Moo's Big Day!

Moo had a birthday breakfast party to celebrate the big number 4.

He's ready to unwrap some presents.

Love those hugs and smiles. Such a gift  - the relationship between grandparents and grand babies.

Moo wanted a build-a-bear for his birthday.

Lou is reading the bear's birth certificate info but Moo has moved on to bigger and better things. :) Thanks for trying Lou.

All things Ninja Turtle.

Moo,

You are sooooo tute. 

(Tute means cute. You pronounce all of yours c's with t's and I find it so very endearing.)

Another one of my favorites is the word trazy. I can't get enough.

But you insist you're big now. "I'm growing up Mom." That's what you say, reminding me to coddle you a little less and to stop calling you my Baby Boober. Just so ya know, you'll always be my baby, just like Little C, Lou, Ruckus, and your little sister are.

You are a chatter box my friend. You can talk to anyone for a very loonnggg time. You dropped a 35 lbs weight on your toe yesterday and when we took you to the doctor's office you talked the ears off anyone attending to you. Daddy had to remind you several times to listen to what the doctor was saying and to stop interrupting him. You really wanted to talk about their past childhood injuries and any doctor visits they've experienced as adults.  :) 

Before we decided to go to the doctor we had Papa look at your injury. You were so impressed with his skill and gentleness when he removed your bandage. You said, "Papa, how did you do that!?" You were way tougher than some of the previous athletes he had cared for during his years as an athletic trainer. 

You are such an animated fellow and make me laugh daily. 

I enjoy your little spirit so very much.

Your two favorite people in the world are 

1 - your cousin Ayla. Best Friends Forever. 

2 - Little Grandpa Patton (Daddy's grandpa.)

You speak of them often even though you live miles apart.

You want to do everything Ruckus does which he mostly enjoys and then sometimes doesn't. You love your little sister and tell me how cute you think she is many times throughout the day.

You recently got lost on a hike with Lou during the Father and Sons camp out. Somehow the two of you became separated from the group and couldn't find your way back. You were also scared to go back down the steep mountain. Lou suggested the two of you say a pray for help and a few minutes later you were reunited with your fellow hikers. 

Afterward you kept telling Dad how Jesus helped you on the mountain. I love the faith you are developing. You are lucky to have such strong, valiant older brothers who have testimonies in the Savior and lead by example. I'm glad you have each other.

You too love to draw and go through about twenty papers a day, drawing anything your perfect imagination conjures. Buckabu recently showed you how to write your name and your curiosity to learn letters has ignited. 

You are my kid who will eat mostly anything which should be great but sometimes makes me sad when you want to engulf all of my sushi. Luckily for you, you say sushi so extremely cute I don't have the will power to say no.

Our family loves, loves, loves you buddy. Happy 4th Birthday!

Love,

Mom 

B-Day Photo Shoot.

Ruckus Turned Six!

We had a small birthday party kickoff the evening of this guy's six year anniversary on earth and then went on to have a party with friends about a week later. 

Sitting in the birthday chair.

Excited party guests :)

Hugging Buckabu and Papa after opening their gift.

Ruckus' brothers made him a Man Cave hang out in the garage for his b-day.

I love that tender smile.

Only snapped two pictures at the party - Lame. The kids are trying to pop the opposing team's balloons that are attached to their ankles.

Ruckus,

One year older and mostly wiser too Kiddo! You've just completed Kindergarten and you excelled in every way. Like Lou, you can't get enough of school and were always a little bummed when Christmas vacation and Spring Break occurred. You are super social and really have a great mind for learning. 

I call you the secret learner. Sometimes I can't tell if you're really enjoying a topic, especially when you begin singing quietly to yourself, but when we address the subject matter later you pipe right in with the pieces of knowledge you've stored away. You've really liked reading the B.F.G. with your brothers and I and probably look forward to it more than any of your siblings.

You love to sing and up until a week ago you wanted to be a Rock Star when you grow up but now you've decided on becoming a Spy. Pretty intense business.  

