All Them July Babies ...

If you know us at all, you know that apparently the Husband and I spend a little too much time together in the month of October. Or at least we did in 2007, 2009 and 2011. Because we have birthdays to celebrate on the 9th, 11th and 13th of July. This year Kolt celebrated his 8th Birthday, Kruz celebrated his 6th and Kohen celebrated his 4th. 

Because their Birthdays are so close together, we try really hard to make each of their days special. Sometimes we're able to make the whole day about them with going to spend their Birthday Money and going to their place of choice to eat. And then there are years like this one in which we were consumed with the passing of a very special friend the day after Kolt's Birthday, Travis' School Schedule, attending the funeral on Kohen's Birthday and having our Kid's Crusade at church every night of that week. So this year we kind of just did what we could.

Kolt's Birthday fell on the same morning of the Party, so he chose to make a Dunkin Donuts run with his Daddy and blow his candle out that way. We were all starving after the Birthday Party so we ran off to a new Mexican Spot here in our little town. And since we were out, we took him to Academy to spend some of his Birthday Money. 

On Kruz' Birthday he requested a trip to the "same store as Kolt", GameStop and Toys R' Us. He is very methodical with how he spends his money. If only all 6 Year Olds were like that, right? So we headed to GameStop first for Fifa 2015, because in his words, he knew he could get the '15 Version cheaper than the '16 Version and really they're the same thing. He went to Toys R Us for a new 3DS game and to Academy for some new Nike stuff. And after church that night we went to the pool for a night swim and enjoyed the Birthday Cake he picked out from Publix earlier that day. 

And on Kohen's Birthday he asked all day when his friends were coming over for his party. I tried over and over to explain to him that we already had his party, but he just wasn't having that answer because "this day is my Birthday Mommy". We had this conversation a thousand times. My heart only broke into a thousand pieces when we got to our church for the funeral service for David and he saw so many of our friends and he asked if this was his Party. Bless it. I was so thankful this kiddo was content with some cupcakes at the end of the night when Daddy got home from work. 

And of course, there's the Big Birthday Celebration we had! I believe I counted 38 kids here, not including my own. It's always a fun time with the water slide and all of the families that we have over. 

This year I decided not to feed the crowd and just have snacks. It was perfect! I took advantage of the Buy One Get One Free sales at Publix and scored a ton of variety snack packs. At the end of the day, we went through 80 bags of chips and 38 bags of snacks like Cheez-Itz and Animal Crackers. 

We cut up some watermelon, had popsicles ready to go and had a cookie cake from Great American Cookie and drinks. Bam! Done! Easiest way ever to keep a ton of kiddos content while they wore themselves out! 

I would say Miss Khloe enjoyed that cake too! 

I always look forward to celebrating my babies' Birthdays and always so thankful when it's all over too! Now here's to planning Miss Khloe's Second Birthday ...

Birthday Love For Kolt Edward ...

This kid y'all. This kid turned seven today. I heard over and over and over from him that today was "the best day ever". And really we didn't do anything over the top. But that's Kolt. He's pretty much just happy all the time, not too hard to please. The Hubs was at school all day, so our birthday festivities had to wait until after he got home. Kolt always, always, always picks Mexican for his birthday dinner. And it's our tradition to take the Birthday Kid to Toys R Us to pick out his (or her now) birthday gift(s). Most times after we're done pitching in our $25 and the grandparents give "a little", the Birthday Kid will end up with about $75 to spend. 

Kolt spent his money on lots of Pokemon things and a MineCraft Lego set. 

YahYah got him a box to store his Pokemon cards in and some more Pokemon cards to help fill it up!

MawMaw and PawPaw gave him $20 to go to TRU with!

All of his goodies! And I see a Photo Bomber!

Happy SEVENTH Birthday Kolt Edward! You are one loving and loved kiddo!

To Kolt: While You Were Five ...

Oh My Koltee. Are you seriously SIX already? Seriously? I mean that is enough. No more getting older, just stay little forever and please don't lose anymore of that babiness off your face. You're looking way too grown here lately. I'm kidding, I mean of course I am. What choice do I have? I got to let you grow. I am so thankful to be your Mommy, to watch you grow. You are such a fun kid and so full of life. You have not a care in the world (unless one of your brothers touches your cars or DS). It is a privilege to watch you grow and take on this world. Five was a big age for you, lets look back ... 

You started Royal Rangers this year at church. You love all of the arts and crafts and most of all, getting to be with Kollin. Throughout the year, you have completed several badges including Community Service by going to feed the homeless.

While you were five, you played your second Fall season of football. You played on Alabama again, still represented #8 and learned so much about the game. You played defensive tackle (I hope that's really a position, otherwise I'm in for it) and took down some pret-ty big boys this year. 

For Halloween you and your brothers decided to be Ninjas and it was loads of fun. You wanted to be the Blue Ninjago, so we ordered a karate uniform and dyed it blue. We Trick or Treated in YahYah's neighborhood and you got loads of candy! You never missed a "please" or "thank you". 

