4 years old!?

How did my baby get to be 4 years old already!? What a sweet girl Sapphira is!  When people get hurt or are sad, she is quick to offer a hug and her la-lee to cheer them up.  She's a tough little cookie...she rarely cries when she gets hurt and is quick to issue a matching offense if Brother is responsible of her discomfort.  While she is terrified of most dogs (especially medium and large dogs), she is getting to be a bit of a daredevil and will try most things once.  In this last year alone, she rode a horse, helped Papa clean some fish and learned to crack eggs with Grandma...all things she would not have done just a year ago.  Her legs are finally long enough to ride her trike and she loves being able to keep up with Malachi.  Daddy is also teaching her a little bit about soccer and she loves kicking the ball with Daddy.  She is also a girly girl who loves pink, purple and Rapunzel.  Dress up is a favorite activity.  Sapphira can write her name with spelling help, knows all her letters and can count to nearly 20.  She sings constantly and ballet class has added many new moves to her dancing repertoire.  Malachi and Sapphira fight like any pair of siblings, but play together well fair more often then they bicker.  She comes up with new "games" for them to play everyday, but they play her "mommy" game everyday (she is the mom and Malachi is the child of some sort) and alternate between being a human and cat family. She is nearly finished with her first year of Cubbies at church and loves to go to club to see Cubbie bear and his friends.  She doesn't like learning the verses from her Cubbies book, but listens intently when Malachi is memorizing his Sparkies verses and tries to learn them herself.  She knows about a quarter of the books of the New Testament by heart.  I think she is close to asking Jesus to come into her heart.  She knows about Jesus and all He did for us and often asks questions about this or the lesson she heard in Sunday School class.  She was so proud when we bought her a big girl Bible this year (it's pink of course!!!) and likes to carry it around and sleep with it if we let her.  She continues to be a Daddy's girl and always goes to him for loves or help over anyone else if he is around.  Her favorite day of the week is Saturday and Sunday because they are "family days" meaning Daddy is home from work and we get to be together all day long.

Every year, we let the birthday kid pick their dinner supper.  Sapphira had a Red Robin supper planned out for a very long time.  Sapphira woke up feeling very sick and feverish on her birthday, so we couldn't go out to eat, but Daddy picked up Red Robin take out for us on his way home from work.  After supper, Sapphira got to open a couple presents from Mommy and Daddy...she was so excited!

 Rapunzel!!!!!

 A Rapunzel CD for her new...

CD player!!!  Her best friend has a CD/radio player in his room and when she goes to his house they are often found in his room with a worship CD playing, dancing and singing to the music.  I knew she'd be over the moon to have her own!!  Funny story...we listened to Sapphira' new CD a couple times before bed and after being in bed for a little while, Malachi gets out of bed to tell us "I was thinking about Sapphira's new song in my head and its too loud."  Samuel said "well just think about it quieter."  "Ok" and he went back to bed...goober.

I just can't imagine life without my girl.  Happy Birthday Sapphira!!!  We love you!

He is Risen!!!

Happy Easter!!!  I am so thankful to be able to celebrate another Resurrection Sunday!  I will be forever grateful for Jesus' sacrifice for us.  Before Natalie died, I could never fully appreciate the sorrow God had to endure watching his Son die.  Also, I was never as thankful for his resurrection so that we can be with Natalie again.  Thank you Jesus!!!

This year, we decided to be less busy since Amira is still so little.  This make things more relaxing for me, thank goodness!  We attended church, ate a quick lunch by ourselves and then headed to my Dad's parents house about 30 minutes away.  We were able to spend a quiet afternoon just visiting with my grandparents, brother and soon to be sister-in-law, my parents and my aunt and uncle.  The kids provided good entertainment, too. :)  After a couple hours there, we drove back home with three tuckered out kids.  It was a good day. 

We had to wake Sapphira up to get her out of the van to take pictures so she wouldn't smile nice for a picture.  Blowing wish flowers was ok though. 

