Mav and Vi are 5

Whenever it's Maverick and Violet's birthday it feel like Christmas. They got to open up their special birthday outfit before breakfast.

Special Birthday pancakes.

After breakfast they got to open up the rest of their gifts, because dad was leaving on a business trip later that day.

Their "big" present from mom and dad was a trip to Disneyland and these cool shirts.

Violet got some fancy dresses from Grandma Pattie and Grandpa Brian.

After Autumn got out of school and before her soccer practice we went to "Old McDonalds" for dinner.

playing with their new toys before bed.

A few days later we had both of the kids' first friends party.  Maverick's theme was "How to Train your Dragon". We started by decorating shields.

Willet and Maverick

We played "feed the dragons"

"Flour Tower"

All the Norby kids intentionally lost so they could pick the coin up with their mouth.

We also did "pin the tail on Maverick"

Henry, Bridger, Willett, Maverick, Zacharia, Westly

Pinata

and of course the piñata string broke before the cardboard did.

Toothless cake

After lunch it was Violet's party.  She had a "tea" party. My favorite were these paper tea cups I found on Amazon. We first decorated tea party "hats" out of paper plates and fake flowers.

We played my mom's classic game of "cotton ball on your nose"

We had hot chocolate, juice, donuts, and cake.
Wren, Dixie, Lark, Quinn, Sara, Madi

My "cupcake" cake turned out ugly and it didn't even taste good because Violet didn't pick chocolate.

I got this dress in high school and have found more than a few excuses to wear it.

Autumn hung up the steamers for me (reminded me a bit of the Office)

making hats

Quinn, Violet, Wren, Autumn

Maddi

Violet also requested "pin the tea cup on Violet" game because that is what Autumn did at her party.

August

After our family reunion the Baker kids and Heather spent a few more days with us.  We visited my favorite places in town The Children's Village and Play City.

Autumn and Alice wanted to have a lemonade stand to earn money.  Neither Heather nor I wanted to sit outside with them so I paid them to do chores.  I've tried to get Autumn to clean out the window wells for what seems like forever apparently the 50 cents a window did the trick.  They also cleaned a ceiling fan and my shower.

I earned favorite aunt award when I let Henry (and the other kids) play with kinetic sand and flour.

The last item on our summer bucket list was playing putt putt golf.  It was miserable.  Lark got bored after the second hole.  Autumn was being unkind to Violet.  Violet was swinging the club around.  Autumn ended up really upset that she got put in time out, Violet was crying and laying on the floor, Lark was running around and also crying.

Maverick had fun.

Luckily Olive was okay hanging out in the stroller.

Maverick's good friend moved away at the beginning of the summer but came back for a quick visit.

 Another last bucket list item was visiting the Fort Collins museum. We only lost Lark for a little while.

 I noticed Violet needed a bit of extra attention so I took her on a little "date".  She absolutely loves hot cocoa, so we hit up Starbucks first and then we went grocery shopping.  Violet had fun picking out all the snacks and treats for the familiy.  She kept telling me how much fun she was having and has asked several times if we can go on another date.

 I hosted a "Back" to school dinner the night before school started.  We had our dessert first, main course second and appetizers of peanut butter and bananas and strawberries and whipped cream which Autumn prepared. Autumn even wore her clothes backwards!

Autumn's first day of second grade.  Her request for back to school clothes were cowboy boots, and we delivered.

 The second day of school...waiting for the bus.

 Lark's current favorite outfit as of late, this blue tutu skirt.  She wears it almost every day.

 Dad took Maverick out on a little one on one date to the mini golf course and ice cream.  The girls and I did face masks.

Autumn in a tree!