May

The first week of May is birthday week at our house. It's a week long celebration of Kylie and Matthew, and it's always a little crazy.

Kylie chose to take a bunch of her friends to Build-a-Bear for her birthday party. Here she is watching as all of her friends kiss a little heart, tell her how awesome she is, and then put the little heart into her bear. I think she was embarrassed and just wanted to make her bear, but it was cute.

Showing off her first pedicure. I checked her out of school a little early on her birthday and surprised her with a mani-pedi. I love having a girl :)

I also love that she still plays with dolls. She asked for an American Girl doll for her birthday.

3 days after Kylie turned 9, Matthew turned 8.

Matthew took a bunch of friends to Planet Play for his birthday party. Like how I make it all fuzzy so no one gets mad when they find their kid's picture on the net? ;) Anyway, boys are wild - I was sure I was going to lose somebody before it was over, most likely my own child.

Matthew is currently crazy about Star Wars. I bet you couldn't tell from the picture. Shopping for his birthday was easy - just hit the Star Wars section and I couldn't go wrong.

He added some more to his Star Wars dress-up collection too. I believe this is a boba fet helmet?

The day after his birthday, Matthew was baptized. Isn't he so handsome in his little suit? I had no idea seeing my baby boy in a suit for the first time would absolutely melt my heart. My handsome little man. And the girl on his arm, she's pretty adorable too :)

Matthew's arm was still in a cast for his baptism, so I wrapped it in white tape and crossed my fingers that it would cover up the florescent orange underneath. Phew.

I just love this picture of Matthew with my dad. Matthew looks a lot like my dad when he was a kid.

Matthew started cub scouts in May too. He is rolling his eyes because this is about the thousandth picture I took of him in less than a week.

Matthew had 'Wax Museum' at school in May. He chose to dress up as Albert Einstein. Some of his friends' moms asked me how I talked him into dressing up as Einstein because their kids were only interested in being famous athletes. I had to confess, Matthew loves science - he'd rather read about science and do science experiments than play sports. He plays sports, but he is a nerd at heart, just like his mommy. No bribery necessary :)

And here is a glimpse of the tween attitude that has overtaken our house. I'm sure it only gets better right?

April

Matthew broke his arm at the end of March. So sad! He was running across the kitchen tile in his Sunday socks, and fell on his arm :( It snapped through both bones just below his elbow. I didn't see it happen, but I heard the scream and knew instantly it wasn't a normal fall. He came running to me with his arm hanging at a very wrong angle. We went straight to the emergency room, where they were so great and fixed him all up. They put him to sleep with anesthesia so he wouldn't have to feel them straightening it. It's been about 10 weeks now, and he is still wearing a cast.

Kylie started soccer again at the end of March. Every week I am surprised by how good she is - so fast and confident. I love watching her play.

In April we went to a neighbor's egg-decorating contest and bbq. I thought we'd just dunk some eggs in dye and call it a day. But, Kylie and Matthew had other plans - they were going to win that contest! So, they searched online for ideas on how to decorate their eggs. Here Kylie is waiting for her eggs to dry before the real decorating begins.

Matthew made the Easter Bunny with a carrot. He took first place in his age group.

Kylie also took first place in her age group with her barnyard eggs. I'm not quite sure if that is a duck or a chicken with the little piggies, but it turned out really cute, and she had tons of fun making it.

The kids had a good Easter, although they finally have no doubt that the Easter Bunny is really just me. They thanked me for the movies, candy and money and asked if I would still pretend to be the bunny even if they don't believe it anymore. I said sure as long as they let me sleep in next year :)

M Matthew received the Student of the Month award in April. I am so proud of him! The theme for the month was 'Honesty' - and his teacher chose him as the most honest student. I have to agree with her - Matthew is the most honest kid I know. He will tell the truth even if he is going to be in trouble for it.