Uno Strategery and the Worst Version of Who's on First Ever

  Caleb is playing Uno with the kids and here is what I just witnessed.  Joe was down to two cards, both blue.  The play to him was a green something or other so he had to draw a card and lo and behold he drew the dreaded draw 4!  He triumphantly threw it on the stack and when asked what color he wanted it to be said, "red."  Caleb pointed out that he didn't have any red cards in his hand, but he was adamant that he wanted it to be red.  Blythe drew 4 cards making it Joe's turn again (he and Caleb are on a team) so Caleb told him, "Ok, you have to play a red."  Joe very sadly replied, "but I don't have any reds."  

Another great conversation I have witnessed recently took place one of the first days we were back from Christmas.  We were all sick during our trip to Texas.  Both of the kids threw up for a couple days and didn't eat for another couple days.  Wasn't the most fun I've ever had on vacation, but at least we were with family.  Blythe likes to brag about her great fasting abilities so while driving around last weekend the kids had this little exchange...
 Blythe:  Joe, did you know that when I was sick I didn't ate for 2 days.
Joe:  Eight?
Blythe: No, 2.
Joe: You're 2?!?
Blythe: No, I didn't eat for 2 days.
Joe: Oh yeah, you was sick.

Super Joe turns 3

Apparently I didn't do very well taking pictures while we were in Texas for Christmas.  These are pretty much all I got from the entire trip, so enjoy!

The Birthday Boy

Paw helping Blythe fly over tall buildings.

Everyone got their own cape.

Here's Sweet Ainslee modeling hers for us.  I did a horrible job taking pictures even at the party so Ains will have to be the representative for the entire Sears clan who we were very happy to see, but apparently not photograph :)

Baby Claire (who may be called Baby Claire even when she's 18 if my kids have anything to do with it.)

The three amigos

Blowing out the candles!

Cuddling with Hay and Kyle

Blythe and Matthew racing to the fence and back

We had a blast getting to see all our friends.  Thanks to everyone for coming out to see us!  We are extremely blessed to have all of you in our life!

Happy Birthday, sweet Joe Joe Baggins.  Oh man, I don't know what words I have to describe you.  Rascal comes to mind, but that sounds bad, and you, my dear boy, are an absolute delight.  You are fearless, funny, and extremely cuddly.  You take great care of your big sister, unless you are trying your hardest to drive her crazy.  You are a man's man, except when you need to flash a smile to get out of being in trouble, then you definitely look for a girl to work your magic on.  You are well on your way to unstoppable and we are so very proud to have you.  We love you immensely, Joe Johnson!

Blythe Turns 5

I'm gonna attempt to update this thing about the month of December, but a lot happened so we'll see if I get it all done.  First things first, our little Blythe turned 5, or "a whole hand," as she likes to say.  Her birthday celebration seemed to never end because we had a party with her friends the first weekend in December, then she had her school celebration on the 11th, and lastly a little celebration with just the 4 of us on the actual day.

Ready to blow out the candles

      This is Jiho, Tyler, and Erwan.  The costume closet was a big hit with these 3. 

              

Enjoying some cake.

  

A fierce game of Hungry Hungry Hippos.  I didn't remember this game being as loud as it is when I was a kid.  

 Sweet Benedicte took some pictures for us so I'm actually in one.  Notice the rainbow cake!

At school she got a special hat, a card from her teachers, they all sang Happy Birthday to her, and then her best bud Jilian said a prayer for her.  It was an extremely sweet little moment for her, part of the reason we love her school. Jilian went to Disneyland over the Thanksgiving break and I haven't seen her without her ears since.

She wore the hat for the next 3 days.  

  All in all, I think she had a pretty good birthday.   Blythe is pretty spectacular in my extremely biased opinion.  She is the sweetest big sister, an obedient and loving daughter, and already has a pretty wicked sense of humor which makes her a fun little buddy to have around the house.  We are unbelievably proud to call her ours and are constantly amazed at the blessing she is to our family.  We love you, BumbleBee!