Mother's Day past and present

Mother's Day 2007
7 weeks until baby number 4 arrives!
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Mother's Day 2006
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Mother's Day 2005
5 months before Joelle was born
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Mother's Day 2004
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Mother's Day 2003
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Ben's Unofficial Official Birthday

We were finally able to have Ben's birthday party. It was a small affair and very nice. Ben specifically requested a Spiderman party for his 3rd birthday (Nathaniel has already put another request in for a Superman birthday in August!). Our boys are so timely with their birthday requests.

Janice found a Spiderman inner tube and a bunch of Spiderman Easter eggs at the dollar store. Suddenly a game was born! Little Spidey heads were flying all over the room and pelting the parents.

We got some great gifts! (thank you everyone!)

Above is Janice's favorite pic from the cake eating and below is mine.

Joelle routinely takes her life and limb in to her own hands having two brothers and this is no exception. It is hard to see but she is actually driving a small car under the pinata. I watched her for a moment and she seemed totally oblivious to swinging bats above her head.

Last year's paper mache pinata was built with layers of the AJC (a good use for it) and was pretty much impregnable. This year we took a different approach and used crepe paper. Where it lacked in steely resolve it made up for in elasticity. Every blow reshaped it but never really broke the surface. We eventually knocked Spidey off of his web and dumped all the goodies.

Later that afternoon we did another birthday celebration (that would be 3 if you are counting - I did not post his Official birthday with just us and the kids).

Nice tongue!

One of the highlights was the Superman toy that shoots little red discs. We promptly lost a disc within minutes of opening the gift. I do have a theory on how it disappeared. I think the couch has a grudge against the boys because of all the abuse it has to go through on a daily basis and it is eating key pieces of various toys. Remember as a kid when you would lay your head against your Grandpa's tummy and could hear all the comotion going on inside. Everytime I lift the couch it is the same effect - I can hear all the captive toys tumble from one side to the other on the inside of the couch.

What a great day! After it was all over we put the house back in order and it was time for bed. The kids fell asleep at the moment their smiling faces found their pillows. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the fun!

Dental Ben

Ben had his first visit to the dentist last week. Janice went with him and I stayed home with Joelle and Nathaniel. The visit went very well. He sat back and let the dental hygienist clean his teeth as he quietly watched with intense interest. GOOD JOB BEN! An x-ray of his teeth revealed cavity free teeth like his mommies teeth but they are also BIG like his daddies teeth. Janice has never had a single cavity and I have to check my jaw at the airport metal detector when boarding a plane. I pray all of our kids have her teeth! Speaking of metal - Ben brought a friend to help with the visit. Can you see it?

You can see at the bottom left hand side of the picture that Ben brought a friend.

Here is a close up shot. It is hard to see but that is the Man of Steel. Always good to keep Superman close by when going to the dentist!

All done! Great job BEN!

Bouncy Party!

Thank you Andy, Verity, Oliva, Levi, and birthday boy Evan for inviting us to your 3rd birthday party. It was a BLAST!!! Such a great place to have a birthday! The pictures really speak for themselves.

That is Andy and Evan in the background.

Great food too!

Mommy and our 4 little ones!