A Birthday Wish

We like to do a family activity around the day of each of our children's birthdays.

This year (two days before his birthday) we surprised Tate with a trip to Gram and Pop's house since his ever-present and unceasing wish is to live at Grammy and Poppy's house.

We kept the party a secret and when we pulled in the driveway Tate opened his eyes and exclaimed, "This is where we're going?!" He was so happy.

Gram made him a peanut butter cake--pure delight for my little peanut butter boy.

It was a perfect day.

On his birthday he chose to have a French Breakfast Muffin with an orange lego candle for breakfast.

At 10:00 seven little boys came over to our house for Tate's birthday party. Unfortunately, I misplaced my phone right before they all came so I didn't get a single picture. (My hands were quite full once the party started...I'm sure you can imagine...)

We had a pin the flag on the treasure map, pirate stories, and then a treasure hunt that led them to their party favors. We ended the party with pirate treasure cake and ice cream.

 Oh Tate,

I can't imagine my life without you. You are the sweetest little boy I've ever met. You are learning to read so well this year; I'm so proud of you. I love how your teacher thinks you are the sweetest boy and are so good with some of the difficult boys who misbehave and bother people. You are so patient, you cooperate so well in your class, and help everyone to get along.

You amaze me with your endless supply of hugs and kisses and your mischievous antics that still keep me on my toes every day. I wouldn't change a thing about you.

You are perfect--just the way you are.

Thank you for being such a perfect little boy.

I'm so glad you are mine forever and ever!

Love always,
Mommy

You're 6?! Wow, you are growing up so fast! I have loved growing with you this last year and seeing you begin so many new things! You have been so brave as you have embarked on many new adventures!

This past year you played T-ball for the first time and made so much improvement in hitting the ball! You also began school for the first time with kindergarten and you have done so well! You have grown up so much as you have become so much more brave and independent in all your activities. Your reading is also improving so well as you can pick sight words out anywhere, especially as we read scriptures. Mom is right about how accelerated your reading skills improve as you read from the Book of Mormon.

I love you Tate! Happy Birthday!

Love,

Dad

July Reflections.

I'm sitting here today wondering where July went. How can August be 1/3 of the way done too? We anticipated that this summer would be busier than last, and it was. But I never dreaded it because there were so many trips and family activities to look forward to. What I didn't anticipate was how the summer would not only be busy, but would feel like a whirlwind. A very good whirlwind, but tornado-ish nonetheless. It was a flurry of activity and now it's over. Well not quite, but close enough. We have three more things planned before school starts--our Anniversary, the boys' Grandma/Grandpa camp, and our family olympics/back-to-school party. And school is just two weeks away...Enough about that. It's not time to pull out the tissues yet--we still have TWO WEEKS OF SUMMER LEFT!!! YAY!!!!

So here are the photos I found on my phone today. Bits and pieces of July's memories.

Our clean garage came about as a result of a Saturday afternoon. I should have taken a before picture--it was a wreck!!

 I love walking in our garage now. It's so clean and even beautiful!

We've been enjoying our CSA shares of fruit from Perry this year.

Another highlight of July is starting my "Take a Daily Question to the Scriptures for 30 Days Experiment." I cannot believe how incredible the Lord is. How He intricately places our answers amidst the pages of scriptures amazes me every time.

This is one of the brilliant sunsets I captured this summer. It struck me the other night as I was driving home from the store and watching the sunset, how each day the Lord surprises us with a new sunset. Every single day's sunset is unique and different. I think I take for granted how kind and generous our Father is in providing us with this brilliant gift each and every day. It leaves me wonderstruck.

And this is just Flashlight in one of her temporary favorite beds (my travel bag).

When we drove Easton up to visit Gram and Pop a few weeks back, Maylie latched on to Gram and decided she had a found a new playmate. (And I was not invited :) She reminds me of someone I know... ;)

This is our beautiful dog Pola (aka Pola Bear according to me, aka the Grim/Sirius Black from Harry Potter according to Papa)

 I love my wolf dog!

 One day Tate and Maylie and I discovered this sweet little movie series on Netflix based on one of my absolute favorite books...

Last Satruday the boys and Patrick went on an Elder's Quorum 4-Wheeler ride. It lasted all day and they had a blast. They came home grimy but they shined up nicely! (Meanwhile, Maylie and I went over to Logan to do some shopping...the beginnings of my new decorating project).

And lastly, this was the day of the very first "Messy Buns" for Maylie. She loved them. and I thought they captured her personality so well...

 I think doing hair is one of the best things about having my little girl!

 And someday, she'll have her own...

THE END

7/26/14

He had been looking forward to this day for nearly a year. He had changed his mind about what he wanted for his birthday dinner and his presents more than a dozen times. And he had been counting down the months since Christmas and the days since May. And when the day finally came complete with red and black decorations and a chocolate frosted yellow cake, Easton was more than ready to be seven.

Actually, his birthday celebrations always start a bit early as it's a Greene family tradition to meet at Downata the Monday before Easton's birthday every year. This year it was forecasted to rain, but Easton had faith that if he prayed, Heavenly Father would stop the rain. And he did. Easton's faith always amazes me. After our swim, we gathered around for pink frosted cupcakes made by Nana (Easton's request) and giant snicker doodles (another of Nana's traditions). Gram and Pop brought Easton his presents of a real Easton baseball bat and balls. This was a monumental day indeed.

