Erin's "Unofficial" Birthday Party

I don't really like having big parties for the kids' birthdays. Usually we just celebrate with our family or a friend or two. This year Erin begged to have a real party and I kept saying no. Finally she convinced us to have a few friends over just to "hang out." A few turned it into 8. She had 4 friends from church, 3 from school and Emma, our next door neighbor. My house was very LOUD last night. Sounds like they had a lot of fun making homemade pizza, playing charades, hide and seek in the dark, and singing around the piano. I had envisioned a quiet movie night. But it was good to see kids do other things besides watch movies. I really should get out my good camera to take some decent pictures.

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First Dance

I really wish I could chaperone. But I am home chaperoning a bunch of 12 and 13 year-old girls.

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Happy 12th Birthday Erin

Erin's birthday started out a little rough this morning. She asked us to take her to the Gila Valley Temple for her birthday. This morning the van wouldn't start. We had to wait for the store to open and install a new battery before we could take off. Then while waiting to go, Erin made herself some monkey bread. She forgot the pan handle had been in the oven and when she grabbed it, she burned her hand really badly. After getting a blessing and fixing the van, we convinced her that she would probably feel better as we drove. She was fighting back tears all morning. But fortunately, she felt well enough to do baptisms.

We made a quick stop at Taco Bell and the LDS bookstore. She got a new CTR ring and a Jenny Oaks Baker CD. Then we made it back just in time to get the boys from school.

For dinner she chose turkey burgers with cheese fries. Mario made her an ice cream cake. Now, Erin is off to Mutual for her first official night.

Her gifts included Harry Potter piano music, Mickey Mouse t-shirt, ring, and CD. She got a frisbee from Nathan and $1 from Zachary.

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Happy 14th Birthday Eric

New Adidas shoes, sunglasses, Forrest Gump DVD (favorite movie) and Nerf tomahawks, swords, & ax (all to play with the twins). Those were the birthday gifts from the family. They were all on his wish list. Oh, almost forgot the $1 bill wrapped in granola box from Zach. Eric requested egg, bacon, and cheese burritos for breakfast and taco salad for dinner. Mario made him an ice cream cake.


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Hermit Crabs

My boys bought crabs several months ago with their own money. The fun wore off really quick. Now they only feed and give them water when I remind them which is evey few days. We are always afraid we are going to find them dead. So I told the boys we have to give them to a family that will take care of them. Zach took the news hard when I told him I found a home for them. He was quite upset I was giving them to my friend Rachelle's 4 year-old. Apparently he doesn't think she'll do any better taking care of them than he has.

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Breakers

The kids read 36 hours this summer to earn tickets to Breakers. Since birthdays are Monday and Tuesday, Eric and Erin invited Cameron and Dawna to join us. We had lots of fun and Nathan even braved all the waterslides that Zach went on. Hooray Nate! Some bribes did the trick...I owe him a Happy Meal next week.

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Possible PCS

Mario came home yesterday and said he is on the list to PCS in the spring. We thought we had 2 more years here. Mario has asked his colonel about transferring down to Sierra Vista and then commuting the 120 miles (roundtrip) each day so the kids could stay in the same school district for 6 years. Both Mario and I are ready for a change and a move but we feel bad for the kids. So our first priority is to stay and commute. But if that doesn't work out, looks like I may finally get out of the desert. Does it make me a bad mom to hope it doesn't work out? At first the kids were opposed to the move, but we told them Scott AFB may be an option again. We were there from 2005 until 2007. We showed them houses in the area and the beautiful green lawns. Eric and Erin put in a request for woods behind our house and both agreed to move...not that they have a choice in the matter. Mario is waiting for a list of options to come available and then he'll start working the system. I hope for Scott or somewhere that is close to the ocean. Alaska is NOT on my list and nor is North or South Dakota.

I love the excitement of moving. I love the guessing game of where we will go. I love it even better when we know and can start our research on homes and schools.


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