He's 8!

We've made it this far Hunter!

A few tidbits about this big guy:

1. Though Robyn has learned the phrase "Don't push me" (usually directed at Hunter) I have to remember that in most cases his pushing is like saying "let's go Robyn" or "it'll be fun" or "come with me" or "go this way"...all with a smile on his face. Hardly ever does it actually mean "You're moving too slow, get out of my way!"
2. We also must mention his creativity. I love it when he goes off into his own world and creates something out of nothing--no matter what it is. He's the one that can play by himself rather willingly.

3. He's the one who lets me know when we've been somewhere too long and when it's time to go home. He's my clock whether I like it or not!

4. His grandpa says he's a natural at casting! Though, he has yet to catch a fish! For the longest time I don't even think Hunter knew why he was gracefully throwing fishing line out into the water...he just did it.

5. He appreciates gourmet foods! He may shy away from canned green beans and boxed mac n' cheese...or anything else that's totally canned or boxed but I LOVE cooking for him! What's on the menu tonight for his birthday dinner?! Creamy Dill Salmon (yes, Grandma Fort, your recipe).

6. He will ask the most complicated questions...literally. Many of them leave me speechless.

7. He's so well-rounded that I couldn't tell you what he's "into". He likes just about everything. Yes, it makes it hard when it comes to giving gifts but at the same time it's easy because he'll appreciate anything.

8. When he has an opinion, he'll let you know it--rather honestly and openly. This can be good and bad. He's not meaning to be rude--he just wants his opinion known.

9. Hunter is unusually sensitive--physically, mentally and spiritually. He's been that way since he was born. His sensitivity requires a bit of extra (creative) effort to calm him, motivate him and accommodate his needs so that he can be successful. I will tell you that he is a spiritual giant!

10. He loves to sing! Don't confuse this with the idea that he'll sing whenever asked (see #9) because he won't. He must know and love the songs that he's singing. That can be a challenge sometimes.

Happy Birthday Hunter! We love you!

To be 30...

Maybe some of you don't think about it because you hit the big 3-0 years ago. But, I'm the baby of the family so the idea of "the baby" being 30... (I'm at a loss for words)

At least I don't have to celebrate it alone! Happy Birthday Andy! Can't remember the last time us twins were able to celebrate together.

FYI: I'm still "the baby"...by 8 minutes

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Dear (Great) Grandma Gold:

I know we are far away and can't physically come and wish you a Happy Birthday. But please know that if we were there we'd certainly serenade you like this:

And give you lots of:And finally show you how much we love you by giving you these:from our own backyard!

We love you and miss you Grandma! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

It's fine being 29 in 2009!

It seemed selfish to wish myself a Happy Birthday but I have to say Happy Birthday to my beloved twin brother way up there in New York.

Back when we were still innocent in 1982....

The World Race (right here on our driveway)

We had Aidan's 8th Birthday Party last Saturday and I must say it was a complete success. We went with a race car theme. And Jaren (with some minimal help) whipped up this pretty cool race track with a piece of plywood, some 1x2 boards and a few 2x4 boards. Yes, we certainly raced regular hotwheel cars down it too. But, the whole party was based around making the cars for the track. So, we cut out some wooden cars, drilled a hole in the middle for a marble to roll the cars down and we had marble cars. The boys we in charge of sanding the wood, giving it a name, decorating it and of course chasing the marbles as they rolled away (that was part of the fun). I video taped some of the races and the boys could watch them while we ate lunch.

We had awards for every car. So, not only did we have "The Fastest Car" but we also had "The Craziest Car" and "The Most Mysterious Car" and "The Most Colorful Car", etc. Everyone left the party a winner.

All in all, it was fun and I'm glad Aidan and his friends had a blast.

Happy 8th Birthday Aidan!

Birthday Party Anxiety!

Okay, so do you remember that handsome picture of that young man on my previous post? Do you remember a post a while back that mentions that I'm a "party pooper?" Okay, I enjoy parties...when someone else is planning them! Well, I promised Aidan a party for his 8th birthday before we head up to Washington. The sheer thought of planning a birthday party just gives me a headache. Aidan's been to many parties. And, to be honest--very few of them are planned by the parent. Most of them are at some party place where the parent pays outrageous amounts of money for these children to bounce around on inflatables, eat LOTS of cake and...pizza. Not to mention the goody bags are just ridiculous. He would rather have a smaller party in his home. By the way, Aidan hates pizza (and hot dogs) and has never been impressed with those types of parties.

So, I've decided it's about time I gave in and "got over" this fear of birthday parties. I know, y'all are probably thinking how crazy I am for being afraid of a bunch of 8 yr. olds. The fact that most of them are bigger than me just doesn't mean anything, right? It's embarrassing that I fear a room full of 8 year olds that must be entertained! Sad but VERY true! Give me as many 3 yr. olds as you want and I can handle it just fine. But, once they get to be five or six...

I also know how much Aidan would love this party so as his mother, I feel it necessary to do this for him. Honestly he doesn't ask for much. And, it takes a lot to get him excited about anything. To see him excited about a party excites me so we're gonna do it.Took very little to excite Aidan for his 1st birthday...

Anyway, I have less than a month to come up with something.

Seriously, anybody...everybody...I need ideas!

"Brown, paper packages..."

So, I was preparing for Hunter's birthday celebration this weekend with family (yeah, his birthday was last week--but the actual party is this weekend) and I realized that I didn't have any birthday wrapping paper!! Oh no! I needed to get the presents wrapped ASAP before he came home from school and I was running out of time.

In my rummaging I found my good supply of brown, packaging paper (the kind you mail presents with). Sure enough, just as I find this I immediately started singing, "Brown paper packages tied up with..." So of course I had to get the "string" to finish out the thought! And so, it goes:How ironic that all of Hunter's brown packages are all perfectly square.

We'll see if these "brown, paper packages tied up with string" will become a few of Hunter's favorite things...

Even now, hours later, that song is still going on in my head!!!

Mr. Hunter

Happy Birthday big guy! You're 6...wow, I can't believe it!

Here's the Photo Evidence

Ashley and Robyn

Aidan & Robyn "She's better than a babydoll!"

"She's too heavy to hold by myself!"

Hunter with Robyn

Along with the pictures, here are a few tidbits:

1. Yes, she came 16 days early (surprised, but ready).
2. If you scramble her birthdate, 7-21-08, you get Ashley's birthdate, 1-27-80.
3. Our kids have been born in a numerical order:
Hunter: Oct. 19
Aidan: Dec. 20
Robyn: July 21
4. Jaren got to name her (I think he's had that name picked out for quite sometime and was glad to finally get to use it)!
5. She shares her middle name with her grandmother, Kay Fort.
6. She LOVES to "talk"!
7. She was born exactly one month later than her Mason cousin (almost to the minute).
8. Her nickname is "Princess" and has been for months (courtesy of Hunter). So, it's perfectly okay to call her "Princess Robyn".
9. She is Great-Grandchild #78 to my beloved Grandma Gold.
10. The boys agree that she is SOOOO much better than a babydoll but can't wait until she's old enough to "play".

She's Here!!!!

This is Jaren writing:

For all you folks out there in the real world (because it does not feel real yet) . .

We have an announcement:
Robyn Kay Fort was born this morning at 10:47am Central Time.

She weighed in at 7lbs, 11.8 oz. 19 inches long.

We don't know the color of her hair as it is difficult until we can get her out clean into the sunshine.

Mom and Baby are doing fine. Us boys are hanging out at home while the women recuperate at the Hospital.

We hope to have pictures and a full account up tomorrow after we get to bring them both home.

We love you all!!

The Boys at Home