If you add the total time from start of celebrating to finish, Brookie has had the longest birthday in Mower history. That makes it sound better than it is however- it just took me that long to pull off a party.
Brooklyn turned 7 the day before Jeff and I got home from Hawaii. We didn't realize our scheduling mistake until it was too expensive to try and fix.
Lucky for me, Jeff's mom had us covered. She made sure it was a special day for Brooklyn and I am sure Brooklyn will remember her efforts when she thinks back on her birthday!
We did a 'family party' the day after her birthday as soon as we got home. Jeff's mom had a cake and ice cream ready, and we did all the usual party fun. Remember "Heavy heavy hang over thy poor head..."? One of the mom's from Lexie's b-ball team said she used to play it too when she was growing up in Utah. Maybe it was a Utah thing? None of the kids' friends seem to know it- but I get a kick out of it! I love seeing what they wish for the giver! I think when I was a kid I always did a trampoline or a horse. Brooklyn wishes everyone a Webkinz.
(don't worry, the bonk was not as vicious as it appears in this picture)
I sure love my mother in law. She is really something else. I always feel bad when I can't keep up on all the good things she trains my kids to do in my absence.
So, although a day late, the actual b-day went well, except that the kids get friend parties on odd years and unfortunately 7 is an odd number. This is where Brooklyn's naturally sweet and patient personality came in handy. It took me a month to pull off a party for her. Why so long, you may be wondering? I think it is a personality flaw. I refuse to pay a place to put my party on for me (however fun and convenient it may be) so I am left to my own devices for party planning. Sometimes inspiration hits, and it is great! Brooklyn wanted an animal party. I waited for inspiration to hit. Then I waited some more. and more. Nada. Since I am a cronic procrastinator I finally came to the conclusion I had better just send out invites or the party was never going to happen. The night before the party, I was resigning to another party of duck duck goose when I thought to look it up online. DUH!!! So many cute ideas!!! And TOTALLY spelled out for you! You don't have to have an ounce of creativity to use other people's ideas! Why didn't I think of that sooner! I could've done the party 2 weeks earlier!
We did a vet clinic party. I called each of the kids and had them bring a special 'pet' to doctor. See? They are all sad because their pets are sick. Then we went to doctoring them up. What good imaginations they have! I know its hard to see the bandages in the picture, but look! some even have crutches!
(My multiple toy doctor kits sure came in handy!)
You know me- I never let them get away without a crazy picture. I love you Brookie! Hope your party was worth the wait!
Here are a few pictures I took last month of Jeff's family. His Grandma Mower passed away and so we took a last minute trip to Fairview. She was quite the lady! 96, and spunky to the end!
Here's the kids and spouses- thanks Gentry for being my photographer!
Always those cute cousins to hang out with at Grandma's house! One downside of living so far away is that rooms at my inlaws are first come, first served. We were last. Guess where we got to sleep? In the downstairs family room with like 20 kids. Lucas was the very last one down there to finally fall asleep- around 1:30ish. I think I am still tired from that one. I did finally decide I was never going to fall asleep on that floor, so I used my seniority and confiscated the couch. Ahhhhh! When I woke up I found Jeff in the Lazy Boy- I'm not sure who he kicked out of that one.
Despite the fact that we were there for a funeral, it was great to see everyone. It almost felt like a reunion.
We did a vet clinic party. I called each of the kids and had them bring a special 'pet' to doctor. See? They are all sad because their pets are sick. Then we went to doctoring them up. What good imaginations they have! I know its hard to see the bandages in the picture, but look! some even have crutches!
(My multiple toy doctor kits sure came in handy!)
You know me- I never let them get away without a crazy picture. I love you Brookie! Hope your party was worth the wait!
Here are a few pictures I took last month of Jeff's family. His Grandma Mower passed away and so we took a last minute trip to Fairview. She was quite the lady! 96, and spunky to the end!
Here's the kids and spouses- thanks Gentry for being my photographer!
Always those cute cousins to hang out with at Grandma's house! One downside of living so far away is that rooms at my inlaws are first come, first served. We were last. Guess where we got to sleep? In the downstairs family room with like 20 kids. Lucas was the very last one down there to finally fall asleep- around 1:30ish. I think I am still tired from that one. I did finally decide I was never going to fall asleep on that floor, so I used my seniority and confiscated the couch. Ahhhhh! When I woke up I found Jeff in the Lazy Boy- I'm not sure who he kicked out of that one.
Despite the fact that we were there for a funeral, it was great to see everyone. It almost felt like a reunion.As for things we are doing that I don't happen to have pictures of: Kobe finished indoor soccer and has begun outdoor (yep, had a tourney on Sat. and nearly froze through the 2 outdoor games on Boise State's smurf turf).
Lex is still doing b-ball- Jeff is coaching. He is getting excited seeing how she is developing. He says she hustles and is scrappy, and he loves it!!!
I am having those January urges to do projects around the house. I will probably put some pictures on of some of the things I do, but not tonight. Time for bed.
