Weston Turns Nine!

We decided to do birthdays different this year. It is my kids year to have a friend party but we wanted to also keep it on a budget...so we ended up giving them $50 to spend on the party. It has been fun to see Aubrey and Weston plan their own parties and to also have them be creative with the funds. Weston and Jake came up with this awesome game/basketball party. Weston invited LOTS of boys to play x-box and wii on big projection screens. We held it at the church.  Most of the night the boys just played basketball/ speed and video games.  It was a boy paradise...not a lot of rules and lots of space. I loved that it wasn't at my house and all the energy had a place to go. I loved Weston's choice of Nacho's for the food and a simple cake. It was a fun and easy birthday and Weston came away saying it was the "best one so far!" He has had some amazing ones in the past...so that's SOMETHING! The only bad part is the lighting at the church is awful and I didn't get one good picture. So these are for memories only.  Sure love Weston. 

 

Today we are going to Grimaldi's...(it's tradition) to finish off the Birthday fun. So grateful today to have our amazing family to spend time with. Birthdays always make me sappy and emotional. I guess I just realize how quickly time really does pass; how such a short time ago Weston was born...and now he is NINE. It really is crazy. The other day I was out to lunch with only Lucy and an older woman stopped me to say "Cherish this time...it really does fly by." I know how true those words are, and even though I wish I could slow it down.  I am just grateful to be given the gift of motherhood and life and want to remember that every day.

Weston loved all of his presents. He got a lot of legos...(his favorite) and cash!

Grandma and Grandpa Watkins even made an appearance to spoil him some more.

The requested "only chocolate" cake.

Look at his crazy group of boys. They were all very well behaved and great. I am so grateful Weston has such great friends to grow up with.

First day of School for Spencer

So Spencer starts school a week after Aubrey and Weston this year. Today was his first day. He hasn't been super excited about going back. He would prefer to be home almost 100% of his life. Oh well! He seemed happy enough to head out the door today. I am so glad that his bestie Lincoln stayed at Montessori too. They are such cute little kindergartners. I am also grateful for an amazing teacher Miss Jenna. I know he will do amazing this year. We love you MOOK!

Sugar Free Challenge

One day when I was browsing through instagram, I saw a friend whose son had gone 60 days without sugar. He was holding up 75$ of cash in his hands. I showed my kids and the sugar free challenge was born. My kids and Jake and I had gone 16 days before I was feeling rather STARVING for SUGAR. I was also feeling like I didn't really want to keep paying my kiddos for sugar free days. It just seemed expensive...so being a horrible example to them, I talked them out of the challenge. It took some talking...but I prevailed. I bribed them with donuts, Freddie's custard as well as other treats. We have eaten way too much sugar since, but I am proud they went over two weeks without really even a crumb of sugar.  Here we are celebrating our trip back into the sugar world. 

First Day of School 2014-15

These two were so excited to go back to school. I don't know if the excitement will last, but I am grateful to have them at a school that they love.  Aubrey decided to go back to GAA  so she could spend her last year with Weston, at the same school as him. I think it will be a great year. Right before I took this pic I hear her whisper "Act like you like me...turd." Then they laughed. 

I pray they have an awesome year together!