Mackayla turns 6

Our baby is 6! We got home from our Christmas trip on the evening of January 2, and had a nice family birthday party for her on her birthday, the 3rd. We had another little birthday party for her with her cousins on Friday the 6th. That gave me a few more days to get the pinata done and the house back in order after our trip.

She wanted cinnamon rolls for her birthday breakfast. Then she got to take treats to kindergarten and had a good time at school.

That afternoon she got to go to dance class. Another great way to spend her birthday.

After dance, we met Daddy over at Texas Roadhouse, which is where she wanted to go for her birthday dinner. They sang to her at the restaurant, but she didn't really appreciate the extra attention from strangers. She did enjoy the ice cream though!

At home, ready for presents.

She got some new clothes and couldn't wait to try them on!

Mackayla wanted a mermaid themed birthday, and gave me specific instructions on how to make her cake. She wanted her mermaid barbie sitting on a rock in the ocean with a little of the cake being a beach. She is wearing the crown she got from school that day.

On Friday she had mermaid cupcakes. She asked for a fish pinata. She wanted it to look like Flounder, but pink and purple.

The Nelsons joined us for that party along with the Henry girls, Brooke and Michelle.

Mackayla picked out the games she wanted to play. They played pin the mermaid on the rock, had a cake walk, and had mermaid races with their legs tied together like one fin.

Mackayla was pretty sad when it was actually time to destroy her beautiful fish, and wanted one last picture with it.

Hitting the pinata.

Cake time! The party kids.

She got a few more gifts at this party, and had a wonderful night!

Mackayla at six:

Mackayla is a wonderful, lively little girl. She thoroughly enjoys kindergarten, dance, and playing with her brothers. She plans on being a professional ballerina when she grows up. Both Bradley and Jacob can't wait for her to get home from school, and love to play with her all afternoon. She loves to teach them both how to do everything from reading, writing, and talking properly. Also, she is SO excited for her new sister to join the family in April. She likes to play with dolls and barbies, playing on the computer, and LOVES to draw and do crafts. She is a great help around the house, and a great sister and daughter. We love you Mackayla!

In between her two parties we received our Christmas package from Papa and Nini, and had another little Christmas party.

The boys in their new camp chairs from Great Grandma Jones

Let the fun begin!

January was a busy month. Bradley did Itty Bitty Basketball a few mornings a week and loved it. It really sparked his interest in the game, and he loved playing defense and making baskets. Jared took him over to the church gym in Yakima to practice before his class began, and within a few minutes of trying to dribble he jammed his finger. It was black and blue, and hurt. So, he decided he wasn't going to dribble anymore, and never did during his basketball class. He is going to have to overcome that before he can make it to the pros. :)

Jacob started potty training right after we got back from our trip as well. The first week went so well, but he has regressed a little since then and is still having occasional accidents. Its such a frustrating and exhausting process, but we are so excited to not be buying diapers right now! I had not had a single day of not changing diapers in over 6 years, and now we are diaper free!!! Of course, we have less than three months until we have a baby and start all over again. :)

We've had a stomach bug run through a couple of the kids, and the rest of us had a cold, but we are feeling good again now. The first couple weeks of January were also rough because I had cracked (or something) ribs and was in a lot of pain. My doctor said they see that more often in 3rd and 4th pregnancy as things in the body are expanding. It kept getting worse and worse and I wasn't sure I was going to survive, but then it did finally start getting better. It's so nice not having to dread a sneeze or a cough, and not having to get mad at people for making me laugh and bringing me more pain! Our baby is still looking really healthy though, and my fluid levels have gone up, so all the hardships of pregnancy are really just a small sacrifice! We're getting so excited for April to come and to have our new baby!

I think that about sums up the month of January!