One Decade

Brigham turned 10 this week. Where did the time go? How is it that I have been a Mother for 10 years now and each day I feel the expanse of what I don't know grow. I never realized that Mothers weren't always sure of what they were doing until I had children of my own. My hope for my kids right now is that I can be worthy to be the Mom they deserve.

Anywho - back to Brig. He was so excited to turn 10. For the last year and a half he has wanted a motor scooter. He finally got his wish. Brigham has been so good about not getting the things he has wanted for Christmases and Birthdays for the last few years. He was even shorted on allowance. We wanted him to know how proud of him we are for not complaining. He has learned a few things we weren't quite ready to teach him yet.

10 things about Brigham:

1. He loves airplanes and is already wondering how soon he can start flying lessons. (Ummm how about never?)

2. Makes really weird, really loud noises A LOT.

3. When Todd can't find something, Brigham usually knows where it is.

4. Treats Haydyn like a princess.

5. Loves geography and maps. (Blame his Dad.)

6. If he is not in school, he is wearing a hat.

7. Loves scouts and takes pride in wearing his uniform.

8. Never sleeps past 7:00 am.

9. Finally gave in to Todd buzzing his hair. But only because he wouldn't have to comb his hair for school.

10. Has inherited our love for sushi.

We love you Brigham! Happy Birthday!

Our Quiny Quin is 6!

The big day arrived and Mr. Quin was so excited for his pretend sleepover birthday party. His friends arrived that night in their pajamas and with their favorite stuffed animals. Mallory took charge and had all 9 little boys (including Quin and Cole) playing games outside. She rocks. This was the easiest birthday party we have ever done. Cake and ice cream. Open presents. Let them go crazy in the backyard until it's dark enough to watch Flubber outside on the side of the house. Popcorn, chocolate milk, sleeping bags, a beautiful night and voi la... tons of fun. We sent all the boys home with their own flubber to play with, new toothbrushes and Spongebob toothpaste. Quin will always remember his first friend birthday party. I will always remember his excitement and watching his cute face light up as his friends arrived.

Six things we love about Quin: He has an amazing sense of humor and always keeps us laughing, he gives the BEST hugs, how he can't quit smiling when he's playing soccer, his affection, he's awesome at getting his jobs done without complaining (much), he is so kind and sweet with Haydyn.

Happy Birthday Quin! We love having you in our family!

Growing Up

For the last few months I have been telling Haydyn that this day would soon come. "You're going to have cake, and open presents, and your passies are going bye-bye." I would say. "Blanky?" She would question with a worried look on her face. "No, blanky is staying here. Just passies are going." "Oh." Haydyn says with a smile.

saying goodbye to passies

The big day arrived and as promised we tied all of her passies to a bouquet of balloons, went outside and said goodbye. "The balloons are taking your passies to new little babies who need them now" I told her. We waved and waved watching the wind carry them away.

At bedtime as I tucked Haydyn in with her blanky the dreaded question came, "Passie?"

Me: "Where are your passies?"

Haydyn: "Bayoons. Bye bye. Babies."

Me: "That's right. Bye bye passies. Goodnight Hayhay."

Haydyn: "Night."

She asked Mallory a few more times about them before she fell asleep. And every once in a while when she is upset she asks about them. We just ask her where they are and she recalls the whole thing. As crazy as it sounds, I might have taken it a little harder than she did. It was hard watching my little girl take one more step away from being my baby. Although she is only two, she is still growing up way to fast. It seems like each child grows up faster than the one before. How can that be? I'm determined to enjoy each day of their childhood.