Happy Birthday Damian!!

Damian's 7th birthday should be filled with great memories! We enjoyed his birthday with just our little family, anticipating a bigger party at the lake the next day. I can't believe he's only 7. :) In many ways, he's seemed more grown up. He's a great babysitter (most of the time) and has always been a great helper (when he wants to). He says he takes things apart all the time because he wants to figure out how to get them back together. Someday, that will be a great asset (maybe not the best one for our home & cars right now though)! We're so happy to have this little man in our family!

He really wanted a pinata this year, but I just didn't feel like doing it. So. . .I was looking in to buying one (since we didn't have to spend much money for his birthday presents), but my friend talked me into letting him make his own. Hmmm. . .should I give you the dirty details (of letting two little boys make a pinata together), or just let you think it was all fun and games. . . .?

Okay, for the sake of keeping good records, I'll let you know of some of the mess that came with this little project. He, Gehrig and their friends Alex & Annie did the first layer of newspapers. It's glued together with a sticky paste of cornstarch and water. They did so well that I turned them loose in the garage for the second layer (this time just Damian & Gehrig). I heard some noise and went out to find they were having a "water" fight with the sticky paste. Paste was EVERYWHERE! On my car, bikes, floor, rug, etc. No, I wasn't too happy. But, stupidly, I let Damian go ahead with the project. When it came to spray painting, I figured that if we did it on the grass and in a box, if anything went where it shouldn't it could be mowed away. Plus, I was out there reading to him while he sprayed. Well, at one point when I wasn't looking up (b/c I was reading to him, mind you) he sprayed the sidewalk. Nice, eh? Anyway. . .another day went by and I had cooled down enough to turn him loose with the paints to paint his Spiderman. Luckily, this one went without event. Overall, I think he did a pretty good job for a brand new 7 year old!

His first gift was the new bedding, pillows & curtains. I made them a couple of weeks ago and my wonderful Aunt Mary quilted and bound them for me. Damian requested the dog theme. I was so excited to finish a project that wouldn't be undone immediately (like most of the work of a mother and housewife). He also got a bike (unluckily, we've had 5 bikes stolen--luckily our great friend and neighbor has had 2 bikes left at her home and never claimed--so, she gave us one of her additional bikes to give him for his birthday!). He also got a portable cd player to listen to his books on cd and music, a CTR ring from Gehrig & science book from Emma & Isaiah.

On Monday, MaryLynn's family came with us to Pineview Reservoir and met up with Brinn and kids, Mom, Carli & Camille and kids! What a great party!! The kids had a wonderful time on the beach and in the lake. We had lunch, broke Damian's pinata and ate cupcakes! I didn't do the greatest job taking pictures, but here are a few from the exciting day!

(Annie, Emma & Quincy, Gehrig
Brooklyn, Kimberly, Brinn,
Katelynn, Brielle, Alex)

Mom was such a sport to always be willing to let Isaiah warm up on her after he got cold. He wanted to "warm" up even when he was hot! I think he just loves his Mimi!! Thank you all for coming and making the day so special for Damian. You should have seen his face light up when I planned it and told him who was planning on coming! He was so excited!!

So. . .this next set of pictures is depressing. If you're prone to get depressed for someone else, you shouldn't look. . .So. . .after two days of enjoying their brand new quilts I made for them with my very own two hands (instead of buying them something cheap), last night Lou brought Isaiah down looking like this. . . .

When I saw the damage to his quilt, I crumpled in a ball on the floor next it--desperately wanting to cry. But, to make a long, sad story short and happier. . .I scrubbed my little heart out for quite some time and you can't really tell unless you're looking for it. Thank heavens!

Poor Jimmy!

Meet Jimmy:
This is Emma's doll that her Grandma Harris & Aunty Kay bought her. He's a favorite among the children.

Jimmy + Isaiah (during naptime) = Skinny Jimmy

It wasn't the little spanking he was so upset about. It was that he still had to stay in his room for his nap. Nope, unstuffing a doll won't get you out of your room.

Putting Jimmy back together again. . .

A compassionate look from the destroyer. . . :)

The before and after. . .nothing a little stuffing, needle & thread can't fix!