Dear Kirby

Dear Kirby,

Well, it’s 3 months past your birthday & I’m finally sitting down to write your birthday letter.  Sometimes I feel like you get the short end of the stick in some things with your birthday when it is.  By the time your day comes around I’ve planned 2 other parties, plus the busyness of Christmas & we’re all in “chill” mode.  It sure doesn’t mean we love you any less though!  I can’t believe you’re already 5!!  It’s been so fun to see you grow into the boy God created you to be! 

There have been a number of firsts for you this year.  This was the first year you played hockey.  You absolutely loved it & would have lived at the rink if we’d let youJ.  Now that spring is here, you’re THRILLED to be playing soccer alongside Manda & Benj.  I love the way to get in there & play with everything you’ve got.  You sure do “leave it all on the ice” (or fieldJ). 

You continue to be the “fireball” in our family.  That word popped into my head, but I thought maybe I had the wrong word.  Well I looked it up & it explains you very wellJ.  The definitions I found gave three characteristics of a “fireball”.  A person with a fiery temper.  A person with a great deal of energy.  An exceptionally ambitious person.  Oh yes, that’s our Kirby alright!

Daddy & I have always said that you’ve had a temper from the moment you were born...you came out screaming...but not just any scream...a ticked off, what do you think you’re doing to me, kind of screamJ.  This last year you have grown up so much though.  You have been working so hard to learn good ways to get rid of your anger & express yourself & you’ve gotten so much better at it!!! 

You have more energy than pretty much anyone else I know.  Some days I catch myself telling you to just stop.  Then I realize that there’s nothing wrong with what you’re doing.  I just don’t have the energy to keep up.  You are up, pretty much without fail, between 7 & 7:30 every morning...and I mean UP...cheerful, ready to eat breakfast RIGHT NOW & then start doing something...anything!  I wish I could learn that from youJ.  It’s nice for me though...makes it hard to wake up grumpy when you’re there to give me such a cheerful hug.

When you set your mind to something, it is pretty much guaranteed that you will do it.  About a year ago now we read a series of books called “Heroes for Young Readers”.  Each book emphasized a certain character trait & we would do lots of activities based around that.    One of the books was about Gladys Alyward.  Her character trait was perseverance.  Ever since then, if something is tough you’ll come & tell me that you’re going to keep trying.  “Do you know why Mommy?”  “Why?”  “Cause that’s per-sev-erance!”  It was so cute to hear you say it a year ago because you had to concentrate hard to say it right.  Now you say that big word no problem.  It’s so true though.  Sometimes your perseverance can get you into troubleJ.  Like when Mommy or Daddy asks you to do something & you don’t want to.  Most of the time though, your perseverance is so fun to watch played out.  It’s how you learned to skate so quickly.  And how you keep up with Benjamin even though he’s so much bigger than you.  And how you learned to ride a two-wheeler last summer.  And how you’re learning to live your life in a way that makes God happy.  

Speaking of that.  You have continually blown me away with the things you will come up to me & say...most often completely out of the blue.  I’m kicking myself now for not writing them all down.  There are so many.  It’s just so fun how God allows me to see some of the ways that He’s working in your heart...that something we talked about actually stuck...a completely random though of your own...or a question so deep I didn’t know you would think such a thing.  I love getting those peeks into your heart & I’m going to work at writing them downJ. 

We’re so proud of you Kirby.  Daddy & I have noticed so many ways that you’ve been learning & growing...and we know it’s not an accident!  God is working on you...and you’re doing your best to follow Him!

We love you Kirby!!!  Happy 5^th Birthday!!!

