Six

Yesterday my big kids turned 6... I cannot believe we have 2 six year olds, the past six years have been such a fun adventure for us. They started out the day by getting dressed in anything they wanted and decorating their own room with whatever they could find in my stash... lots of tissue paper torn up and taped with LOTS of tape to things and Christmas wrapping bows stuck to just about everything... all of their nightlights were covered in tissue.

Then they had breakfast in their room (still not in bed because they are so excited to get moving on their birthday morning).
They requested McDonald's for lunch... I wasn't really asking for lunch requests, but I took them anyway and then dropped them at school. I was feeling uninspired about birthday cake this year... so instead I let them decorate it, and they loved it...perfect! It had ALOT of different kinds of sprinkles on it. Claire had dance class, then Jacob had t-ball.
We had our friend Chris over who has been here for every birthday in Oregon and had what the kiddos requested for dinner... hot dogs, fried shrimp, and strawberries. Opened presents and had cake. Wrestled them to bed.
Tonight they went with a friend to John's Incredible Pizza (think really nice Chuckee Cheese) to celebrate.

John's Incredible Pizza has a big pizza buffet that is pretty good.  They also have rides.  Their bumper cars are a lot of fun!  The ride below spins around and each individual pod can spin around as well.  Claire liked a little spinning.  Dani didn't want to ride it (for good reason)!

They also have lots of games to play.  For some reason, they all really wanted to ride the little 3-seat carousel, like the ones they have outside grocery stores.  Jacob and Ty got to share the seat.

Here they are in their new beanbag chairs that they got so they have a special place to sit and read. Hard to believe we have been blessed to be their parents for 6 whole years.

Jacob is really into basketball currently (he loves to play with the big neighbor boys next door), he just started his second year of t-ball. He loves school and loves to be with friends and around other people. He is a sweet sensitive kid that is very obedient and always watching out for the feelings of other people, he is a great little peacemaker. He is a funny big brother and so so good at helping out with and wanting to play with his baby brother and sister. His eye surgery went well last week and he has been such a trooper through the whole thing. He remembers everything, he loves to ask questions and read non-fiction books and once you tell him something it seems like he will know it forever. Jacob is our cuddly guy and just really loves his family and loves to let them know it.

Claire is our little reader, she just loves it and has gotten really good at it really quickly. A couple weekends ago she read a 92 page chapter book and totally took us by surprise. She is taking ballet again this year and loves it... she spends a lot of her day spinning in circles. She is a great big sister and reads to the babies and has a knack for making them laugh. She is so smart and oh so spacey at the same time, she does a great job thinking through math problems and reading the hard stuff.

Jared and I always love how much they look out for each other; when we go to a store or appointment with one and someone gives them a sticker or sucker they ALWAYS ask for a second one for their brother/sister. It is so fun to watch them pretend together, listen to them talk about little important things when they are going to sleep at night, and just play together. They are great friends and I am so glad to have them both and so glad they came together. Happy Birthday Sweet kiddos!