6 Year Olds in the House!!!

I now officially have two six year olds living in my house!  The boys turned six on May 19th.  People say it all the time, but I really cannot believe how the time has flown.  I just love watching them grown and become their own little selves.  The future holds a lot of changes for them.  As first graders, they will be going to school all day, attending a new school, be in separate classrooms, and wear uniforms.  Wow!  I hope I can do a good job of easing them into it all (at once).  Here are some pics of them before and after (becoming six year olds).

Before...their last night as five year olds...getting into bed.

After...the night of their birthday...finally getting to blow out candles...before bed.

In the past we've typically had a week long (or so) of celebrations and activities surrounding their birthday.  This year is a bit low key.  But fear not..there will be more to follow!

The grand finale!

This post is a little tardy...it took me a while to recover.  The last day of birthday celebrations was on Sunday.  We spent the day at Grandma and Grandpa's...probably the most relaxing of all the birthday festivities.  The boys opened up the last of their birthday gifts, from the family.  It seems the overwhelming favorite this year was anything Star Wars...and anything Star Wars with a light saber...and anything Playmobil came in as a close second.  Here they are anxiously waiting to open gifts.

Yesterday they were playing outside wearing one of the gifts they received on Sunday, knight cape and helmet.

According to the boys, they were showing their mean faces.

And now that the birthday festivities are over and done with, I can get back to knitting.  With all the season finales on t.v. right now, I have almost finished my log cabin blanket!  I'm hoping to have pics up over the weekend.

Day 3: Build-a-Bear

Day 3 of birthday festivities consisted of cupcakes in the mall food court followed by a Build-a-Bear party.  This year's birthday party was on a much smaller scale versus previous years.  We decided to invite just a few of the boys' schoolmates.  This was probably the most fun the boys have ever had at a birthday party.  It was really neat to see the kids interacting with each other, to see the excitement in their faces and eyes, the anticipation of each of them as they viewed each others' bear.  They were delighted!  Yes...it can get pricey.  But the joy that a child gets from making every decision to bring his/her bear to life is well worth it!  The store did a really great job with the kids and party, too.  I didn't get a picture of them with their final versions but here they are after the stuffing was added.  (BaB calls all of the animals bears.)

Why yes, that blossom covered bunny does look familiar.  Here...

Let the festivities begin!

Day 1...typically marked by their actual birthday or school birthday party...depending on which comes first.  And depending on which day of the week their birthday falls, it could go on for almost a week.  I feel like it will this year, though it's only day one.  So the next few blogs will probably be full of birthday festivities.  Today, their actual birthday, started with a birthday party at school.  Then presents at home tonight, then almost two hours of assembling Playmobil, then dinner, then bed.  I'm tired...and it's only day one.  Along with a lot of birthday blogging, you're also going to get a lot of pictures of the boys.  (Can you blame me?)  :-)

Eve

Today is the eve of Ronan and Seamus's five year birthday.

Going to bed as four year olds for the last time.

Bat-MAN!

This was the overwhelming theme of this year's birthday celebrations. Ronan & Seamus turned four years old today. Can you believe it? Their birthday cakes, decorations, and toys all reiterated their current enthusiasm...Batman. There was a family birthday party on Sunday and today was the birthday party that consisted mostly of our friends and their kids at The Hop.

Their birthday is always bittersweet for me. For those of you that don't know, all three of us almost died on their birthday. So it is on their birthday that I always feel especially grateful for my family and our good health. I leave you with the last picture of them on their birthday before bed.

Pretty, Shiny, Lovely

Look at these! Aren't they wonderful? These stich markers were a birthday gift from my friend, Lynn. I just love handmade gifts. I love the variety of the beads and the colors!

In addition to the stitch markers, Lynn gave me a skein of Araucania - Azapa. It's so soft and silky to the touch. The silk gives this yarn such a great sheen. I've already started a shawl. I just hope it's enough. I'm also using the stitch markers for this (since I need so many!). And the markers are so nice. The weight of them keeps them out of the way and the jump rings are nice and big which makes the transfer from needle to needle easy.

Happy ending to a Happy Birthday

Just one last picture of the boys from their bath tonight. The goggles were birthday gifts, too! (Seamus in green and Ronan in blue)

The boys turn 3 today!

So bittersweet as the boys get older. I love the people that they are becoming and at the same time lament the loss of the babies that they used to be. The birthday party was actually yesterday. Tim and I took the day off to spend their birth day with them today.

We went to the pediatrician's today. Ronan is 39 1/4 inches tall (90%) and 30lbs (40%). This is a huge jump for Ronan - he's never been above the 10% in weight! Seamus is 38 1/8 inches tall (70%) and 31 1/2lbs (50%)! This is a big up and down. Both the boys were at 95% for height at their two year appointment so Seamus is slowing down in growth. Seamus is starting to pack on some weight - how? - I haven't a clue since is he is mister, go, go, go! They were very excited to go to the doctor's office today so that they could ask if they could have peanuts now! :-D They were cleared for nuts! I'm crossing my fingers the boys love PB&J! That would make my life so much easier!

Of course, you rack your brain trying to figure out what would be a good gift (and they're only three!) - and you think you've got it (see below)...
...and this is what they fell in love with...

...miniature trash cans and a toy garbage truck purchased on eBay for a total of $17!