Sydney is SEVEN!

Where have the years gone?? I can hardly believe my first little girl is 7! We've been celebrating for weeks it seems - but for Sydney she couldn't wait for her actual day to arrive!!!

We were suppose to be celebrating her birthday in Prague - but that weekend trip got canceled due to our family getting hit with the flu this past week. It started on Thursday, and made its way through most of us. By Saturday evening most everyone was feeling better - and Sydney was really hoping she would stay well (as she was the only one who hadn't had it yet). Fortunately for her - she didn't get it - and celebrated her birthday with ALL SMILES!!!

Showing off the gifts from Grandma B!

We love you Sydney -thanks for being such a sweetheart!

What's in the Box?

About 3 weeks ago a big box arrived. It was pretty heavy so I had the delivery man set it in the living room. When the kids got home from school they all asked "what is in the box?" and "who is it for?" I played dumb and stated I didn't know - it must be a surprise from daddy. Well the box made its way up to the guest room - and out of sight out of mind - the kids didn't ask much about it. Well, as the birthdays started being celebrated around here - the box finally made its official appearance once again.

I never got around to wrapping it - we just brought it out and told the girls it was their gift to share - and to open it. We didn't give them any help - they figured out how to get the tape off and open up the box. "What is in the box?" they kept asking. Well - inside box 1 was another box. So they opened the next box. And inside box 2 was another box. We told them that maybe there would be one box after another until all that was left was a teeny tiny box....so they kept opening.

Fortunately for them - inside box 3 was their gift - a new electric piano.

They were both REALLY excited. They are getting more into music since Shane has started guitar lessons and jamming with daddy in the evenings. I think they want to start a family band of sorts....I'm not sure we are quite ready for that yet!!! I hope to get a few basic books and start teaching Syd and Shaylee the basics - just to get them familiar with a piano. We will see how it goes and maybe start lessons next spring. I need a refresher course myself - I never was a great piano player (I give that credit to my lovely sister Kerri!). I did pull out the Psalter Hymnal and try to play some Christmas songs - its a start!

St. Martin's Day

Tonight we celebrated St. Martin's Day at Shaylee's Kindergarten. St. Martin is known for tearing his cloak in half and giving it to a needy man in the midst of a snowstorm, to save him from dying in the cold. Kids all over Germany make lanterns and walk through the streets singing songs about St. Martin and their lanterns.

Each of the kids made a lantern this year at home. I bought a kit with 3 different lantern sets in it. One afternoon while the kids were on fall break we started making their lanterns. It took a bit of work - but they turned out beautiful! I also bought battery operated lantern lights (they look like a tiny light on the end of a fishing pole). This was great tonight - as I didn't have to worry about any of my kids' lanterns catching on fire! It does (and did) happen to some other kids though.

The kids getting ready to go - lanterns in hand. Shaylee had brought her lantern in to school earlier today, so I took a picture of her with her lantern when we got to the Kindergarten.

Here is a close-up of the lanterns - and the lantern light stick.

Silas did a great job holding his lantern. He actually used a lantern that Sydney had made last year.

The night at the Kindergarten started off by watching a play, reinacting the story of St. Martin. Then we walked and sang with our lanterns around the Kindergarten. We ended the night with a bonfire and eating Martinsfiguren. The kids had a fun time, and I know that they will probably continue to play with their lights and lanterns for days to come!

Silas with his Martinsfiguren - licking the salt off is the best part!

Sydney and friend Jacey. And the bonfire!

Chestnuts Roasting (take 2)

Awhile back I posted on all the chestnuts we had collected...we were so excited to try out roasting them over an open fire...but then I was told that the type of chestnut we collected was not the edible kind. So I used them for fall decorations instead.

Well, after reading my blog, and informing me we couldn't eat the ones we had collected; my friend Petra picked up some edible chestnuts for me at a store the other day. Last night I decided I'd better give roasting them (in the oven) a try. I looked up on the internet how to roast chestnuts and found out that first you have to cut an X in the top to make sure they don't explode in the oven. Then you put them in the oven and roast them for about 30 minutes. So I gave it a try. After they are done roasting you need to let them cool down a bit before pealing off the outside layer of shell. Shane thought they looked like little brains! Jeremy and I were the only ones to try them. They had a different taste that I can't quite explain, not bad, but I don't know that we will be making this a new tradition or anything like that. It was fun to try it out. Thanks Petra!

Kids

Sunday evening I was playing around with the kids taking photos. Sydney and Shaylee enjoyed posing for me, Silas was basically a goof-ball, and Shane - well he's just not into getting his photo taken. I did happen to get a few smiles out of him. I thought you might enjoy these.

