Will is FOUR!

Will's Birthday was December 5th, but I wanted to write a special note to him.

Will,

My precious boy. You are quickly changing physically and getting taller and thinner. You are still as verbal as ever and amaze me with your vocabulary and quick wit. You love telling jokes like "Why did the chicken cross the road?" Because "He wanted to jump over the moon!"

You are a bit tentative with new situations and still trying to grow into your body a bit, but right now you love riding your electric Jeep in the front yard and can drive it amazingly well.

You have learned how to annoy your sister (repeating what she says, stealing things from her) but most of the time you follow her lead and learn along side her.

You have a special relationship with Grandpa (who is also the 2nd child to an older sister and younger brother) and have gone on several outings with just him to the ranch which you love.

You are jealous of Mommy and Daddy's attention to any other children besides the ones in our family and can have wild mood swings between gleeful laughter and somber sadness complete with dramatic facial expressions to go alongside these changing emotions.

As I continue to get to know you, you make me laugh and my heart smile. I love you sweet child!

Love,

Mom

And not to forget a tradition, the annual Birthday Interview:

Q: What is your favorite color?

A: Green

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Strawberries and macaroni

Q: What is your favorite book?

A: Dump Trucks

Q: What do you want to be when you grow up?

A: A veterinarian, a firefighter and a worker and a Daddy

Q: What is your favorite toy?

A: My backhoe

Q: What is your favorite thing to do?

A: Make stuff

Q: What is your favorite memory from this year?

A: I like the lake

Q: What is your favorite thing about preschool?

A: That I can make stuff there

Q: What is your favorite TV show?

A: Clifford the Big Red Dog and Third and Bird

Q: Who are your favorite friends?

A: Henry Baumhover, Paige, Josh and Drew (cousins), and Jack (Dugan)

Alivia's 6th Birthday

We all had a blast at Alivia's 6th Birthday Party at the Build a Bear at Lakeline Mall. Alivia was over the moon to have her best friends come share the day with her. It was a small party which made it even more special. After they made their bears, we headed up to the Food Court for a cookie cake and milk. Happy 6th Birthday, Alivia!

Attendees included: Avery and Paige, Samuel and Jane Ann Skaggs, Katherine Dugan and Will. Unfortunately, Aubrey Baumhover could not make it. :-(

Avery and Paige were a bit late because Mimi and Grandpa took them to the Build a Bear at Barton Creek Mall - Oops!!!

How Do I Compare? 36 weeks Preggo

Everyone has been asking me how I compare size-wise with this pregnancy. I honestly have no idea. I think I was smaller when pregnant with Alivia just basing on the clothes that I wore up until the end, but I really think the last three have been about the same. I tend to gain the same amount of weight (about 35 pounds) no matter how big the babies are. These pictures are all at about 36 weeks along.

Pregnant with Baby Cuatro - 36 weeks

Pregnant with Alivia around 36 weeks - she was a week early and was 6 lbs 9 oz

Pregnant with Will at 36 weeks - he was a week late and was 9 lbs 8 oz (whew!)

Pregnant with John around 36 weeks - he was right on time and was 8 lbs 7 oz

Visit to the American Girl Doll Store in Dallas

To celebrate both Avery and Alivia's birthdays, Mimi has started a tradition where we head to the American Girl Doll Store in Dallas and spend the night at the Westin Hotel. It was so fun! Mimi, thanks for such a special time.

Along the way we stopped for a lunch and a sundae

Mama T had been with us for Christmas, so we met Uncle James 1/2 way so she could return to Fort Worth

Upon arrival, we checked into the Westin and then went to the AG store so Alivia could buy Marie-Grace, the doll she had been wanting for some time.

Mimi treated all the girls to high tea in the AG Tea Room

The girls were thrilled to eat with their dolls (and Mimi!)

With our oldest daughters

Alivia tucking in Julie and Marie-Grace for the night back at the hotel

With the special AG Package, they deliver beds for the dolls and cupcakes and milk for the girls

Waiting in line to get the dolls hair done (notice Mimi has her credit card out and ready!)

One last picture after the dolls got their hair done upstairs in the doll salon

Alivia with Marie Grace

Christmas Day

Alivia and Will set out their dolls, Julie, Rebecca and Jack to wait for Santa

Leaving cookies for Santa and an apple for the reindeer

Santa's loot

Trying out the new rocking horse

One of Alivia's favorite gifts, a Lollaloopsy doll from Nana and Pop Pop

John was excited about Will's electric ATV

Jesus' Birthday coffee cake

Trying out Alivia's Easy Bake Oven (those were the smallest cupcakes I had ever seen!)

Our little Easy Bake Oven cook, Alivia

Will slept in until past 8 am on Christmas Day - I think it was a combo of him not feeling well and not really understanding the whole Santa thing yet. After we had Santa at our house, we headed over to Mimi and Grandpa's and met Emily and Peyton and their clan. We had loads of more presents and brunch. Then we headed home for a rest and returned for a fabulous beef tenderloin dinner. Yummy!

Christmas Eve Gumbo

Every year the Kendall's have the holiday group over to their house for gumbo and a visit from Santa. It thrills the kids so much. The Sessi children were all with their own in-laws so the group of kids there was smaller than usual.

I was so disappointed that I did not get some better pictures of the kids with Santa. John absolutely freaked out and would not let us get him within 5 feet of Santa. And Alivia looks like she is flipping us off in one picture and possessed in the other. AHHH! She is actually holding these neat balancing birds that Santa handed out.

Next year I am going to just take the kids to the mall to get a pic with Santa. I am trying to get one every year.

The Risinger clan all had terrible colds and coughs but still managed to have a good time.

Cookies with Mama T and Mimi

My mom makes the most amazing sugar cookies every year. They are beautiful and tasty and everyone looks forward to them. As the kids have gotten bigger, she has involved them in the decorating aspect. Although a bit stressful (you can imagine trying to control sprinkles and frosting) the kids had a blast. Even John "decorated" a few. Mama T was here visiting and enjoyed seeing all the chaos and joy the event brought on.