Cuddlebug is 4!!!

The last week in March is always packed full with birthday celebrations for Prince Charming and Cuddlebug. This year was even crazier with Prince Charming and I leaving for California the day after Cuddlebug's birthday.
Despite the craziness Cuddlebug had a very fun day. It started with her breakfast choice of doughnuts and then she opened gifts.
She then got to be the only kid to get to come to the ultrasound to see the baby. A trip to the mall for a little clothes shopping was also included.

The night before we rented the roller rink and Cuddlebug had a ride in the big skate. This was something she wasn't sure about but when she was told that daddy could be the one to push her she jumped right in.

Skating with friends is always fun.

Skating with Daddy and friends is even better!

On the night of Cuddlebugs's birthday we took all the kids over to Grandma and Grandpa's to get settled in for the week that mommy and daddy would be gone and then we had cake. She went to Meijer and designed her cake herself. This girl knew what she wanted! Cuddlebug also wanted to go to Chuckee-Cheese but we just ran out of time. She was so understanding and agreed to go after we got back from California. Happy Birthday to our sweet and hilarious Cuddlebug!

Last Themed Cake

So B.W. informed that since he was 11 this would be the last year he would pick a themed cake. Now considering I still do themed cakes for Prince Charming we'll see if he sticks with that statement when the big 12 rolls around. B.W. wanted a Lego cake and I had some grandiose plans of what I could do but because of the craziness with remodeling and trying to get ready for the holidays I went with an extremely simple cake.......and B.W. loved it so that's all that matters. He also got to celebrate with some dear friends so that made it even better.

The Big First Birthday

Lovebird enjoyed a very relaxing first birthday that included snacking on her favorite snacks, reading books, going for a walk, taking some pictures, and getting to eat her first slice of cheese pizza. We then had a few family members come over for cake and gifts.
The "easy" cake I had planned turned out to be a tad more difficult than expected but the end result was great.
The birthday girl changed into her "cake eating" outfit and was all set. Yes there were a few wardrobe changes throughout the night because mommy couldn't decide on just one outfit. So there was a "Meet my Guests" outfit, a "cake eating" outfit, and then a casual "End the Night" outfit. It did feel a little Academy Award but she was cute in them all.

"Ummmm......why are you setting my cake on fire?"

"Oh dear, now they're singing.....all on different keys."

"Maybe if I clap for them they will stop."

"Oh good, the clapping worked."

Now I wish I could say that she dove in.......but she barely touched the thing. It may have been she was full from her earlier dinner of her first piece of cheese pizza or maybe she just wanted to be a lady and not make a pig of herself but she didn't smear cake everywhere like I was expecting.

I think she was more concerned about getting back to work on her new laptop.

Birthday Bash 2011: Day 2

So having two birthdays back to back is completely fun and absolutely exhausting. We try to focus on the fun aspect of it and then plan on resting the full week after to recuperate.
Cuddlebug chose McDonald's for her birthday lunch out. Not the fanciest choice but it could always be worse......Chuckee Cheese! We then headed to the Curious Kids Museum.
We daydreamed about our upcoming beach nights as we looked over the bluff. Come on summer!!!!
Cuddlebug took a few minutes to take it all in and then she started in on the fun. Apple picking is always a favorite.
Lovebird looked a little envious of all the fun that was going on. As soon as this one is walking there will be no stopping her!
There was much building going on at the earthquake tables.
So I don't think I would stay in a building built by Cuddlebug if it was in an earthquake zone.
B.W. on the other hand was on to some structural sound engineering.
The big bubble was a hit as usual. Cuddlebug wanted so bad to try this but would get scared every time the bubble started to go up around her. Maybe next time.
Cuddlebug doing some serious work on the computer. Some screen came up and it had the words "Warning" and "NASA" in it. Whoops!!!!


The Braille typewriter was another favorite for the older kids.
Cuddlebug treating B.W. in the back of the ambulance. Not quite sure why he is getting a shot in his chest. Her mischievous smile is a little concerning to me.
After the museum it was back home so we could get ready for people to came over for cake. This Mickey Mouse Clubhouse cake has been talked about for the last six months. The actual making of all the pieces for the cake was easy but getting everything balanced and structurally sound was a challenge. I literally finished this cake as Cuddlebug was coming down the stairs. I barely made it.
She did a great job at blowing out her candles. All that practicing at our Shabbat dinners paid off. We then opened gifts and then all the kids were sent to bed. Everyone was so exhausted. Another fun Birthday Bash completed!

We're in the Double Digits

I can't believe B is in the double digits. For his 10th birthday he asked for a Galapagos Islands cake. I can always count on him to stretch my cake decorating abilities. We had a nice relaxing day and then we had church at night. It was our joint fellowship with the other home church so we met at The Post. Could you get a better spot for a 10 year old boy to spend his birthday?!?! After service and the meal the kids along with the dads played basketball and dodge ball in the gym. There were also pool tables and other fun activities. It was a great time.
While it didn't come out the way I had exactly planned I think it's pretty good considering I had about four hours sleep and had about an hour to decorate it before the baby had to nurse again. B loved it and that's all that mattered.

Happy Birthday B!

Summer Recap

So I'm trying desperately to catch up so I'm calling this post Summer Recap. The summer was absolutely, wonderfully hot and we spent a lot of time outdoors. More importantly we spent many days at the beach!
We celebrated L's 6th birthday.
Her horse cake was just what she wanted.
We picked blueberries with friends.

OK so it was really humid so we didn't pick all that many but it was still fun.
We enjoyed Ludington as usual.
The boys learned how to skim board.
We fished with daddy.
And we spent time with cousins.
We went to the kids first fair. H loved this lamb.
We had our first (and hopefully last) broken bone.
We went horseback riding.


B started really getting the hang of skim boarding!
We did some girly crafts.


Mosheh had surgery that took care of his chronic ear problems. Praise the Lord!
We had a few accidents but all in all it was a great summer.
But the biggest change was daddy started working from home full time which is when "Lunch date with Daddy" started. Here H is waiting by the door for J to finish his meeting so she can go out to Bonnie Doons. Each kid can't wait for their turn to come around again! And that is just a small dose of the fun we had this summer. We are already counting down until Family Beach Night will again be in the weekly schedule.