The birthday sign goes up in January for Jason's birthday and then doesn't come down until May after Daisy's birthday and the anniversary of the still birth of our baby Kenneth (which coincidentally is the same day).
We had fun family celebrations for each one, with presents, food, and a great time was had by all. Hope everyone has a great year. Love you all!!
I'm a bit late in doing so, but I need to acknowledge our family's latest graduate! In May of 2024 Bowen graduated from High School. These years are just going by far to quickly. It was a bit of a cloudy, cold day as we waited in line outside the Eagle Grey Casino for the ceremony to begin.
It was a very nice ceremony with great speeches, and music from the school band and choir. It is surprising to me how quickly they can present over 500 students with their diplomas. It is always a proud moment to see your child walk the stage and be presented with their certificate.
After the ceremony we had lunch and then later that evening we took Bowen to Wellington's for a very nice dinner. He is a bit of a foodie so he thoroughly enjoyed the tableside caesar salad and beef wellington. It was great that Grandma was also able to join us.
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| CONGRATULATIONS!! I hope your future is everything you dream of!! |
We also celebrated Father's Day in June. How blessed we are to have Jason as the father in our home. After church it was time to open presents. I hardly ever surprise Jason but he wasn't expecting his gift this year.
After a dinner of Jason's favorites (steak, roasted potatoes, green beans and deviled eggs), Cadence had prepared a little game for us to play. I'm sure the order of winners was completely based on our answers. Wink, wink!
The boys tied for 3rd place, I received 2nd place, and Jason received 1st place. Cadence had made us all certificates and trophies.
Thanks for being the best dad Jason!! We love you so much.
From January through May we celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. To finish up we celebrated Daisy's 4th birthday on May 2nd.
She was spoiled on her special day with cake and a new toy and some treats. We love her so much. She's a great little dog and we love having her be a part of our family.
What's extra special about Daisy's birthday is that it falls on the same day that our Kenneth David was born. This year would have been Kenneth's 16th birthday. Can't believe it has been that long. We are sad he isn't with us in this life but there is much comfort in the fact that we know we will be together in the life to come. We celebrated and remembered him with cake as well.
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| Charcoal portrait by Jason |
This past Friday night was my year end music recital. The week leading up to it was a busy one, with final lessons, preparing treat bags and summer practice charts, purchasing groceries and lots of baking and preparing.
24 of my 28 students were able to perform at the recital. Everyone played really well. Cadence did great playing 2 piano songs and then sang Crocodile Rock (I accompanied on the guitar), we invited everyone to sing the la la la's at the end with us. It was fun!
I ended the recital with singing "Fear of Flying". It was a song my dad loved by Pied Pumpkin. Shari Ulrich sings it - I'm no match but I did my best and I think everyone enjoyed it.
After a photo with my students we had refreshments in the gym and visited. It was a really great evening.
By the end of June I'm always feeling a bit tired and sometimes frustrated with teaching but the recital always reminds me how much I love teaching my students and gets me excited about starting another year in September.
And that's a wrap! Now to enjoy a couple months off.
Part 2 of Cadence's birthday started with getting her ears pierced. Cadence was very nervous but the piercer was able to put her at ease, and even through her fear she was able to go through with it. I was proud of her. She's been wanting to do it for so long.
Nani came up to join the celebrations. We opened presents and then went for dinner at one of Cadence's favorite restaurants.
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| Cute new purse from nani. |
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| Triple bunkbeds for 18 inch dolls in the works. |
Ashton and Jason are building it and then I'm going to make mattresses and little quilts and pillows.
After dinner we finished up with cupcakes.
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| Confetti cupcakes with strawberry cream cheese filling and cream cheese icing. |
Happy Birthday Cadence! We sure love you and hope you have a fantastic year!!
To continue with our season of birthdays Cadence celebrated her 10th birthday on April 7th. Her birthday weekend started on Friday after school with a birthday play date with one of her best friends.
First on the agenda was to go to the Y to go swimming. After a couple hours there we came home, and while I got their lunch ready they worked on a couple crafts.
I made paint palette sugar cookies that they decorated with icing and smarties for paint, and then they painted flower pots.
I made them each an individual birthday cake decorated to look like a hydrangea flower. I don't think I used the right piping tip. They didn't quite turn out as I had envisioned. Cadence thought they were cute and tasty so that is all that matters. They were confetti cake with strawberry cream filling and a cream cheese icing.
It was a great birthday play date, and a fun start to a fantastic birthday weekend. Stay tuned for part two.
