Sam's birthday weekend

Sam was born during a great time of year. Not too hot, not too cold. Flowers and trees in bloom. Five months since Christmas, so it's a great time to replenish your too-many-toys-already toy collection. Increased chances of having Dan home on his birthday due to the holiday, etc. It really is a perfect time for a birthday!

Saturday we went to Busch Gardens. It was super packed trying to get in the park, but once we were inside, people spread out and it didn't feel too crowded. Dan and I rode their new coaster, which was pretty cool. I think I'm kind of getting "over" roller coasters, though. What's happened to me? Nevertheless, we had a great time and the weather was beautiful.

 I told Afton to go pose for a picture and this is what she did. She says she's a lion climbing a tree.

Sunday was church and delivering treats to friends. Afton spent her time before church making a paper mask thing for herself. Sam found all the cardboard boxes in the house and turned them into a car city.

Monday was Sam's actual birthday. We let him open one present in the morning. It was a remote controlled switch and go dino from Grandma and Grandpa Cheney. He loved that and played with it until it was time to go bowling.

This is what he's been asking to do for his birthday for quite some time. We had a great time. And it's cheaper on Mondays so that's also a bonus.

We came home for lunch and let Sam open the rest of his presents which he then played with the remainder of the day.

When I asked Sam what he wanted for his birthday dinner, he asked for Costco pizza. Unfortunately, Costco was closed for Memorial Day (good for them, sad for Sam's costco pizza lovin' heart), so we got Pizza Hut. He also requested a chocolate Captain America cake, which was nice and patriotic for Memorial Day. He had a wonderful day!

 (He got this shirt and I asked him to try it on, then he left it on the rest of the night but I didn't notice how wonky the collar was until later. Oh, well.)

 He has recently learned how to cross his eyes and now he does it all the time and it drives me crazy! It gives me a headache just to look at him when he does it.

 Trying to kiss him.

We are so grateful to have Sam in our family. He is really thoughtful and smart. He brings so much love and happiness to our family! We love him so much. Happy 7th birthday, Sam!

This past week Dan had to go out of town for work. I hate it when he's gone and I'm so glad he doesn't travel for work more often. I stay up too late and don't sleep as well. I also notice that I'm less motivated to get things done. Anyone else the same way? I was glad to have him home Friday afternoon. 

Friday Eli turned four months and had a doctor's appointment. He weighed 15 pounds, 8 ounces (50%), was 26 inches long (85%), and had a 50% head. He has the smallest head of our children. Bless him for it!

 (Like Sam's bedhead? He says some kids at school think he has a mohawk...)

Saturday, we went to the temple. Our ward had a special activity for the primary children, so Dan stayed with Eli and our kids while I went through. It was very nice. Afterwards, we went to visit some of our law school friends who just moved to the DC area after living in Mexico City. It was so great to catch up with them and watch our kids meet and play together.

Mother's Day was nice and relaxing. Dan didn't have any meetings before church so we got to go on a family walk and also go to church together. During sacrament meeting, I had to take Eli out twice because he was fussing. The second time I was out with him, Afton was misbehaving, so Dan had to come down from the stand and take her out. Then he held Eli in the foyer while I went back in to lead the primary children in the songs they'd practiced to sing to their moms. Then Dan came back in and handed Eli back to me and went back up on the stand. Then Eli pooped his pants so out I went AGAIN. I felt like a jack-in-the-box. After church Dan made dinner and we went on another family walk. Yay for nice weather!

I am so grateful for these babies of mine. Each one has such a special personality and spirit. 

I also got to talk to my parents. (We talk pretty much every Sunday.) I am so grateful for my mom. She is an amazing woman and I look up to her so much. She is so selfless and thoughtful. Thank you, Mom, for all you've taught me! I love you!

Dan gave Eli a bath and it turned into a family affair, so I thought I'd document it. That baby sure is loved.

Eli tried food for the first time. Pureed banana. Not sure how he felt about it. Didn't eat much.

Our neighbors have some really pretty irises that are in bloom so I asked if I could take some pictures of the kids in front of the flowers. Are you sick of pictures of my kids yet?

Eli watched from the sidelines with his number one fan.

The Saturday after my birthday, Dan and Sam went out and got me donuts. (Keepin' the celebration going.) Then Afton started barfing. She barfed all morning. It rained a lot.

Sam's work was selected by his art teacher to appear in our school district's art show, so he and I drove to a distant high school to see it. I am proud of his hard work! He had been talking about his mosaic for weeks and we could tell he was really proud of it, so it was nice to finally see that thing.

We came home and he got ready for his rainy soccer game and Dan took him while I stayed with Afton and Eli.

That night Dan and I got to go on our first date since Eli was born. He got to come, too. We went to a Greek restaurant near our house that we'd heard good things about. Then we went to a dessert restaurant that I've been wanting to try. (That was the main reason for our date, but we figured you have to have dinner before dessert, right?) Dinner was delicious, as was dessert, but the dessert place is much more trendy and loud and we couldn't hear each other very well. I don't think I'll go back. Plus it was kind of expensive. I got a yummy, huge slice of salted caramel chocolate cake that had about 7 layers, but I think it cost $8 or something. I'm tempted to figure out if I can make it myself. But I am already addicted to sugar and desserts so that would be bad news. In the past week I think I've made three types of cookies and 7-layer bars. (In my defense, we gave a lot of it away.)

Eli is looking as cute as ever. I took some pictures of him the other day.

Oh, that sweet baby skin!

I've tried to take him with me to the gym a few times, but he hasn't lasted over 30 minutes before they come and get me because he's crying. Poor kid. I try to work out mostly at night, but when Dan's got stuff at night, there aren't many other options.

Our garden is starting to take off and I'm excited to see if our broccoli makes it.

That's all I know.