Eric's 6th birthday

Eric turned 6 in September.  He wanted a puppy party, so that was the theme for this boy's party.

Opening presents

 For his actual birthday this little cupcake is all her got. He got a lot cooler cake for his pary.

 I made a little doghouse for the party. Great for pictures and the kids loved pretending to be puppies for weeks after the party.

 I made them puppy collars.  The kids got to make puppy ears and I even painted their faces.

 

 Aren't these the cutest puppies you've ever seen?

 Here is the cake.  Isn't it awesome. Cocoa puffs on top make it look just like dog food.

 Here are all Eric's party guests.  They played some fun games like Fetch, and Dog Trainer Says (Simon Says) I think everyone had fun.  Eric certainly did!

 

Eric is getting so big.  He loves kindergarten. Every time we ask him he says "kindergarten rocks!"  He loves reading (which he is very good at) and riding his scooter to school.  He loves playing with friends and playing computer games or watching shows on PBSkids.org. Eric is usually pretty easy-going but has a stubborn streak. He is usually so willing to do what is asked of him, but loves to watch what is going on around him. Eric gives so great hugs and some awesome high fives.  We love you so much, Eric, and are so glad that you are part of our family.

1st Day of School

Love you, too Brandon!

 

 Aren't these boys just looking so OLD? Carson is a 5th grader this year and Brandon is a 3rd grader.

 

 Ready to ride off into the morning sun.

 

 

 After school activity...watching Jenna play a game on the Kindle.  That's all my kids would do all day if I let them.

 Eric's first day of school was a week later than the big boys.  Eric is in Kindergarten this year. Apparently he has had a lot of people tell him he was "just so cute" and he didn't like it.  He would tell them "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" I did not know this until a friend told Bret she had overheard this exchange of words when picking up her kids from school. Carson has taught he should now say "Speak thee not"' when they say that to him.

 Jenna, of course, could not be left out of the pictures

 unpacking school supplies and checking out the class room.

The boys are enjoying their teachers and classes this year.

Last days of summer...

 Remember that blueberry girl? This is my blueberry boy.

 Eric lost his first tooth! He was so excited!

 There it is in the bag, ready to put under his pillow for the tooth fairy.

 A few artists and their masterpieces made with sidewalk chalk paint:

 

 He so good at painting he even got the back of his head!

 

 Love those blue toes!

Randomness in August

Here is my blueberry girlie. We picked lots of blueberries this year and enjoyed them thoroughly!

 

 Tate is just getting so big. I couldn't resist getting some cute pictures of this little man.

I love this picture! My boys were having so much fun!

 

 Time for haircuts! Brandon loves it when Bret shaves his head in interesting ways before finishing his regular buzz cut.

 We have some awesome home teachers who helped Bret replace most of our deck.  A lot of the wood was still good (A lot was pretty rotten and they wondered how it was still standing. Scary!) so we reused it.  It obviously does not look very pretty now, but it is very sturdy now.

 And then we painted it. It looks so much nicer now!

 Jenna has some fun tights that don't always go with the dresses she chooses for Sunday:) But who cares, right?

 And Bret turned 32 in August.  I have a friend who makes awesome cakes who did this for Bret.  Pretty sure we have more pictures of the day on the video camera.