During December you had your second major trip to the Emergency Room. You and Kollin had a little mishap at bedtime that resulted in loads of blood, rushing you to the hospital and two staples in the back of your noggin. You took it like a champ though and by the next morning, you would have never even known someone had taken a staple gun to your head the night before. You wore this thick toboggan for a week straight - played in it, watched tv in it and slept in it. That was hilarious. It was all fine and dandy until the staples had to be removed, and that, well - that was awful. The nurse pretty much had to pry them out of your head and you screamed and cried and Mommy made it better with waffles at Waffle House. 

You took your first trip to The Fox Theater with Mommy, Kollin and YahYah to see a condensed version of the Nutcracker. You loved the rats with swords and hated the rest. Go figure. 

For Christmas, Santa brought you a Nintendo DS and my oh my how you love that thing. I would say your favorite game is Mario Brothers! You tend not to take it too seriously, but Mommy has to limit your time on that thing for sure. 

You went to your first circus in February and l.o.v.e.d it. Your favorite part were the motorcycles in the cages and getting your light up sword at the end of the night (the one Mommy and Daddy swore we were not going to spend $17 on, good thing your YahYah was there to chip in). 

While you were five, you found out you were going to be a Big Brother to a Baby Sister. You've never been the one to be interested much when it comes to babies and adding new ones to our family and this one wasn't much different. You are excited (a little) to meet her though and are always asking for prayer for her and me in Sunday School. 

You were in Aunt TeeTee's wedding! You were asked to be the Ring Bearer and you rocked it kiddo. You looked so handsome in your suit and suspenders. I was so proud of how well you walked down the aisle with the Flower Girl, how you stood and watched the ceremony and of course, your dance moves at the end of the night were impressive. I think your favorite part was the photo booth, the fridge is still covered in your tons of photo strips. And every time I look at them, I laugh. 

While you were five, you started KARATE! You chose this as your choice of sport and are doing great at it. You knew so much going in from Kollin and are improving your skills with every class. You have just graduated to your White/Gold belt and were thrilled!  

You officially completed your first year of "real school" and have graduated into First Grade. And although you were technically a Kindergartner, you rocked First Grade math. It is definitely your favorite subject. You impress me Kiddo and remind me so much of Daddy when you blurt our random things like, "Hey Mommy? Did you know 112 plus 34 is 146?" Along with math, you really worked on your writing skills this year and learning how to spell. 

YOU LEARNED HOW TO READ!!

And I must say you are pretty darn good at it too. You love all of the 'I Can Read' books from the Dr. Seuss Collection.

You are still obsessed with Hot Wheels. You particularly love the ones that are actual cars, like the Mustangs. You still love to line them up, oldest to newest, by colors, by model, by speed. I find you in your room so often just playing with your cars. Your imagination runs wild ... 

You have started collecting Lego sets and Lego figurines too. And I swear, if I step on one Lego a day, I step on a hundred. You and Kollin could sit for hours creating, building, tearing apart and starting again. 

You have started eating so much more fruit, finally! You are eating apples, bananas, tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries and kiwi - all of which you wouldn't touch a year ago. Makes this Momma a Happy Camper. 

It's been a great time since last July and I can't wait to see what being six will bring you! Keep shining, keep keeping God first in the mornings by reading your Bible and praying, keep sharing, keep smiling and for heaven's sake never, ever lose that giggle of yours. 

I love you Koltee!

Love, Mommy

Wednesday Is Officially Over In This House ...

I came across this last night in my Facebook feed (thank you TobyMac) and realized it has unknowingly been my mantra lately.

I signed the three big boys up for a Vacation Bible School this week and subconsciously made fabulous plans to clean my house real deep, enjoy loads of reading, take a bubble bath Monday through Friday (even if it is with Kohen) and to take the plunge to tackle the monstrosity that is Khloe's nursery. I know, what was my subconscious doing?

If it counts that I made Kollin take all of the goodies from Khloe's showers upstairs and that they all actually made it into her room yesterday- if that counts as starting work on the nursery - well then, I guess I have been successful thus far.

This morning, being the third day that Kolt has complained of having a headache, (headaches and children freak.me.out) I decided to take him to our pediatrician's office. Turns out after bragging this weekend that, "none of my kids ever get ear infections", Kolt has not one but two severe ear infections. The exact words of the PA we saw this morning when she looked in his right ear were, "Oh WOW! I can't believe he's not been screaming of pain".

After picking up Kollin and Kruz from VBS at noon, I decided I needed a coke. I haven't had a coke in 6 weeks. Yes, I count. And so this day, this week, suggested this would be my one pass. And when in the position to having only drive thrus to pick from, I always go with Chick Fil A. I am guaranteed an abundance of carbonation. So in my crazy pregnant state of mind, I completely validate the line being wrapped around the building and into the street. I sip on this large cup of horrible-for-you goodness, dreaming of saving it all for when I arrive home, lay my children down and enjoy it with my lunch.

Kohen knocked it over, spilling every last ice cube and drop, at the front door. 

