Collins Turns SEVEN!

It wasn't even their birthday, and the two littles were pretty excited when they woke up the morning of February 13th. Because they knew we were having a breakfast birthday party and that their favorite sister was now SEVEN! 

I love how decisive my Collins is. She knows what she wants and states it without question. For her birthday, she told us she wanted "breakfast in bed- specifically an orange roll- and then to open presents in bed". Done and done!

 It was actually a great idea for a birthday party. I may request one for my next birthday. :)

The rest of us were left with a picnic breakfast on the floor which was kind of a fun treat too...

Collins was excited to get a robe, a necklace set, and her big birthday wish- a "Frozen" castle lego set!

 

 Successful party up on the top bunk!

 For school, she got to choose a special treat to take in and share with her class. She had another unique idea- a frosted cookie cake. The class apparently went wild over it.

After basketball practice, we headed to Gigi's for a birthday dinner. Collins picked ribs as the menu, and we had a tasty meal. Unfortunately, Luke had just started feeling bad with a fever so we had to get him home.

 But first, the grand finale- an ice cream cake!

Collins had a wonderful birthday, and we loved having a day to make her feel extra special. It's hard to believe our baby is seven, but when you look at this beautiful, imaginative, fun-loving and kind girl you know she has earned it. She is seven in every way, and we couldn't be more proud of or love her more!

Selling our Home

It didn't take long. But long enough that I never want to go through that again. Talk about a stressful and emotional process!

Once we bought the Rogers' home, we had our work cut out for us- get our house ready to be sold. I slowly and methodically went through every closet and drawer and decluttered and discarded until our home was ready to be shown. Oh and I cleaned, and cleaned and cleaned. And then cleaned some more. Because every time I cleaned, Luke would go behind me and unclean. 😧

Here are some of the photos we posted of the house. Once it was cleaned up and decluttered I was so proud to show it off. It has been an incredible home for us for the last nine years, and we will be sad to leave it. But luckily, we sold it pretty quickly to a nice family. I'll share all the details of how things went down soon!

 

Making Us Laugh

This little boy entertains us on a daily basis. He does funny things and is starting to say funny things. I really get a kick out (and am sometimes scared) or what is coming next! If he could use actual words, I'm pretty sure he'd be saying...

Do you dare challenge me in a double punch balloon race?

Does this jacket look better as a hat?

 Why wouldn't I stuff all the Ziploc baggies into the empty blender?

Did you know I can say (and time up properly) the "Go State!" ending to the Wolfpack fight song?

What are these huge things?!?

How can spinning so fast and losing my marbles be so fun?

Did you know that if I grab the entire load of bread out of the pantry and walk it over and hand it to my Mom, she might make me a sandwich?!?

 

My favorite action lately is when you ask him any question involving food, he nods his head vigorously, "YES!". I WANT IT! We love you, Luke, and all your adorable antics. Keep them coming.

Celebrating Again

Hooray! Poppy and Nana came to town to celebrate Collins turning seven. Before hitting Bad Daddy's, Collins and Luke showed off their b-ball skills in the backyard...

Then Luke showed himself at Bad Daddy's (why do I always think he will do fine in a restaurant when he always proves me wrong?!?)...and then we came home for an impressive display of sugar. Surprisingly, we all preferred the doughnuts to the cupcakes!

And then present time...Collins was thrilled to get another Lego kit and a Build-a-Bear gift certificate!

Dad and Heather came to her basketball game Saturday morning and thought it was the cutest thing- between these tiny girls running up and down the court and the little cheerleaders- they loved it. Then we were off to build another bear- but this time Collins switched it up and made a puppy.

We had one happy girl...thanks to a fun visit from Poppy and Nana! 

Changes So Fast

One minute, a sleeping angel...

the next, a wide-awake wild man!

Birthday Kick-Off

Collins is the grand finale of family birthday celebrations. She does not like coming last in the birthday rotation, but Brian points out that she is actually first in the calendar year. Regardless the calendar flipped to February, and Collins announced that her birthday MONTH was here!

She actually turned out to be right because she had three weekends in a row of being celebrated. The first weekend in February Mimi and Baba came to town for her birthday, the second weekend Poppy and Nana came to town, and the third weekend was her actual birthday party.

Let the festivities begin! Our time with Mom and Baba began with a tasty Bella Monica dinner and a special requested birthday dessert- banana pudding. :) An odd request for February, but Collins knows what she wants and she wanted a banana pudding. 

She was sweet to make Mimi, Baba, and Alli some gifts...

and she was thrilled with the gifts she received in return...a lego set! She said all she wanted for her birthday was lego sets this year. She could not wait to get started.

On Saturday, Mom and Baba loved getting to see the Lady Gators play...and guess what? Collins scored her first basket!!! Her face was priceless after it went down- a mixture of shock and happiness. :) It was so neat to see.

The rest of our weekend was spent like this...Collins and Baba got some good quality time together putting together the catamaran (we're talking like 5 hours!), and Mimi and Luke and Addie got lots of play time in. And I got to run a few errands! Great weekend to celebrate Miss Collins- round #1. :)

Oh, and where was Brian during all this? Boys weekend skiing in UT!