First Easter! 

Up close and personal

Oh Bubbo...

This was as good as it got!  Don't you love their matching dresses!?  I can't help myself!

Pretty girl

Rubba Dub Dub...

...one baby in a sink!  Poor third child.  Amira didn't get her first full home bath until she was 21 days old.  Should I just have admitted that online?  Sigh.  In my defense she didn't stink, was getting cleaned with wipes nearly every day and those 21 days felt like 4. :) 

She seems to enjoy herself.

Her hair is curly straight out of the bath, but straightens out pretty quickly once it's dry and she lays on it.  It also stays straight until it gets wet again.  Malachi's was that way as a babe and as it grew it wasn't nearly as curly as Sapphira's is.  It will be very interesting to see how it turns out.

 I kinda love those two pictures...

My favorite smell is "baby fresh from the bath".  

My Little Boy No More

Sapphira has been struggling with the terrible sickies that have been going around for the last little bit.  Fevers, cough, chills, runny nose and lethargy have been her main problems for the last few days.  Wednesday morning, she woke up with a fever again, so I called her sitter to tell her she wasn't coming and I stayed home from work to care for her.  Samuel went to work early so I was in charge of getting Malachi to school.  We loaded up into the truck and drove the 4 minute drive to his school.  I stopped at the crosswalk to let him out and he hopped out and said "I love you, Momma!" before slamming the door closed behind him.  As I watched him walk into his school I nearly burst into tears.  Long gone is the little boy who always reached for my hand to hold when he was in even a slightly unfamiliar environment.  Gone is the boy who needed affirmation he was doing the right things at the right time or sought my approval countless times throughout the day.  He walked along the sidewalk, knowing just where to stop to make sure with the crosswalk guard it was ok to pass through the bus lane, that the right-hand door was the correct door to enter and, as I peered into his school from behind the steering wheel, exactly which hallway to take to get to class, all while his slightly too large backpack bounced confidently on his shoulders.  I know that he'll still feel like he needs me for at least a couple more years, but my Bubbo isn't a little boy any longer.  I'm praying he continues to transform into the strong, confident boy is already starting to become. 

But I still miss my baby...

Cubbies and Sparkies

September 12th marked the beginning of AWANA's at our church.  This year, Malachi moved up to Sparks and Sapphira was over the moon to be able to start Cubbies and wear a blue vest like she'd seen on her brother for the last two years.

I didn't get on the ball this year and get the kids pre-registered, so they didn't get their vests until we got to church for the first day of club.  Sapphira was happy to be able to use her book bag again and get a book with verses to work on to put in it.  I think Malachi was most excited about the fact he got to start wearing a red vest now since that's his favorite color. :)

I know that Sapphira will do great in Cubbies, but I worry a bit about Malachi.  In Cubbies, all the clubbers learn the same verse each week and work through their books at the same pace.  Once you start Sparks, you work at your own pace...as quickly or slowly as you want.  Malachi had many weeks in Cubbies when he just didn't want to work a verse, so I wonder if he'll have a hard time wanting to work on sections at all now that it's a different set up.  Something to pray about!  Even if saying verses is a struggle for either of my babies, I know they'll have fun time playing games, listening to Bible stories and learning more about and getting closer to the Lord!

Kindergarten Boy!

Malachi woke up bright and early for his first day of school and was dressed and had eaten breakfast in record time!  He'd gotten ready so quickly, we still had an hour before it was time to leave!  He was so excited when it was finally time to get in the car and go, but not without stopping for a mama-ratzi first! hehe

How did he get so big?  A missing tooth and a Kindergartner??  Say it ain't so!

So very excited!

When we got in line to go to class, I could tell that he was getting a little bit nervous, but he still said he was ready to go!  I can see just a bit of anxiety mixed into his excitement in this picture.  Such a trooper!