I know you can do whatever you put your mind to but I believe you were born to create. I guess we all were. But you my friend are so imaginative when it comes to art. Everyday there is a new masterpiece your little hands have invited into this world. 

Almost everyday before school you would design various art pieces to bestow upon your well loved teacher, Miss Coles. You also had to make gifts for your lady friends and good pals. You are not shy about sharing which girls you think are amazing and even if they don't return your appreciation you still think they're lovely anyway. 

You enjoy assisting me in the kitchen - which I'm working on saying yes to more often. You love to see how things are made and which ingredients are included. 

Your sugar sensor if off the hook. For real. You can smell a piece of candy in a hidden cupboard from a mile away and can hear the carbonation sizzling out of a newly opened soda as if your life depended on it. You also love a good old steak and consume it with such pleasure. Sorry, those are totally my genes buddy. We're working on moderation.

I love you my sweet boy. You entertain our whole family with your great comedic timing and sense of humor. I know Heavenly Father has great plans in store for you. 

Your big, sensitive heart blesses the lives of many.

Love,

Mom

  

Photo B-day Shoot -

The two May birthday boys.

A Boy Party Plus One Girl.

Having grown up with only sisters I've been a little surprised, pleasantly of course, that my life is a mostly constant boy party.

Mine like to travel in a herd and not wear shirts very often - especially Moo, he's allergic. 

Every game involves super powers, athletics and a battle of some sort. 

Serious things go on in this home.

My men save the world each and every day and of course make sure they rescue the very unwilling, damsel in distress.

Little C plays heroics too but when he caught me taking pictures I was grounded. :)

Why Not Six?

We're so thrilled to meet Patton Baby #6 around Thanksgiving!

These Two

Play Hard 

And sleep hard.

Best buds.

She Digs a Hat.

And feels super triumphant when she can convince her brothers to follow her fashion trend.

The Baby and Little C

The Baby and Moo

For Real?

I heard him before I saw him. You know who I'm talking about, that one chatty person, out in public, talking to anybody and everybody on a day when you're feeling like a complete introvert. I usually don't mind someone who is friendly and can strike up a good conversation but sometimes I really do - and I hide from them. I promise it's one of those "it's me, not you" situations. Sometimes I cannot mentally handle having a conversation with people I do know, let alone people I don't. 

I had boarded the plane, chose a lovely window seat, closed my eyes and was sadly interrupted a few moments later when my ears sent off an alarm to my brain letting me know this Mr. Chatty was closing in - choosing to sit in the aisle seat right in my very row. Dang.

I did my best with my non-verbal communication; body turned away, head pointed toward the window, eyes closed, tried to appear as tired as I felt.... but nothing would stop this one. His opening line after we took off was:

"I am so happy and relieved a fat person didn't sit in between us."

Wait. Say What? Did he really just say what I think he just said?

"It can be so uncomfortable. I've been in situations before where their fat is spilling all over into my space. "

You've got to be kidding me.

I finally replied, "I bet they feel far more awkward and uncomfortable than you do." 

He then started declaring his love for fat people- in fact he himself had two fat sisters! 

Weirdest 3 minute conversation maybe ever. He basically remained quiet for the rest of the flight. 

I don't think this guy was necessarily a bad or mean man. Maybe he looked at me and felt safe sharing this completely discriminating thought or maybe he left his filter in TX? Maybe he can't handle silence and grasped for anything, being just as surprised as me to hear this remark flowing from his mouth? 

I don't know. People are basically good but we all have a little crazy.

Here's my crazy - 

Where the heck is the freaking toilet paper?

Oh, you mean I have to lean clear to my right, probably so both cheeks are no longer on the toilet seat (sorry mom) so I can take care of my business? Super convenient and awesome all at the same time.

P.S. I want you to know that I know my life really isn't all that hard and I truly am thankful for the availability of toilet paper, indoor plumbing and especially Kleenex wet wipes  - they're a game changer for sure.