Thad Turns 8!

Thad's birthday was on a Saturday this year, so on Friday I went to Thad's class to celebrate with birthday treat. I have always made sugar cookies for his class, and this year he requested footballs.

  

And if you're wondering if Thad likes being the center of attention...

He doesn't. Look at his nervous face while his class is singing to him!

He gets over it pretty fast though and loved sharing his treats with his class.

Unfortunately that night when I was getting my hair done, he busted his tooth through his bottom lip on the Organ's trampoline and head to head to the Instacare to get a couple stitches.

Brian took him and said he was so brave and I'm not one bit surprised. This boy of ours is just good. So, so good. The doctor told him that he had to hold really still and he didn't move a muscle the whole time. When he was all done the doctor told him he had just had a different eight year old a few days before that was there for a couple hours for a similar procedure because he wouldn't get under control. Thad gets it and we love him for it.

Thad was such a good sport and just went on the next morning, business as usual, and had an awesome EIGHTH birthday!

As you can tell, he is still a basketball lover through and through! I love it about him!

At 9am he had to head to the school for his last Destination Imagination practice and was a good sport about doing it even on his birthday.

Straight from there we went to his basketball game and watched him ball it up! 

So proud of him and the progress he made this last season!

Before his friends came over to go to the Lego Batman movie, we took some family snap shots and when I look at these, I am just so happy with this awesome little family I get to call my own.

Brian thought he was pretty funny taking some selfies and outtakes of our family and ended up hurting his neck trying to make the best double chin he could. Apparently he has a bad pillow and a combination of a few things and a bout of torticollis flared up. Unfortunately we didn't know this until after the dinner and movie and sitting in the fourth row at the theater didn't help. I wasn't super nice to him about, but he got some meds and it cleared up and he promised he would never try that double chin thing again. Oh, Brian.

He was so excited to spend the evening with two friends from school that he doesn't get to see very much and they had a blast at the movies and then having dinner and hanging out at our house.

And even though Brian wasn't there to enjoy cake and ice cream with us (he was getting diagnosed at the instacare), we moved forward and enjoyed it as much as we could!

  

  

What a fun day with fun friends and family! I'm so glad this boy was so happy with his celebration. That's all I care about.

Eight things we love about Thad:

8. His Brain. He is a smarty pants and enjoys learning and I love that example he is setting for his younger brother and sister.

7. Sports Love. He is following in his dad's footsteps with his love of sports and has a blast watching and playing sports with his dad and friends. 

6. Gospel Love. He enjoys going to church each week, participating in FHE and having gospel based discussions. He is such a wonderful example of righteousness to all around him.

5. His Bravery. Him getting stitches is a perfect example of how brave he is. That wasn't the first time and I know it won't be the last.

4. Big Brother. Watching him be with his siblings is such a joy. He is the sweetest with Eve and I know he and Wes will be best friends forever.

3. Reading Love. If I can keep good books in the house there is a very good chance you will find his nose in one at any given time.

2. Those eyes. They are blue and they are big and they are the only thing he has that are from me and I love it.

1. Constant Optimism. This boys wakes up happy, rarely complains and forgives easily and when those three things are combined it makes for a happy kid exuding good vibes around our house. I love how much I can learn from these little people that are mine.

Happy 8th birthday, Thad! We are so proud of you and the boy you are becoming. Keep moving forward in joy and righteousness and nothing can stop you from being the best you!

Haley Hill Hits the Hill Country

Haley Hill is one of my very best friends, and very best people for that matter, and I am just so grateful she came to visit me and my family in Texas for a few days. It means a lot when someone will make arrangements for their own kids and come and spoil mine for a few days!

There is always lots of talking and fun being had, but some here are the highlights I got pictures of.

Enjoying the beautiful weather-

Unfortunately the only sunny day was her first one, but we took advantage of it and spend a good amount of time outside before heading to Hopdoddy for our favorite burgers. We had to take a major detour because of a major accident backing up traffic, but we eventually made it and had an awesome meal!

Cuddling and relaxing-

 If you ever want my kids to be obsessed with you, just come stay at our house for a few days. 

Eve could not get enough of Haley, especially when she had on her Blardigan and could snuggle up and be warm. 

We got to watch our friends Dave and Lizzy on their episode of Property Brothers while she was here and it was a lot of fun!

The Silos-

I made arrangements for the kids so Haley and I could spend a day in Waco together. We met up with Kelsie and Todd for lunch and had delicious Greek food.

  

And off to the Silos it was!

This is always a fun spot to hit with girlfriends, it never gets old! And it's super nice when you can go on a weekday and not deal with the crazy crowds.

After we got back, my kids couldn't leave her side.

Austin-

On Saturday the whole gang headed downtown to hit some of our favorite spots.

Cabo Bob's followed by a "hike" at Mt. Bonnell 

And before we knew it, Sunday came and it was time for us to part ways with this lovely lady-

I sure love my friends and this one is a spectacular one. I am constantly amazed at her focus and wonderful example. Danny, Owen and Leah are so lucky to have this lady as their own. Thank you again a million times for coming to Texas, Haley, we love you!

January Moments

The whole family decided to join me for a yoga session before Saturday chores and they looked pretty dang good!

Hooray for park days in January! 

And beautiful nights with friends in the cul de sac- 

Here's Eve just thinking she is one of the big kids looking at the back of the cereal box. So serious. 

And somehow this magic happened. I don't even think she was sick or sleep deprived or anything!

Thad participated in the science fair again this year at school and had some fun collecting data at some local cemeteries!

I'm so proud of this boy and his willingness to participate in academic adventures.

We had some fun teaching these kiddos the tricks of cross eyes! 

And sometimes I just don't know what people are talking about when they say Wes looks like Brian- 

I don't see it.

I'll just stick to Eve looking a little bit like me when I was a little girl- 

Happy January!