Thirty-Seven

Thank you for all the love!

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Happy Father's Day!

All things are grace.

We are so grateful to our dependable dads! This year we sent gifts and made phone calls to our dads; and the kids and I bought DH a body board. We would be lost without the dads in our lives!

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Six Years of The Engineer!

Our thoughtful, dependable second-born is six! He is always thinking and often laughing-out-loud about funny things that happened throughout the day as he ponders them in the evening. He is super smart and remembers details about other people. He has a good sense of humor. He is sensitive and affectionate when his cup is full. We were so happy to be able to take him out for his birthday!

We chose a place with the best views -- somewhere he would feel special. I remember my grandma taking us out to fine restaurants to help "culture" us once a year. Those are some of my favorite memories of her. Sometimes, the thinkers need to get out of their own heads and see beautiful things.

DH pointed out the Kennedy Center, Watergate, Potomac River, and Key Bridge. The Engineer was thrilled. 

As soon as we stepped out of the parking garage elevator foyer and caught a glimpse of the dancing fountains, lights, and terraces of the Washington Harbor, he said, "Yes! This is where I want to go!"

Sequoia, a place new to all of us, had riverside seating, relaxing music, and decent food. 

Their shirley temples had gummy bears in them. He was elated.

DH had drinks and appetizers ready for us after we braved the Friday night drive into Georgetown. This child was very patient, which was a boon.

Food and quality time are his love languages. So, this adventure was a huge win!

He added his own shredded parmesan to his pasta.

He asked if he could return for his 7th birthday.

The best thing that happened at Sequoia was this "firework" dessert. He said it was his absolute favorite. This is what you get when you're 6 and not hyperactive. The others may be jealous...

The Washington Harbor. He resisted the urge to walk through it.

We tuckered him out by the end, though surprisingly he wanted to come into our bedroom and talk to us about all the things that happened that night after we returned.

He'd asked if he could wear "grandpa shoes" for the occasion. When I asked him what "grandpa shoes" were, he took me to these:

He was a huge help in assembling the trampoline Grandpa bought for him and his birthday twin.

He thoroughly enjoys taking things apart and putting them back together. He likes to know how things work. He is very mechanically-minded.

One of his great loves is food. So, this treasure from Aunt C has secured his affection forever. He also informed me that since Aunt Theresa made him food, she is now invited to his 7th birthday.

These two were very interested in watching each other's gift opening:

Such a handsome-pants!

He really loves DH's Neapolitan margherita pizza:

He requested ice cream football cake. I told him Baskin-Robbins sold that during football season and showed him this cake I made for DH many moons ago. He agreed on this substitute, which is way better than a pre-made BR product anyway! We used Haagen Dazs vanilla bean ice cream and Mrs. Richardson's caramel dessert sauce.

It was amazing. Everyone loved it!

He wants to be Grandpa when he grows up.

He requested decorations of golden and blue and orange; and specifically mentioned a tablecloth and confetti.

We really like being able to say "yes" to the kids' requests.

He helped DH make bubble tea on his actual birthday.

He also lost his first tooth on his birthday.

There was a dramatic meltdown involving comments of death drawing near until he stopped on a dime and asked, "Wait. Will I get money for this?"

He also asked me to send a picture to his teacher. Four days later he lost his second tooth. We still can't find it, but told him to ask St. Anthony.

Check out his previous years:  Birth, First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth.

His current stats:
Height -- 45.125", 44th%
Weight -- 42.8lbs., 32nd%

We love him so much!

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Four Years of Sweet Pea!

She is the most outgoing person we've met. Her energy-level is impressive, even among children. She loves being the princess among all her brothers and wants to be "four" when she grows up, which mostly speaks to how far ahead she thinks. She makes friends in an instant and loves everyone, including strangers.

We are grateful for her four brothers, who will be robust bodyguards later on...

She enjoyed a shirley temple and a dinner out with just mom and dad. Our waitress had the same first name and outgoing personality. So they connected instantly. Sweet Pea was asking her how old she was here:

I'm proud to bring this tradition from my time in Italy! All the kids are fans, surprisingly.

We enjoyed these delicious dishes from Il Canale in Georgetown. The cannoli was complimentary. They brought it to our table with a lit candle, singing "Happy Birthday!" It brought a huge smile to her face. I wish I had it on camera. The arancini were the best we've tasted. Everything about this place felt authentic.

Georgetown Waterfront Park. We really wanted to show her beautiful spaces. Georgetown can deliver!

Her chocolate box barely survived 5 days at home waiting to be opened. I had to hide it in different places. It was found and unwrapped twice. Thankfully, the big boys tattled on Mr. Serious.

She opened it after dinner and immediately began sharing her chocolates. I'm always amazed by her generosity. She is by no means a hoarder.

She did a lot of running, which was easier to manage two-on-one. By the time we returned, she fell right to sleep.

Grandpa brought a perfect energy-burner for the birthday twins to share. They spent Saturday morning putting it together.

There has been unending enthusiasm for this piece of equipment, including among babysitters!

This may be the most accurate depiction of her personality:

This was the face she made when Grandpa was not pushing her on the swing (immediately following lots of pushing). She had no interest in mom pushing her.

While being pushed by Grandpa:

She had a cake with sprinkles, her favorite:

Grandpa sent bubble tea supplies, which DH put together for this delicious concoction!

She had her last round of 4 vaccinations, which earned her this treat. I have to say, I'm not sure who the shots are harder on, me or her. At least we are good for the next 7 years . . . except for flu shots.

She's still our petite little girl:

Height -- 37.875", 14th%

Weight -- 31.2 lbs., 18th%

See her at Birth, One Year, Two Years, Thirty Months, and Three Years.

We love her so much!

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