Mommy & Daddy

Benjamin's birthday party

Benjamin’s birthday was the opposite of Manda’s...it was a lot of work! It was so worth it though!!! Two things brought us to the party we had for Benjamin. For 2 years now I’ve thought about doing a science party for him because he loves doing science experiments so much. Last year he really wanted something else though so I waited. I knew this was the year. He’s old enough now to really enjoy it, plus, with him able to invite a few friends from school now, it would be fun to do with them. There’s a family who lives around here that we’ve been friends with since Benjamin was a baby. We met them shortly after he was born & have always had a neat connection. We were married exactly a week apart (but didn’t know each other yet then) & Benjamin & their oldest were born exactly a week apart. We met them when Austin (their oldest) & Benjamin were about 6 months old or so. Ever since their first birthday parties we have talked about the possibility of doing a party together, but it’s never happened. Well, they just had their 4^th boy, so Jodi (my friend) has her hands full. We decided this was the year to combine! Although I’m very glad we did it, it was a lot of work planning for so many people! Jodi took care of the food end of things & came up with some really neat ideas to make it “scientific”. There was a lime green chocolate fountain, a bowl of fish crackers in water (blue jello) among other things. She asked if I would do the cake & activities. Well, I’ve always enjoyed making a fun cake for the kids’ birthdays so I started searching online. I decided a volcano cake was the best idea to make it scientific so started looking at all kinds of volcano cakes. Most of them were decorated to look like volcanoes with red icing for lava, etc...with a few using dry ice to make it “smoke”. I was disappointed though...none looked very realistic. I loved the dry ice idea, but I wanted the actual cake to look good too. Finally I came across a site that had the answer. It was soooo easy (easiest cake I’ve ever made!) & sooooooo cool!!! I don’t know how to upload from our video camera onto here, but if you go here: http://balloonguyentertainment.com/blog/?p=637 ...that’s where I got the idea & they have a video of it & instructions of how to make it. Ours was virtually identical. The only other thing I did was sprinkle some oreo crumbs in the “crevices” to make it look more real. To clarify one thing...when you mix the jello...mix according to package instructions, but only add the boiling water, not the cold water. The video is worth watching!!

When I started looking for science experiments I was overwhelmed. There were so many fun ones, how would I ever choose? I finally decided on 6 experiments that were all with different materials...to give some variety. The one downside to this party was that I was so busy directing that I couldn’t take very many pictures. Ben & my brother Andrew took some for me though which I’m thankful for. We made slime (white glue, water, borax), quicksand goo (cornstarch, water), rockets (film canister, water, alka-seltzer), balloon blast (pop bottle, vinegar, baking soda, balloon), geyser (diet coke, mentos) & lava lamps (pop bottle, water, oil, salt). There were a couple of them that could have been done with different materials, but then I would have had multiple experiments with the same materials (ie/ vinegar & baking soda) so I opted to use variations. If you’re interested in how to do any of these, let me know...I typed up all the instructions to put in the kids’ party bags so I could easily email it to you.

Anyways...to me the best part wasn’t the actual experiments (although that was a lot of funJ), it was making it really seem like a science lab. I printed a bunch of signs from a site online such as “Caution: Testing in Progress”. As the kids entered the church they came to a sign that said “Authorized Personnel Only”. I asked if they could show me their badges. Obviously they didn’t have one...so I gave them each a badge that said Professor (their name) Benjamin Werdal. They had barcodes on the bottom to make them more realistic. Next they came to 2 signs... “Notice: Goggles & gloves must be warn beyond this point”, “Warning: Do not Enter when Red Light Flashing”. I had found a flashing red light at Dollarama and of course it was turned onJ. Everyone was then given a party bag that had a disposable apron, latex gloves, & safety glasses. They then kept these bags & after each experiment they put their supplies in it to take home. They had to put on their apron & safety glasses & then I turned the red light off so they could go in. They thought this was all a blast!

As we rotated through the experiments there were a couple of things I realized...for if I ever do it again. Andrew & Trina had agreed to help me with the experiments & I couldn’t have done it without them, but with 20 kids, it wasn’t enough. I would definitely enlist more people to help next time. With Ben & some of the parents helping we made it through, but it was a bit chaotic at times. The other thing is cleanup. I didn’t think about the fact that I would need time between each experiment to clear off the tables & set up for the next one. Luckily we had lots of balloons blown up so the kids played with those. I had also found some really cool “scientific” bubbles that don’t pop when you catch them. Andrew blew those between a few experiments & the kids thought they were really cool. Other than that, it was a blast.

