From 2 to 12 in the Blink of an Eye

 

While I had my back turned, this little cutie. . . 

 

. . . went and grew up into this oh-so-grown up lovely young lady - can you believe it?!

We celebrated our Esther's 12th birthday last week with her favorite meal (chicken parmesan - how grown up is that?!) and a cake decorated with her favorite color (just a coincidence it's so close to St. Patty's Day) and fun times with family and friends.  

Her birthday wish list included:
     a floor lamp to put beside her bed (she's practical like that)
     a journal (a girl has ideas to jot down, y'know)
     pierced ears (just like her older sisters now!)
     and a kitten (she gets to pick from Sophie's litter, as soon as they are born)
 
Seems like yesterday this Little Queen arrived and we all spent our days sitting around oohing and aahing over her, walking the floors with her trying to convince her that sleep really is a very good thing, disguising vegetables so she wouldn't know what she was eating and would grow strong and healthy. 

It's an exciting time, watching what God will do in her life, helping her find the path she's to follow, what interests and talents will emerge as she continues to grow and mature. Our Esther is a joy and a delight, a sweet blessing. We love you dear daughter!

Green Ombre Buttercream Cake

Note: inspiration for Esther's birthday cake came from the Wilton Blog

Someone Had A Birthday . . .

and that someone turned 8 years old! During my blogging hiatus, Gabriel had another birthday. He is growing into such a fine young man.








We celebrated his day in the usual style -- balloons, streamers, birthday wishes, a visit from Grandma, gifts galore, a phone call from his overseas Sis.





And of course, a cake designed especially for Gabe.

Our 4th of July Holiday Weekend

The tradition continues: the weeks leading up to July 4th were full of bustling and planning and cooking and shopping, and list making and list checking, etc. I think Independence Day is the children's favorite holiday - our freedom, liberty, the constitution, the founding fathers, our God the Creator -- all these things should be celebrated and remembered so we do not take them for granted.


This year, Brent and Melissa made the trip down to join in the festivities. It was great having them here. The kids all had a lot of fun playing games and getting everything 'just so' . . .



and the big boys enjoyed testing things out, just to be sure, you know.










After services on Sunday, Dad took everyone to Mom's favorite restaurant for dinner - what a treat! I love having all my family gathering around. The food was delicious, service was great and company was terrific - time just always goes too quickly.





On the Menu: Grilled hamburgers and hotdogs and brats, potato salad, chips and guacamole and salsa, baked beans, fresh veggies, fresh fruit and melon, our red/white/blue USA jello mold, festive cupcakes and dragon. Yes! I said "Dragon!" He was the 'Keeper of the Fireworks' but we ate him anyway! He was very sweet indeed.





After the meal, things really got exciting!

The Arsenal




The Gathering: our big house and big yard are a great blessing at times like this.


and the noise! Noah still would rather have silent fireworks.




Just as dusk approached, the big boys fired off rockets that drop parachutes, and the children and Dad ran and ran to see who could catch them. We tried to have plenty available - but it seemed this year the wind took many of the parachutes over the electric fence into the pasture. Still, a good time was had by all!


And then we broke out the sparklers - the little guys are not so little, and not so afraid, so it was very fun, and exciting. I especially enjoyed helping baby Ezra,now 15 months old - he had to be in there with the rest of them. He was NOT going to be left out!










Once again, the show was awesome - plenty of ooohhhhs and aaaahhhhhhhs and wows. We have cleaned up and recuperated and looking forward to next year - though I can honestly say I am a bit relieved it will be a whole year before we do it again - whew! Maybe you'd like to join us?

Our Whirlwind Birthday Season

Since late May, it's been Birthday Central around here - 7 birthdays in less than 5 weeks, in our immediate family.

To start things off, Esther decided she'd like to make some fancy soaps to send to her sister-in-law for her birthday in late May. She chose a rose mold, and added scent and color to melted glycerine soap base, creating these fragrant blossoms:

We had lots of fun, and they turned out really nice. I think Esther surprised herself at how pretty they were, and Melissa really appreciated them. We also made 'Confetti' soaps, by stacking chunks of colored soap base into a cylinder, pouring in white soap base to fill, and then slicing into half circles (oh why did I not get a picture of these?)



Of course, the boys were not too excited about the whole flower thing, so they opted to make bug soap and turtles and frogs. Who knew creepy, crawly things could make such good, clean fun? These cute little soaps have made great gifts for some friends. This project is definitely on our 'Do It Again!' list.


Just a few days after Melissa's birthday, Brent celebrated his 24th. My, how the years have flown by! Having grown children, living away from home, FAR away from home, makes their birthdays tough on this old mom. I tend to reminisce and think on happy memories, and work at fighting away my melancholy. I miss the joy of baking Brent's strawberry/rhubarb pie, and decorating with streamers and a homemade birthday sign sporting his name. Ah, well -- life goes on! But I'm thankful for the luxury of telephones, as I was able to hear his voice from across the miles and a postal service that delivers my cards and packages.


