Clara turns 5!

Clara is 5 years old! 

Once Aubree had her birthday Clara had a hard time waiting for her special day to finally arrive. When it finally did she was awake early and got cheesy eggs for breakfast in bed. She loved the no work on your birthday rule. She chose meatballs and potatoes for dinner and a Mini-Mouse cake. She got some a couple things all Mini-Mouse themed: remote control car, bracelets, and outfit. She was one happy little girl, only not so little.

Clara has really grown a lot this year, like Tess has. Clara's shoe size is a half size away from Abby! I wouldn't be surprised if pretty soon Abby and Clara become like Lizzie and I were in height. Clara is a very spunky, happy, and compassionate girl. She makes friends with everyone. And by friends I mean hugs them too! At the grocery store one day she hugged the lady in front of us checking out. Unfortunately this lady didn't appreciate that. I quickly pulled Clara to the side and reminded her of personal space and stranger danger. As we checked out the cashier was very friendly and talked to Clara about stranger danger as well. Well, it must not have sunk in much because Clara soon walked around to the cashier and gave him a hug.
She is so quick to dish out compliments. Abby and Clara play well together most of the time. I love that they both have great imaginations.

We had her birthday party just 2 days after her birthday. She chose the Mini-Mouse theme. Clara has a couple of preschool age friends she wanted to invite plus all her Warner Cousins. She also invited Patti Lui. (Patti and Clara have become best buds since Dan was put into the bishopric a year ago and Patti sits with us on Sundays. So, when we saw Patti at sewing camp Clara was quick to invite her. Of course Patti came and brought the perfect present.) Since Dan couldn't be there to help me I enlisted my oldest 3 to be over certain things. Abby took care of the treasure hunt, Tess made the "pin the bow on Mini" poster and ran that part of the party, and Jake took care of the pinada. I got a kick out of how Clara treated Mini kindly the few days before the party before "killing" her. We had a lot more people come than I had initially thought but Clara had a blast.

Our Baby is ONE!

Aubree is officially "our" baby. She has finally connected with Dan. She adores her siblings and they adore her. She is not just my baby anymore.

Aubree babbles and talks constantly. Her first word was "hi" and now she says mama and dada. She's on the move every waking moment. She loves the walker and gets going fast and then lifts her feet and coasts. Super cute and funny to watch. She crawls and pulls herself up on furniture. She loves to walk with us and I love that Tess is her #1 walker, Abby enjoys it too. Unfortunately she still hates the car...which is the #1 reason Jake and I will be flying to Utah this Summer.

For her birthday the kids helped me make bumble bee cupcakes. We invited the Conovers' to come watch Aubree eat her cake. She had the same reaction as Jake on his first birthday...she wanted nothing to do with the frosting and wouldn't taste any of it. We all thought it was funny, Aubree cried.

She still takes two naps and sleeps through the night like a champ for the last month! Hallelujah. She eats constantly, though that may be my fault since I feed her to try to keep her happy constantly!

She is the cutest little chub ever and is adored by everyone that sees her. We love her "white" hair and can't wait until there is enough for a bow!

 Birthday Breakfast was Eggs. She loves eggs!

 Bree the Bumble Bee Birthday Cupcakes (the kids had fun making these).

The Conover's brought her a gift. She loves her cell phone.

 This is the traditional 1 year gift re-gifted...ever since Tess was born!

Aubree HATED her cupcakes. As we tried to force her to try it she cried and cried. Funny girl, the only time in her life she'll be crying in resistance of sugar!

Busy Season

Busy season for me happens about twice a year now--Christmas and the last month of school.

There are band concerts, piano recitals, parties, award ceremonies, graduations, projects, work corrections, grades to monitor and a whole lotta celebrating.

So, today was the last day of school, an especially exciting day for Tess who finished elementary school. Dan and I enjoyed going to her graduation and bringing her home early. Jake and Abby had an early release and we celebrated with cupcakes, Popsicles and water games in the backyard.

Then I headed to the airport,  on my way to surprise my parents for their 50th wedding.