Bubble snakes!

We got this idea from www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com - bubble snakes!  You just take a water bottle, cut the bottom off, attach a washcloth with a rubber band, dip in some bubbles, and blow!  They loved it.

Sleepover fun...

Madison had Brynn over last night for a sleepover, and they were so excited!  They played babies almost the entire time....such girlie girls.  We went to CiCi's Pizza for dinner, they played Wii, had chocolate fondue (kind of), watched a movie, and just acted silly!  I had bought that Dolci brand chocolate, and ruined it because I didn't set the microwave to 50%.  I was so mad!  But luckily, we had just enough mini Hershey bars for everyone to have a tiny dip of chocolate.

Movie time with babies!

"Bed time"...i.e. sillly girl talk time!

This morning we made some Wuggle Pets...they loved them!

I love that these two have been such good friends since kindergarten.  It's neat to watch their friendship grow.  Sweet girls!

Shark time!

Nathan wanted to try out his shark slip 'n' slide...so we set it up for them this morning.  They loved it, except for when Madison would hurt her tummy by slamming down on the ground!  They sure don't make them like they used to!

And we almost forgot the 3D goggles it came with!

A family getaway...

We planned a family getaway before the kids got sick, and we went ahead and took advantage of the weekend.  Nathan isn't 100% yet, but the kids had a blast.  This boy won't waste a chance to have fun!  We  stayed at a hotel in Grapevine for a night, and the kids thought it was pretty cool!

We had room service deliver our dinner - they LOVED eating in bed!  We had a late dinner and watched The Three Stooges while we ate.  Their were giggles all night!

They spent a lot of time "rock climbing"...this kept them entertained for a while!

Crazy kids!  Their favorite was this little hot tub that wasn't a hot tub anymore.  It was a perfect size for them, and they spent a lot of time up here!

They really enjoyed the yummy slushies.  We needed something to cool off....it was HOT.

It was a fun getaway.  I love spending time with my family...it was nice to get away from reality, especially after all this sickness in our house!

Fun!

The kids have both had strep this week, so we've had a lot of down time, which has been nice!  Today we decided to have a cartoon-watching picnic fort lunch!

They have loved hanging out in there, and I caught them earlier reading together.

Then, after shower, I surprised them with cornstarch and water!  FUN stuff.  They were amazed and had so much fun.  Madison said, "This is so unbelievably weird!"

We are beginning to have a little cabin fever, but it was nice to do some free fun stuff at home!

Birthday fun!

Nathan woke up to balloons this morning!

He had homemade pancakes for breakfast - his choice.  The store bought kind has egg, so he rarely has them.  I'm not a good pancake maker!

We got yogurt at Yogurtville...

Dinner choice = McDonald's.  No surprise there!

He got to open a few more presents tonight.  VERY excited about his maze books - he's addicted to mazes!

This picture is blurry, but I love it.  I wish you could hear the screech when he opened this!  Madison got him a slushy maker that he's had his eyes on for awhile now.

And a shark slip 'n' slide he wanted!

My poor little guy wasn't feeling too well, so we skipped night swimming.  He's been acting weird the past few days, and now I know why.  I took his temp, and it was 100.8.  Madison too....both kiddos are sick.  But you'd never know it from these pictures...he was a trooper today and made the best of his birthday!  I can't believe he's five.  I really can't.  He's grown up so much this past year.  Happy birthday, sweet boy.

Five years old...

I can't believe my baby is five years old today.  Five.  How did that happen?  Seems like just yesterday we were trying to swaddle him, and he kept getting that one arm out.  He was a little bundle of energy even back then!  

If I could describe Nathan in one picture, this would be it.  Goofy.  He loves to make you laugh, and has such a little personality!  Not a day goes by when I don't laugh at something he says or does.

He loves his sister.  This is always such a huge part of his birthday posts, but he absolutely loves her and looks up to her so much.  He wants to do anything she does, and loves just being with her.  I already posted all the sweet pictures from our vacation, but they really do have a wonderful relationship.  Of course they have their moments of fighting and annoying each other, but they have a special bond.  I'm so grateful for that!  As always, I pray it continues as they grow older.  I love seeing my kids build such a special relationship.

Nathan is a bundle of energy.  He never ever stops.  Ever.  He has more energy than any kid I've ever known!  He pretty much runs or bounces instead of walking.  He is so full of life, and for the most part, he's a happy little boy.  He always finds the good in things! He is very animated and gets excited over everything.  His favorite cartoon is Spongebob (which I promised myself I'd never let my kids watch that, and here we are).  His favorite foods are pasta, bread, yogurt, okra, spaghetti and anything sweet!  And if he could eat out every meal, he'd choose McDonald's and never get sick of it!  He is obsessed with technology.  Always asking if he can play his DS, the Wii, the iPad, or the iPhone.  If I would let him play all day, he would.  Happily.  He is so incredibly affectionate, which I absolutely love.  He is a cuddler, and is always giving hugs and kisses and saying, "I love you."  Always.  He even tells his friends that he loves them.  He's a ladies man already.  LOVES girls.  He loves the attention and the affection they give!  Just the other day, he said, "I like that lifeguard the best."  I asked why and he said, "Because she's pretty!"  He loves singing, he loves pink girlie things, and he is okay with that!  This morning he was singing Hannah Montana and something from iCarly!  He can be a challenge, but his good outweighs any of that!  He is happy, fun-loving, affectionate, funny, and caring sweet boy.  And he loves God and Jesus.  He is always asking questions and telling me he wants to go to heaven so he can see them.  He is really starting to understand, and I love that.

Nathan, I can't imagine you not being a part of our family.  You add so much laughter and brightness to this house!  I love every minute of being your mommy.  You've taught me so much.  Happy 5th birthday to my sweet boy.  I can't believe you're five!  I'm secretly excited that you still have another year before kindergarten, because I'm not ready for you to be away from me that much!  You make me smile, and you make my heart melt every day.  I love you.

A week of cousin fun!

Lacey and Cody come every summer for a week, and the kids always look forward to this time together.  We pack in a ton of fun in 6-7 days!  The kids end the week exhausted, but they have so much fun together!

We started the week at Hawaiian Falls.  It was a perfect day for this...not too hot!

They played games....

Had sword fights...

Played squinkies...

We went to Going Bonkers and had several hours of climbing fun!

We went to Kobe Steaks and they got to have Japanese Sprites!

We went to the club to swim right before Nathan's birthday party...

We saw Ice Age:  Continental Drift....

Acted silly....

Made plates that would've been really cool if Gaga had bought the right Sharpie markers!  :)  You decorate a plate (from the Dollar Tree) with PERMANENT sharpie markers, and then bake for 30 minutes on 300.  Cool idea.  We'll have to do this again!

Last night together.  I always hate goodbye, especially seeing these two girls get so emotional.  They both have such tender little hearts and love being together!  We had a wonderful week with cousins.  Thank you Donna (and Gaga!) for making this week possible.  If it weren't for you two, we wouldn't have these memories!