Now on to the day of his birthday:

For breakfast, since it was Saturday, we made rice pudding and Easton was able to use the special golden plate.

Next we went to Logan to eat lunch at Chuck-a-Rama. Nana and Papa were able to come with us too. We had such a wonderful time but somehow I managed to snap two pictures of Tate and none of the birthday boy (or our guests, Nana and Papa). (Not a proud moment!) After lunch we went to Kohl's with Nana and Papa so Easton could pick out his birthday presents. He chose a Shark sweatshirt, new shoes, and a Lego adventure set. It was a perfect afternoon!

When we returned home Easton opened his presents from us: new roller blades, knee/elbow pads, and an elastic bracelet kit. We spent the rest of the evening eating cake and teaching Easton the basics of roller blading.

Look at that twinkle in his eyes. How could anyone not love this awesome boy?

It was a special day--simple and sweet. I hope our birthday boy had a super day because he truly is our little Seven-year-old Superman!!!

A few days later we enjoyed a visit from Grandpa and Grandma and Payton to celebrate Easton as well. Poor Grandma had to make cupcakes at a friend's house since they are remodeling their kitchen! He opened a Lego helicopter and a Lego RV set. We spent the next few hours putting them together. Easton felt like his birthday lasted two weeks with all the celebrations. He felt so special and grateful for all of his wonderful family celebrating with him.

My Peasant Girl & April Fool's Day.

This little girl is like a little lollipop--what with her scrumptious cheeks and sweet little lips. And complete with this sweet little dress made by Grammy, she looks like she stepped right out of the "Hansel and Gretel" storybook.

We sure enjoyed their visit. We always do. The boys and my cousins Nate and Drew spent a few hours together laughing and playing the Wii while Gram and Pop and Maylie and I played "lion" and ate lots of skittles and mints (or at least Maylie did). A pleasant afternoon indeed!

After they left, we loaded up the car and headed down to the local diner for an April Fool's Day dinner. We thought we'd surprise the littles with ice cream first and dinner second, but Easton didn't think that was such a good idea and was complaining that he was "so hungry." So we just opted for the traditional dinner first and then ice cream.

Best. Night. Ever!

Christmas Day

We stayed up late putting together Santa presents to leave out for the little ones'  discovery.  I loved every minute of setting up the wooden train, the mega shark rig adventure, and the Disney princess songs palace even though I was exhausted.

I hoped everyone would sleep in...and they did...all except for me and Patrick.  We woke up at 6:30 and tossed and turned until 7:30 when the boys came in to wake us up. :)

Christmas morning was perfect.  Just as magical as I had imagined and even more so.  I love Christmas as a mother!  I distinctly remember thinking as a child that I never wanted to grow up because I always felt bad for my poor mom who worked so hard to give us such beautiful Christmas and only received a few small presents herself.  I wondered how she loved Christmas so much.  And I wondered if I ever would as a grown-up.  But time gives us new perspectives and blessed paradigm shifts.  I love Christmas more than I ever could have imagined as a little girl.  Because to see the lights twinkling in your own children's eyes is the most exciting and wonderful and thrilling thing that a mother could ever imagine.  The giving of gifts is far more satisfying than the receiving.

After our sweet little Christmas morning, we gathered at Nana and Papa's house to spend the rest of our Christmas day.  We were so grateful for all of our gifts!  Maylie loved her baby doll and the boys loved their scooters.

Then we all got to participate in a family nativity.  Patrick, me, and Easton were the three wisemen (and very interestingly dressed ones might I add).  Tate, Natalie, and Jon were the shepherds, Colie, Jason, and Abi were Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus, and Maylie was the angel.

 And the best part? I got it all recorded on my phone!

I loved the after part of the Nativity as well, how we all shared insights into the roles we played and were taught from dear Papa about the symbolism of bread, and how we can reflect on Christ every time we eat, or cut, or make bread.  It was a challenge we will take.

Then we ended the little "meeting" with the most beautiful Silent Night I've ever heard.  Papa played it on the guitar, just as it had originally been performed by Joseph Mohr while Colie and Jason sang the first verse in German, Patrick and I sang the second verse in Portuguese, and Natalie and Jon sang the third verse in Spanish.  Then my Dad and I played a verse with just the piano and guitar, and we finished by singing the last verse together in English.

We had turkey dinner, mashed potatoes, cinnamon bread, strawberry cake, and so much food I was more than a little bit full.

We finished the evening with a hilarious game of Telestrations and then traveled home tired and happy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yesterday was the day after Christmas, which is always kind of bittersweet for me.  I love how the littles have an amazing array of new toys to play with, and the excitement of Christmas always carries over just a little bit.  However, I don't like sending my sweetheart off to work after any holiday, especially Christmas.  I always miss him extra special.

So we were blessed with a visit from Gram and Pop who brought more presents and the presence of their sweet company.  We loved having them!!  We are so blessed to have three sets of wonderful grandparents to make memories with.  We can never get enough of special family time!  It makes life so worth living...

The End.