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

Miss Maylie's 2!!

I can't believe my baby is so old.  I'm not sure how it goes faster with each child, but somehow it does.  It still seems like I just barely had Easton's 2nd birthday party, and Tate's.

We had wanted to go ice skating for her birthday this year, but because she and I were sick, we thought it best to skip that part this year.  So the five of us spent a quiet day at home.

We decorated the night before and got all of her presents wrapped.

And then the next day we cleaned the house and made her birthday cake.  It turned out really cute and I had a lot of fun decorating it.

For dinner we had leftover Thanksgiving dinner (just one of the perks of having your birthday the day after Thanksgiving), and then Birthday cake and ice cream.  Little Miss May blew out the candles all by herself on only her second attempt, and we teased Easton that he needed to take lessons from her.

After cake, we opened her gifts and played the rest of the night.  I think the boys had as much fun as Maylie, much to her dismay.  She spent most of the night screeching at them every time they touched her Klip Klop castle.  She's a lot more possessive than either of the boys were at her age, but I think that just comes with the territory of being the third child with two older brothers.  And she fends for herself rather well.

The sweetest gift by far was Easton's (the lion gift bag above).  He made Maylie a little art set by putting some old crayons and colored pencils in a shoe box and wrapping it in a gift bag.  He is one of the most thoughtful boys I know.


Mommy's Tribute:

Dearest Maylie,

I love you so much.  You are one of the greatest joys in my life.  I can't believe how much you've grown up over the past year.  My little baby isn't a little baby anymore, but a big girl, as you told Daddy just the other day.

I can't believe you can already speak in complete sentences and communicate your ideas so clearly.  You sing so many songs word for word and love to rock-a-bye before every nap and bedtime.  And every time I go in your room to get you when you awake, you brighten up my whole day.

I love having a little girl to dress up, have tea parties with, and play princesses.  When I play with you, I am instantly transported back to my own little girl days.  It's so special for me to have you; you came at just the right time.

I love how you cook and bake with me.  I love how you get out all of your play dishes almost every day and take them to the bathroom or kitchen sink to play in the water {even though you get all wet every time and we have to change your clothes}.

I love your strawberry blonde hair and your rosy cheeks.  I love how your nose crinkles when you giggle.  And I love how you are sugar and spice and everything nice--just a perfect blend of the three little girl ingredients.

Maylie Grace, you truly are a bright star everywhere you go and to everyone you meet.  I wish everyone in the whole wide world could know you and be with you, because I know that after just a short time with you, they would leave a better and happier person.

50.

It was a surprise party for my dear, sweet Dad on his 50th landmark birthday.  We all met him at Rodizio for lunch and I'll never forget the look on his face when he looked up and saw all of us girls (and our husbands) there at the table waiting for him.

Afterwards, we sat together in the Salt Lake temple, and truly, this was the highlight of the day.

Later that evening, the boys and Maylie joined us at the condo for pie & ice cream.

And since it was my birthday too {the next day}, we celebrated our birthdays together.

It's always been like this--and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I am truly honored to share my birthday (almost) with one of my very best friends in the entire world.

And then, Papa let Easton blow out his candle...

Or at least he tried...

And tried.

And tried.

He just couldn't quite get his lips to work.
We had to practice.

And yes, the candle was finally blown out after about 10 attempts.

I love you Dad.  I admire you, respect you, and am so proud to be known as your daughter.  I wish I could express better the wellings in my heart when I think of you and all that you are.

You are amazing.  Never ever forget that you have a little daughter who loves you more than a thousand sunsets, seven hundred trips to Portugal, and all the stars in the sky....

All my love,
Mie

A 4th Birthday Party.

As requested, we held a Peanut Butter Birthday party for Tater on December 29th.  It was lucky that this year's birthday landed on a Saturday so everyone could come.

We decorated in the colors of Reese's Pieces and I only wish I would have bought some to decorate the tables with.  Oh well. :)

Grandpa & Grandma, Papa & Nana, and Gram & Pop came to celebrate with us.  And Tate was so happy that his very best friends came for his special day.

First, he opened his presents and then did a round of birthday hugs.

{Anticipation--of both boys}

{Grandpa and Tate}

 {Grandma and Tate}

 {Grammy and Tate}

 {Papa and Tate}

 {Nana and Tate}

His list of presents included:  Connect a Monster, Policemen Station, Picture of the Savior, Clifford Game, Cars, Curious George books, and a Cars electronic game.  {I hope I didn't miss anything.  What with Christmas and 2 birthdays within the last month, my brain can't remember which presents were given at which time! :)}

Then after presents, we ate Tate's peanut butter ice cream cake.  It was a lovely day.

Fall Parties

I always know that with the changing of the leaves comes the family fall parties...it's something to look forward to every year.

The weekend before Halloween we had the....

Greene Family Halloween Party:

Itinerary-

Eat chili, bread and salad

Play games like Spooky Faces Bingo, Felt Pumpkin Contest, Candy Corn Toss, Pumpkin Bowling, and Mummy Wrapping.

Eat lots of desserts--pumpkin cookies, frankencups, and sugar cookies. Oh, and did I mention candy??

And this was Nicole and Jason's clever little costume...together since 2011. :)

 Next up was the...

Johnson Family Fall Party

Itinerary:

Eat lots of yummy soups (tortellini, clam chowder, and cream of broccoli)

Make leaf placemats for Thanksgiving

Play basketball and "The Big Wind Blows."

Notice Easton's tongue...he's hard at work.