Labor Day Weekend---Saying Goodbye to Summer

Mark got Labor Day weekend off from work so we could explore Michigan a little bit. We really enjoyed the time together!

We started off the weekend visiting Spicer Orchards to do some raspberry and apple picking.

The weather was perfect with a nice cool breeze. The kids did most of the raspberry picking. They really got the hang of it and did a great job. It was calming to be out in the middle of the field with all of them occupied and content. Raspberry picking is going to become our new tradition!

We took a hayride to the apple orchard.

Picking apples was more difficult for the kids, but we enjoyed eating them straight off of the tree.

Especially, this little guy!

Port Huron's lighthouse was next on our list.

We finished off our long weekend with our favorite place in Michigan: Greenfield Village.

Riding in Model T Fords

and the train pulled around the village by the Edison Steam engine.

It was a fabulous weekend!

Spirit Week at School

Hat Day

Luke had some spirit as well.

Crazy Hair Day was messier, but fun.

It took awhile to wash all of the gel out of the boys' hair. Peyton just had an upside-down do.
We've got spirit!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

We started our day off with a visit from our own friendly Leprechaun. He hid little green buckets full of candy for the kids around the living/dining room. The buckets contained chocolates in green wrappers and green jelly beans etc. We left him some "gold" in exchange.

We love spinach smoothies at our house. So, it was only natural that we drink one for St. Patrick's Day. This smoothie is delicious and only contains spinach, pineapple, banana, ice and water. We started off our dinner by earning smoothie mustaches.

Dinner was green shepherd's pie, eaten on green plates.
We love to go all green for St. Patrick's Day!

We were even lucky enough (thank goodness I have an Irish name:)) to get Mark home in time for dinner, which is a rare treat around here! He not only got some green dinner, he also was able to go play basketball at the church after the kids went to bed.

Oh how I love the green smoothie mustache, it goes so well with everything.
We hope you had a very green St. Patrick's Day as well!!

Celebrating 3 Years with Benjamin

Benjamin turned three years old today.

We had our celebratory birthday breakfast of pancakes with pudding, whipped cream and chocolate sauce.
Then we went out to play. It was chilly, but we were excited about the sunshine.

What would a birthday be without a stop at Toys R Us?

Benjamin chose a Sheriff Woody plush toy and was a happy camper.

Daddy snuck out of work and met us at Chuck E Cheese's for Benjamin's birthday dinner and some play time.

After dinner we went home to enjoy birthday cake. Benjamin really loves Sheriff Woody, so it was only fitting that he have a Sheriff Woody cake.

He liked it, so it was worth all of the time that went into creating it.

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Luke really enjoyed the cake and ice cream!

Everyone was excited for presents.

Benjamin loved his new Thomas track!

All in all, we wore him all with all the fun.
Happy Birthday, sweet Benjamin! I'm so glad you are mine.

Our Six Little Valentines

Carston, Jackson and Peyton all had Valentine parties at school today and parents were invited to attend. It isn't easy to juggle three classroom parties, especially while dragging three little boys between each party, but we had fun trying! Peyton enjoyed playing with one of her best friends, Lily, at the party. It was a good thing, because I wasn't able to help her much.

Peyton had a healthy snack and made some really cute crafts. One of which was the picture frame she is working on in this picture.

Jackson's class played a lot of games. Jackson was excited to show off his little brothers and went around telling Grant about everything in the room. He was the first to leave his classroom, armed with all of his goods, to check out his siblings parties with the rest of us.

After Carston's class exchanged Valentines, they watched a Franklin Valentine's Day special and ate snacks. Carston was proud of his Valentine bag.
I was ready to bring everyone home by the time the parties were winding down!

Once we got home, the real celebration began. We started our Valentine weekend by making sugar cookies for a treat.
We {heart} Valentine's treats.

We ended up eating them before dinner! (That's why Benjamin is smiling so big.)
Then we had heart-shaped slices of home-made pizza for dinner.

It has been a full, but fun day that reminded me of how grateful I am for our six!
They are a gift.

I had to include this darling picture of Peyton and Jackson. I love how Peyton is getting her cues from Jackson and trying to match her smile to his. I am enamored with their closeness. It brings me joy. (That does not mean that they always get along, mind you.)
Peyton has declared several times today that Jackson is her Valentine. I hope it will stay that way for a long time to come!

I am grateful for all of my Valentines!