Happy 10th Birthday!

Dear Kaitlyn,
Wow, an entire decade old!  Where has the time gone?  You are growing so fast and learning what you love and what you could do without (cleaning).  I love watching you explore new things.

Please never lose your determination and strong sense of YOU!  I absolutely love that you know just what you can handle and then you'll push yourself just a little bit more.  You are so brave to put yourself out there like that and this is something I have and always will admire about you.

While a lot of times your bubbly personality has Mommy and Daddy saying enough is enough I love seeing you smile!  The excitement you have for things is exhausting at times for your old parents here, but I really do love that life gets you so excited!

I know being the middle child has had its challenges, but you are a loving sister to all of your siblings.  Keep in mind how much you really do love Natalie when you get the urge to get her back for something she does or says to you.  It's so easy for you to hurt your siblings because you all love each other so much.  So always remember that love I know you have for them.  Even when they are frustrating you I know it's there.

If I were to give you one piece of advice it would be please don't shut me out!  As you get older lots of new things are happening in your life and I have been there before and I want to help you through these trying times.  So please come to me and don't shut yourself off. 

Happy 10th birthday Kaitlyn!  Welcome to double digits!  I love you now and forever!

Love,
Mommy

Bowling fun

Friday night we walked across the street to the bowling alley for some pizza, pins, and pop. We got to bowl for 2 hours and managed to get 2 games in at that time.  It was packed by the time we got over there.  But they had lanes open.  So we had a nice evening.

Score after the 1st game. Joe and I tied.

Kaitlyn bowling

Mouth full with a smile

Give her food, she's happy!

CJ bowling

Our final full game, no one broke 100

So as you can see we're not very good bowlers, but we have fun.  Glad we are able to have these times together as a family.

Easter Gala

After having very little to no sleep from Kaitlyn's sleepover we then went to the public library for their Easter Gala.  Natalie had volunteered to help with her Kids in the Middle program with that.  So Joe brought her there (we couldn't all fit in the car) and came home and got us.   We dyed Easter eggs, played games, and had some face painting and tattoo fun.

Natalie helping dye Easter eggs

Waiting for the eggs

Shy baby

What's going on over there?

Checking his egg

Natalie

Pin the tail on the donkey

Right on!  The blindfold had fallen off

Kaitlyn's turn

CJ's egg tattoo

Kaitlyn got butterfly face paint

Natalie came home with puppy dog face paint

The Easter Bunny was there, but the line was so long so we didn't get a chance to see him.  Everyone had fun though.

Kaitlyn's sleepover

I am so behind on things on this blog.  I have a few family activities we have done over the last two weeks with pictures that I have not shared with you.  So we are starting out with Kaitlyn's sleepover at school.

The last Saturday in March Kaitlyn's school did a sleepover for the children who participated in the summer reading program at the public library.  Her school had read the most and as a reward for that they let them have a fun evening of crafts, a movie, and a sleepover for those children who wanted to.  Since last year Joe was the honored parent who got to sleep over (or rather not sleep) because I was 9 months pregnant this year was my turn.  I almost dodged a bullet too because they weren't going to do the sleepover since too many children participated.  But the 5th graders petitioned the principal and convinced her to do it.  Honestly, I can't say I blame them.  These kids are told every year that if they win (they win every year) then that's their prize.  So good for those kids for standing up for what they believe in.

I have to say the whole thing wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be.  I didn't sleep great of course because I was on the floor, but I slept.  And it was nice to get some time with just Kaitlyn and see her interact with her friends without any of her siblings around.  She had fun and is already looking forward to next year when her brother will get to join her and Daddy gets to go back.

Getting all set up with her friends in the gym

Reading a magazine before the fun begins

Waiting for a story and some popcorn

Listening intently to the "Man Team"!

Getting ready to make slime

Stirring her slime

Kneading her slime!

Stretching her slime

That's some stretchy slime!

4th and 5th grade dance party before the movie

We watched Dolphin Tale for a movie after all the story telling, slime making, and dancing was done.  And then it was lights out.  Kaitlyn and her friends stayed up pretty late.  We got up early the next morning, had a lovely donut breakfast, and went home to see her siblings before we had to go back out for the Easter Gala.  Pictures to come of that!

Alyssa is walking

Last night I had gone downstairs real quick to get something from my neighbor.  When I came back up Joe said you missed it, she walked from the coffee table to me!  What?  She walked without holding onto anything or anyone?  For weeks now she has been standing up on her own and looking like she was going to take those first steps, but has really only managed one or two.  Well, all that changed last night and while I didn't see her very first attempt I did see her walk and caught it on video for you all to enjoy too.  Sorry the video is a little dark, but I think you can still make out what's happening in it ;).



So mark it! 1st steps on March 21, 2012. Alyssa is 13 1/2 months old!

St. Patricks Day 2012

I know it has been a while since I've updated here. Haven't had much to say I guess. Today we were busy enjoying St. Patrick's day. And some beautiful spring weather as well. The kids spent most of the afternoon outside playing while I was inside making green cupcakes for CJ's "sleep party" and cleaning and doing laundry.

So here's some pictures of the cupcakes...

CJ frosting nose

Natalie frosting nose

Kaitlyn frosting nose

Alyssa frosting face

Enjoying a cupcake after dinner

She wears green so well

Cheeseball

Hi CJ frosting face

So CJ has been saying for a week that he's going to have a sleep party.  Well, no one ever shows because obviously no one is invited.  So Natalie and Kaitlyn being the awesome big sisters they are decided they would be his sleepover guests.  So tonight they are spending the night in CJ's room...

Getting comfy!

Night night!

 I think they finally went to sleep at 11:30.  Not too bad, we sent them in there an hour ago.  So that was our St. Patrick's Day.

Welcome Chester to the Barnes Bunch!

We added a new member to the family today. Meet Chester...

or Cheeto, or Cat as CJ tends to refer to him. Although he is starting to call him Chester too.

This is one super tolerant kitty too. Alyssa has pulled his tail and he doesn't flinch. She has grabbed his face and nothing. She stepped on him and he just got up and walked away from her. I hope he remains so calm with her and tolerant because I am a nervous wreck whenever she's around him.

Those of you who know me probably are thinking what about your allergies Monica? Well, so far I have been fine. Joe brushed him and the girls are going to keep him brushed (or they better). I am trying to limit my actual contact with him of course. I am not a cat person, but Joe and the kids are really enjoying him.

As far as cats go I guess he's a pretty good looking cat.