Snowy Birthday for Silas

Silas celebrated a birthday and it was FANTASTIC. I was really nervous about it, but it couldn't have been better. The kids played outside for about 1.5 hours, sledding and building a gigantic snowman. They didn't want to come in and we barely had time to eat lunch & cake and open the presents before the guests needed to go home again. I love winter birthdays now!

Happy Birthday Silas! Our favorite things about you:

• Your laugh is the best laugh EVER.
• You are a sweet big brother (you always help take care of Jane and play with Lorelai).
• You are a tough little brother (you try very hard to keep up with Azael and Ephraim. You like to make them laugh).
• You are responsible and great at getting ready for the bus early every morning (6:58 a.m.... HELLOOO!)
• You love to play boardgames and have initiated many a night of family fun by inviting someone to play a game with you.
• You are a great friend. Your best friends are still Simon and Ethan from church.

And on and on, and on..... The point is: you are wonderful and we love you!

SpongeBob Cake

I spent 2 hours making this cake today.

It wasn't terribly fun for me, but hopefully Silas and his friends will enjoy it!

Would you read it in a box?

I need more boxes. They keep kids happy, afterall.

Molly & Lorelai in their box.

And now Lorelai wants a puppy (so it can sleep in the box).

I need more boxes. Donations welcome.

Pizza Bites Cereal

Azael is very creative. He is always drawing or creating something (hours each day, if there's time). This week he came up with his own breakfast product:

It says "Papa Pete's Pizza Bites." Azael actually mixed rice crispies with little tiny chunks of pepperoni and filled up a plastic bag, which he put in the box. He ate a bowl, finishing every last bite. I asked, "How was it?"

Azael's response: "Totally sick."

CRUSTY

Jane has had a terrible cold for a week or so.

At the peak of her illness, she woke up looking like this:

(her left eye wouldn't even open!)

I'm happy to report she's doing much better now!

Playmates

Jane is finally getting to the age where she can play more with Lorelai. It's fun to watch them.

Playing with Wall-E

serious

Winter (or Wii?)

Hey, wow, it's 2011! We're in the THICK of winter, so I'll give you a quick photo tour of what we've been doing.

Mystery Man and the boys built an igloo using ice block makers (little plastic things that carve out blocks which are then stacked igloo style). Here he is, sticking his head out.

A few minutes later the entire igloo was finished. It's still standing, 3 weeks later and the kids are using it in creative ways. For example, one evening before dinner, just as it was getting dark, Azael came in from outside carrying a notebook and wearing only his snowpants (no coat). He said, "I've been in the igloo doing my homework, Mom. Did you know it's SO WARM that I didn't even need my coat?"

We had a bit of melting one day, which transformed part of the driveway into and slippery (but fun) area. Silas and Ephraim spent a while sliding one afternoon.

The backyard with some runoff that had refrozen.

Lorelai has a playdate every week with her friend Molly. One day while it was snowing, Lorelai and Molly decided they would take a letter to the mailbox for me. I thought they looked so cute!

Now, the real truth: we often have to FORCE our kids to play outside. They would much rather have Wii or computer. Anyone else have a creative solution to that problem? I think it's a shame when kids don't love the outdoors... Looking forward to your advice in the comments section. :)