Leland Turns Eight

Happy #8, Leland James!

Every year on your birthday, I think about how bittersweet it is to see you growing up so fast. I miss you being little enough to hold you in my arms with ease (note: I can still hold you, but , man, you're getting heavy!). But watching you grow into the amazing young man you are is the very best thing I've ever been a part of.

You love to wear ties!

These days, you are still fascinated with the Titanic. I don't think there's any information about it that you don't already know, but you read about it over and over. In general, you prefer nonfiction reading: books about boats, the military, sharks, and history are common library choices for you. You have also recently started to get into graphic novels, like Dog Man.

You enjoy playing video games, though you don't get to very often. You play Lego City and you really, really WANT to play Minecraft, but we don't have that game, so you play with friends sometimes. You enjoy drawing and crafting as well. This is the year you started to become interested in superheroes. Thor is your favorite.

For your birthday, you requested a Minecraft cake, and you asked for money instead of a birthday party.

You're in second grade now and loving your teacher, classmates, and school in general. Science is your favorite subject, and although you're really good at it, you don't love math quite as much. You are becoming a really strong reader. It's been fun to watch you progress from a kindergartner learning sight words, to a first grader reading more accurately, but still a tad robotic, to now, when you read smoothly and with great expression. I love to listen to you read.

This year, you tried something new and ran cross country in school. Until this year, you were never very interested in sports, aside from one season of soccer. You enjoyed cross country and were really proud to improve your mile time with each race. You say that you would like to continue running CC, and you hope to win a medal someday. This winter, you are looking forward to learning to ski through the school ski program at Crystal Mountain.

Last summer, you made the decision to be baptized. I don't know another eight year old who loves Jesus like you do. Watching you grow in your relationship with Christ is a beautiful and joyful thing.

Your favorite foods are still hot dogs and pepperoni pizza, and you also really like cheeseburgers, tomatoes (you pop cherry tomatoes like candy!), homemade chicken and dumplings, tacos, and fruit. You also like hot sauce, just like Dad. Also just like Dad, you prefer vanilla over chocolate (weirdos).

Another thing you love: your sister.

I am beyond proud of you. Not just of the things you can do and the goals you've accomplished, but of your heart and the person you are at your core. At eight years old, you are quite possibly the most kind, compassionate, caring person I've ever met. You often think about what you can do for others, and put others' needs and wants before your own (perhaps with the exception of your brother...we're still working on that relationship). You are everything good in this world and I am blessed to be your mom.

Happy Birthday, Leland! I look forward to seeing what this next year has in store.

Olivia Turns Three

Livvy Jo, you are THREE!

You have been so excited about your birthday, pretty much since Alden's birthday two months ago. You can't wait to have cake and have a party, though you keep talking about your friends coming over, and it's only our little family and grandparents attending. It's fun to see you understand the whole birthday thing and get so into it.

You still love Minnie Mouse, but you have also developed a big interest in Iron Man over the last year. You were Iron Man for Halloween and you requested an Iron Man birthday cake. As toys go, you really enjoy duplo blocks and magnatiles, and you're starting to get into babies. You've had three baby dolls for quite some time (I think since your first birthday?) and you've never really cared much for them until the last few months. For your birthday, you asked for a baby stroller, a new blanket for your bed, and a purple toy. Although when you met Santa last weekend, you asked for Goldfish crackers.

Sleeping with your babies

You LOVE books! Any and all books. You have several in your rotation of favorites - all of the Llama Llama books, a book of nursery rhymes, and Opposites. We choose three books at bed time each night (it's really hard for you to narrow it down to just three) and one of those books is always chosen, but really, you love them all. You take a few to bed at night as well.

Music is a favorite for you as well. You love to dance. In the car, you often ask me to turn the music up loud so we can dance. You are the cutest little dancer. Of course, since you love to talk a lot as well (oh my goodness, you seriously talk nonstop), you often ask me to turn it back down so I can hear you.

You are always hungry! You eat so much. Your favorite foods are macaroni and cheese, tacos, most fruits, snack foods (especially Goldfish crackers, and especially the Mickey shaped ones), and sugary treats. You also like hot sauce. Daddy puts hot sauce on everything and you always ask him for some at dinner, which makes you tougher than me!

