Spencer's 9th Birthday

All I can say is wow where has the time gone. I feel myself saying that more and more often as I watch my children growing up before my eyes. Spencer has been such a fun loving sweet boy that I feel once again blessed to be his mom. Spencer was probably my easiest baby and toddler. He never got into trouble and was always looking for ways to make Mike and I happy. Spencer has an awesome personality he is never far from a crowd it seems like people are just drawn to him and his infectious personality. He is always trying to find new ways to make people laugh he is my little comedian. His mind is always working overtime to be a high achiever or just to be able to create or build something. Since about age 2 until now you will usually find Spencer in his room building anything from blocks to 500 piece star wars Lego sets. He has an audience of his 2 younger brothers who look up to him and want to be and do everything he is and does and I am so proud of the example he is to them.
Each of the kids went with me to the store and wanted to buy Spencer something with their own money...I helped Jake out with some money. I love that Brooke and Tyler were so excited to spend their own money that they had been saving. As a parent those are the moments that make us smile watching our kids find joy in doing things for other people. This year Spencer asked for Star Wars Lego sets, Bakugon (magnetic balls that transform into creatures), and he wanted some Pokemon cards to trade with his friends.

When Spencer woke up on his birthday he was so cute I asked him a couple of questions of what he wanted and you can tell he had put a lot of thought into his day. He wanted doughnuts brought into school for his class and then he wanted me to take him out to lunch (that's my tradition on their bday). For dinner he wanted Brookie's spagetti and meatballs and for desert a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. I love celebrating the kids birthdays it gives me a chance to spoil them and give them all of my attention.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPENCER!

Spencer's Birthday Party

Spencer has really been wanting to see Race To Witch Mountain and has been wanting to go to the movies with his friends. So logically it was an easy decision to combine everything and have a day out with his friends going to the movies and eating junk. Spencer has a great group of friends they are very fun and polite kids.
Spencer is always such a great big brother little Tyler really wanted to be included in his party and Spencer was awesome and invited him to come also. The movie was great and the best part was watching the boys react to everything in the movie they were so in to it. They hardly even took their eyes off the screen to eat the candy I had brought them they were in complete concentration of what was happening in the movie.

After the movie Mike and I were going to take the boys out for ice cream and they all decided they wanted frosties from Wendys. Everything is a competition to boys they all raced to see who could finish first and in the process were all getting brain freezes. It was a fun day Spencer and his friends seemed to have a great time.

Crazy Hair Day

About twice a year our school like many others has a crazy hair day. It is always a funny day seeing what all the kids come up with. Of course Tyler was not to sure of being that crazy so he decided to put a little gel in his hair so he is my conservative one, well in some ways.
We carpool with our good friends the Wallers and Nikki came prepared with the spray paint for the kids hair. They looked so good definite picture moment.

So by the time school had ended Tyler had a change of heart and decided to join in the fun. We gave him pink and blue polka dots. Of course Jake could not stand to be left out. He was so excited when we sprayed his hair. I think he looked in the mirror about 20 times and kept on laughing at himself.

Season comes to an end

Well Brooke's basketball season came to an end this weekend. Her team improved so much with every week and I'm sure that was impart to a fabulous coach. Mike had a ton of fun coaching the girls this is his third year coaching Brooke's basketball team and in those three years he has a pretty darn good record first, fourth, and second. This year the girls made it to the final game and came in second place. One of the parents said that you can tell how good of a coach you are by 3 things. 1) Did the girls learn something new 2) Did they have fun and 3) We will they return to play next year. She gave Mike a really nice complimant that he truly succedded in all of these areas with all the girls. One of Mike's goals every season is to make sure that every girl scored a basket and he was very happy that in the second to last game that happened.

I missed the final game (I was so sad) but one of the moms took this picture so I would be able to see Brooke get her trophey. She had a great season and had a blast. It was a little challenging trying to juggle her soccer and basketball but we managed and had a lot of fun in the craziness.All the girls on Brooke's team made Mike a candy gram to say thanks for a great season. Mike loved it and I was barely able to get a picture before the candy was devoured.
This was Spencers first year playing CYBA basketball and he also had a lot of fun. His team did not win very many games, but Spencer quickly realized that he needed to focus on his game to see what he could improve instead of worrying who was winning. Spencer played point gaurd and was the most aggressive defensive players I think I have ever seen at his age. I bet he averaged 4 steals a game along with 2 blocks.
Even though this picture is a little blury I loved it. There is so much concentration on his face and the tongue out reminds me so much of my brothers. Spencer is left handed and I think one of his biggest improvements was by the end of the season he was dribbling and driving to the basket using both hands. He was awesome and I wanted to keep him going so I signed him and Tyler to play YMCA basketball.

