5 & 7

Happy Birthday to Daphne and Sean!

For Daphne's birthday this year, we went to the zoo as a family (it's extra special when Daddy comes too.)  And it just so happens that Daphne shares a birthday with an elephant named Daisy, who turned one this year.  So we got double the festivities.

Daisy and her grandmother.  

The kids enjoying free cupcakes in honor of Daisy's birthday.

Sydney in her pink and brown daisy outfit.
This little girl loves to play with her tongue.

Blowing out the candles

Nona made Daphne this darling dress, and a little quilt
that is the perfect size for snuggling up and watching a movie.

Daphne is 7 years old and we just love having her in our family.  She is so much fun to play with, and is a good helper with her little sister.  She has a beautiful smile contagious laugh.  She loves to be girly--loves painting her nails and dressing up, loves sparkles and pretty things.  Her favorite color right now is turquoise.  (It rotates frequently between pinks, purples, and now, turquoise.) She likes left-over macaroni and cheese, chocolate and any kind of ice cream.  She loves making crafts, drawing, writing, and is learning to enjoy reading.  She loves animals and wishes her mom would let her have a cat.  I told her she can certainly have a cat when she is a mom.  And she said, "Well by the time I'm a mom, I probably won't want one anymore."  (definitely a possibility.)   She loves to have fun and be social.  And she is a good friend.  We just love her to pieces.

 Happy Birthday Daphne!

Since Sean turned five this year, he got a party.  

(I only do parties on certain birthdays--5,8, 12, & 16.--so far it's worked out to be just one party a year!  That's a good thing because I'm not very good at throwing them.)

Blowing out his candles

At the party we made these little stick horses to play with.
Thank goodness one of the moms was there to help out,
or it would have taken the whole time!!  Thanks Sarah!

Here is Sean's quilt from Nona.  So darling!
They've already been broken in at our
most recent movie night this past weekend.

My kids love to dress up, so Sean also got this
Buzz Lightyear costume to play with.
(And it will also be used for Halloween.  ;)  

Sean has grown so much this past year.  He just started going to preschool which he loves so far.  (today was only day 2, so that's not saying much, I guess.)  He is great at playing with Hayden and great at entertaining himself.  He isn't easily persuaded to things that everyone else does, which I think will really be a strength when he gets to middle and high school.  For the most part, he is gentle.  It takes a lot of provocation on Hayden's part before Sean resorts to physical retaliation, which is lucky for Hayden because Sean is a big strong boy.  At least he gives fair warning.  The other day I heard him say quite matter-of-factly, "Hayden, if you do that again, I'm gonna punch you."

Sean gives Sydney about 10 kisses every day.  He will do almost anything to earn computer time or video games.  He is a great eater, and particularly enjoys pastas with creamy sauces, and cookie dough.  (He asks me to bake cookies on a regular basis, mostly so he can help me eat the dough.)  We love this kid and are so thankful to have him in our family!

Happy Birthday, Sean!