Happy Birthday!

Since I've neglected my poor blog for... not sure how long... here are some pictures to catch up on our recent family happenings.  And since half of our immediate family were born in April (Nathaniel, Glen and I), it's mostly about birthdays.  But other stuff too.

Today is the official birthday of my wonderful husband, Glen.  (And that of his sister, Karen.  No they are not twins - but born three years apart on the same day.)

Happy Birthday Glen & Karen!

(That's ME in the picture, not Karen.  This is for Do Re'.)

 

Our family LOVES March Madness.  This year, Isaac and I tied for the highest number of games picked correctly - we each picked 41.

Because today is Glen's birthday, as a birthday gift I will concede that while Glen didn't pick the most number of games correctly, he did pick the final game correctly - Kansas vs. Kentucky.  Although he picked Kansas to win.  Thankfully they didn't, but this Mizzou alum still hasn't quite forgiven him for picking Kansas.

 This is my oldest on his birthday.  

He agreed to help me watch the twins of my good friend Dawn so she could attend church.  We had so much fun cuddling on those sweet little babies!

Above, Nathaniel is holding Micah.

Below, I'm holding Jude.

(Wait - WHAT?  isn't that the 3rd picture of me in this blog post?  Do Re', I hope you are ecstatic!)

 

Isaac and my dad worked hard on creating this car for a pinewood derby this month.  

Isaac came in 3rd overall - not bad for his very first race!

 And Lydia officially got her expander and braces off this month.  Here she is with her orthodontist, Dr. Foley.  When I went back for the celebration, the assistants all told me how much they loved Lydia and what a perfect patient she was.  It was good news to this mommy.

Congratulations Lydia!

And now I just realized that the only family member missing from today's post is Anna.

She took the picture of Glen and me - hope that counts.  I guess I've been as remiss in taking pictures as I have been in blogging.

(in case you're wondering, my birthday isn't until next week...)

The Big Birthday - Early

My parent's have a great tradition. When a grandchild turns 8, s/he gets a special birthday 'date' with Papa and Nana. The girls get a trip to downtown Chicago to the American Girl Doll store to pick out their very own doll. The boys get a trip to the Lego store to pick out a boatload of Legos. (There are some age exceptions, but those don't come into play here, so I won't go into them.)

In a little less than a week, my baby turns 8. He has been planning for his special day for two years.

Do you think I'm kidding? I'm not. There has been so much discussion between him and his older brother about which Lego sets to choose, which sets are the best deal, which sets they like the best that I have left the house (quite literally) because I can't stand to listen to any more Lego talk.

His day finally came on Tuesday! Isaac was so excited, he was up every two hours the night before and finally gave up trying to sleep at 5:20. (He's very precise.)

He very generously invited all his siblings into his room to help him build everything.

And I even allowed an exception to the infamous 'Leichty bedtime'
to allow them to complete the building process.
(For my own sanity, really. The boys have been known to get up at 1am to finish building a Lego set in the privacy of their closet. You can imagine what the next day was like!)

One last note: Those Cars 2 sets came out at JUST the right time. Otherwise my house would have been full of Star Wars Legos. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I just prefer Cars 2.

Birthday Girl

Anna

Anna plays with Kaylee, a little girl we babysit

I am now the mother of two children with double-digit ages. It's hard to believe that my oldest daughter today is now ten years old.

Sweet Anna greatly enjoyed her birthday celebration yesterday. Anna is easy to have around, be around, and is ever so helpful. She's quiet, not complaining much - but when she mentions she wants something, she has her quiet little heart set upon it. She is also, in her quiet way, a serious competitor - something I just learned this year.

We are blessed to have Anna in our family. Happy Birthday Anna!

Today is also poetry Wednesday, something in which I never, ever thought I would willingly and joyfully participate.

This poem comes from a book of Christmas poetry I picked up compulsively several years ago, thinking I would read it to my children.

Then life happens.

I've finally cracked open the book this Christmas season, wondering if I could find some poems to share here on my blog for poetry Wednesday. Today's selection, as well as the selections for the next two weeks come from this book, The Young Oxford Book of Christmas Poems.

BC:AD
U.A. Fanthorpe

This was the moment when Before
Turned into After, and the future's
Uninvented timekeepers presented arms.

This was the moment when nothing
Happened. Only dull peace
Sprawled boringly over the earth.

This was the moment when even energetic Romans
Could find nothing better to do
Than counting heads in remote provinces.

And this was the moment
When a few farm workers and three
Members of an obscure Persian sect

Walked haphazard by starlight straight
Into the kingdom of heaven.

Click here to see other "Poetry Wednesday" selections.