At the very end we did the cake. It was a HUGE hit!! The kids oohed & ahhed. It was so fun to see their reactions. The one thing I didn’t think about...candles. I had put a ring of candles around the cup at the top of the cake. I had put 16 candles in...8 for Benjamin & 8 for Austin...we lit them all. Then as I got ready to carry the cake out, I dropped the first piece of dry ice in...instantly all the candles went out. Oops...forgot that dry ice is carbon dioxide...no oxygen to burn the candlesJ. Ah well...I thought we’d light them after we finished with the dry ice. Well, that would have worked except that the candles (& wicks) were covered in gelatine so they wouldn’t light! Oh well...the cake was well worth it & Austin & Benjamin didn’t care that they didn’t have candles to blow out.

The boys opened presents.

Then, when the parents were already there, we headed outside for the last experiment...the geysers. Everyone enjoyed that & it was a great wrap up to the party. Andrew had the camera this time as I dropped the mentos into the coke. Unfortunately for me (fortunately for youJ), he caught me jumping back to avoid being sprayed by the coke.

It was a lot of fun to do a party with Benjamin & Austin together. Although we haven’t always been able to get together a lot, they’ve always been buddies. When we first decided to do it (at Amanda’s birthday party 2 weeks before), I went home & was looking through some old pictures & got this idea. I wanted to see how many pictures I could find with the 2 of them together. I found all the pictures & then Jodi & her mom put it all together for me at the last minute. It brings back memoriesJ.

Happy 8^th birthday Benjamin!!!

Amanda's 6th birthday

Well, it’s taken a few weeks, but I’m finally going to write about Manda’s birthday party! With Manda & Benjamin’s birthdays only a few weeks apart, life can be kind of hectic in between.

We started a new tradition this year for the kids’ birthdays. Ben bought Manda a single carnation on her birthday. She was sooooo excitedJ.

In September when Amanda had her re-evaluation with her ND the 2 of us drove down to Okotoks together. It was so fun to have just her. She opened up & talked like crazy! One of the things I asked her was what she’d like to do for her birthday. Her immediate response was “a shopping birthday”. I thought that could be kind of fun...what kid doesn’t like to play store? Then as we talked some more I realized she was talking about what gift she wanted for her birthday (she’d been eyeing a cash register at the homeschool store). Oh well...I thought I could do that for her gift & base the party around it.

Fast forward to middle of October...I still haven’t planned her party & it’s only a few weeks away. I start brainstorming for ideas. The “playing store” was a good idea, but how was I going to turn it into a party? Well, to spare you the thought process & details, here’s how it turned outJ.

Since the church was already booked (we usually do our parties there because our house is too small), my parents graciously let us use their house. As guests arrived, they were greeted at the front door with balloons & a sign welcoming them to “Amanda’s Razzle-dazzle Wondermart”. Yes it sounds like a goofy name...but I thought it would be fun to have it match her initials (Amanda Ruth Werdal)...besides, goofy is fun for a 6 year oldJ.

As they entered guests could take a mall brochure which included a list of stores & what they contained along with a map. It also listed the mall hours (party time) & location, as well as mall history:

About this mall: Amanda’s Razzle-dazzle Wondermart has been operating for 6 years. Owner Amanda Ruth Werdal loves to shop & works hard to provide you with a pleasant shopping experience. Come & check out our selection of stores. We look forward to serving you!

First the kids came to “Build-A-Bag” where I had plain brown gift bags that they decorated. Amanda had written her initials on all the butterflies & I wrote in the name. Each of the kids got a butterfly & stickers to decorate with.

Once their gift bags were decorated we started shopping. First I took the little kids (2 & 3 year olds) to “Little Tykes”, a store especially for toddlers. They each got to pick a notebook, crayons & a book. They headed downstairs to play while I took the rest of the kids shopping (age 4-9). At “The Write Shop” they picked out a pen, stickers, a notebook & an activity book. “My Favorite Things” was a toy store where they got a ball & another toy (don’t know what it’s calledJ). “Trinket Town” was the jewlery store where they picked a bracelet (glow ones for the boys). Finally we headed to “Cheese Please”, the photography studio where they received a free gift (blistex) when they had their picture taken.

After they were done shopping the kids headed downstairs to play while I got ready for cake. I had made the cake look as much as I could like the cash register that we bought Manda (other than colorJ).

She was thrilled. We did cake & presents & that was it.

