Happy 5th Birthday!

This girl is FIVE!

Good morning, birthday girl!

She's wanted a pinata for her party since before her last birthday. We found this egg pinata on clearance after Easter and made her dreams come true. 

Annika has been planning her party for several months. We have made 2 or 3 lists of game ideas and invitees. She wanted a pirate party. So I made a pirate ship watermelon for her morning party. We had plastic gold coins that I was going to put in the kiddie pool and have them use their toes to get them out. We couldn't find the pool, so I just threw the coins out on the grass under the dome toy and let them go find them. She invited Kingston and Truman, Brooklyn and Brynlee, and Naomi Wood (her dad is a vice principal at the HS). It was a fun little group. Nathan and Matt came for lunch too. It was fun to have a bunch of family in the house, even though we'd only been there a week and I wasn't feeling settled yet.

This girl got spoiled! She got lots of art stuff from her friends and Papi. We gave her some shirts, a fairy coloring book, a Jake and the Neverland Pirates scope and bandana, and a garden shovel.

We had Kelsey and Parker Roylance over for hot dogs that evening. Annika loves playing with Kinsley!

I monitored but pretty much let her decorate her cake. It was yummy but kinda crazy looking.

Annika, Benson, Kinsley

We put this "X marks the spot" on the door. Everyone thought they weren't supposed to use that door when the came. haha. We love our Annika girl! She is such a good big sister and helpful daughter. She loves to dust and clean windows. Putting away laundry is her least favorite chore. She loves to be read to. We have read many short Fairy chapter books from the library this month. She spends hours every day doing crafts and drawing or painting. The other day, she told me that she loves to be alone down in the office and do art. We put her art table and a lot of supplies down in that room and it's been a win-win. I don't have to look at the papers and mess on my kitchen table and she gets the alone time that she loves. Her imagination is incredible and we love to play along with her. One of my favorite things about her is that she loves everything she does. Her enthusiasm for life is refreshing and melts my heart. She is an optimistic ray of sunshine in our home.

always a hug for daddy before bed

August

on the roller coaster at Beusies. These two are so sweet together. But they also make some big messes together!

handsome selfie

the kids started carrying Esther around this month. I'm so glad they didn't try this when she was a small baby. All parties enjoy it, for the most part.

Annika still loves dress up and make believe play. I adore her imagination and optimism.

Debbie bought these Keen sandals for Annika. She didn't wear them much for some reason. Esther wears them everyday though. They're awesome for outside play with the rubber toe and breathable style.

I took Annika to a friend's house and we both got hair cuts. It was Annika's first real hair cut! This was before. She just trimmed an inch off and it looks so healthy now.

Annika loves having Kinsley Roylance over

my hair cut :)

these girls are too cute!

I love his silly face!

Sunday best. We have adorable kids!

This little monkey is curious and adventurous. She climbed into the back of this cupboard to get some cracker pieces. She is a lot of fun and a lot of work to to keep up with!

"I stand up like this." This kid cracks me up with his deep voice when he makes important statements.

wearing Annika's doll backpack carrier on our walk. The kids always ride their bikes down to the bottom of the driveway at Papi's. They park them by the mailbox and we go on our way. It's a good system, until we get home. Annika is compliant but struggles to push her trike back up the hill. I have to put benson's on the stroller and push it all up the hill. He usually whines the whole way up, wanting to ride the stroller, hold my hand, and "win-ded me to the top of the hill" (beat me).

The dog lady! She has been really into grooming her dogs and doing dog shows. I love this girl's ideas!

pretty in blue. This whole outfit was given to Annika as a baby by Aunt Debbie :)

I took the kids to visit Papi in Wenatchee. He moved into his new house in July after a trip to Peru. We stayed overnight on a Friday. It was a packed 24 plus a few hours. We took the kids to Walla Walla Point park and waded in the river and played on the playground in the extreme heat. 

On Saturday, we went to Rocky Reach Dam. I loved taking the kids to one of my favorite childhood memory maker places. The kids loved it too!

I think the bobcat in the dam museum was their favorite

picture by Benson :)

Annika should win an award for Best Sister. She is so kind and patient and genuinely loves making her siblings happy.

She is accessorizing more and more these days. She loves to put on necklaces herself. 

three kids in hats. I wish Esther would keep a hat on like Annika used to as a baby. It's so cute on her (and functional!)

lots of binkies is the way to go!

her new spot- in the toy basket :)

Gram Pam sewed this dress for Annika. It is my favorite. I'm so happy it fits her now! It will be a forever treasure.

Mmmm. these pants are so cute on her! I got them at a yard sale this summer. 50 cents for H&M pants!

"Helping" me pack. These kids have been troopers. I haven't given them the attention they need for a few weeks. But this house isn't going to pack itself. I'm exhausted. I don't think I've ever been this productive for this many consecutive days in my life. :)

sippy in the basket. Her idea :)

pulling weeds! Grandma Beusie would be so proud!

eating grapes and playing in the dirt can get pretty messy. We love our messy Essie!

Saying goodbye to Beusie and Grandpa before they left for China the next morning. We miss them! 

"Mom, can you take a picture of me?" 

Our last lunch at Papi's old house. Bitter sweet. Dena watched the kids during the evening while we packed up the moving trucks and moved over to Beusie's. 

First day of School! This was the morning after we moved in to Beusie's. Whirlwind week!

I went to Papi's the day after we moved to make sure we got everything. I came outside to check on Esther and couldn't find her. I found her sitting on the step that goes up to the deck, eating a nectarine that she had found among a box of moldy ones. Fortunately, she picked a good one. Miss independent! I came out a few minutes later and discovered that she had eaten 2/3 of the first nectarine, and put it back in the box before she grabbed a new one. She was a happy sticky mess!

The kids have loved visiting the Kent's pigs just up the road from us. I don't know which part they like better, not having to buckle up as we drive up the road or watching the pigs. We'll be sad when the pigs go to the fair soon.

Annika and I went to Tri Cities to watch Colson in a play. We called Grandma Stock while we were there and stopped by for a quick visit. The cast is to allow her foot to heal. She has a tendon issue and some arthritis. We were happy to see her and lift her spirits a bit. She loves my kids and that always warms my heart.

After about a week of living with Matt, Esther finally let him hold her. Up until then, she would swat his hand away every time he reached out to hold her. :) He will be with us until 9/7, when he heads to Rexburg. He has been so helpful and easy to live with. But, we are looking forward to having the whole house to ourselves. We've had someone living with us since January.

fireman costume yard sale find! What a babe!

The mountain of boxes. I throw the boxes over by the door after I empty them. It feels good to see that pile rising! David breaks them down for me in the evenings. Team work!