Remember 3rd Grade?

Well, I don't. I remember bits and pieces of life at 8, but big things like who my Grade 3 (that's what we called 3rd Grade up in B.C....crazy Canadians) teacher was...that I don't remember. I do remember my favorite goldfish in the class aquarium, "Pinky" (clearly this fish made more of an impact on my life than my teacher...so sad). I remember reading "A Wrinkle in Time" and thinking it was a waste of time (I should reread it and see what my adult self thinks about it). I also remember that after a very traumatic experience involving an apple and an earwig my life changed forever. Let's just say that I didn't eat the apple my mother sent to school in my lunch bag for a couple years...that's right every day I threw my apple in the trash (I still feel guilty). And yes, I still have a somewhat irrational fear of earwigs. From the above picture I would assume that this is also when I became aware of how wacky my teeth were and began perfecting my closed mouth picture pose. That basically sums up everything I remember about being in Mrs. Whatshername's class. Which is why I am writing it down now. I will probably forget all about "Pinky" by next month.

I Know...I Know...

I have been a slacker blogger. No excuses. Just lazy.

To summarize...The weekend before St. Patrick's Day brought the Wilson's and Nana to our home. We had a great time...hikes were taken...Oreos were eaten by the fist fulls...about 450 water balloons were launched...kites were flown...one naughty Leprechaun wreaked havoc...a reconfirmation that my home was not meant to house 9 children occurred...we had a blast!

After the cousins left (and to the relief of our neighbors...can you imagine the sound of 9 happy screaming children jumping?!) our trampoline arrived. The neighbors have been cursing us ever since. Everyday the kids ask, "can we go jump on the tramp"...hysterical!

Easter was filled with good food, family and friends.

Minnie had her second grade performance at school last week. She sure knows how to party like a Dino.

Justin competed in another 1/2 Ironman this last weekend. It was great fun watching, with Michelle and her kids, as J and all of his training buddies ran by. The kids had a great time cheering on the contestants. They were quite the little volunteers...they helped pass out water and Gatorade at one of the aid stations. The kids even managed to squeeze in a little beach time. I will admit that it is getting more difficult to watch 4 kids and watch the race at the same time!

And last, but not least, just look at the hair on this kid...

Rally Round the Family

Thanks to evil outside influences our children were subjected to the many flashy, empty, LOUD promises of Wii. I have kept them sheltered from video games for so long that I thought we were safe. Well, the three oldest decided to pool their money and began their campaign. After perusing many retail establishments and looking online it took all of three days for "Disneyland Dad" to come to the rescue...some back alley affair..."Hey, kids! Guess what we are going to do for FHE?" Thanks J. Squeals, screams and singing were heard throughout the night.

Guitar Hero is the game of choice (J has been secretly lobbying for it for the past year). I swear if I have to hear "Bulls on Parade" one more time I might go loco.

It's About Time

Time to play catch up. The Birds have been busy. President's Day week was spent with cousins in AZ. We had a wonderful time, made even better by having Heidi and her family down from Oregon...and yeah...a trip to Nielsen's Frozen Custard.

We got back home just in time to pack up the hubby and myself for a 4 day cruise with our good friends. Cabo was fantastic...natural beauty was witnessed...and applauded. Highlights...1 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent, dollar!...Johnny Cash Robot...people watching...mullet stroking...all you can eat soft-serve ice-cream...Scum...down-alternative pillows...watching Mark order 3 main courses...Melissa dancing up a storm...Karaoke. Seriously, we had a great time. Maybe, I'll post some pictures later...(hint hint friends) J and I never actually took pictures of ourselves. Shameful. Apparently, we were so busy having fun, we couldn't be bothered with carrying a camera around. Anyway, it's good to be home...even if the world is still swaying.

My Valentines

So today may just be the best Valentine's Day ever. It's raining. My husband gave me a perfect present (think Jane Austen). As if that wasn't great enough I have 4 healthy (well, pretty healthy) kids as of this moment. So in the theme of all things Valentine's...

Justin. I love this man. He's funny, handsome (I can't get enough of his hair...not pictured) and he doesn't always get me, but at least he puts up with me.

I love Adam's sense of innocence. I'm not saying he isn't losing it at a very rapid pace (he is in third grade after all), but there are moments when I see him looking around this big earth of ours and I see the sense of wonder in his face and I realize he is still a little boy.

I love Minnie's determination...something she gets from her father (another something I love about him). I love that she wants to do so much with her life and she wants to give so much. She is a little sparkly light.

I love Sunny's spunk. The girl can make me laugh! Sometimes I need to remind myself that her stubborness is a strength that will help her as she grows. I know that she will be a great example of not compromising as she gets older.

I love Jack. He is my little man. He is mischievousness, joy, dirt, boy and crazy all wrapped into a tiny little body that I still thrill to hold every day.

So to my family I say I love you. My life has been better because I have been blessed to have you as my people.

Sicknopsis

This picture pretty much sums up our house for the past month. Sick. Pretty much every sickness out there has reared its ugly head at our home.

Last Saturday, I was happily anticipating our family...our WHOLE family...going to church together (something that has not happend since the first Sunday in January). At 11:00 pm on Saturday I awoke to that sound. I think we all know that sound. You know the one I'm talking about. The one that makes most parents break out in a cold sweat. The sound of your 2 year old throwing up. No control...just wild crazy vomiting.

Needless to say the whole Bird family was not at church on Sunday. After church (for those of us able to attend) Sunny started to fall asleep on the drive home...not a good sign. We walked in the door and she went straight up stairs and put herself to bed (we are talking middle of the afternoon people!). She got the flu...not stomach. Could we all just pick the same sickness?

Monday afternoon (20 minutes before school ends) I got the call from the school nurse that Adam was sick (stomach). Nice.

Justin came home from work early on Tuesday with a sickness all his own...I think it may have had something to do with the fact that he ran 14 miles before he went to work. Sunny came home from school on Tuesday (that's right I sent her to school because she didn't have a fever and seemed better) and would not get out of the car at her dance studio. I brought her home where she again fell asleep and pretty much stayed that way until morning.

Wednesday, everyone seemed to be getting better.

This morning, Thursday, Minnie woke up crying...that's right...a fever. Stick a fork in me. I'm done.

The Big Chop

I have been informed, by husband, that I have been neglecting the blog. Sorry. It has been a busy, fun week. Especially fun for Minnie! On Friday she donated her hair to Locks of Love. This was her 2nd time. She did it when she was 4 (after she grew out her self-inflicted mullet) and has been wanting to do it again for a long time. She even talked Sunny into donating her hair, but Sunny decided last minute that she wanted to keep her hair. I will admit that having Sunny's hair long made it easier to let go of Minnie's...I need someone's hair to play with! Minnie's hair turned out soooo cute! I thought I would cry (last time I cried for a couple days), but I didn't...because she loves it so much and it is adorable on her.

After, cutting her hair, Minnie spent the night with her dear friend, Bella, and woke up early Saturday morning to go see "Hannah Montana" in 3D. According to these two seven year olds, "it was the BEST movie EVER!"