Numerous people have said how much work I went to, but it was really a very simple party. The hardest part was just going to the dollar store & deciding what to buy for each store & what to name the stores. Other than that it was the easiest party I’ve done! I’m just thrilled that Manda had so much funJ.

Since most of our family is boys, they usually dominate our birthday parties...Manda was very happy to have a few girls to share her special day!

Goofy girl saying goodbye to her guests wearing Andrews soccer shoes. (She wears kid's size 13, he wears a men's 13!)

Happy 6^th birthday Manda!!!

Dear Benjamin,

If you’ve just started reading my blog...this entry explains why I post letters to my kids: http://bhwerdalfamily.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-dearest-manda.html

Benjamin Caleb,

Wow, are you really 8 years old? Somehow that seems like a big jump from being 7. Seven was still just a little boy...eight seems like you’re on your way to being a young man & I can hardly believe it. You have grown up so much in the last year. We’ve had a lot of ups & downs & I’m so proud of how well you’ve handled it all.

On your last birthday we were homeschooling. You were at home with me all the time & although you drove me crazy sometimes with your chatterJ...I loved having you there. When Daddy & I decided that you were going to go to the public school this year we weren’t sure how you would react. I was worried that you’d be totally against it (you were when I had mentioned it casually months before). We knew that’s where God was leading us though, so we prayed about it & then took you on a “date” to tell you. Well, God had worked in your heart because you actually got excited about it. I think that was April. All summer you kept saying you couldn’t wait for the summer to be done so you could go. I told you to enjoy the free time while you had itJ!

The first 2 weeks of school you loved it. It was all new & special & you had so much fun. At that point you made a comment to me that you wished you were still homeschooling because you missed being at home. That just about broke my heart. I was struggling as it was, but it helped to know that you were enjoying it. We had a long talk about persevering (something we’ve talked a lot about since we learned about Gladys Alyward last year) and you seemed to do ok. In the last month though you’ve brought it up numerous times, how you miss being at home. I’ve been so proud of you though for the way you’ve talked about it. You recognize the things you miss about homeschooling, but you see the positives of school too. I’m not sure what we’ll do for school next year...I’m waiting for God to make that clear...but I pray that you will be able to learn something from this year.

I’ve also really enjoyed watching you interact with Manda & Kirby. So often I find you teaching Manda & Kirby...not always big things...just little tidbits about life. It means so much more to them coming from you than if I was to tell them & it’s so much fun for me to see!

One of my favourite moments with you this year was when we went for a bike ride for your special night this summer. We rode to JOKO’s & then found a spot down by the creek to sit. You asked such amazing questions about God & we just had such a good talk! I look forward to many more talks like that!

We love you so much Benjamin. Our prayer is that as you go through this next year that you would grow closer to Jesus & learn more about how to follow Him in everything you do.

Love from,

Mommy & Daddy

My dearest Manda...

I have tried since the kids were born to write them a letter every year on or around their birthday…talking about how they’ve changed in the last year & letting them know how much we love them. I’ve missed a number of years already, but I thought it would be really neat for them to be able to read them 15 years from now, so I will do them when I canJ. Anyways…since I’ve started the blog, I thought I’d write it on here so you can snoopJ.

My dearest Manda,

6 years old…I can’t believe it. For some reason I don’t remember it hitting me this hard when Benjamin turned 6…maybe my memory is just failing me. You’ve become so grown up!! My favorite right now is to listen to you sing along with “green Veggie Tales”…and to hear you talk on the phone with Grandma B. It’s so fun to hear you express yourself. God made you so special!!!

Last spring you played soccer…it was the natural thing to do…you wanted to because Benji was. You didn’t enjoy it very much though & for the last 6 months or so I’ve been on a mission to find something that can be just yours…where you don’t have to be compared to the boys…you can just be yourself. Well, I think we’ve found it! You’ve been doing gymnastics for 6 weeks now & you’re LOVING it! It’s been amazing to see you come out of your shell & do things on your own. The first week you were really nervous about me leaving even 10 minutes into the class. The second week I could leave only once the teacher came to take you in. After that is history…you’ve relaxed more & more & look forward to it so much…not even looking back when I leave. I can’t wait till the middle of November when I can stay & watch you!!

