This weekend we had the great fun of celebrating Steven, Sammy and Amaya’s 6th birthday. It really does feel like I blinked. Emotionally, though, 6 is a lot easier for me than 5 was. I think the kids entering kindergarten anchored me in the mindset of bigger kids. But still, SIX. How are we here?

As always, SSA have customized birthday shirts. I like to think this will be a forever tradition, even when they’re way too old for them.

We had guests join us for the birthday celebration. On Friday night, Papa, Aunt Sara, Charlie, Uncle Austin and Krissie arrived. <3 Such lucky kids.

We were a little worried that snow would interfere with the kids’ party but we lucked out and it wasn’t enough to keep Michiganders at home. Steven got a kick out of watching Jason clear the snow with our snowblower.

At noon, we all headed off to Chuck E Cheese, where Steven, Sammy and Amaya chose to have their birthday party. We invited both of their classes and ended up with a party of 33 kids. I really enjoyed knowing the kids from my visits to their classrooms, and some of the other parents, too.

We had some interesting “triplet” conversations as people arrived:

• From a mom of a child in the boys’ class: “What are your plans for Amaya’s birthday party?”
• From another mom of a child in the boys’ class: “[My daughter] said that Steven and Sammy are triplets but I told her she must be mistaken.”
• From a mom of one of Amaya’s friends: “I wanted to let you know the twins can come to the party, too, but I know Amaya likes to have her own space so I understand she might not want them there.” (I’m still cracking up at “twins”. And she’s right. Amaya would hate it if her brothers came to the party.)

As soon as we got our wristbands the kids are off and I barey saw them while I played hostess at our tables. We had a great day for the party because there was only one other small party happening at the same time and, other than that, it was pretty empty. The kids had a blast!

Sammy and his favorite friend, Owen.

Pizza and cake an ice cream time!

For cakes, Steven picked chocolate Paw Patrol, Amaya picked chocolate Barbie and Sammy picked vanilla Batman.

SSA each had an opportunity to go in the ticket grabber thing. Steven wasn’t feeling it so Amaya got his extra tickets for him.

These kids were spoiled by their friends.

Mommy and Chuck E!

This has been a weekend of sugar, sugar, sugar. We’re going to need a Cline Kid sugar detox next week! But SSA and Charlie ate it up. Literally.

When we got home from the party, the kids dove right into opening their gifts from their wonderful friends. Legos were a big theme in gifts for the boys which thrilled Steven. Sammy’s favorite gift is a Hot Wheels set. Amaya loves her LOL doll.

Sammy and Charlie playing the Headbanz guessing game.

<3 <3 <3

We had an awesome, lazy morning today which let the kids dive into their gifts. Charlie and Amaya spent a good portion of the morning twinning.

Amaya is in new PJs that she received as a gift. She loves them.

What? More candy at 10am?

We’re so lucky to have a hill in the backyard. On days like today, the kids can have a ton of fun outside and I can peek from the comfort of my warm house.

In the afternoon, after lunch at Deadwood, we made some birthday cupcakes – Amaya’s request thanks to the baking shows she watches.

Happy Birthday!!

+ Tears because the wax dripped on her cupcake and ruined the pattern and design in her frosting.

But she recovered. 🙂

While we missed the family that couldn’t spend the weekend with us, it was a great birthday weekend for Steven, Sammy and Amaya. I’m a very grateful mom.

And just a few other highlights from the week…

I was away for my work trip until Tuesday afternoon but got this photo of my smiling brood from Penni on Monday night.

On Wednesday morning I took Steven to get an orthitics fit check. It was with someone new who confirmed that he does still need orthotics and his current ones still fit. Steven was disappointed. His first choice was that he doesn’t need them anymore. His second choice was getting to pick a pattern for new orthoics. But he handled it like a champ.

The timing worked out well for me to volunteer in Amaya’s class after dropping of Steven. Amaya was so cute while the class finished their activity. She kept peeking at me and giving me sly looks and sweet smiles. I love that she loves me there.

One activity I assisted with is “read the room.” The kids get a sheet that has two columns with a vowel at the top of each column. In this case, Aa and Oo. The kids walk around the room and look for cards that have a picture e.g. rat. They have to sound out the consonant-vowel-consonant (cvc) word and decide if the vowel is an A or an O and then spell and write the word in the correct column. I was really impressed with how well the kids did!

During independent reading time Amaya was so proud to read Sam the Cat to me. And I was so proud of her!

Finally, on Friday I joined the kids for their long-awaited stint at the cafeteria birthday table! For a $10 donation to the PTA, you can sign up to eat with your child(ren) at the table on their birthday. We were all really excited. I loved being with them and also getting a chance to see school lunch in action.

So now it’s Sunday night and we’re getting read to say goodbye to everyone AND celebrate Steven, Sammy and Amaya’s actual birthday tomorrow. Amaya is so sad to say goodbye to Charlie so we’re getting through it with a picture of them on her wall and a strategically pointed night light. I know how she feels. 🙂

Have a great week and a great January 20th!