Marie's and Peter's birthday!

Marie and Peter are now 4! They are both so excited to be in preschool. I'm teaching them how to read and they're both catching on very well. Marie still reads a little more fluently but Peter can write his letters better. They both loves to color and ride bikes. Peter still likes to play with trains but his interest seems to be waning. Marie is even more obsessed with princesses than she used to be. She's girlie girlie. She loves to have her hair curled, to wear jewelry, and to have her nails painted. What a bundle of energy they bring to our house. They've added so much to our house over the last 4 years. I'm just glad they're much easier now than they were at birth. 

 We had cake at the cabin because we were there for General Conference.

Peter wanted a "brown cake in a black pan" (bundt pan). 

Marie heard that Audrey wanted the cake from Sleeping Beauty. So, she racked her brain to think of another princess movie that has a cake. She came up with The Little Mermaid. The wedding cake from the Little Mermaid. She even wanted it topped off with Ariel and Eric kissing. I just could not bring myself to make a wedding cake for her birthday. So, she settled for a dress cake. However. She still wanted Ariel. We don't have a Barbie sized Ariel, and so the little plastic version had to do. i realize it looks like Ariel is stuck in a mountain, but at least Flounder is by her side! I didn't want to bother with dying frosting different colors. So, I tried to make it decorative but then just put sprinkles on for color. Marie seemed pleased.

 This year, Peter and Marie decided to receive their presents separately. They both were excited about their gifts.

The way my kids sleep

She looks like she's swimming....

soccer

Audrey started playing soccer this year. She had a great time! Her coaches actually tried to teach the girls how to play the game and what the difference is between offense and defense (instead of Richard's first coach that was just an adult on the field). Her team only lost one game. 

Audrey had one game that was against a team with one very talented girl. Audrey was the goalie and the girl kept coming at her with the ball. Audrey jumped on it so often that one parent said, "Who is the goalie's parents?" After I raised my hand he said, "She's not afraid of being kicked is she?!" The girl did eventually get past Audrey, but I was so impressed at Audrey's determination.

She finally scored a goal on her last game.

Richard also played soccer again this year and I took some pictures on my phone. I don't know how to get them off though... So, until then, just imagine it. He played really well and also had a great coach. I liked his team better this year, because there was a much better team feel. Last year, there were a couple of boys who were great and knew it. They never passed the ball and were always scoring goals. Richard just had a much better opportunity to actually get the ball and be actively involved instead of just running along the team asking someone to pass it.

Audrey's Birthday!

Audrey is now 6! She's really been such a joy to have in our family. She's my little helper. I can count on her as much as you could ever expect to count on a 6-year-old. She helps gather things in the morning as we get ready for church. She'll set the table. She likes to help with Thomas (ie she'll get him up while I'm exercising, get him dressed, and change his diaper). In fact, she'd do more for Thomas if I didn't remind her that I am the mother and am going to do some things. She reads really well and is so smart. We love you Audrey!

Audrey wanted a "Sleeping Beauty" cake for her birthday. I at first was panicking that I'd have to somehow recreate the cake the Fauna/magic wand makes in the movie. Then, she let me know that she just wanted the layers but wanted pink frosting with blue on the edges. I can do that. It's not the prettiest cake, but it tasted good!

Canning

This year I had to can by myself. My Mom's excuse is that she's in Mexico. Excuses, excuses...

Anyway, I was pretty pleased with myself. I did all the peaches all day on a Saturday and finished those. I had to stretch out the pears over a week. Partly it was because I didn't have time to spend all of one day. Mostly, it was because they weren't all ripe. Great coincidence!
Now, I have to go pick apples at my parents house and then I'll make applesauce. Richard is really excited because he loves to squish the applesauce through the processor. That was my favorite part when I was growing up, too!

Happy Birthday!

Richard had a birthday! He's been so excited and has been counting down for months. 

He got an alarm clock per his request. I'm not sure if he just wants to know what time it is or if he really wanted the power to get up early. So, far he's gotten up early a couple of mornings so he could play before school.

Richard got a model battleship from my parents. Over the summer, he saw some ships that my dad made with my brother. Richard was drooling over them and even asked if he could have them. My dad took it upon himself to go and buy a model for Richard. I think that might be the first time my dad actually picked out a gift for one of my kids. Richard loved it!

I made a double-decker Oreo cheesecake. Who knew you could have a double-decker cheesecake! He requested and I did my best to deliver. It was most yummy.

Perfect picture of Peter's attitude this evening.

We gave him a set of scriptures. I was torn between getting a quad or a triple and a bible. He was super-exited when he got a quad and said it was "better" than the two books his friend got. Score! I made the right decision.

Just a few bits about Richard:
Richard is also getting more self-conscious of what his friends think. He recently came home with his school pictures. He said, "Don't I look better than last year? Last year I had a funny look on my face and was the only one who looked stupid. I wanted to look better this year." I hope he never forgets how to smile!
Richard currently loves Star Wars. He watches it all the time and is constantly carrying around light sabers. He recently got the Anakin light saber as a marble reward (they fill a jar of marble for good behavior and for doing their chores/stuff without complaining) and then gave me $5 to make up the rest of the cost. He'll ask me all kinds of questions about Star Wars. I guess he doesn't realize that I'm not really an expert at Star Wars.
Richard loves to snuggle and give me hugs and tell me he loves me. I hope that never stops. I love my sweet little boy!

Preschool!

Marie and Peter started preschool. They are so excited! Every day they ask me if it's a preschool day and then moan if it's not. They go for 2 1/2 hours on MWF. So, for those hours every week, I have only one child! I haven't had that luxury since I was pregnant with them 4 years ago. That time, it only lasted for one month. So, to celebrate this freedom, I ran errands! Thomas seemed excited to be the only child to be making noise. Or, maybe I actually could just hear him...