Our beloved Mrs. S.  I knew she'd be a good teacher for Malachi the first time I met her, and she has yet to disappoint!  Malachi thinks very highly of all his teachers and I really think they are all making a good impression on him and helping him be so excited to learn.

After we'd turned in all his school supplies and hung up his backpack, he dove right in and found some books to look at.  We asked him if he was ok and if we could leave him with his teachers and he "yup" and gave us hugs and kisses and never looked back.  I was quite proud that I didn't cry! :)  When I came to pick him up once class was over, he was so happy and had all kinds of things to tell me and asked when it was time to go back.  Love him and his excitement to learn.  Here's to a great school year!

It's the Final Countdown!

Malachi was so excited to start school and would ask several times each day when it was time to start Kindergarten.  Since he was having such a hard time remembering, I made him a paper chain calendar that we'd remove a link from each night before bed to help him know when school was going to start.

When he was able to take the last link off, he was thrilled because he knew what was happening the next morning!  Can you just see the joy on his face?!

Of course, we couldn't leave Sister out!  Her first day of ballet class was coming in a couple weeks and she wanted her own paper chain to help her count!  

With how excited they both were for school in the morning, I was amazed that they were able to get to sleep at a decent hour.  How can my baby boy be big enough to attend school?!  Bubs is ready, but am I? :)

A Tooth Fairy Visit and a Gift for You!

While we don't do anything with Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, Malachi saw an episode of a favorite show where the Tooth Fairy brought the main character a tooth brush when he lost his tooth.  Before I could say anything to him about it, Malachi was hooked and has talked about getting a visit from the tooth fairy ever since.  I don't really enjoy the fact that I'm lying to him about her existence, but it has really created some fun memories these last couple days.  I hope he won't hate me too much when he finds out the truth...

Malachi has had a loose bottom tooth for about a week now.  When we first discovered it was loose, we told him he had two choices...to wiggle it as much as possible and make it fall out quickly or to leave it alone and it would come out more slowly.  Being the cautious boy he is, he chose the later since he was afraid the faster method would hurt.  As the days passed, it got looser and looser, the tooth changed color a bit, and just plain looked gross! oy  Samuel sent me a picture text last night when he picked them up from my in-laws and it was sitting at an angle in the gums.  Once he got home, it had shifted and was sticking up higher than the rest of the teeth.  We had him eat some fruit snacks and brush his teeth an extra long time but nothing took it out.  I even had him try to pull a bit on it but still nothing.  We finally sent him to bed and I prayed to myself that he wouldn't swallow it in his sleep!  About 10 minutes later, he gets back up and the tooth is laying back under his tongue off to it side...ewwww.  He didn't let Samuel get near it, but I asked him to open his mouth wide to I could "see it" and then pointed to the tooth and said "is this it?" and yanked it before he could realize what I was doing (I barely had to pull it at all).  I cheered really loud so he wouldn't focus on the pain and he got super excited, too.

We immediately set to work writing the Tooth Fairy a letter since he didn't want her to take it with her since he wanted to save it.  He decided to write "Please leave my tooth.  Love Malachi".

Showing Sister his tooth...he was so proud!

Great concentration was involved.

Under the pillow it went!  We tied to note to the outside with the pouch's ties so the Tooth Fairy could get to it easier. ;)

My toothless wonder!  How on earth did he get big enough to start losing teeth?!? 

Yo... 

I searched for tooth fairy pouches on pinterest and let him choose the one he wanted me to make.  He picked out this one and thankfully I had all the supplies on had and was able to whip it out in about 20 minutes.  He loves it!

After we were certain he'd fallen asleep, I went it to give him his reward.  I was rooting all around under his pillow and couldn't find it and then finally realized he was holding it...so sweet!  Thankfully he is a very heavy sleeper so I took it from him, slipped his treat inside and put it back under his pillow.  This morning he comes running into my room very irritated, "The Tooth Fairy didn't come!!!"  "Why do you think that, Bubs?"  "She didn't leave me a toothbrush!"  Oy...didn't realized that was the requirement!  "Did you look inside your pouch?"  "No..."  I helped him untie the knot...

