Birthday Fun!

This year on April 17th I hit the big 3-0! I have been looking forward to my thirties and the new experiences they'll bring. My 20s consisted of graduating college, getting married, having 4 kids, which included 4 nine month pregnancies - uck!, moving 6 times, and buying 3 new houses. Whew...! I am hoping the next 10 years will allow for more time to enjoy and play with my family, taking vacations and growing closer to the kids. I also have personal goals, such as continue running, be in the best shape of my life, and learn some new hobbies. And you know what they say, 30s are the new 20s anyway!!

On Saturday evening we went out with some friends to play and celebrate. We headed over to one of those fun plex type of places and rode go karts, mini-golfed, and played in the arcade. It was a great time just playing and visiting! The only bummer was the lines were long, and we only rode the karts once. I would have liked to do that a few times.

Esther Boyer, Nora Robinson, Melissa Callaway, Me, and Eleanor Bachrach

After playing for a while, we went to dinner at Pappasito's. And I had to endure the usual birthday torture! ;-)

Paige's 1st Birthday!

My last sweet baby turned 1 on April 9th. It was quite a day. Both sets of grandparents came to spend it with us, and we were busy as ever. Volleyball in the morning, natural festival at mid-day, baseball game in the afternoon, and finally Paige's birthday party! Poor thing was pretty worn out by then, but as always, she was a good sport! We grilled some dinner and had cake and presents and some play time.

Eating ice...

All of my sweet babies, tired and sunburned.

Nature Festival at Cinco Ranch

Cinco Ranch held a Nature Festival for all the residents on April 9th, so after volleyball, but before baseball and Paige's birthday party, we went and played for a while. It was a really great activity, they had tons to do. Thank goodness the wind was blowing though, because it was a hot day, and we all ended up a little sunburned.

They had a rock wall to climb. Shaye went half way up and then got nervous about the height and called it good.

They had camel rides which all the kids did and enjoyed.

And face painting which they always love.

A petting zoo that even little Paige got to go in. She just watched the animals and didn't seem to mind them.

The bungee trampolines were a big hit, and we waited in line a long time for Shaye and Jaxson to go, but it was probably their favorite activity.

And Shaye even participated in a hula hoop contest. She made it to the finals and won a prize! Way to go Shaye-Shaye!

Crush 'Em!

For the first time Shaye chose not to do soccer this Spring. She is trying volleyball instead. The YMCA has a rec league here that starts at 8 years old. She is really enjoying it. She has a super nice coach and plays on a team called Crush. It has been fun practicing with her and reliving the good ol' days of volleyball! :-) It's so exciting when they get a volley going in a game of just 2-3 bumps. Crush 'em Shaye-Shaye!!

My Princess

If you peeked in recently this is what you would find these days...