Audrey's Birthday Dec. 3rd

 Audrey requested a macaroni dish for her birthday.  In fact, I used an old recipe from one of my college roommates called, "Birthday Casserole Surprise."  This is an oldie, but still a crowd pleaser, especially for the birthday girl, who begged for pasta as the main course.  Instead of making a birthday cake, which we made for "Breakfast with Santa," we baked individual bunt cakes that everyone could personalization.  Avery chose to go healthy, hence the strawberry on top, but the girls added as much extra sugar, in the form of sprinkles and chocolate balls, as their bunt cakes could manage.  After dinner Audrey was finally able to open her birthday presents.  My personal favorite, a cardboard box doll house, constructed by Avery and Amelia, as a special present for their sister.  Audrey's favorite, a pair of fairy wings from her friends Jane.  Now they can both be fairies for playdates!

Audrey - My favorite things

My dearest Audrey you are such a magical child, which makes being your mom abundantly enchanting.  You giggle when you toot, shake your booty to any tune, twirl in circles till you fall over from dizziness, play imaginary games with girls as imaginative as yourself, and share morning hugs regardless of morning breath.  Honestly, I could go on and on, because everything about you makes me smile.  On the eve of your 6th birthday, here are some of the special things I keep in my heart, but want to share, that makes you, you! 

1.  Lady - a stuffed animal from "Lady and the Tramp" is still your favorite lovey.   You sleep with her every night, watch movies with her, ask to bring her to school, and take long rides with her by your side.  In fact, if Lady was ever lost there is a good chance I might cry more than you.

2.  You are still a picky eater.  Your favorite fruit is strawberries.  If I serve a fruit you dislike you immediately ask for some strawberries as a replacement, knowing a treat at the end of a meal cannot be achieved without eating your fruits and veggies.  You like carrots, but really dislike peppers, and insist that I hand pick out extra cook peppers from any dish, regardless of minced size.

3.  Whenever we go out to eat you always request macaroni.  In fact, if macaroni is not on the menu you have trouble making a final decision and usually ask to share with me. 

4.  Your best friend is Jane, our next door neighbor. She is a lot like you, girlie, creative, and aware of her likes and dislikes.  You may not know what day of the week it is, but you know Jane goes to kindergarten part-time, and is always home after lunch.  Because of this you ask to play with Jane just about every afternoon you are not at Montessori school.

5.  Disney Junior is your favorite channel.  You especially love "Sophia The First" and get as excited for a new episode as I do for a new season of Downton Abbey.  Revisiting DisneyWorld ranks very high on your list.

6.  Legos keep creeping up on your list of likes.  When working on a new Lego set your focus can be almost as intense as your brothers.  You have stay power and rarely lose interest, wanting the satisfaction of project completion.  However, the big difference between you and Avery is your level of visible frustration.  You can get mad if things aren't going your way, needing redirection from mom before becoming seriously frustrated.  

7.  You enjoy books before bed, but enjoy chatting with your sister, after lights are out, even more.  It brings a smile to my face when I hear the two of you quietly giggling and whispering before drifting off to sleep.  

8.  "I love you" is a phrase I hear often.  You readily share your love, whether it be with words, hugs, snuggles, butterfly kisses, or eskimo kisses.  Every morning I am greeted with a smiling face and a super sweet cuddle.

9.  Unfortunately for you dad, sports do not rank high on your list……yet!  However, you readily cheer your brother and sister on at any game, sometimes, yelling louder than surrounding adults, sharing positive encouragement.

10.  I am always impressed by your ability to make your own fun.  You love playing with Avery and Amelia, can easily play with a neighbor, and are OK when playing by yourself.  You are equally satisfied with any of these circumstances and seem to make the most of any situation.

Audrey Estelle you are loved more than you will ever know!!!

Happy 6th Birthday my sweet girl!  

          

Breakfast with Santa - Audrey's 6th Birthday

I know someday "Breakfast with Santa," for Audrey's birthday, will just be magical memory.  But for now I intend to savor the experience year after year, as long as I have believers under my roof. 

A new move means a new Santa, and this St. Nicholas did not disappoint.  In fact, he was great, including long scientifically minded explanations for the curious in our group, entertaining tricks for young and old alike, a flawless "ho-ho-ho," a warm-kind smile, perfect pauses and pleasing elaborations while reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas."  However, my favorite part about this St. Nick was the extra attention he lavished on Audrey, making her day substantially sweeter!  

As a fun craft my dad graciously agreed to craft 20 string art ornaments for our young guests.  The ornaments themselves were super cool, but with colorful string and unique minded children, we ended up with unmatched ornaments, none the same.  

For the past couple of years I have allowed the girls to pick special decorations for Audrey's birthday cake.  They both look forward to decorating her birthday cake the day of the party, and I love the end result, a masterpiece in the eyes of the beholder!

Happy Birthday Audrey!!!

Audrey eagerly selected Oma's sweater a few days after Halloween in Target's holiday sweater section, knowing that Oma would love penguins and hearts as much as she did.  However, it wasn't until a couple of days before her party that we scored a "do it yourself ugly sweater kit" for Opa.  The kids worked hard decorating his sweater ensemble, the girls laboring on the sweater and Avery the beard and necklace, thus creating the masterpiece seen above.   

Winter Piano Concert

The kids recently preformed in their Winter Piano Concert and it was really very good.  In fact, all of the students were very good, from beginner to seasoned pianist.  

Avery was strikingly serious and dramatic during performance. He loves musical dynamics, going from mezzo piano to mezzo forte, or in his case crescendoing to fortissimo in a matter of seconds.  

Amelia was immensely nervous, made several mistakes, but played as if nothing happened, and no one was the wiser. She sounded beautiful.  

The book "The Tipping Point" comes to mind, because the required piano practice of 45 minutes 5-6 days a week, which is more demanding than past years of piano practice, paid off concert night.  The kids are not in love with piano, but life lessons are being learned on the key board.  At least this is what I tell myself when writing out monthly checks for piano tuition. 

"The way anything is developed is through practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice and more practice."

-Joyce Meyer

Amelia's First Stitches

Amelia earned herself a ticket to the local ER after a fall on our neighbor's landscape border.  

Even though she was scared, I will always remember how brave she was each step of the patch-up process!!!  Like her brother, she now has her own "war wound" story to share with others.

Bill, Monica, and Pumpkins

We were invited to a neighborhood halloween party, where historical figures were the theme.  I racked my brain for historical couples that also provided a certain amount of comic relief.  With that in mind we went as Bill and Monica.