How we celebrated

We have had a great Thanksgiving complete with fun turkey cookies the kids decorated and gorgeous weather. (Gabe and Mya were outside barefooted and we had the windows open.)
If Alena is not walking around all day asking, "Ere's Daddee?" then she's asking "Ere's Butter?" (that's, "where's Brother"). She really thinks Gabe's something and here she is giving him a hug. I think this picture is so sweet, and it's a good shot of Alena's pumpkin hair bow made by my friend Kristin.

We enjoyed having Nae's family (at least the one's that live in town) over for a Thanksgiving lunch. Here are Ma thu, Noi and Savannah.

Pa thu got the pleasure of reading a "Princess story" to Mya and Gabe. Mya snatched this up at the library and I just couldn't deny her "but Mom, I LOVE princesses and this is all about princesses."

Noi and Gabe, and you can definitely tell they are related.

Noi took this picture and I think it's really cute too - Mya and Savannah. They were having a little tea party in Mya's room.

Alena was in the bed for most of the celebrating but she did get up right before everyone left.

Can't believe Thanksgiving has come and gone already - all that planning and all that work. However, on to something else; tomorrow we plan to get out the Christmas stuff.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

We have so much to be thankful for, and these three rank high on that list. Hope everyone has a very happy day enjoying food and family.

Fun on a long evening

It's always hard for us (parents included) to get used to the fall time change mostly because - what in the world do the kids do for that long hour or so between supper and bed. In the summer everyone goes outside until the very last minute but in the colder months it often seems that all the pent up energy comes out and general chaos ensues.

So, bring out the light sticks. I almost always keep these on hand. They're from the dollar tree - this pack had four big ones but usually, I get the smaller pack with 8 bracelets. They are great nightlights when camping and we take them with us to events were a similar thing is often sold for 5 + dollars (like the fireworks or ball games.) They are also really fun inside if you turn all the lights off, put on some fun music, and dance, dance, dance.

No excuse!!!

So, if anyone noticed that I haven't posted in over a week - sorry! I really have no excuse except that I haven't taken any pictures. I actually did attempt to get some pictures of the girls' super cute Thanksgiving hair bows that Kristin made them but alas they were not cooperating. I'll have to try again and I'll try to do better about posting.

Gabe and Mya had their 5 and 3 year check-ups today. I, thankfully, had the foresight to get a babysitter for Alena and I was so glad that I did. I knew that shots were going to be involved and the kids had been properly prepped but I was in no way prepared for Gabriel to get 5 shots! He actually did really well and there was no kicking and screaming but when it was all over the tears fell and then poor Mya was in the corner screaming, "I want to go home!" at the top of her lungs. She only had to get one so it was over pretty quick and we were on our way. I do have to mention that both Gabe and Mya were in the 90th percentile for height and between 50 and 75th for weight so there is hope for our little Alena who huddles around the 5th percentile. Just because they start off small doesn't mean they will always be. I took these pictures while they were watching "Curious George" this afternoon; they really didn't lay around looking pitiful all day. You can see in Gabe's picture that he's trying really hard to look "sick" and not smile.

I know the dental bills are coming for this little habit, and I know she's 3 and probably should stop, but I think it's so cute to see Mya sucking her thumb with "Nuh" in her hand. I have a feeling that when she's 16 and I look back at this picture I'm going to say, "She was still so small why was I worried about her thumb." At least I hope that's what I think :) We do usually require all thumb sucking to be done at bed time but she got away with it this afternoon.
Finally, Alena was all smiles this afternoon since she got all her shots over with last week. She was watching Nae in these pictures, and I know that I'm slightly biased but really can you get much cuter?

Start 'em early

None of my kids will voluntarily eat carrots, cabbage, or onions, however they will all 3 eat egg rolls and have since they were big enough to hold onto one and gnaw on it. (Mathu used to make Gabe little bitty egg rolls when he was a baby). So, it's only right that they get in on the making of the egg rolls. On this night, Gabe had the all important job of separating the wraps and Mya was the put the egg roll on the pan girl. They both took their jobs very seriously.

When not making egg rolls, they're off saving the world dressed like this:

Bad guys better be very afraid.

She might look cute, but...

I just heard Alena scream very clearly, "Take that!" as she was whacking the floor with a foam sword. Gabe and Mya better watch out, next time it just might be their heads :)

More Birthday Fun

We've had a very busy weekend full of birthday celebrating around here. Nae got back in town Thursday evening just in time for present opening. Then Friday morning we all headed to IHOP, one of Gabe's favorite restaurants, where he ate 2 scrambled eggs, 2 pancakes, and 2 sausage links. Then today was the "real" birthday party with his friends.

Opening presents with Daddy.

New shoes.

He figured this out really quickly, and already can fly on his new scooter.

With these friends, you can imagine what a fun party Gabe had today. He had a little soccer themed party so they all wore their jerseys and practiced their soccer skills in the backyard (with a little Star Wars action thrown in too.)

Our Birthday Boy

Today, this sweet boy turns 5. My, how our lives changed in ways we would have never imagined when Gabriel entered the world, but we certainly wouldn't go back. If we had known that the little screamer who refused to sleep would turn into such a delightful boy, much frustration would have been saved.

Gabriel has grown up so much in the past year and has officially entered "boyhood." He has a wonderful imagination, a love for learning, and a soft heart. I know that all those "first born" qualities that drive me crazy are one day going to be tamed into a wonderful young man. We love you buddy - you're the one we would choose every time. Happy, happy birthday!

For my record keeping, here are the answers he gave to the list of questions I asked today. If anyone is interested, last year's answers are here.

How old are you today? five

What is your favorite color?red

What is your favorite food? eggs

What is your favorite book? Mrs. Piggle Wiggle's Magic

What do you want to be when you grow up? a policeman

Where is your favorite place to eat out? Chillis

What is your favorite thing to do with Mommy? make a present for Mya

What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy? work and help him

What is the best thing about having Mya for a sister? she calls Mommy when I'm stuck

What is the best thing about having Alena for a sister? I can play with her

What is your favorite thing to do with your friends? play Star Wars

What can't you wait to do when you get bigger? do the tricky monkey bars

Where is your favorite place to visit? Scottie's house

What do you love about going to Mathu and Pathu's? Playing

What do you love about going to Grandmama and Grandaddy's? Going to church

What is your favorite thing to play? soccer

What thing do you most dislike doing? shop

What is your favorite part of the day? Rest time

What would you do if you could stay up all night? watch a movie

Where would you go if you could go anywhere in the world? camping

What makes you happy? When we go to the Aquatic Critter and eat supper at Wendy's

What makes you sad? When Mya wrecks my towers

What do you wish you could do? Play with all my friends in a group

What would make this the best birthday ever? going to the soccer field