Haircuts

A couple of weeks ago, we gave all the boys a haircut.  It was Albert's very first one. Here is a "before" picture.

And another one from the side.  So shaggy.  We kept having people ask about our little "girl" so we decided it was time to cut it short.

"What's she doing to me?"  

We gave all the boys (including Tyler) a haircut on the same night.  Isn't it crazy how much more hair Asher has than Elias and Albert?  It's so much thicker!

 Here's an "after" shot.

It might be a little choppy; this boy was squiggly!  Nonetheless, all agree it looks much better.  Although we still have people asking about our little "girl".  I guess it has to be those long eyelashes.  

Valentine's Day

We're going to take a minute to catch up on some of the things I skipped in covering the birthdays.  Valentine's Day started with opening some gifts from the grandparents and Aunt Courtney and Uncle Tommy.  It was an eclectic mix.

There were some new cups.  Very exciting!

And some new books.  Always a favorite.

Then the boys went out and got us all some chocolates.  We have Beijo really close and they are always awesome.  If you haven't tried them, and don't live close, go here and get yourself a brigadiero.  They're our favorite!!

All the kids got to try one.  They were pretty excited.

Even Albert got a taste.

After we got all the kids in bed, Tyler and I set down for a date-night-in.  I made us some pretty yummy tomato, spinach and Italian sausage risotto and we enjoyed it kid-free.  It was a pretty good time.

Addilyn's Birthday Interview

Addilyn: Age 7

What is your favorite color?  Dark blue
Who is your best friend? Lily
What is your favorite TV show or movie?  Pinky and the Brains and Monsters University
What is your favorite thing to do outdoors? Play in the snow
What is your favorite thing to do indoors? Throw a party
What is your favorite game? Guess Who?
What is your favorite thing to wear? My 7 shirt
Where would you want to go on vacation? Manhattan (KS) because, if it was summer, we could go to the swimming pool and Chipotle and because I was born there
What do you like most about your brothers?  They play with me – Asher: he’s playful; Elias: he’s funny; Albert: he’s cute.
Now that you are seven, what would you like to know/learn? division
What do you want to be when you grow up? A doctor in a pet hospital
What is your favorite toy? The kitchen
What do you sleep with at night? Cornelius, Diddy, my blanket, my new blanket and pillow
What is your favorite thing to do as a family? Go on vacation
What is your favorite art project? To make glitter lanterns
What is your favorite subject in school?  gym
What is your favorite cereal? Fruit Loops
What is your favorite lunch?  Nutella oatmeal
What is your favorite dinner?  waffles
What is your favorite snack?  Chocolate chip granola bars – the chocolate covered kind; not the kind Momma makes
What is your favorite dessert? cake
What is your favorite drink? milkshake
What is your favorite animal? giraffe
What is your favorite song? The Little Lost Sheep (from Sunday School)
What is your favorite book? Magic Treehouse #27 – Thanksgiving on Thursday
What is your favorite holiday? Easter 

I fairly certain there is a picture of me looking much like this from when I was young.

Giggly face.

I'm particularly fond of this little girl.

If you'd like to compare her answers to last year's, go here.

Addilyn's Birthday

Addilyn had her seventh birthday yesterday.  It was a pretty big day.  She started it with special cereal (Fruit Loops this year) and one present.

Oooo...sparkles!

Then there was a phone call and birthday song from Grandma B.   After breakfast, she went to Sunday School and church.  She was super excited because she got to pick out a special birthday gift while there (she had been talking about that for weeks).

After lunch, we sent the boys out so we could get ready for our girls' art party.

For our art party, we painted.  Our paintings were vaguely inspired by Paul Klee.

The girls all seemed pretty into it.  

And their work all turned out really good (this was less than half of the final collection).

After our painting, we made these glitter lanterns.  Oooo...sparkly.

After all our art, they started a very intense game.  It was so fun to watch these girls play and imagine together!

Birthday song!!

Bright, colorful cake.

Slurp!  We had some chocolate chip milkshakes with our cake too.

Then there was the presents.  These girls were such a fun group and I know Addilyn had so much fun.  This was Addilyn's first official friend birthday party and it was a smashing success.

After the party (and the boys came home), there was skyping with Grandma & Grandpa J.

And then it was Addilyn's usual dinner of choice, barbeque meatballs.

More presents.

And more cake.

All in all, I think she had a pretty good day.  Happy birthday, little girl!  

A Baby and a Kazoo

My Birthday

Last weekend was my birthday.  It was kind of a big one.  Tyler worked it out so we were kid-free from 2:00 Saturday afternoon through the evening.  He took me out and bought me not one but two new dresses.  After that, it was off to the dinner of my choosing.  I chose a little French cafe in Evanston, not too far from where we were shopping.  Tyler got the rack of lamb and I got the pear-shaped chicken.  They weren't kidding about the "pear-shaped" part.  It was all delicious, especially the sweet potatoes and wilted greens it was sitting on...so good!

On Sunday, we went to church.  After church we decided to go to IKEA and then out to dinner with the kids.  After quite the debacle at a restaurant last fall, we've been working on our "how to eat out like civilized people" skills.  We thought it was time to try out our new skills at an actual sit-down restaurant.

They all did really well!  They didn't get up and try to climb under their chairs or run around the restaurant.

They didn't yell (except for the occasional out burst by Elias, but he even kept those to a minimum).

And maybe the best and most surprising, they all ate their food without complaint.  It was awesome! One of the ladies seated near us even complimented us on how well-behaved our children were as she was leaving.  Best present ever!

Albert was very entertained (and entertaining) during our outing.  During this trip he figured out that he could feed himself those garlic mashed potatoes using that butter knife he's holding.  He ended up eating more than half of the plate that way.  Apparently we need to give him more practice with utensils at home because he was loving learning that new skill.
So thanks to my parents for funding our trip to Olive Garden! It was a smashing success and a good time (and a good meal) was had by all.