Ty's 7th Birthday

 This weekend we celebrated Ty's 7th birthday. I've gotten so use to my baby being six. Now I'm a mom whose youngest is 7.  That's not cool. NOT COOL ROBERT FROST!!!! (please feel free to click on the link through Robert Frost to watch a super cute video.)

 This soon to be 7 year old loves to read. Auntie Mae and Uncle Kevin got him the newest Stink Moody book.

 He's excited to be opening Mario Kart 7 for DS from Nana and Papa. Can you just hear his little lisp in this picture?

 When asked by his Nana what he wanted for his birthday, he said, "A mini gumball machine to put in my room." Can you say "left field"? But guess what Nana got...

 A mini gumball machine for his room. And the old Brown-eyed charmer strikes again!

 Grandpa got little man a slip n slide, because we like to be versatile in our ways of beating the heat in Sacramento!

 Ty needed a hooded sweatshirt. And he needed a red one.  Because red is his favorite color. And when he grabs a sweatshirt for school, he only has pull over hoodies and he's always worried about messing up his hair.

 The brothers checking out his new stuff. I'm pretty sure Briggs's legs are 4x as long as Ty's.

 And 3x as long as mine.

 My boys are no strangers to the ubiquitous Minecraft craze that is sweeping the nation. So...

 ...this had to happen. And mom wasn't too happy about it. I'm not really a fan of cake decorating. But the boy wanted a minecraft cake! And you can't buy one of these at the Nugget Bakery. So I just put up with the nervous stress sweat that I break out in when I frost cakes and GOT IT DONE!!! Whatever...

 I think it's funny when he gets shy.

Notice he's already wearing his new sweatshirt. Little man had fun with Grandpa and Nana and Papa and hamburgers and chips and Italian Cream sodas for dinner. 

Ashlynn is 11!

Ashlynn turned 11 which meant... I had to decorate (even though she said she didn't want a party.)

 I took her and Lauren to get their nails done.

 They both got a french manicure with gel polish, hoping it would last longer (it's already chipped...)

 I love their cute little feet!

 Then we went to BJ's for lunch and strawberry beignets!

 At 11, Ashlynn is still her sparkly self, although I'm starting to see her mellowing a little and getting a little more moody (wonder where she gets that from?)

 She was with me when I bought the wrapping paper and I asked for her approval (did you know that aqua is the new pink for Ash?). She said she liked the paper, but I had to "decorate it fancy!" Of course.

 The day of her actual birthday was the real treat. The whole family got together at Nana and Papas house for dinner, gifts and cake. Auntie Mae Mae and new Uncle Kevin were even able to be here. Thanks for planning your vacation around Ashlynn's birthday!

 Ashlynn was in her usual spunky mood on this day because she loves a big get together.

 It was Nana and Kevin's birthday in the month of August, so we celebrated those, as well.

 This year, Ashlynn was into anything sock monkey. If you slap a sock monkey on it, she's happy. But the big gift of the day was the... wait for it...

 The mermaid tail! This thing is awesome! it has a rubber flipper in the tail so you can actually swim with it! She immediately pulled it on, then we had to carry her around everywhere!

 Her sock monkey PJ bottoms that Auntie Nessa skillfully re-purposed. She's pretty talented!

 The kids were all pretty excited to see Auntie Mae Mae.

 The four layer banana cake that Ashlynn insisted on. I'm more of a "buy a really nice cake at the bakery" type of mom.I'm not really a fan of frosting cakes, but she wanted this recipe, so, after only a few mental breakdowns, we had a Banana cake!

 Then the kids and Aunts and Uncles played games in the back yard. The kids love Nana and Papa's backyard. At one point I heard Ashlynn, with her tail on, shout, "I'll be the mermaid referee!!" and it took me back to when she was a squeaky little-er girl.

Thanks for hosting a great night, Mom and Dad. And I think we did Ashlynn's birthday justice!

More Birthday Decorations

When they built this house, someone thought it would be cool to make it look like Hogwarts. So our family room has a turret, arch ways, tons of stairway railings, and a loft over looking the room. There's even a secret room behind our entertainment center.

Sooo...

We must fill the space!













We tried to add more strings of balloons for Briggs's birthday, but it actually threw off the balance, so we left it at 3 strands. But you can bet I'll be having fun with this concept for other holidays!

And yes. We have shot arrows through our Arrow Slits.

How do you think we popped all of the balloons when they came down?

Ty's Birthday Breakfast

My feeble attempt at getting the house sold. Flowers.

Ty's 5th Birthday Party

 We played games. Friend Hyke

 Mummy wrap

 John

 Cute shot of Ellie and Briggs.

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 We decorated paper boats and floated them down the gutter. (notice the pathetic for sale sign in the yard. Sniff.)

 It was pretty cute seeing them all following their boats

 Lovely La Posada. Below, Ty got a new Indiana Jones T-shirt from the twins and had to put it on right now! Annika was embarrassed and covered her eyes. I love Charlie laughing in this one.

 special gift from Annika...

 And Grandpa

The cake . Which was an odd choice because he wasn't especially into "How to Train Your Dragon". His theme was the Backyardigans and we couldn't find a Backyardigans cake. I buy my cakes. I don't make them myself. Sorry kids.