Days with the Dorans

It's not so much that Sean is twelve, but it's that next year he'll be a teenager that blows my mind a bit! I treasure our conversations - his 'confessions' as he calls them. He has the most tender heart and really is the sweetest soul. Once he was late when I was picking him up from school and he apologized and told me he had seen a bad word in the bathroom so tried to clean it up. That is Sean in a nutshell. I adore him! We weren't sure if we would be able to celebrate his birthday, but his Aunt Chris held on so we could have this time with our boy~ what a gift. We're learning the best gift is time. Sean got all the things he wanted~ including a long armed stapler to make his books (He's a budding author- I mean, really- what 12 year old asks for a stapler and is super pumped to get it?!) So my Seany- lover of nuggets, and penguins, and kindness~ I'm wishing you the very best birthday. You are so loved by all of us- but I think especially by your m...

 I still can't believe that Zach is twelve (or that next year he's going to be a -GULP- teenager!!)! He's small but as we know the best things come in small packages! Nana and Papa were able to come and celebrate with dinner and cake and of course, presents! We had to laugh because as Z was opening his gifts, he just didn't seem all that excited! When we teased him about this he went over-board on the fake excitement and that made us laugh too! Still, I know he was appreciative of all his gifts! Glad I got to snap a moment like this! I feel like I'm bad at taking pictures lately. All the sibs were there to celebrate! There was this running joke when Z turned 8 (I think) that Papa wanted him to stay 7 and it has stuck! I laughed when Papa gave him this card! So typical my dad! Nana does all the shopping so the fact that Papa got this was a big deal, I'd say. If you ask Z how old he is, he'll say, "7."  Papa also does all the measur...

 I love this girl! I can't believe that it's been 12 years since we first met! What a blessing she is to me. We woke up on December 28th and had her open her gifts. She got a TDS hat, shirt, ballet band and a new bike helmet (that will go with a much-needed bigger bike in the spring). We didn't do friend parties this year, so instead Al chose to go see the movie "Sing". We invited the cousins and Nana and Papa to join us. It was a super cute movie! Then we came back for gifts, salad, pizza, games, cake and ice cream. The game of choice for us grown-ups was "Bounce It" (we've played this lots over break).  The kids get along so well too, so they were busy playing and having fun. I love that the cousins never want to leave. I'm sure my brother doesn't love it so much, but I do. Ali Jane, you're TWELVE!! This is it- the year I stopped growing. Here's to hoping you grow A LOT this year and get taller than I am! I have a feel...

Joe was so cute and excited for his birthday!  He was especially excited to go to school where his friend, Dom gave him a "shout out" at lunch (something where the principal or someone lets them say something over a microphone for birthdays...).  Having your birthday on a school day must be fun (I don't know... Christmas Eve) but I can say that it can be hard AFTER school. We had multiple things going on that day (Ali had dance that started at 4:30) so the only way to have a bit of time where ALL of us could be togethr with Joe was to get the Littles out of school 45 minutes early (so that's what I did)! We actually beat Joe home from the bus (which was cool).  Nana and Papa came over too and we tied a balloon to the mailbox (more in the house) and Joe was all smiles when he walked up.  We had the quickest "party" in history!  We ate   inhaled pizza (his choice), opened presesnts (Ali gave him a rock that said, "This is a rock.  Happy Birthday...