Tool Man

Last week I had to pull out the tape measure to measure the girls. After I was finished Silas got ahold of the tape measure and it became his favorite toy for days! He took it everywhere with him. He wanted it hooked on his pants and he walked around all "cool" like. He was my handy-dandy tool man. The best part of it all was that he also needed to have a little pencil stuck behind his ear. I don't know where he had seen this lately - so he must still remember it from Jer working on the cabin this summer! He was too cute, and such a little character. He has started saying a lot more words recently too. One of them being "pen".

Guitar Lessons

Shane has recently started taking guitar lessons. We bought him a guitar for his birthday last year - and finally started with the lessons this fall. He really enjoys it. Jeremy also has a guitar and the two of them often have jam sessions in the evening together!

Fun in the Tub

Saturday evening the girls asked if they could take their new Polly Pockets Swimming Pool toy into the tub to play. I said sure - but told them to try and not get too wet. A little while later they asked if they could just put their swimming suits on. I don't think I ever said no, but I also don't remember saying yes either. I was just glad they were playing so nicely together. I heard the bath water running and after awhile decided I should check on them. Here is what I found....not only were Syd and Shaylee in the tub - but Shane and Silas were too....all in their swimsuits having a grand ole time. Fortunately our tub is practically as big as a small swimming pool!

Right after I took the first picture - Shane stood up and refused to let me take any more photos of him. He basically said "you are not going to put this on the blog are you??" I don't think he wants to be seen 1) in the tub with his siblings and 2) playing Polly Pockets! Ha, Ha Shane....your mom can't pass up a good post! Syd and Shaylee did pose for me - showing off their Polly Pockets.

Funny thing that happened after this, is that the next night when it was time for Silas to take a bath he wanted his swimming suit on again!!!!

Birthday Party

On Saturday we had a birthday party for both the girls. They each got to invite some friends over. In preparation for the party, Mommy made them a castle cake and they helped paint a princess castle for one of the games (pin the princess on the castle). The girls could hardly wait for Saturday to arrive!

The birthday girls with their cake and Shaylee in front of the castle.

When the girls arrived for the party they first each got to make their own princess crown. I had pre cut-out some of the pieces and others they had to cut themselves. They then got to choose glittery stickers and such to decorate their crowns. I went around and helped staple the crowns together. It was a good thing to start the party off. All the girls were excited - but having them busy with their hands and sitting at the table was good to set the mood. Once they all had their crowns we played a game with music and dress up clothes. They had to pass a ball around the room and when the music stopped whoever had the ball had to close their eyes and pick something out of the bag. They had fun with this game too, and I could set the pace for how fast the game went with the music. The next game was pin the princess on the castle. Again the girls sat by the table and colored their princesses. They were all so intent on coloring. What a great bunch of girls!

They were blind-folded and spun around and then pinned their princesses on the castle. Here are the 10 princesses in front of the castle!

The girls then went up to Sydney and Shaylee's room and played. I went with them and took turns painting the girls' nails. They played so well together. I then went and got dinner ready while they continued playing. Before dinner I decided to let them all come downstairs and we would open presents. Once again the girls were SUPER excited! I think some of the girls were more excited to give their gift than Shaylee and Syd were to receive them!

Syd and Shaylee with their presents! And opening the gifts from their friends.

Some of the fun gifts!

The whole gang with all the gifts and then eating dinner.


Finally it was time for cake. Both Shaylee and Sydney got a turn blowing out candles. We sang Happy Birthday in both English and German! Then it was time to cut into the cake and EAT! YUM!

The girls had a great time. It was a fun party and it went so well - I'd actually do it again, and with the girls' birthdays so close - chances are I will! My girls spent the entire afternoon playing with all their new toys. They played so well that I got the entire kitchen cleaned up and house back in order! Thanks to all the girls that came and for the wonderful gifts - you were definately sweet little princesses!

It is GREAT to be FIVE!

Shaylee celebrated her fifth birthday this year! She was SOOO excited for days before and then the day of we woke her up early so daddy could wish her a "Happy Birthday" and see her open up a few presents before he headed to work.

Here she is at 6:30am! She opened up her "pink" legos and some socks and a hair tie. It is amazing how excited she was to get new socks! She showed them off to everyone at school and could hardly decide which pair to wear each day the rest of the week!

Since we are having a birthday party on Saturday for both Shaylee and Sydney - I opted to make cupcakes for her actual day (she took cupcakes to school too). The actual cake I would make for the party. We celebrated after supper with cupcakes. The cupcake was pretty full with 5 candles! Shaylee opened the rest of her presents that evening too. She is such a joy! She is so excitable and full of life. We are so thankful to have had 5 wonderful years with her and we look forward to the blessing of having many more.

Thanks grandma B for the fun gifts!