And so, we move on. Look who comes next - me! Twenty-four years ago, we brought our firstborn home from the hospital on MY birthday. He was 2 days old, what a wonderful birthday present! How young and scared I was! How thrilled we were! Seems like yesterday.



Eight children later, they all join in with their dad, and make my birthday special. Once again, Caitlin surprised me with chocolate covered strawberries. She always finds a way to get them done without me knowing it. She is a wonder! She also whipped up a delicious Black Forest Chocolate Cherry Cake for me. Can you tell chocolate makes Mama happy? A gift card to my favorite restaurant, flowers wired from overseas, and my very own pocket-sized digital camera, along with special handmade pictures. They sure know how to spoil their mother!





A week later, it's Noah's turn! He is now 6 years old, will be starting first grade this year, and was very excited to have lost his 2 front teeth just in time for his birthday. You can do such cool things when you are missing so many teeth at once. The bottom 2 have not completely grown in yet, so there is quite a gap.



He especially wanted a baseball birthday this year, so Caitlin helped me make his dreams come true with the BallPark Cake. He loved it! Only trouble was, when it came time to blow out the candles, he needed plenty of help. What with that gaping hole in the front of his mouth, the wind went every which way, but straight out, and he missed EVERY SINGLE CANDLE! We told him this must be an extra special birthday, because this had never happened before. He was happy to have brothers and sisters around to help him out.



And so a few more days pass, and we are on the phone, making a call overseas to wish Alyssa happy birthday. My Flag Day Baby. 23 years old. All grown up, married with a baby of her own. I won't get into how emotional it is for me, but she's happy and doing what she loves. We all miss celebrating this special day with her, but sending cards and care packages makes it fun for us and for her. One of these years, I'm hoping God will bring all my children home for a visit during this birthday season, and we'll have One Big Birthday Bash - won't that be fun?


And 3 days later . . .



. . . Wee Bekah turns 4 - now, THIS birthday was a bit tough on Mom. On everyone, actually, because it means our baby really is growing up. I'm so glad she is generous with her hugs and snuggles and kisses.



Now, any of you that know this girl know that she's all about pink. And that includes birthdays. Especially Pink Poodle Birthdays! And so, Mama says, "My wish is your command" or something to that effect, and with some input from Esther and Caitlin, I whipped up this very cute cake for my baby girl.




Okay, it's Caitlin's turn. She definitely hides from the spotlight, but I caught her on film (so it was a digital camera, but you know what I mean). She's generally busy taking care of things in the wings, quietly helping out in the background, or behind the camera. On Sunday I had her front and center and wouldn't let her escape!



It is so nice to have Grandma near by. She is able to pop in to enjoy our little birthday celebrations.

For a change of pace, Esther and I made an Angel Food cake, covered with whipped topping and fresh strawberries and raspberries. Caitlin enjoyed it, and so did the rest of us! It was light and fresh tasting after all the heavier sweet treats we've been having lately.







19 years old now, and all grown up. But she still was very excited to receive another Nancy Drew Mystery computer game. How long will it take her to 'crack the case'?




Whew! If you have made it all the way to the end of this post, I applaud you and I thank you. This is a chaotic time each year, but a joyous time, filled with love and memories. Here's wishing each of you a Happy Day!

Spring Birthdays

Esther turned 9 in March. She is becoming such a lady. Because we were getting ready for our roadtrip, her birthday celebration was a whirlwind this year. I didn't even get an 'official' birthday photo of her - guess we'll have to do a summer photo shoot - I think everyone needs to have their portraits updated, anyway.



Her Birthday cake this year was a Spring Bonnet Fit For A Queen






On Dad's birthday, we were actually on the road to KC, where Luke played a double-header. So, as a special surprise, Caitlin and Mom whipped up a special birthday cake and we all surprised him the day before his birthday by showing up at the office with the cake and taking him to Taco Bell, everyone's favorite restaurant (ok, so it isn't Mom's favorite - but Dad definitely was happy about it!)





So, what did we create for Dad this year? We took the following into account:
1. He is THE BEST
2. He designs dams
3. He is an engineer
4. He likes cake









He and all the Engineering Department seemed to enjoy it.

A Sweet Treat From My Sweet Daughter

Caitlin knows how much her mother loves chocolate, so that was the theme for her Valentine's Day cake this year - chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate! Yes! Triple Chocolate Delight!






And if you like what you see here, check out our new blog site, Creations From Our Kitchen which showcases the many cakes we've whipped up in recent months.