Heath turned 5 last week and I missed his actual birthday due to being Chicago for a work event.  But Steven and the girls had a little celebration on the actual day with a cake, a Batman Lego kit gift from his sisters, and McDonald's.  All in all, it was a good night for him and I luckily got to sing happy birthday to him via phone.

Meanwhile, I was able to fly into Chicago over the weekend to spend some time with family and couldn't ask for a better fall weekend.  Poppie spent a day with us then headed home while Nonnie stayed with my sisters and myself.  We went for a great bike ride along the lake and for those of us without bikes, we got to try out the Divvy bikes for the first time.  They're heavy, but they work fine.

When I got home late in the night later in the week, I arrived to a wonderful sign taped to the garage door.  After I snuggled with everyone for a few minutes, it was back to business as usual.

Ashlyn loves the new park Reghan practices soccer at.  The playground is full of new and exciting structures to ride.

Each night Heath got to open more cards. 

Steven's birthday was on Saturday as well and spent it at the UCLA/Oregon game but before he left he needed his gift from his parents.  Reghan made sure his eyes were tightly covered while Heath and Ashlyn got his new Auburn hat to put on his head.

Meanwhile, we took off for our games of the day.  Good thing there's always enough half time snacks for all the little brothers and sisters.

 

Ashlyn and I had a sleep over in her room Saturday night and she serenaded me awake.  This is just a snippet of one of the many songs I woke to.  If you can't see the video below, click on the following link: The Words are Pictures of Ballerinas.

Since we didn't have a 5th birthday party for Heath this year, he asked to go to Chucky Cheese.  Admittedly not one of our favorite places but the kids love it.  While we were we bumped into one of his close friends, Alex, which made his day all that much better.  The two of them were inseparable the rest of the visit.

You would think she was looking out over the restaurant but no, she was dancing and singing, what else would she be doing?

In lieu of a cake he asked for monster candy apples and we obliged.  Upon blowing out his candles and almost a full week after the actual day, he finally got to open the rest of his gifts.

We're still not sure which of his awesome presents was the stand out gift this year.  He's still obsessed with Lego's and now he as a Lego Batman set to go along with his book and his new Transformers are played with every morning and evening.  However, his bike may take the lead.  He finally got a big boy bike and took to it like he's been riding for years.  He's ridden it every night since and we don't think it will be long before his training wheels are off.

 

There are times though that a gift is given that causes strife.  In this case it's a certain t-shirt that his Aunt Joy sent in support of her team.  A long time ago I forgave her for this fault for which she was born into, but alas, it's now infected our house.  Watch out Aunt Joy, we're coming for you.

 He will wear it - but this is our first response to that.