I teared up y'all. Then decided I would not be teaching my children anything valuable from this mishap by literally breaking down right there on the front porch over a coke.

Now, had it been a Venti Iced White Chocolate Mocha with Toffee Nut, Non Fat, No Whip, Half Caf? Well, the valuable lesson may have gone out the flipping window. 

I have decided, after listening to Kolt continusouly cry about his ears, Kruz refusing to take a nap and Kohen slinging his lunch across the dining room, that I am officially done with Wednesday. I took my bra off, put on my pajamas and the kids are currently getting their baths out of the way. Dinner may or may not be served tonight and the children may or may not have to put themselves to bed. 

I'll just keep swimming tomorrow ... 

Make That Two Nichols Ninjas ...

You, my friend, are reading my 200th post! 

And what better way for this Momma to mark a milestone than to brag on one of my kiddos?!

Kolt has officially become the second Nichols Ninja in our house. He started karate last week and is loving it! 

We've always wanted the boys to do something, some type of activity. Kolt's original choice was football and as much as I loved watching him play a game that he loved, the experience we had within the local association was enough to ruin us. (You can read more about Kolt's last season in this post) We have watched so much growth with Kollin in karate and have experienced first hand the positive influence this sport has had in his life. 

Kolt has been biting at the bit to get in there and start. We've been waiting for the time when we would renew Kollin's contract for the year and add Kolt, which came last month for us. Kolt started this past week. And the kid is loving it. I am excited to see him excited again about something for him. And as much as I am dying not enrolling him in football again this season, I am looking forward to watching Kolt establish relationships, positive and encouraging relationships I might add, with his instructors. 

Here is Kolt with Mr. Bennett, one of his instructors. Kolt earned his first belt this week and I heard Mr. Bennett explaining to him how he earned this belt, not that he was just giving it to him. 

On that note, I'll leave you with a ...

Hiiiii-Yaaaaa and a Happy Tuesday!

Toboggan On: Inside and Out ...

You know, kids are so resilient. 

Had you put two staples in the back of my head two days ago, I would be out for the count for at least three days, complaining of a headache non-stop and needing some type of pain medicine to help get me through. 

Not Kolt. 

Nope, he's up running around (as much as I'll let him) and acting like the same 'ole Kolt. 

His new best friend has become this toboggan. He wears this thing whether he is inside or out - for the cushion, he says. It's actually pretty hilarious. He even sleeps with it on. 

As far as the rest of the clan goes: I just got around to ordering Christmas cards, Travis is adjusting to his new job and the other boys are well, just being boys. Kollin has been doing a super job of keeping an extra eye on Kolt and Kruz and Kohen have been busy playing in the cabinets. 

 As always after a crisis in the Nichols house, life goes on ... 

A Thud and Two Staples ...

Thuds are a pretty normal thing around here for us. 

And I would venture to say that most of those thuds happen at bedtime. Bedtime - you know that time of the day when you read to your children, give them smooches, tuck them in and actually expect them to go to sleep. 

The thud we heard last night was the worst thud I've ever heard. Travis and I raced up the stairs to find blood everywhere, both Kollin and Kolt screaming and Kruz sleeping through every bit of it. Story goes like this - Kolt was up aggravating Kollin, Kollin pushed him away, Kolt fell back and the thud was the back of his head against the edge of his bed. 

Travis looked at it and just knew he was going to need a trip to the ER to get it all fixed up. It was totally a God-Thing that my cousin Hannah was here staying the night with us. With blood pouring from Kolt's head and we rushed out the door and left for the hospital. 

What's up with our kids wanting Taco Bell on nights when the hospital is in tow? We got to the hospital, which was lined with people everywhere and got all checked in and Kolt asked for roll-ups from Taco Bell. Of course, Travis delivered. 

We waited, waited and waited some more. 

As we sat in the waiting room, Kolt was asking all kinds of questions about stitches. He bowed his little head and prayed for God to not make him have stitches. It was seriously one of the most innocent prayers I have ever heard. 

We finally got a room and it was immediately decided Kolt would need a couple staples in the back of his head to close up the gash. I explained to Kolt how it would go and that the two "pops" he would hear and feel were going to hurt. The sweet PA wiped out the numbing cream that was put in about 20 minutes prior and with Kolt's legs wrapped around my waist, I held his head and she literally took a staple gun to my baby's noggin. He cried, I was mortified and Travis took it in as a tutorial. 

Seriously, he was a champ. I could not have been more proud of him!!

As we walked out to the car after being discharged, Kolt looked up at me and said, "Mommy! God heard my prayers! I didn't have to get stitches!!"

Travis and I just looked at each other and laughed. 

Needless to say, the couch and beds are our choice of spots today. My Dad is bringing over some homemade beef stew for lunch and I think going to the table will be the only time I leave the couch. 

Until the Christmas Play at church tonight. Kollin is singing and that is not something we can miss. And so with sleepy faces and a kid with a gauze around his head, we'll head to church tonight. 

Pray for us - keeping Kolt with no trips, falls, bumps or thuds for the next 10 days is going to be a challenge.