Two Gone, Too Cute

Danielle started first grade a few weeks ago, but she officially has the "first grade smile" now:

Jarrett Turns 4!

Four must be Jarrett's lucky number. He got to have two birthday parties this year! On the day of his birthday, Robert had to work until 9 p.m., so we had a small party with an M&M ice cream cake and a few presents after he got home:
Jarrett has been asking for this present for six months now. Every time we went to Target I had to remind him he either needed to save his quarters for it or wait until his birthday. We know how much Jarrett likes to spend his quarters, so he ended up waiting until now to get it. Of course now it's not available at Target, so thank goodness for the internet!

A few days after Jarrett's birthday, much of Robert's family (13 adults and 11 children) came to visit, so we decided to have a BIG party then. This was the party Jarrett's been most looking forward to since we received the Birthday Express catalog six months ago. He chose a Speed Racer theme, so we had the balloons, plates and cups to use as we ate pizza and a Speed Racer cake. Luckily there were lots of cousins to help him blow out the candles:
I think he had a great time:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JARRETT!

The Big Move

All I can say is it happened, and I never want to do it again (although it's inevitable!)

I guess I could elaborate. This was our first time moving since having kids and we have accumulated too much stuff. Robert had a difficult time fitting all of it in the cavernous U-Haul:
We were so sure we had enough space, but ended up leaving some stuff behind for Tim to either use or toss for us (sorry!) I also think we picked one of the hottest weeks of the summer to move. And I learned that when you think you're almost done, you're not even close.

I know we were blessed, though. As difficult as it was, there weren't any major problems. We have wonderful friends and family that helped through the entire process. All of our stuff fit into the storage unit. And most importantly, the kids were really good through all the upheaval:
They've also adjusted their new home fairly well (knock on wood). I think it helps that we get to be at Grandma's and Grandpa's and they have all of their stuff here with them.

We'll miss our home in Downey. It has been the setting for so many firsts for our family. Each of our babies was brought home to this house. Robert finally graduated from school while we lived here. First steps, first words, first days of school . . . It was so hard to leave. I cried a few times as we were closing up (probably also from relief and exhaustion), and my eyes are welling up now. We were blessed in that house, but I have faith we'll be blessed in our new home, too.