Day at the Park

The weather was so nice yesterday it was definitely the perfect day to go to the park. I took Jake and his friend Kai and we were off. First we stopped by good old Mcdonalds for our picnic nothing beats chicken nuggets and apple dippers well at least to a couple of toddlers. The boys had a lot of fun playing in the sand making a very yummy birthday cake with sticks for the candles.
Next we had a fun game of baseball. They were so funny and independent they did not want my help at all. They took turns pitching to each other and then if they actually connected one of the crazy pitches they dropped the bat and ran their bases. This is one of the many reasons I love Southern California. I was able to spend a beautiful afternoon in the park playing with my little guy when in reality we should have been bundled up inside.

My Favorite Dad

Last week Mike and Brooke got into an argument about Brooke having an attitude. I know my precious little Brooke has an attitude well she has her moments like we all do. Anyway she went to bed a little upset and decided that she was wrong and she loves her Dad. She is such a great kid and so quick to make things right. So the next morning Mike woke up to a poem on his desk that she had written before she fell asleep.

My Favorite Dad
My Dads got talent to share
even though he has no hair.
Hes got the goofiest smile
but he can run a mile.
He reads the longest books
have you ever seen him cook?
He teaches us the scriptures
and has a wife that takes pictures.
He can fix anything
but he doesn't like to sing.

I LOVE YOU DAD!!!
Brooke

Great Student

Spencer has always been a great student and a high achiever. So I was not surprised when he received student of the month this week at his awards assembly. He would have probably gotten it a little sooner in the year, but he also loves being the class comedian.

This is what his teacher wrote about him on the back of his award..."Spencer is a kind hearted, clever, considerate, and fun young man to have in class. He sets high standards for all to work towards!" Ms. Custis
All the boys wanted to jump into the picture...way to go Spencer!

Dog Pile

I just love when we have a little down time to just be a crazy silly family. Saturday was a lot of fun for everyone. Spencer's team won their first basketball game and both Brookes soccer and basketball teams won. So it was a very successful happy day for all. When we got home everyone decided to jump on Mike and start a good old fashioned dog pile. Of course my camera is never far away and I was able to get some cute pictures.

3 Pointer

Brooke has become such a good basketball player and really fun to watch. Now soccer will always be her first love, but basketball will always be mine. So it's especially fun for me to watch my kids play basketball. Brookes team is doing pretty good. I think they started out as an average team but they are improving so much with every game thanks to their GREAT coach Mike. Yesterday was the last regular season game and it went into overtime. The game was becoming very physical with a lot of fouling. Both teams really wanted to win this game. In the final 30 seconds of overtime with the score still being tied Brooke dribbled the ball up and shot a 3 pointer. As she shot it I covered my eyes wondering what she was thinking taking a 3 pointer she has never taken one in a game before. You guessed it SWISH! Nothing but net it was such a beautiful shot and they won the game.

Now a 3 pointer is a very hard shot at any age, but especially for a little 5th grader. It was so exciting...now its time to get ready for playoffs this week.

Party

I took Brooke and some of her friends out for a little birthday party last night. Brooke has been wanting to see Bedtime Stories and luckily I found a theater that was still playing it. On the drive Brooke brought a cute 20 questions book that Jen had gotten her for her birthday and all the girls had a fun time playing that in the car. Before the movie we all went to dinner and all the girls ordered the exact same thing "chicken tenders" it made me laugh. They were having a very fun and goofy time.

After dinner we had some time to kill so we ran into petsmart and Brooke fell in love with the chinchilla. Mike and I had one when we were first married they are a very fun pet. So now she is determined to save up her money and buy one. I would be ok with that they are very cute and pretty low maintenance pets as long as they stay cool enough.
Then we made it to the theater and got our seats. I brought all the girls glow in the dark bracelets to wear during the movie. They had a lot of fun playing with them making all sorts of things out of them. I love all the giggling and goofiness. Brooke tends to be a little serious so it was great to see her act like a kid and just be silly. Of course I brought a huge bag of candy and that was gone in seconds nothing like a good sugar rush.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!