Cousin Time!

Aunt Christine drove up for the weekend with the kids and boy, did the cousins have a good time! Playing the Wii or DSi, climbing trees or running around outside, mini-golf or model rockets, everything is so much more fun with cousins:-) It truly was a great weekend!

All the kids received Pillow Pets for Christmas and it was so fun to see them all together! (Ages: 7,6,5,4,2,2 - Whew!)

Winter Weather?

We had to get out and enjoy a beautiful, sunny afternoon. We even needed our sunglasses:-)

Drew's Birthday Bash

It was Drew's turn to celebrate this week. (And unfortunately, I didn't get as many pictures.) We didn't do a full-blown birthday extravaganza but we did enjoy having some close family friends over for pizza and cake. (Andrew almost shares his birthday (one day apart) with his best friend, Jack, so they both took a turn blowing out candles on this Lego cake.) Some of Andrew's past cakes - 3rd birthday and 4th birthday.

The birthday boy:

We had the Anemas, Hoekstras, and Schoollands over - what a great night!

Jack's turn:

Anika's 7th Birthday Party

Since our party-goers were coming right from school we sat down to a quick snack first thing, then crafts, cake, presents & play:

Snack table: Craft table:

Anika and her good friend, Paige:

"Happy birthday to you. . ."

And there it goes. . . (at least it tasted as good as it looked!):

Anika's dear friend Anne (who walks her to school every morning and babysits frequently joined us as a "craft helper". It was wonderful for me!)

Presents!

Silly picture:

Precious friends:

Party Prep

Here we are -- all ready for an invasion of excited girls:

The craft table: The snack/cake table:

Helper Kathryn:

Helper Andrew:

A Star Student Day

Anika had an AMAZING DAY! She was the "Star Student" at school this week so she was invited to bring in pictures, tell about herself, and plan special things for the week. So, today she got to play a guitar duet with her dad (and then have him lead some singing with the class), bring cupcakes to school, have "Happy Birthday" sung to her, and then after school, her birthday party. Almost more than a 6-almost-7-year-old can take -- almost:-)

Playing "Our God Is An Awesome God" with her Dad: She practiced really hard all week:

Concentrating:

She was so embarassed when her class sang "Happy Birthday" and she had to stand up front with Mrs. DeJong. (Embarassed but delighted!!):

That time again. . .

Every year I'm surprised when Anika's birthday arrives so close to the holiday break. Once again we're scrambling to put a party together. (I was a little bit better this year.) However, I must say that I love choosing and decorating cakes for my kiddos. This year Anika is having a "Craft (or DIY) Party". (Thanks to Jen and Ella for the inspiration!!!). We are having make your own snacks, craft time, and this artist's palette cake. Again, Anika was so excited to help me decorate her cake. We were really pleased with the results. Here are a few shots of the process. I'll post pictures of the party tomorrow after 6 little girls invade my house. Anika is SO excited.
Here are a few of our past cakes: 5th birthday and 6th birthday

My nearly seven-year-old:


A work in progress:

The finished product:

Happy girl:

Happy New Year!

With surgery, sickness and funerals, our break wasn't turning out quite like I had imagined so I was so blessed when we were able to enjoy a delightful New Year's weekend. New Year's Eve was a family game night. And we had so much fun playing chess, Dutch Blitz, and Life. As the kids get older I so enjoy introducing them to these games. We munched on Chex mix and a cheese ball, watched AFV and stayed up late (9:30 gasp!). After the kiddos were in bed, I was able to get in my holiday puzzle time in front of a warm fire and then toast the New Year with Dick Clark (oh, and my hubby!) And if that wasn't enough we had a wonderful New Year's Day visit at the Rhoda Dairy. (Andrew couldn't be happier wallowing in "mud" and hang out with the guys shooting a bb gun.) More games and good food to kick off 2011.

Dutch Blitz with Mom: Chess with Dad:

Marching to the beat of her own drum (and STILL not potty trained):