First real hair cut

In some situations, you are really shy. You are slow to warm-up to new people and feel shy doing new things in front of people. This time last year, you were still quiet and not really yourself at daycare. You did come around and start to show them your spunky personality, but you still sometimes have shy moments when you don't like everyone to watch you. When you're feeling shy, you bring your arm up to cover your eyes. But then there are other times when you are super outgoing. So many times, when we walk through the grocery store, you say hi to everyone as we walk by. Well, not everyone. You say hi to all the men, and ignore all the women. I find this hilarious.

Girlfriend, you are incredibly sweet and loving, and also the sassiest kid I've ever met! You tell me every single day, "I love you, doody Mom," or "I love you, caca." And you call everyone punk. One minute, you're hugging me, the next minute, you're telling me you don't like me anymore. I love your strong, stubborn personality, though I do hope you tone it down a little.

Your adore your brothers. Before bed every night, you have to say goodnight to "my boys" as you call them. You love to play with them, and they are quite smitten with you as well, even during those times that you drive them bonkers.

See? Llama Llama and Opposites

Sis, you crack us all up every single day. You are the funniest kid. You are so much fun, and also so frustrating. But no matter how frustrating you may be at times, you are loved beyond measure. We love watching you grow and seeing your personality develop. We can't wait to see what the next year brings.

Halloween 2019

We are (some of) the Avengers!

Whenever possible, I like to make our Halloween costumes. When the boys decided to be Thor for Halloween, I wasn't sure this non-sewer would be able to pull that off. But since I struggled to find the version of Thor that Leland wanted (Contest of Champions from Thor: Ragnarok), I took to Pinterest. Which led me to purchasing a pattern on Etsy.

I was incredibly nervous about it, but thankfully the creator of the pattern also had a tutorial video on YouTube that walks through all the steps. The video made it seem simple enough for me - just cutting, gluing, and painting - so I went for it.

For Alden's (Thor from Infinity War), I found a free template online, but wasn't quite sure how to make it, so I purchased a pattern from the same seller on Etsy (who, again, had a demonstration video on YouTube).

Alden really wanted lightning for his costume, so I ordered these light wires from Amazon. They were under $10, and connect to a battery. He thinks they're the coolest.

Their armor is entirely made out of foam (mostly 6mm, but some accents are 2mm), hot glue, elastic, and velcro. And a little help from a wood burning tool to make it look way more intricate than it is. No sewing whatsoever! Alden's pattern actually calls for some fabric and sewing, but I opted for foam instead. I did use some fabric for Leland's sash/belt, and some fleece for his cape, but I glued it instead of sewing. To be honest, I can sew, but it stresses me out.

Beginning stages of Thor: Ragnarok armor

Thor Ragnarok armor complete

I intended to take pictures throughout the process, but pretty much failed at that. Overall, it wasn't terribly complicated, just very time consuming. While they're not quite on par with the ones from the Etsy seller, I'm happy with how they turned out. I'm no professional cosplay maker, but my boys are THRILLED and so proud of their costumes. Leland tells everyone, "My mom MADE my costume. MADE!" And he keeps saying how amazing it is. So, even with a few imperfections, they are happy and that's the whole point, right?

Thor Infinity War armor ready for paint

Leg and Arm armor ready for paint

Olivia's favorite superhero is Iron Man, and even though I told her she didn't have to be a superhero, that's what she wanted to be. I decided to make hers and mine more comfortable to wear, and add some feminine flair in the form of a tutu.

For Iron Man Girl, as Olivia calls it, I bought her a red shirt and red pants, as well as a white thermal shirt (because Northern Michigan Halloween is COLD). Then I used felt to make the emblem and wrist bands. For her tutu, I tried to find a red and yellow one, but I could only find red, so I hot glued some yellow in between the red layers. I bought her mask (and mine) on Etsy for super cheap.

For my Captain America outfit, I bought a Captain America shirt and layered it over a white long sleeve tee. I made wrist bands out of felt, similar to Olivia's and purchased a red, white, and blue tutu on Amazon. I forgot to make myself a shield though...oops.