Your favorite thing right now is babies…real ones…Kaitlyn, who’s not so much of a baby anymore…your new cousin Bowie…Austin’s little brother Wyatt…any baby you come across…and if you can’t see one of those, then you’ll play with your babies…Kaitlyn & Pinky. It makes me a little sad sometimes. It would be so fun to have a new baby right now when you could help & love them to bits. At the same time…I’m thoroughly enjoying having all 3 of you be old enough that we can go do more things together…so we’ll have to be content with cuddling & helping with other people’s babiesJ. You’re going to be an amazing mom one day!

It’s taken me a while to figure it out…but you love to help me with laundry, help in the kitchen, or even cleaning. For a long time I would brush you off because I thought by allowing you to do that I was making you do extra chores the boys weren’t doing. I finally clued in & figured out that you LOVE helping…so I’m working at finding jobs for you to do more often. I love the way your face lights up when you can help meJ.

No matter what anyone tells you Manda, always remember how much God loves you! He has made you for such a special purpose…I can’t wait to see what He does in your life!

We love you so, so much!!!

Love, Mommy & Daddy

Mondays with Heidi

I'm thankful for…wonderful friends & family who made the trip here to celebrate Ben’s birthday on Saturday! I’m also thankful for the wonderful family that just couldn’t make it because they are 1000s of miles awayJ…and for my family who loaned us their house to use for the party…and for my sisters who couldn’t make it. All in all…I’m thankful for both of our families & all our friendsJ I’m also so thankful for everyone who prayed for me on Wednesday…God lifted my anxiousness & replaced it with excitement. I think I was able to tell the Easter story clearly…and everyone had fun!
I'm listening to…kids…I should turn some music on…there, now I’m listening to Speechless by Steven Curtis Chapman.
What's for supper tonight…I think I should do this blog every day just for this one! It forces me to think ahead what I’m going to make & then I actually make supper on timeJ I’m going to make taco salad…quick, easy, & everyone loves it!

Highlights from last week…The kids had a blast at the Science Center. Manda was so proud to go to her very own class about the senses. Benjamin went to a class about magnets. We all watched the movie “Fly me to the Moon”…best one we’ve seen there yet! Wednesday was the Kid Connection party…it went great! It was a bit chaotic & there are a few things I would change…but that’s how we learnJ Ben & I went on a date Thursday night for his birthday. We enjoyed our nearly free dinner & movieJ Friday the kids & I went to a friends house to play. The kids had a blast, it’s been too long since they got together! Saturday was the surprise party that apparently wasn’t much of a surpriseL…oh well…I still surprised him by inviting some friends of his from high school that he hasn’t seen in ages (thanks for coming Darren, Mark, & Ken!!!) Last night we went to an Easter play the pastors put on. It was a bit tedious for Manda & Kirby, but Benjamin enjoyed it & it was fun to get out.
What I'm looking forward to…hmmmm…last week I sooooo badly wanted to write about Ben’s surprise party here…but he reads my blog so I couldn’t…now I’m not sureJ I’m looking forward to Easter…doing fun things with the kids & helping it come alive to them. Also looking forward to supper with the Kid Connection leaders…and no kids!

What's happening this week…Not too much, it’ll be a treatJ…I get to have an adult only supper with the Kid Connection leaders…& a meeting with Pastor Kent to talk about Kid Connection for next year…might be taking some pictures on Saturday…not sure…& doing something special with Benjamin for his special day!
I am missing…having Ben cribbing. We are soooo grateful for the work he’s had this winter, but it’s just not the same…and it’s running out…and we have big bills coming up…Lord help me to trust!

Baby's grow up...

Well, today is Kirby’s birthday. My baby is 4! It has me thinking…how on earth do they grow up so quickly right in front of us? Don’t get me wrong, I learned a long time ago that if I spent all my time wishing they’d stay little then I’d miss all the new things as they grew up. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed just enjoying (most of the time) each new stage as it comes. Right now I’m really enjoying the ease of going to do things together. Things that we wouldn’t have dreamed of doing 2 years ago is no big deal now. It’s so much fun to go out as a family & make memories! As Kirby turned 4 today it hit me though that babyhood is long behind us. I know I’ll miss each of those baby & toddler stages…but I guess at the same time it makes me more determined than ever to enjoy the kids NOW instead of looking back at what has passed or ahead at what’s coming.

