3 January 2010

Happy Birthday to Miss Helen who turned 5 on Tuesday! She got to have her first friend party. Becky assumed she'd want a princess themed party and was mentally planning some tea party-ish thing. Helen spends most of her time at home wearing a crown and a poofy skirt, but she refused to be type cast and asked for a pajama party instead. The only princess at the party was Sleeping Beauty asleep on Helen's cake.

12 active kids sat down to eat waffles, sausage, hot chocolate and waffles. The kids also decorated pillowcases, played flashlight and sleeping bag games and listened to a bedtime story.

We packed in the parties at the end of the year. Two nights later, we burned our 2009 calendar to make room for 2010. The kids roasted marshmallows over the fire. New Year's Eve was a rainy day and it took a while for the calendar to catch fire in the drizzle.

Brandan and Becky went to a terrific murder mystery/dinner party hosted by friends. We enjoyed the clever costumes and acting so much. We were back home again before midnight to ring in the New Year with Sophie, playing Phase 10 and watching the ball drop. 

 

Brandan is hard at work on the bunk beds. Here's an updated photo. Right now he's working on the stairs to the top bunk.    ~    Becky's mom spent most of the week in the hospital with a sudden, skull-splitting headache. An alphabet soup of tests has ruled out stroke, tumors, heart attack, meningitis or other bacterial infections. She's home now and being treated for temporal arteritis while her doctor waits for biopsy results that will confirm her diagnosis. It's been an anxious week waiting for answers. We've been inspired by her courage and optimism in daunting circumstances. We love you, Mom, and send you all our love and prayers.