Our little boy turned 4!

This week Nathan turned four.  It is hard to believe that our baby is already so big but I have to admit that I'm glad he is no longer a baby.  The fact that he can play by himself, watch TV shows, use the bathroom on his own, and that I don't have to watch him every minute is wonderful.  Nathan's favorite gift was this Lego Ninjago set with a red ninja guy. 

Nathan got several presents that needed to be put together and his sisters enjoyed helping him do that.  In this photo all four girls are putting together a toy.

 He was very excited about his playmobil police station.

We opened presents right after breakfast on Saturday and then after lunch we celebrated with cake.  Emily decorated some cupcakes.

 Yummy!

 And Holly volunteered to decorate the cake.

 She did a great job.  I guess I can turn cake decorating over to her from now on.

 What a cute smile.  We love you Nathan!

Today I am thankful that
*Holly's first Spanish test was a lot easier than she thought it would be.
*Nathan has learned how to use the computer mouse and likes to play online games.  I just wish there were more easy online games.  Nathan is tired of the Starfall games but many of the other ones are too babish or made for school aged kids.

 *our backyard sunflowers are starting to bloom.  This was my first year growing sunflowers and they grew so well that I want to plant them every year.  I love how they bloom in the fall.  They give you something to look forward to after summer is over.

My birthday twice a week

Nathan started preschool last week.  He is happy to go each day and seems to have a fun time there.  While he is there I get 2 1/2 hours to myself. This is my first time having a child in preschool and no younger children.  I can go shopping, take walks, study my scriptures... I have always told Scott the best present he can give me is time to myself  to do what I want and now I get it. It's  like my birthday twice a week. This is what the preschool looks like from the outside.  The kids can play on the porch or inside the classroom.  They go to the playground and animal area for the last 30 minutes of school.

 Nathan's favorite thing is the sandbox.  You climb up this cute ladder to get in.

 He loves all the fun sand toys.

 And this is what it looks like as I drive away.

Today I am thankful that:
*Holly is kind of liking band.  She was not liking it at all last week.

*Megan is enjoying her time in activity days.  Here she is covering a balloon with paper mache.  This will somehow be turned into a hat for an upcoming father daughter activity.

*We are still having lots of sunny days with temps in the 70's.  I try to take the little kids to parks as often as I can.  At this park they had this cute pretend drive through counter.  Look below to read the message that was written above it.

(Starbucks Coffie Dive thurue).  I wasn't surprised at all to read this as we have a starbucks coffee shop on every corner here in Washington.

Three fun things

1.  Last week I got to attend my Niece's baptism. 

 The baptism was performed at an old and very cool LDS church in Seattle.

It had an outdoor courtyard for receptions I assume.  I noticed that there were sliding doors in the relief society room that could open out to it.

 The foyer was very large.  No fighting over which family gets to sit on a couch here.  There were four couches.

 Megan with her cousin.  I'm so glad these too are good friends.

2.  Over the weekend we went on the Twin Falls hike in Northbend.  We loved playing on the rocks along the river and skipping stones (or at least trying to).

 We didn't hike all the way to the Twin falls but we found a short nearby trail and walked to Weeks falls.

3.   School started!!!  Holly with her friends at high school.  I guess striped shirts are in this year.

 Emily on the first day.

 Melissa with her friend at the busstop.

Megan and her friend at the busstop.

 Nathan at his farm preschool.  The bunnies are stinky.

 Today I am thankful for:

*A really nice neighbor who went on a walk with me.

*a clean house.  With four of my kids at school I had the energy to do some deep cleaning.  I'm enjoying the clean house before they all get home and it becomes messy again.

*these two daughters.  They love me and don't mind if I take their picture or come to the busstop with them.  The older girls have entered the "mom you are embarrassing me" stage.  Both Megan and Melissa are without front teeth right now.  So cute!