Happy Birhday!

Asa and Addison celebrated the big 7 with an entire week of birthday festivities! This year, we had a family party and then a friend party... nicely divided into manageable chunks. I was even able to keep the house semi-clean in between events.

Our present to the boys was a 15' x 42" saltwater pool. This forth kid thing has really done a number on my mobility, so I knew we would be incapable of flitting off on fun little jaunts like I normally would. The pool is the perfect solution to being Olive-anchored! Since we put it up, there has only been one day that Asa and Addison haven't been in it, and that was because they were packing up and leaving for the weekend. The LOVE it!

The pool made for a wonderful party, as well. We hung out on the deck and watched the kids splash and swim. I think this pool was money well spent!

Birthdays have changed a little bit since I've met my match with baby #4. In the old days, I would concoct some awesome theme, order goodies from Oriental Trading Co, make cute photo invitations (mailing them well in advance, of course), invoke the culinary help of my mother, and make an elaborate cake or two. Let us not forget the memorable cakes from the past:
(Mom gets credit for the Nemo cakes and the amazing R2D2!)

This year, things have changed. Since I have so much on my plate, I had to cut back on the baking insanity that I love so much. I decided to just put together a simple cookie cake. No theme, no fuss, no craziness. I am just about to my limit of fuss and craziness just with everyday life now. I set the yummy chocolate chip creation on the table and we all got a good visual of just how overwhelmed and exhausted I have become....

Happy Birhday, Asa and Addison! Love, your loving mommy and homeschool teacher. Nice.