Birthdays!

We've had a lot of excitement around here the past month.  Since the middle of April, we have had THREE Reed birthdays!  Our big kids just went from "evens" to "odds" and are now 9 years old, 7 years old, and 5 years old. 

Since Lige has a very flexible schedule now, a new tradition has emerged: we can open presents whenever we want...and that usually means first thing in the morning!

Here's a quick glance at the birthday fun starting with the first one of the year: Anlynn

 Amana thought it would be great to crown Anlynn a Birthday Princess.  So sweet!  And Anlynn informed us first thing that this was her "Birthday Dress."  It's a fancy dress from the dress-up bin.  Who are we to argue?!

  

Anlynn chose a Barbie cake.  It took creative use of bowls and pans.  I think it turned out well, and Anlynn loved it.

 Another tradition is to assemble the gifts on the piano.

Amana was next up.  She wanted a mermaid cake...boy did that throw me for a loop.  With midnight help from Lige, I was able to pull off this beauty.  Amana LOVED it.  Since her birthday was on Sunday, we let her take the cake to Sunday School to share with her class.

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Again with the gifts on the piano...

 Amana's favorite gifts were the Cowgirl hat from Nanny and Grandpa and the camera from Mom and Dad.  She's been informing us that she wants to be a photographer when she grows up!  :)

  

And finally Harrison got a turn at the birthday fun.

More gifts on the piano.

 Harrison had a very super-hero kind of birthday.  He loved getting Iron Man and Captain America, and Avengers beach towel, and he had a Transformer cake.  Notice there is no picture of the cake.  It was not my best work.  Thankfully little boys are so easy to please when it comes to cake.

 

Harrison kept trying to wear Amana's cowboy hat (which made the newly nine year old CRAZY) so we gave him a foam one of his own. 

Poor Isaac had a hard time understanding that even though all his big siblings were having birthdays, it did not mean that it was HIS birthday.  By the end of Harrison's day, I think he got it.  He kept telling everyone we came in contact with, "It's not my birthday!" 

Each of the big kids were able to have a guest spend the night.  This was a bit new for us, but everyone had a great time.

I love these kids so much (along with the others!).  We are seeing that Amana is now feeling that stretch between the two worlds of little girl and growing up girl.  We are thankful she maintains so much of her bright eyed naivete.  She is a loving, thoughtful friend.  She loves others well.  She wants to honor God with her life, even though it's hard sometimes. 

Anlynn is a burst of fiery joy.  She is passionate, and we pray God will give focus to that passion.  She is a true nurturer.  We see that so clearly in the way she takes care of Lucy and any other babies she can get her hands on.  She is a great pray-er.  I have enjoyed watching her faith in God grow as she sees how God answers her prayers.  Anlynn is the first child to blow up angrily...but she is also the only one who apologizes of her own accord.

Harrison boy!  He is at an age where he is so funny.  He makes me laugh so easily.  Which is good because he is also a Champion Fit-Thrower.  No matter if his leg is being cut off or if Lucy just looks at him funny, his cry is the same: completely over the top!  He is a boy's boy.  Sports, dinosaurs, superheros...he loves them all.  He likes to use regular household items to create traps and inventions.  He is really good at coloring.  We pray he becomes a mighty man of God. 

Oh, being a mom to all these little ones brings both great stress and great joy.  I am so thankful God chose me to be their mama.  And I am so thankful He gives me the strength and knowledge to parent them well.  Happy Birthday big kids!  We love you!