My Taija Girl

I keep thinking that I can keep my kids little forever, but alas each year on their birthday I can't help but recognize they are getting older, bigger, wiser and more awesome!  I LOVE watching them grow and getting to be a part of it every day!




Today Taija turns 7!  S-E-V-E-N people!!  I can't even grasp that she has been the center of my life for 7 years!  She is growing up too fast!

Taija is such a great kid.  She is so funny!  She loves playing with her brother and sister, but let me tell you, she is so very bossy!!  It drives me nuts listening to her boss Luke and Mika around, but I have to tell myself that if they are okay with it, I need to be too.  Taija loves to do puzzles!!  She is pretty good too!  This past year she has also developed a love of legos.  A love her daddy shares!

Taija moved up to the 1st grade this year and started at a new school.  She was accepted into the Gifted Program during the spring and has LOVED it!  Taija was so excited that she would get to take the bus...me, not so much!  Thankfully one of her friends from Kindergarten is on the same bus and they are so cute together.  He saves her a seat each morning! 

Taija has also continued piano.  She is getting quite good and has far surpassed my abilities (not saying too much)!  I love watching her play!  I hope it's something that she will always work hard at and appreciate.

And since it's her birthday and because I'm her mom I get to continue to brag about my Taija girl!!  This year she has continued to read and she is an awesome reader!  She is now into chapter books and loves to read.  If she comes across a word that she hasn't seen before she will sound it out.  I love listening to her read and just see her mind working!  One of the amazing perks of being this girl's mom! 

Taija is of course still obsessed with horses!  This year her party theme was My Little Ponies!  Rainbow Dash being her favorite!  She still loves to run like a horse and pretend to be a horse. 

I am so thankful that our little goose is a part of our family!  Happy Birthday Taija!  Love you!

To my Mika...

To my Mika on her birthday...

Once again this day has come, my Mika mookers is a year older.  I keep telling you that growing up is NOT allowed.  And turning 3 is definitely NOT allowed!  What happened to my little baby?!  Each day I watch you growing and learning new things.  I LOVE how your little devious mind works...poor Luke doesn't stand a chance!  You deliberately provoke him time and time again.  And you so desperately want to be one of the BIG kids while I am here rocking you before bedtime in hopes that it will keep you little.

This past year you have learned so many new things.  You LOVE your scooter especially since it allows you to be like Taija and Luke.  You LOVE to talk and do it non-stop when you wake up in the morning...and whenever you can annoy Luke.  You prefer to walk on your own, even though you tend to drag your feet.  This year we started a preschool with our friends and you are doing so well learning all of the new things.  You like to color, paint, and do stickers.  Oh and you can throw a tantrum with the best of them.  Between you and your sister we could start our own drama theater.  You are an AMAZING actress!  You really play it up anytime you are tired, hurt, or sad.  It is quite funny.  This past year with Taija being in school you and Luke have become good buddies, but only if there is no one else to play with.  Otherwise there are days I wonder if you two will ever be friends!!  The two of you battle over everything and anything!

I am truly blessed to call you my daughter and love that I get to spend everyday with you. I love your ever present smile and the joy you find in the little things.  Love you Mika Mooker Monster!

Love, MOM

Grammy and Pa

Some elves dropped these 2 characters off while we were at the Allreds celebrating Christmas!

The kids were so excited to see Grammy and Pa - it might have had something to do with all of the gifts they brought with them!  But it mostly had to do with the fact that they love when Grammy and Pa come because they get spoiled rotten!

One of the days we ventured out the SkyZone Trampoline Park.  The kids loved that they could jump on so many trampolines at once.  The adults loved that ALL of the kids took a nap that afternoon!

 Pictures were a little complicated given the fact that nothing would stay in focus!!

I'm not quite sure why I had this completely insane idea to go to the Delaware Children's Museum while they were hosting their New Years Day Rockin' Noon celebration, but I did...and we went!  It was a MAD HOUSE, but I think the kids enjoyed it. They keep asking when we are going back...

 This was taken during the 'Count Down' to Noon - they had a big ball drop and everyone was given a bag of confetti to throw around.  It was complete chaos, but a lot of FUN!

Since Justin had the days prior to and including Christmas off, he was pretty much working the entire time Pa & Grammy were here.  We managed to keep ourselves busy in his absence!  Next up was Bowling!

This pic was taken mid-slip!  Pa was showing Mika how bowling is really done!

Pa likes to take the kids on adventures one-on-one and more often than not they end up at Target.  On Mika's adventure he found her a 'kitty hat' and some bib that were way too big (perfect for Taija)!

 This is my awesome bundt cake that I made for Pa - it just so happens that I didn't have a bundt pan so Pa needed to buy one in order for this cake to be made ;)

Thanks to Grammy and Pa for the AMAZING adventures and wonderful memories!