This will be a short little blog but something is better than nothing, right?

We’re reached the snowy season in Michigan and, given that it’s late late January, that’s not too bad. Of course we could have another two months of snow on the horizon so ask me how I feel at the end of March.

The boys started after school chess on Mondays. (Amaya has girl scouts.) I heard there are 20 kids in the program! They came home with chess workbooks and have weekly homework. Any shot I had of beating the boys is in the rearview mirror.

Wednesday was a snow day and thank goodness for Sophia who was able to spend the full day with the kids. They spent a good chunk of the day on new lego sets they got for their birthdays.

Steven channeled Cousin It on Friday morning.

Playing in the snow

Friday night TV cuddles for Jason and Sammy

The kids had a very busy weekend, especially Amaya. Amaya had a playdate at her friend Dylan’s house from 9am- 12pm on Saturday. The boys had a birthday party from 2- 4:30 that Amaya was invited to at the last minute. And then we had two friends sleep over (Clarie and Elly).

Amaya at Launch

Claire, Amaya and Elly watching Raya and the Last Dragon

And, today, when Amaya got home from another birthday party – spa themed.

That’s our short update for the week!

Steven, Sammy and Amaya are NINE. Amazing.

Once again the kids woke up to “9” balloons in their rooms and, once again, their mom (hi!) made them take birthday photos before school in their birthday t-shirts.

For the first time since kindergarten, I was able to go to Thornton Creek to join SSA at the birthday table. (Virtual first grade and they didn’t have the birthday table last year.) It was so nice and I love that the kids were excited to eat their lunch with me.

Amaya’s friend Dylan brought this “Birthday Girl” tiara for her.

Amaya also wanted to eat with her friends (Dylan, specifically) so she spent a little bit of time at the time with us and then headed over to her friends to finish lunch. That’s my girl.

For the third year in a row, we celebrated the kids’ birthday with dinner in an igloo at Deadwood.

The BIG BONUS was that Aunt Sara and Charlie came for their annual birthday visit!

Look at these two girls <3

They have such a good time together whether it’s play games on devices or playing active cops & robbers games around the house.

Sisters!!

A final treat of the day was an amazing birthday cake that Sophia made for the kids. It was a huge hit!

Amaya was thrilled to sleep in the basement with Aunt Sara and Charlie

Saturday was birthday party 3 or 3 – Steven’s! He had a bowling party with 10 other boys and Sara came as my wingwoman to help out.

It was organized chaos

“Yumba” is an inside creation from Steven and Sammy’s friend group lol

Jason took Sammy, Amaya and Charlie to Panera and the mall while we were at the party and they had a blast.

One of the purchases was bath bombs and face masks which they tried out together after dinner

Aunt Sara and Amaya cuddles

We took Sara and Charlie to the airport before Hebrew school. Jason was at work when we got home and Amaya gave me a piece of paper that said, “Stay in your room and relax.” It was so that the kids could plan a special anniversary party for our 12th anniversary which is TODAY. We were blindfolded and led from station to station where the kids performed and gave us some delicious homemade snacks. It was very special.

And that’s it for us this week! It was a big one!

This week started 9th Birthday celebrations for Steven, Sammy and Amaya. NINE. It’s difficul to belive.

Before the fun started, I was able to visit Thornton Creek for the kids’ rescheduled holiday parties. They had a snow day when they were originally scheduled in December. I made the rounds of all three classrooms.

Steven and Ben stuck together in his class party (Mr. Connelly).

Sammy was so comfortable and outgoing in his classroom. I loved to see how at ease he is. (Mrs. Costello)

Amaya and Dylan were side by side at their class party. (Mrs. Murrell)

Steven loves reading. Seeing him fall asleep with a book in his hands brings me such joy. It’s common for Sammy to do the same.

This year, SSA asked to have their own parties. It’s time and it was the right call. They knew what they needed. The kicker is that the decided not to invite each other to their parties. These are truly their own individual events.

Sammy’s party was first on Saturday. He chose laser tag and there were 10 boys including Sammy.

A super treat this weekend was a visit from cousin Nancy (visiting from OH and birthday buddies with SSA) and Grandma Sunshine and Aunt Annette. Nancy was my party wingperson while Jason stayed home with the other kids.

There were lots of board games and card games this weekend.

Also lots of fun playing games on switches and ipads.

Today was Amaya’s party at Putting Edge, a glow in the dark mini golf place with a small arcade. She had 5 friends attend including one boy, Alex, who’s the only kid invited to all three parties.

Amaya had the idea of bringing glow cups for everyone. It was a great idea and they were a huge hit.

We wrapped up the weekend opening wonderful birthday gifts from Grandma and Aunt Annette.

It was a great week for the kids with more fun to come on Friday when they officially turn nine, a visit from Aunt Sara and Charlie and Steven’s party.

Have a great week!