon loves playing with his friends. He can't finish his homework, lunch or chores fast enough so he can call a friend.
2. He loves playing all sports. He just finished soccer season and is now playing flag football all while still taking karate. He even ran 40 laps (about 4 1/2 miles) at the school's recent walk-a-thon.
   
3. Jaxon loves listening to music and is still a great dancer. His favorite songs are Numa Numa and Witch Doctor. He plans on singing one of those in the talent show in his music class. I wish I could be there (but I wasn't invited).
4. Jaxon loves his Legos and loves to Lego battle with his friends and brothers.
5. No one gives hugs like Jaxon. If you're ever down, his hugs are quite powerful.
6. If you want the blunt truth, just ask Jaxon's opinion.
7. Jaxon is a good student and loves school, especially recess.
8. He loves potatoes. "Mom, can you make my favorite potatoes for dinner?"
9. Jaxon loves to please people. If there is any hint that you may be disappointed in him, he takes it quite hard and does what it takes to make things right.

He is a great kid and we love him! Happy birthday Jaxon!

Summer Fun

The boys had a little fun one night this summer. They set the tent up in the backyard and had a sleepover.
This was Kayden's first sleepover in the tent. He loved it and slept well. All my boys love it when they get to sleep in the tent. Even Suki the dog liked sleeping in the tent with the boys.

The boys' cousin was visiting overnight and enjoyed sleeping in the tent too. Of course my boys love it when any cousin comes to visit. I enjoyed sleeping inside, where it was very quite and comfy.

First Day of School 2010

School has started (a few weeks ago) and we are back in the swing of things.

Jaxon is in third grade and has Miss Udy this year. McKay is in fifth grade and has Mrs. Moedl.

Josh started kindergarten a week after his brothers. His teacher is Mrs. Bigler this year.

Kayden and I hang out at home together. However, this picture was taken on momentous occasion. With the start of school, Kayden has been potty training. On his first accident free day, he earned a "Mater" backpack. This backpack was a dream come true for Kayden. He insists on bringing his backpack every time we take the boys to school. Once he tried getting out the van when I dropped Josh off at kindergarten wanting to go to school too. For now, just the backpack. Perhaps next year school--preschool that is.

I Feel a Little Wicked!

So, I turned 35 in July. Here's proof:

Me and my handsome boys.

For my birthday, I asked for my present to be a girl's weekend to New York City with my mom, sisters, and sister-in-law to see Wicked. (The trip was already planned, I just was feeling guilty about asking for anything else.) We had a great time!

It started on a Thursday morning when we took a subway ride downtown to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. We rode the subway with a bum that was dead asleep. Not only was he dead asleep, but he had a string of snot that went from his nose down to his shirt. Every time the subway came to a stop, the snot would flap in the wind. As my mom began to dry heave, the man adjusted and the snot then when from his nose, and looped up and stuck to his ear. This sent us all into a state of laughter (above). Things only got better from there.

We had a great ride on the ferry over to the Statue of Liberty.

My sisters, sister-in-law and I inside the statue of liberty. They had all sorts of great stuff to look at in there. One of them being a replica of Lady Liberty's torch.

Here is a replica of her foot. That is one big toe!

Now, I exercise. I consider myself to be in fairly good shape. But these stairs were a killer! We only had tickets to be able to go as high as the pedestal and man it was a hike.

But the views of the city were amazing.

We learned about the history of immigration on Ellis Island. I must say, the building on Ellis Island was very beautiful. It is amazing to think of how many people came through here on their way to the American Dream.

Now, being a mom of four boys, I really appreciate Legos. Here is Rockefeller Center built out of Legos. I had to take a picture so I could show my boys.

While walking around the city, we saw a commercial being filmed for an Australian grocery store. My mom was very anxious to participate. Here she is doing her spot.

I loved the water bottles they had in the city. "New York Spring Water. It's clean, it's natural, we promise." I giggled every time I had a drink.

We took a small stroll through Central Park. I wondered about all the films that I have seen that take place in Central Park: You've Got Mail and Enchanted were a couple.

Time Square. The New Year ball that drops along with what year it is is there all year round. I didn't know that until this trip.

Finally! What I came to the city to see and do! I wanted to see Wicked so badly. I was very excited and very giddy when the time finally arrived. Here I am with my sister--in-law, Debra, outside of the theater. We were having a little fun before the show.

Sitting the theater before the show started. My sister Caprice was lecturing me about not taking photos in the theater while everyone else turned and smiled. I didn't care. I was just so happy to be there!

The dragon and map of the Land of Oz. I loved the show and couldn't wait to get home and listen to the sound track over and over again. It was everything I thought it would be and more!

As an extra bonus, we went and saw Mama Mia the last day we were in the city. I can't say much for the plot, and the show had a lot of spice, but the music was great and I loved the end--I felt like I was at a concert standing up and singing along. I love ABBA's music.
So there is my birthday present/girl's weekend all summed up. We all had a great time and I hope that I will be able to have another great weekend with my mom, sisters and sister-in-law in the near future.