Coltin turns 11!

My first born son, tender hearted young man, turned 11! He may look as though he is 13, but his Mommy knows him as her little big boy! He started middle school this year and it was quite a hard transition to say the least! He has since over come his fears and is now enjoying it! He was chosen to be an office aid during one of his 7 periods and loves it! All of his core classes are accelerated and when he brought home his midterm report, he had all A's!! I am very proud of him especially considering he is the youngest in his grade! Most of his friends turn 12 this year!

I gave Coltin the opportunity to stay home from school with me on the day of his actual birthday. Of course, he jumped at this even though I told him my day consisted of cleaning, laundry, and babysitting! As it turned out, 2 of the kids I keep didn't end up coming that day so we were able to go to Golden Corral for lunch! I had coupons so it only ended costing me $13 for myself, Coltin, Nolan, and Nadia to eat there! That is amazing considering that it is usually $9.99 for just one adult!!

Coltin is also in Boy Scouts now! He moved up from cub scouts and is very excited! He has also chosen to start conditioning with the middle school basketball team. After the 1st day, he wasn't sure he wanted to go back, but with a pep talk from Dad, he chose to give it another try and was so happy he did because it was much better the 2nd day! Tryouts for the team will be the 1st week of November so his is nervous about that!

Tim and I decided when Peighton started middle school that we wanted her to have a cell phone so that we could keep up with her a little easier. The same thing applied to Coltin so he was anxiously awaiting his phone! He picked the one he wanted but for us to get a free upgrade we had to actually wait until the day of his birthday to order it. He thought he wouldn't actually receive it until a couple of days after his birthday! With a little skill and sweet talking on Tim's part, he was able to get it that very day and we wrapped it and wow was Coltin ever surprised! I was a little skeptical about giving him a phone at such an early age(Peighton was 12 when she entered the 6th grade), but he has proven to be very responsible so far! I am so proud of Coltin and the young man he is becoming. The choices he makes and the example he is to others, makes my heart swell. Happy Birthday my son! I love you!

Gorgeous Coltin with his new prize possession!

Can't you just see the love in Peighton's face as her brother gives her a "Thank You"

kiss! I love this picture and am so happy I caught their expressions on camera!

Double Fudge Chocolate Chip Birthday cake!

This was outside at Golden Corral! Coltin, Nolan, and Nadia!

I think one of the main reasons he chose Golden Corral was because of the dessert bar!

Eating some kind of chicken that he said was the "bomb"!

Kami turns 8

Kami, my beloved 3rd child, second daughter, sweet spirited, high maintenance, turned 8 on Sept. 15th. Since it was on a Tuesday, which was a school day, we made cupcakes the night before, and I took them to her at school to share with her class. I also asked her what she wanted for lunch and she chose Chinese, so I brought that as well, and had lunch with her. We had a VERY busy evening with Coltin having baseball practice, Peighton having an away soccer game, and Kami also having a soccer game so I didn't plan on even a family party. As things turned out, I was able to get a Brewsters icecream cake and meet a couple of her friends at Zaxby's after her game. Dad, Peighton, and Coltin were finally able to get there around 8:30 so we had a very quick family b-day for her! Tim starts his new "day" job on Monday so we will be planning her baptism for Oct. As luck would have it, he has worked every weekend since she has turned 8, so we just decided to put it off until he started his new job. She is very excited about this wonderful opportunity and we are so thankful that she has made this choice!

Her Birthday outfit!

At Zaxby's with a few friends!

She wanted a new bike for her birthday and picked out this really cool pink one! It is alot bigger than her old one so she has been enjoying getting used to it!