14

 As with Irelynd's birthday, we celebrated really small this year for Savannah's 14th.  We each got to bonk her with a small gift, and had her favorites for dinner, including chicken cordon bleu casserole, garlic bread, and pretzel jello salad.  Apparently, the bonking on the head thing is not as well known as I had thought, even among people who grew up in Utah, as I did.  Scott's family looked at me like I was off my rocker the first time I did it in their family.  I don't try that one anymore at his family birthday parties.  It comes with a cute little rhyme that goes "Heavy heavy hangover thy poor head, what do you wish this person with a BONK on the head?!"  so I know my family didn't make it up, as we are NOT poetic.  Hm, maybe it came from my parents' homelands of either Canada or Australia?  Anyways...

 As always, we get a huge kick out of legalized violence during this time of the year.

 Some of us really enjoy it more than others.  Everyone always cringes when it's Brighton's turn.  He can turn the lightest, softest gift into a migraine headache.  He's "gifted" like that (har har). 

 What I try to point out to Brighton is that it's not very smart to pound his sisters good, as his birthday is last in the line of 3, and sisters don't forget.  Ever.

 Grandma LeBaron bought Savannah a cake down for her birthday.  It was very yummy.

 I almost hesitate to include these photos, because I was mortified when Savannah asked and received permission (from her DAD, not her mom), to shove her face into her cake.  I tried to insist that a guy would not call her again if she did this on a date, but Scott disagreed with me.  So, any future boyfriends/fiancees/husbands looking at this, please don't dump my daughter because she's a pig:)  I promised I raised her to be polite and well-mannered, but it's her dad's fault if she's not. 

 Savannah, I'm going to show this in your wedding video!  Oink oink!

  I am so proud of my little budding party planner!  She planned her whole birthday party (that she wasn't supposed to have had, but I'm a sucker for parties so I said yes).  She planned the party treats, came up with names for them, and made her signs for them.  I helped her with the display, but she did the rest.

 They did nails, played games, and watched The Others.  As the movie started, the girls were spread out on the couches and floor, but not too far into it, they all squeezed onto one couch together and were huddled together under a blanket.  Scott and I had a lot a fun scaring them.  It is an eerie movie!

Happy Birthday Savannah Banana!  We love you!

Happy 5th birthday, Keaton and Waverly!

 The twins are 5!!!  We celebrated with a party at Grandma LeBaron's house.  She had princess plates for the girls, and car plates for the boys.  The twins opted for Hawaiian haystacks and rolls for dinner.  Keaton LOVES rice!

Finally, after a L O N G wait, it was time to open presents from Grandma!

 One's own cereal is a hot commodity in our house.

 A new pink, frilly Hello Kitty outfit is every girls' dream.

 Well, if Waverly is going to go bananas over her new outfit, I guess I need to do the same...

 Cake time!  Both twin wanted a different cake, so we just went for yummy instead of beautiful or creative.  This is a chocolate raspberry bundt cake with Chocolate ganache whipped frosting.  It was so delish!

 On the twins' actual birthday, they got their presents from Mom and Dad and Irelynd.  Irelynd bought them both presents at her 5th Grade Class Auction a month earlier.  She is so sweet to think of others, and was excited to give the twins their gifts.  She put a lot of thought about where to hide them.

 Keaton got a Batman figure and car.

 Waverly got this Princess crown.

 Keaton got a bag of Doritos from us.  This kid LOVES chips of any kind.  He'll pile his plate full of them and leave the rest of his food alone, if he has his way.  When we go to Costco, I have to brace myself for the chip aisle, where he'll ask in his little boy voice, "can we buy chips, pweeeeeze?"  It's so hard to say no!

 Waverly got a new swimsuit

 and a new Minnie Mouse shirt, plus other clothes.

 Keaton got this shirt and other clothes too.

 We love you twins!

I'm 6!!

 Brighton's birthday this year was kind of a bust.  Because I was due with Boston in the next 10 days, I was not up to doing a large at-home birthday.  Brighton opted to go to Lowe's Airsports for his big day.  We invited 5 friends to go with us, but only one showed up to the pre-party.  Another one met us there, and one came late, right before we left.  My heart was aching for my little boy who was so excited for this day, and only had one friend show up (who didn't go with us to Lowe's).  He perked up when the other friend got there, as he considers him his best friend, and he had a great time at Lowe's.

 You can see his lack of enthusiasm in these 2 photos.  I wanted so badly to make it perfect for him.

 Brighton and his friend Marcus from down the street.  There are so few boys Brighton's age in our ward, this is the main boy he plays with.  A funny story I have to include about Marcus.  When it came time to open gifts, I told Marcus to give Brighton his gift, so he hands it to him.  Like a normal child would.  Brighton says "you forgot to bump me on the head Marcus!" and gives the gift back.  Marcus puzzles over it a minute, then takes his fist and pounds Brighton on the head with it and says "happy birthday" and then gives him the gift again.  Savannah and I busted a gut laughing.  Marcus just took it all in stride and, although he didn't know what Brighton meant (must not have a crazy Utah family that does the head bumping thing), did his best to comply.

 Since we had space free, I took the twins and Savannah with us.

 It was their first time and they had a great time!

 We had Brighton's birthday dinner at home the next day, on his actual birthday.  He chose mashed potatoes and gravy, and I don't remember what else.  But brownies for dessert.

 This pirate set was from Irelynd.  Brighton is a very grateful kid, and shows his appreciation very openly.  And forcefully.  He's known to tackle the gift-giver to the ground with a big bear hug.

Happy birthday Brighton!  We are so grateful you are in our family, and you have survived the past 6 years to celebrate this moment!