What could be inside?

Why, it's a whole dollar and a tooth receipt from the tooth fairy herself!  I found a cute tooth receipt rubber stamp online (can't find it now!) and made this digital receipt with Elements to have for our family.  He thought it was great!

He exclaimed "A whole money!!!" when he found the bill!  Then he asked me if it was enough to buy a Thor figure from Target...sorry Bubs.

His teeny tiny tooth!

Now to your present!  Would you like a copy of the Tooth Receipt for your family??

Feel free to click on it and save it for your personal use with ONE catch...would you please leave a little comment congratulating Malachi and saying where you are from? :)  With the Olympics going on, he's really getting interested in where things are on a map and I think it would be fun for him to keep track.  I made it originally as a 3x4 image, but I'm sure you can print it as large or small as you'd like.  Hope you enjoy many fun fairy visits!

I'm linking up to:
Mommy By Day Crafter by Night
Tatertots and Jello
I {Heart} Naptime
Skip to my Lou
Thirty Handmade Days

5.12.12--Transformers Party!

The Saturday after his actual birthday, we celebrated by having his party at one of our favorite parks with family and friends.  He chose a Bumblebee theme, so we decorated with yellow and black.  We had cake and drinks and tootsie rolls and stickers for treats.  After a bit of playing on the play structures, we all gathered together so a very impatient Malachi could open his presents. :)  While he waited for everyone, I sat down and talked with him and asked him what he was thinking about.  He said he was so excited open presents, show everyone his cake and be able to play with his new toys.  While we chatted, I was able to capture a few of the many faces of Malachi...

 ...happy Malachi...

 ...crazy Malachi...

 ...thoughtful Malachi...

 ...and thirsty Malachi! :)  I found these tiny little soda cans at the grocery store and the kids thought they were so cool.  Malachi thought it was even cooler when I told him he could have his own can.  The kids don't get soda very often, so this was an extra special treat! :)

Finally we got to the presents!  Gaga and Boppa gave him a few more Transformers and some fun Transformer knee pads.  Very exciting!

They also gave him a new digger and forklift...these are also a favorite!  GG and Grandpa GG gave him a new movie and some birthday money to spend, Anut Debbie and Uncle Rod gave him a nice pair of shorts and a Spiderman shirt (!!).

His favorite present of the year had to be this Ironman "3 in 1 Repulsor".  He has been wanting an Ironman "arm thing" so badly and was estatic to be able to have his own!  It shoots little "missles", makes super hero noises when you move your arm around and has a light on the palm of his hand that lights up and makes more noises when he does the Ironman pose.  So much fun!!!

Be sure to check out his special demonstration! :)

We got this cake at Wally World of all places...it was soooo yummy!  Who knew they made such fun cakes?  Malachi picked it out himself and was so excited to have the characters to bring home after we ate.

We also had a special visitor!  Bumblebee himself appeared at our party! ;)  He and I hid behind a tree while he put on his costume and then I annouced our special guest and he jumped out from behind the tree.  Everyone oohed and awwed and he was so concerned that people didn't know who it really was so he pulled off his mask and yelled, "It's just me!!".  He always wants to pretend to be a character is his costume, but is always worried we don't know it is really him...so silly.

 He displayed some awesome super hero moves...

 ...and then we sang to him.

 He tried to blow it out with his mask on with no luck!  He got it on the second try though!

With all the airbrushed paint on the frosting, we all had funny colored teeth and tongues, but Sapphira's was by far the darkest!

 Yummo!

Even though he was incredibly hot, he insisted on playing in his costume for a while.  One little boy even walked by and said, "Hi, Bumblebee!"  Malachi thought that was pretty cool! ;)

Another great day to ahve fun celebrating this great boy!  Happy Birthday sweet boy...here's to another wonderful year!