More Birthday and Pictures

Thursday morning I took Annalise to get her picture taken. Poor 5th child has only had professional pictures taken once before! She did a pretty good job and they turned out really cute.

I then went to Spencer's school to take birthday treats in for his class. His birthday isn't actually until July, but since it is a summer birthday, his teacher picked a day at the end of the year to celebrate. He wanted me to bring in Twinkies. The only ones I could find had green filling in them. It was a little different, but the kids all seemed to enjoy them. I got there a little early and was able to watch the end of their PE class. They were playing kick ball and fire and ice (tag).

The Big 4-0!

I can't believe it. Only 10 more years and I can have my mid-life crisis! 40 used to feel so old. It just doesn't seem so old anymore. Today has been a very full yet nice day. It started by John giving me my birthday gift of a new camera. I am very excited about it and once I learn how to work it, it should be great. My sister, Sheri, came down to spend the day and watch kids as I attended the various events of the day.

First, Bryce had his end of the year ice cream party this morning at 9:30. They had planned a little program and Bryce was fine until he saw me. Then he started crying and wouldn't stop until I sat on the floor with him. Luckily I was able to get a few shots of him while he was happy. He wasn't interested in the ice-cream so we just visited with the others and then came home.





This is Mrs. Elissa Cooper, Bryce's teacher. All of his teachers, aides, and the bus driver were wonderful. He loved school and I am glad that he will be going back to this same preschool next year.


After getting Bryce to sleep I left he and Annalise with my sister and went for a quick, free birthday lunch at Joe's Real Bar-B-Que and then on to William's school to see him perform in his class reader's theater. William was the tricky monkey in "Little Late Riding Hood". And although the pictures didn't turn out so well, he did a great job!








This picture shows some of his friends in "The 3 Little Elephants and the Big, Bad Mouse"


William with Mrs. Reddell...his favorite teacher so far. She was fantastic for William! I am so glad that he has had such a wonderful year this year!


Once John got home from school, we had a very quick birthday celebration with cupcakes that my visiting teachers brought over. Thanks Stephanie and Elli! Then John, William, and Jacob headed off to play rehearsal.

The Celebration!

I was so excited about celebrating Annalise's first birthday. We had a fun day although I'm sure she didn't understand what all the hype was about. Since all of her brothers had school that morning, she and I spent some mommy/daughter time shopping. Actually she slept most of the time we were out and I was able to get her cake and some of her gifts while she slept quietly in her chair.



When the boys got home from school they helped me wrap her presents. Then after dinner we had a little family party for her. She was mesmerized by the candle on her cake.


The cake itself also intrigued her. It took her a bit to start digging in, but once Jacob gave her a taste of the frosting, she needed no more coaxing!












I think she enjoyed playing with it and squishing it between her fingers even more than eating it.






A little too much sugar perhaps?




Once we got her cleaned up, the boys helped her open her presents.
























Her first doll and stroller. It was a gift from Grandma Stephens and by far the favorite toy!


Unfortunately Dad put it together without reading the instructions and realizing there were screws to hold it all together.






So as John RE-put the stroller together, the boys enjoyed playing with Annalise's doll house...




while she waited...not so patiently...for him to finish.






She had a fun time playing with her toys. When bedtime came around she was still quite hyper and not able to settle down. Two hours later, she finally fell asleep.

In the meantime, John and I set up the treadmill that I bought on Craigslist for $50 to help me train for the 5K. The older boys had gone to bed, but Annalise and Bryce thought the treadmill was a great toy!