The kids all love their costumes, and even though I wasn't terribly excited about the theme they chose in the beginning, I'm super excited about it now. I don't know how many more years I have of themed costumes, so I'm soaking it in while I can. But I know the days of me having any influence over their costume/theme choices are over.

Alden Turns Six

My sweet Alden,

Today is your sixth birthday!

Last year, I wrote in your letter that you were struggling with our transition to our new school and you desperately wanted to be in kindergarten. This year, you finally get to be in Big K with Mr. Hood! You love learning and are proud to share your new skills with me every day. Lately, you've been blending words all on your own and you love to think of rhyming words. It's incredible for me to see kindergarten through your eyes and not just my own. 

Much like last year when I wrote your birthday letter, you love Legos and sharks, and you still enjoy listening to The Greatest Showman. You also enjoy singing along to Christian radio in the car. A somewhat new development is your interest in superheroes, especially Thor. We have seen a few Avengers movies and you and Leland both want to be Thor for Halloween.

You are still an amazing brother. You look out for Olivia and always want to make her laugh or be the one to help her. She adores you. And with Leland, although the two of you tend to argue with one another,  you enjoy helping him and you are really very selfless and caring toward him. They are lucky to have you as a brother.

Macaroni and cheese remains your very favorite food. You also love most fruits, bell peppers, and all the sweet treats. And Altoid mints!

At six years old, you weigh 51 lbs and measure about 48” tall. I’m still able to pick you up, but it’s getting awfully challenging! You often run toward me so I can pick you up and anytime I bend down, you hop on my back. It will be a sad day for both of us when I can no longer pick you up.

You are the snuggliest, most affectionate boy. If you could, you would sit on my lap and hug me all day. When you’re not snuggling, you are moving. Running, rolling, climbing, and building - always. You have a great sense of humor (though you sometimes need reminders about being appropriate) and you enjoy making others laugh.

While playing with this skeleton in the store, you stood there telling everyone, "I'm a bonehead" as they passed by.

Of course, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. You have your fair share of attitude and tantrums. I feel like we're seeing a little less of it these days, but it's still there. You remind me a lot of myself when I was younger and I eventually outgrew that. Hopefully you will too.

You recently tried fishing for the first time at your friend Aiden's birthday and now you want your own fishing pole.

Six years ago, when I held you for the first time, my heart was so full. I had no idea it could grow even more, but it has. You bring my heart so much joy and I am blessed beyond measure to call you mine. 

I love you, my precious middlest. More than I can ever express. Happy Birthday, sweet baby. 

Love, Mom

Baby Shower

I don't hop on here so much anymore, but I wanted to post about Lincoln's baby shower.

A month ago, I had the pleasure of hosting a baby shower for one of my dearest friends. Kristina and I have been friends since the 7th grade. We have been through everything together - puberty, boyfriends, break-ups, make-ups, our own fights, my wedding and babies, her moves across the country and back, and everything in between.

I jumped at the chance to throw her a shower, and was super excited about the theme. Kris and Jeff are doing a woodland bear theme for sweet Lincoln's bedroom, which was so fun to do for the shower!

I am all about a cute, fun DIY craft, so this was right up my alley. I started by making a bunch of burlap & twine acorns. This was SUPER easy. I found some tutorials on pinterest and went to town. Then I asked my sweet, handy husband to make some candle holders out of some tree branches that we had in the shed. He spent a whole 20 minutes making them and they were perfect! I set them on a sheet of moss from the Dollar Tree for table centerpieces.

I had a picture in my mind of the perfect cake; however, since I was doing this party on a budget, I wasn't sure I would be able to afford what I wanted. But my amazing and super talented friend, Rachel, made this cake and cupcakes for super cheap. It couldn't have been more perfect. (Topper from Etsy.)

For my baby shower, my sister-in-law requested that everyone bring books instead of cards. This was a really sweet sentiment, but we now have notes in lots of different books instead of in cards or a guestbook in one spot. I knew I wanted to get Lincoln a book, and I found this adorable one (goes with the bear theme and is seriously the cutest book) and had the guests sign it as the guestbook.

She is the cutest, right?!

So happy for Kristina and Jeff, and I cannot wait to meet precious Lincoln. He is loved so much already.