Thanksgiving and birthday parties.

It's the night before Thanksgiving and I'm feeling particularly thankful right now. This long semester (that I almost didn't complete) is officially over in a few short days. I am so, so incredibly glad I stuck with it. I was looking at my plan of study that hangs on the side of my fridge earlier tonight and it struck me just how close I am to being done. And I almost gave all of that up. So, yes- I am thankful that the semester is almost over and I'm thankful I stuck it out.

I'm having such a great time with my kids right now. It's no secret that there are some stages of childhood that are a little more challenging than others. It's not that Camden and Macey's current ages don't come with challenges-- they most certainly do-- but I'm just really loving where they are right at this moment. I'm so incredibly thankful for them. I hardly remember who I was in my life prior to having kids; I have no doubt that I was made to be their mom.

I'm thankful that I have a husband that gets up in the middle of the night to go rub Macey's back when she's teething and is having trouble staying asleep. He also spends countless hours playing Star Wars Angry Birds with Camden just because there's nothing else Camden would rather do at the moment. I will never get tired of seeing two blonde heads go flying past me into the foyer when they hear Matt's key turn in the door at night. I'm thankful that my children have an excellent father.

There are so many other things: I'm thankful for a mom who would (and does) drop anything to be by my side whenever I need her. I'm thankful for a dad who has always supported me and my decisions. I'm thankful for a sister that lives right down the road and who is also a babysitter, carpool partner, and friend. I'm thankful for a brother who can make any situation funny with his sarcasm and wit.

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope this year has provided you with a lot to feel thankful for too.

******************************

On a completely different note, we celebrated Camden's fourth birthday party this past weekend. It was Ninja Turtle themed (of course). I debated whether or not to include preschool friends this year, but ultimately decided to stick with family (and neighbors who are like family). I think we'll start the "friends parties" next year.

Since it was TMNT themed, we had pizza for dinner. I'm pretty certain that Camden and Will didn't stop running for the entire two hour party. We all had a blast.  And now, some pictures:

TMNT cake courtesy of Nan. Seriously, I'm so lucky to have a mom and sister whose culinary & artistic abilities far surpass my own.

TMNT cupcakes courtesy of my sister. She's pretty awesome.

 He opened his presents in record time. I told Matt that I feel old having a kid who's big enough to be in the 'action figure' stage!

 

Birthday Boy!

The aforementioned non-stop running.

Happy fourth birthday, sweet boy.

 

My precious family.