The Birthday

As if Christmas week wasn't busy enough already..we celebrate 3 birthdays the week of Christmas....Simple family parties are the only way to go :)

 I can't believe our little girl is 5...seems way too grown up.  I vote we should add a number in there between 4 and 5... just to slow these guys down a bit.   Mina's requested meal was stir-fry and dumplings...and a coconut/chocolate bunny cake...

 She is our only family member who's love language is "gifts"  so Christmas week with a b-day and Christmas....she is beaming from the inside out.

 and here is Ty...I can't even begin to count how many photos I have of this guy posing or jumping into pics...he LOVES to be the center of attention.

 Jack's b-day is next in succession,  I was not in picture taking mode this night but this smile, (an orthodontist dream) melts my heart.

 Can I pause for a moment and ask Mom's of young boys what the heck is up with boys caring so stinkin' much about their clothes and the brand names????  I feel a little ill about it all.  My first and hopefully only kid that wants clothes (very particular clothes) for bday and Christmas.

 And Finn completes our birthday trifecta two days before Christmas .    She starts out her day with birthday french toast.

 I LOVE watching her open gifts... she would be completely satisfied with one thing from the dollar store and she would have just the same expression of JOY on her face.

 If I could capture the look of sheer joy, this would be it..

 and this..

 and this..

 and this..can you tell that this girl is just naturally happy and joyful All.the.time!  How funny that is her middle name...for reals

 and for my keeping it real photo of the week.  This is what envy looks like in photos...envy when your sister is opening gifts and your birthday was 5 days ago and you have to wait 360 more days for your own special day full of attention and presents and ruling the roost...

Happy Birthday babies...now could you all just pause for a year or two and let me catch up to you growing up???