Caden is DOUBLE DIGITS!!! 10

 I know, I'm really late in posting this, buy I'm still in shock that my baby boy is 10! I'm not sure if it's because he's the only boy or if I refuse to admit that I'm getting older, but I really can't believe he's double digits! He wanted a slumber party and just wanted to hang out, play video games and eat lots of junk food. I got online and found the coolest idea for a video game party. It's called The Game Truck and they drive to your house, kids get on and there are 5 big flat screens, Wii, Xbox, Playstation, and everything else a video game loving boy could want. I decided to surprise him so he had no idea anything other than a slumber party was going to happen.

The boys arrived and had pizza, did a big Nerf gun war, then went to the front yard to play wall ball on the garage, ride bikes & scooters and hang out.  A few minutes later The Game Truck turned on our street.  The kids started staring and wondering what it was.  Then it pulled next to our house and they were just frozen in place not sure what to do.  The guys came out and asked for Caden and everyone started freaking out when they realized what it was.  They had two hours to play anything they wanted.

The boys in video game heaven.

 Such an awesome set up! 

 Even the girls got in on the fun!

Playing Guitar Hero.

Bryan set up a movie in the backyard on the projector.  The boys loved it!  Then they went inside to do presents, wrestle, have sleeping bag slip-n-slide races, and everything else they could think of.  Some of the boys stayed up all night, but most were asleep by about 3 AM.  Caden had an absolute blast and I'm so glad we could make his double digit birthday so memorable. 

Maddie's American Girl Doll TEA PARTY!

All the cute girls with their favorite dolls.

The Tea Party table

Aunt Jeanine pouring lemonade while the girls decorate their goodie bags with American Girl stickers.

Bryan passing out yummy treats. 

The Doll Hair Salon

Aunt Jeanine doing Kanani's hair for Maddie.

The doll tables. 

Mia, Maddie and Jillian decorating frames with flower and butterfly stickers.

Katharine with Katie and her frame.

Eden, Maddie & Jillian's frames.  I printed out pictures of each girl to put in their decorated frame before they left.  They turned out so cute!

Maddie blowing out her candles.

Yum yum, Eden!

The whole group.

Aunt Jeanine, Nicole & Mia

Mia with McKenna

Jillian & Ruthie playing with Katharine & Katie

The goodie bags ready to go with their frames, mini American Girl coloring books, markers, giant Pixie Stix and stickers.

Easter

Katharine & Caden dying eggs.

After the egg hunt.

All the cousins (except Alyssa's kids) with their baskets.

My cute kiddos.

During Spring Break, I put a bunch of cut up food into colored eggs for each of the kids.  I had chicken nuggets, sandwich pieces, grapes, apples, carrots, goldfish, fruit snacks, etc.  Each kid chose a color to find and then had to search the yard for their lunch.  This was so much fun! 

Kidless Weekend in San Francisco

A few times a year we trade off weekends with Bryan's sister, Jeanine, and watch each other's kids. Our weekend was in February and we had such a wonderful time in San Francisco. Bryan and I love going to the city and it was a gorgeous day! We took BART in, walked to the warf, had lunch, walked to Lombard Street and went down the "Crookedest Street", walked to China Town and shopped for suveniers for the kiddos, walked to Union Square and did some shopping, ate delicious food and just enjoyed being together. We love doing these trade off with Jeanine! The kids love being together and the parents love bonding with nieces and nephews and also love free weekends. Such a win-win all around!

Jillian's 7th Birthday Party- Movie Theater

We just had Maddie's birthday party this weekend and I realized I'd never posted pictures of Jillian's birthday party in February. I know, I'm a slacker. Jillian really wanted a "Movie Theater Party" so we did it just as she wanted. She invited her closest friends and we went to see the movie Arrietty. I bought everyone a "Movie Meal" with popcorn, drink and treat. We all sat together and watched the movie. Afterwards we went to the build your own frozen yogurt shop in the mall and everyone got to create their own dessert. This is Jillian's most favorite dessert! Then she opened presents and the kids played until it was time to go. Everyone had a wonderful time and I loved how easy it was!

Caden the Wonder Boy!

Yesterday I was doing the snack bar for Caden's baseball team. While working his coach's wife started chatting with me. She complained about her son's attitude and constant talking back and wondered if I thought it was an age thing. I honestly was shocked and had to take a second to think about it. I then told her that I didn't think so. Caden has never talked back or had a horrible attitude. He's not perfect, but really he's an incredible boy. He's so sweet with his sisters, always so patient. He has a lot of friends and never fights with them. He always does his homework without being asked, works hard at Cub Scouts, gets along with everyone and so much more. I mean, he does drag his feet when I ask him to mow the lawn, he whines about having to fast, and he's not excited to have to do the dishes, but come on, who is excited about that?


I just love this picture. We were at Jillian's soccer practice and I looked across the park and saw Caden and Eden sitting like this. Caden is quietly reading and Eden is just sitting next to him peacefully. They stayed like this for about 45 minutes, which if you know Eden is quite a shock. She's a wild one, but really adores her big brother.



Caden earning Principal's Honor Roll for the second time this year. He works so hard and his teacher absolutely adores him. At the Parent/Teacher Conference she told me to have a seat, but not to get comfortable. She then went on to tell me that Caden is her favorite, an absolute joy in class and pretty much perfect. She told me some stories about how helpful he is in class and then told me he was earning the Citizenship award because he was so great. Such a proud Mommy Moment!


Caden's Pinewood Derby car. He worked so hard on it, spent hours designing it, sanding, painting, etc. The night of the race he was so excited to race it. After the second race he dropped it and the back wheel broke. He continued to race it and it came in last the rest of the night. I felt so bad for him, but he just shrugged his shoulders and said, "Oh well, at least I still had fun." I love this guy!!!

Batter Up!!!

Jillian and Maddie are playing softball. Caden's playing baseball. Eden's not wanting to be left out. Anytime she sees a helmet lying around she puts it on and it's always backwards. She loves to grab bats and carry them around. I swear I'm gonna end up with a broken window one of these days, but she just loves feeling like a big kid! Love this girl!