I love the way Benjamin thinks of others. He gets soooooo excited to do something for people who have less…Santa’s Anonymous, Operation Christmas Child…even just reading a story about someone he starts talking about how fortunate we are!

I love Amanda’s perseverance & ability to take things as they come. With the setbacks she had early on with speech, she has done amazingly well. We’re so proud of her for each step she has made to catch up & reach her full potential!

I love how Kirby is so affectionate & can make me laugh. He not only loves cuddles, but will come up to me any time of day just to give me a hug & say “I love you”…warms a mommy’s heart!

Thank you Jesus for blessing Ben & I with Benjamin, Amanda, & Kirby! Please help us not to take them for granted or get so busy with life that we miss the joys of growing up. Please give us wisdom in raising them to know & love you with all their hearts!

Benjamin's birthday

I can hardly believe we now have a 7 year old! I know everyone says it, but they grow up so quickly!! We had Benjamin’s birthday party on Sunday. He really wanted a Cars (the movie) party. I decided I needed to keep it simple in order to keep myself saneJ Benjamin had gotten an idea at a birthday party this summer (Alexis’ party) to make games for his party….so he had asked me to print a bunch of pictures of the cars in the movie (& he drew a few) & he hid them all over the church basement. When kids first got there he told them about it & everyone ran around looking for carsJ The main project I planned was some wooden model cars…the kids spent quite a while using watercolor paints to paint their car (used watercolor so they’d be dry in time to race at the end). While Ben attached all the wheels, the kids played “Pin the Lightning McQueen on the Track”…drawn & decorated by Benjamin. Then the kids watched the Cars movie while we got the pizza ready. Then it was cake & presents before the big race. The plan was to race the model cars that they painted, but we were having issues with the wheels staying on, so instead I took the matchbox cars out of their party bags & they raced those instead. It was a lot of fun…and most importantly Benjamin enjoyed itJ

On a lighter note...

We celebrated Amanda’s birthday on Sunday. For those of you who don’t know…she has become a bug “fanatic”J Last year for her birthday I did a butterfly party because she was really into that. Well within a few months it had just become all bugs. I’m thankful that we don’t live in a country where there are poisonous spiders, etc because she doesn’t careJ She will come running inside calling me to come quick. I go running thinking one of the boys is hurt & she frantically tells me there’s a moth & she needs me to reach it! When we did some U-Pick this summer there were butterflies…she completely zoned out & focused completely on the butterfly she was trying to catch. It was really cute…but I had to be super careful she didn’t wander away. She did the same thing with grasshoppers one day when she went to work with Ben. Spiders…moths…ladybugs (the favorite right now)…beetles…butterflies…Manda loves all bugs!

Anyways…all that was to tell you about her partyJ A few months after she got into bugs she also started really liking “pretty” things. Dress up…necklaces…clip on earrings… A few weeks later I found a dress at Value Village that was perfect! It’s yellow with puffy sleeves…lace on the sleeves & the hem…very girly…and it’s covered in bugs! She wore it for the first time on Sunday for her “girly bugs” partyJ I did a combination of just bugs & some really cute girly ladybug stuff I found. She loved it!

The kids did a bug hunt…did a relay carrying bugs with flyswatters…stuck the spot on the ladybug (open an oreo…lick it so it’s wet…stick it on). It was a lot of fun. My sister-in-law Brandy came over to help me with the cake…we made one big ladybug cake & then made a whole bunch of mini cupcakes into spiders & caterpillars. It was really cute & a lot of funJ I just can’t believe my baby girl is 5!! More on that later…J

After the party we came home, made a broccoli salad & headed to Ben’s parent’s place for Thanksgiving dinner. We had waited a week so that James & Cheri could be there. It was good to be all together again…especially knowing that it’ll probably be a long time before it happens again!

It was a busy weekend…planning everything Saturday & then running Sunday, but it was fun! Now we’ll see how long I last this week before I fall over tiredJ