On the very important occasion of turning 6

Turning 6 only happens once and it is a very important thing.  So we could fully celebrate the wonderfullness of Everett's sixth anniversary of life, we decided to celebrate for the whole week.  I think I am still recovering.  Seriously. It was a lot of awesome birthday-ness.  We started Monday morning off (his actual birthday) with one present--his box from Nonni and Grampy.  In it was a very cool game called Rush Hour. Which we then had to play.  Cupcakes at school with Daddy.  Favorite dinner and presents from daddy and mama and Bea that evening. And that was just getting started!

Yes, that is a boomerang. Yep he broke a window within 20 minutes of opening it. And, Russ to his credit, did not say "I told you so"

Angry Birds. The game not the App.  Bea picked it and it is another really fun one to play all together.

On Wednesday, Oma and Baba and Joni and Tante Lienie came for Evie's birthday.  It was so fun. And Everett LOVES his RC car and helicopter.  Russ liked them so much he bought a helicopter for himself and Bea too so they can all take turns flying them.

Our Jonas. Our very favorite one!

The Baba and the Everett. I think I see some van der Hoeven in my son.

Thank goodness Tante Lienie is a pro at putting things together!  She was a true engineer!

Everett wanted a "Thor" birthday party.  And a sleepover. Wowza.  I tried to accomodate!  Here is the buffett set with favors.  Note the authentic Scandinavian modern table cloth.  The book was a gift from Kit and Amy for Evie for Christmas and we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it so much! It is why he really loves Thor. 

The balloons are Asgard and the streamers are the Bifrost (Rainbow Bridge)  If in doubt check out a book on Norse Mythology--you will thank me (and Evie)!

The Thunder and Lightning of Thor.

Jackson, Evie, and Bea!

Mouse Trap!!! Another awesome fun game. Although, it was concluded that the game is irrelevant. We all just want to trap the mouse.

Party People!

Birthday Brownies.  I was really glad E asked for brownies. I was SO over cupcakes.

Why isn't he the pre-school teacher? Seriously, this man I love is too amazing.

But was the birthday over? Of course not! Grandma Jan was our grand finale for Evie's sixth birthday! Wooohoooo!

Bea is so into whatever Evie is doing.  I love this picture!



The birthday boy and his wonderful Grandma Jan.  It was a crazy good week. But no lie, next year, we are going to streamline festivities! Between Beatrice's birthday and Evie's I felt completely birthdayed out!  But hey, what is the point of moderation all the time if not to go overboard a few times a year!

The girls' first day!

When asked about preschool, Miss Bea's response is always the same. Huge smile and "It's FUN!"  She loves her class and has the hardest time waiting for Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.  These pictures are from our very first day this week! Her first time in preschool and my first time teaching preschool.  It was FUN!  (but today, the second day was WAY better!)

Yes, that is a kitty ballerina backpack.  And yes, it is totally awesome and perfect for my little tippy-toe princess. And as a matter a fact, I did thrift it--brand new! Woohoo for recycling cuteness!

Us girls getting ready to go. We were both pretty excited!

Pink sparkle toms for her, Kork-Ease Ava's for me.

We are all adjusting and fun can be a lot of work! (mostly for the teachers-me!) but it is fun and it is going to be a great year!

Labor Day

Russ and I have been having an on-going conversation about our values.  What we value, how we practice that, what are things that distract us.  One night this weekend in the middle of this conversation, I felt like my awareness shifted.  It was a wonderful moment, like stars aligning.  We had been trying to work on budget stuff, and time management stuff, and family stuff.  It was getting heavy--you know, when all the topics are intense.  And it hit me,  we are so lucky--everything we need is right here. I have Russ and my kids--I don't need to buy anything or go some place for it to be better or more fun.  It is fun because we are together.  Since the budget is tight we were trying to find a final Labor Day activity to do all together, but everything was costing more than we wanted to spend.  After my revelation, we decided to simply go to the park--and when the park we had picked was too hot, we modified and went to the older park with more shade.  An added benefit was our first walk through the "zoo." 

 

The "zoo" that is a topic for another day really.  I have some serious issues with our town's little animal enclosures. Serious moral issues.  But, on Monday, it was just the hot, sweaty, family thing to do.  And seriously, they have two baby Japanese monkeys, and they are the fastest, funniest animals.

It was good. It was simple. It was a reminder of what I want our family to focus on.

Everett.  Man of purpose.  His legend is still being written.

Seriously, don't touch the water...

This bird can talk.  He/She only knows a few words, but she can mimic a whistle too. Everett wasn't sure what to think. I think she is lonely.

So hard to get a good picture--this little guy did not want to go to sleep. His mama kept insisting it was nap time and he kept running away. It was pretty funny--because I knew exactly how she felt.

Life is a lot like this. 

I was encouraged by a blog I read to take those nerdy self-portraits.  Because, it is so important to document. Life. The good stuff.  The hot sweaty park stuff. All of it.

Everyone took turns pushing. And riding. **I can't go on them more than a few times anymore, so sad.

Another good end to a good day.

Essman Labor Day Olympics

To kick off the holiday weekend, I set up a back yard obstacle course for the kids. We christened it the first annual Essman family Labor Day Olympics.  It was really fun to see the kids master each step and then to alter and re-design the course!

 

Russ's section of the festivities included taking the derby car apart. He is working on chopping the whole thing into scrap size pieces.  Serious hot work.

some of the pieces. Today he managed to get all most all of it into the truck and truck-bed trailer! Woooohooo!

time for a cool down!

silly little equestrian.