This monkey is Shane’s favorite thing in the world. This morning, Shane put the monkey in the mudroom with his walkie talkie that Chloe got him for his birthday as he was leaving for school. So cute.

We have another birthday in the house – it’s Andrew’s birthday!

Kids made him his favorite food for his birthday dinner. My genius idea.  🙂

Happy birthday! Love you babe!

This girl is so hilarious!
One night Chloe was acting so crazy, Andrew called her Ronaldo. She thought it was the funniest thing that she’s been calling herself that name since then. LOL!

While I’m getting ready for our next activity, bonfire & s’mores, Chloe’s reading outside the tent,

and Shane’s inside on his iPod.

Roasting marshmallows and hot dogs.

It was so much fun! Happy birthday my sweet Shane!

And we all slept in the tent…

We are celebrating Shane’s 8th birthday and we are having a camping party in the backyard. 🙂 My sweet boy didn’t even ask for a party and even though we didn’t do anything special on his birthday, he just thought that was it. So when we surprised him with our little “camping trip” in the backyard today, he was thrilled!

Chloe’s an awesome sister. She bought him walkie talkies with her own money, wrapped beautifully with a card and gave it to him on his birthday. Shane said it’s “the best gift ever”, and they’ve been communicating through it all week. Andrew got him a brand new bike but who cares about that . ;P Actually he’s been riding it a lot and he’s very happy to ride a big boy’s bike.

Chloe’s praying for the meal.

My mom made Kalbi and Japchae. So yummy!

To the best 8 year old boy Shane,

Sweet, smart, kind, athletic, funny and bright. That’s you!

I am so proud that you are my son. I hope I tell you that often enough. I love how when you wake up in the morning (only during school week) all tired and needy and have to come to find me in the kitchen to sit on my lap hugging me for a while before you start your day.  When you outgrow my lap I’ll be really sad. I love how you randomly call me to say you love me throughout the day. You are a sweet sweet soul… You have so much love to give and I hope you love your God the father the most before anything else in life. I love you with all the love I can imagine…my son.

At 8 years old:

1. Your favorite color is black.

2. You want to become a football quarter back player when you grow up.

3. You’re going to live next door to us and be our neighbor when you get older but you’re also going to have a house in Bar Harbor.

4. You love to play basketball, football, baseball, soccer, basically all sports and you’re so good at all of them.

5. You find your sister Chloe to be the funniest comedian on earth and you are her biggest fan.

6. You still like to sleep in our bed every chance you get.

7. If we threaten you to take away your video game time on weekends, we can pretty much have you do anything we want…

8. You discovered U2 early this year and it was your favorite band for months. Now you found out about Z100 music station and love everything they play. You’re a music lover.

My mom prepared us delicious birthday breakfast for him! And us. 🙂 

I told Shane to stop playing his video games and to go upstairs and start folding laundry and that’s what he did. 🙂

It is time that they can help out with chores. Doing chores around the house is part of their allowance and they are pretty good about doing them. Well. Sometimes. We decided to give the kids their weekly allowances last year but I always forget to because I never carry cash around…but Shane’s good about keeping track of how much I owe him though. 

Celebration continues for my mom’s birthday. Thank you for always being there for us and being my role model, my best friend, & my mom…

My parents came back from their little getaway and we planned a surprise brunch for my mom’s birthday. Chloe helped with most of the food preparation and keeping my parents from coming to the kitchen 😉

Chloe praying for the meal.

Happy birthday! We love you so much~~

My parents have been so good, always cooking and cleaning for us and picking up the kids from school while they stay with us. This week is my mom’s birthday week so they decided to take a little gateway to down the shore for a few days.

As soon as they’re gone I feel like I’m back to crazy busy schedule instantly. I just picked up the kids from school and when we got home, I was busy putting away groceries and start preparing for dinner. Chloe always helps me get grocery bags from the car and brings them to the kitchen then puts to away to designated places without me having the ask her.

Shane sees me that I was busy and asked me if he can help me with dishes. What good kids I have. 🙂