Soulie’s 3! Glow got a Rody for her birthday and ever since then, all the girls have been loving it. If you never heard of a Rody, it’s a little bouncing horse for kids. When we asked Soul what she wanted for her birthday, she said she wanted her own Rody. We showed her a picture of all the colors and she picked black. Thus, we knew throwing a mini rodeo was the perfect plan to celebrate her turning 3!

Ben and I got up early to prep her mini party, since it was in the morning, we broke tradition and she didn’t get breakfast in bed. We made waffles, I finished making the cake, which I started the night before, and did the party decorating (the backdrop was painted the night before). Then when the girls woke up, we let them watch a little something just until our little surprise for her was ready. We got all the girls dressed up in our closest rodeo attire, I found Soul’s vintage overalls on etsy and I knew that little Rody-ish looking character would be perfect for her birthday outfit.

Soul was so happy to finally get her black Rody! The big girls were super excited that even they got surprises! Glow could care less about anything and all she wanted were the waffles. They got little cowboy hats, coordinating bandannas, and then we got the party started. We served them some pumpkin waffles (thanks to the Trader Joe boxed mix) with whipped cream and syrup (we loaded up on that sugar!). Of course Soul got her Happy Birthday sung with a pumpkin and chocolate chip cake. That girl loves all things sugary so I knew this was all right up her alley.

After they ate, we set up a little obstacle course with some little baskets and the girls got on their Rodys and were bouncing around racing each other. Glow still didn’t care about that and just kept on eating waffles. It was a good morning of celebrating and Soulie was one happy little cowgirl.

I can’t believe my little Soulie is 3! Or as she says, “Fwee!” She’s a firecracker and someone else recently described her as the little ringleader. That sounds about right. She’s the moody one and you never know which Soul you’re gonna get… sweet or feisty! That little girl keeps all of us on our toes and we love her so much. Plus, how can we resist her big, little teethy smiles?! It’s so cute! Happy Birthday Soulie!!! We love you!!! 

where things are from: rodys, treehouse kid & craft (except the black one that was hard to find). bandannas, michaels craft store. hats, party city. milk jug, c/o addiah. syrup dispenser, vintage. overalls, vintage. hay, local farm. red paper food basket, michaels craft store.

These people make my world go round. These people are so much a part of me. They are the people I have shared most of my life with (and God-willing more to come). I am thankful to have God loving and fearing parents who lovingly and sacrificially gave all of themselves to each other and to their children. My parents have taught me so much and everything they have done have most definitely shaped who I am today.

I am thankful for my siblings. There are four of us and I am the oldest, and I am so glad we are all finally at that place where we can actually be friends, instead of the constant bickering brother and sisters we once were. I’m thinking it’ll only get better as we get older. My brother says, “I bet you people don’t even know you guys have a brother!”

Very thankful for my little girlies. Motherhood is a crazy journey. My girls have shown me so much of God’s grace and it’s through mothering them, that I also see a lot of my failures. I am not a perfect mother and I struggle everyday. These girls are such sweet and forgiving little beings who just want to love and be loved. I am learning from them constantly. I love their little faces and gentle (and feisty) spirits. I am so thankful for them and I love being their mother.

Ben. I love that man. We are in this together and I love sharing this life with him. He has captivated my heart completely.

There are so many other people I am thankful for. I am thankful for our church family and how they constantly point us to Christ. I am thankful for my BFF (she is a second mama to my girls) and for the bond that God has given us and that we now also share with her husband John. I am so thankful for my mother-in-law and sister-in-law who God has used to grow and encourage me, and for their constant love to us though there are thousands of miles between us. I am so thankful for extended family, Ben and I have so many more relatives whom we love and cherish and are so thankful for. I am thankful for my close circle of friends, we’ve been stuck together since those teenage years full of drama (and liking each other’s boyfriends!) and over a decade later, we’re still so tightly knit and we hope our kids will be just as close. Besides being thankful for old friends, I am also so thankful for new friends. Most importantly though, I am thankful for Christ’s work he did in my place on the cross… “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.”

And I’ve already told you before, but I do really feel such gratitude towards all of you. I am so thankful that you take the time to visit Cakies. I am really thankful for this outlet. While there are some perks to blogging for which I am grateful, it’s the recording of memories, sharing of ideas, and the friendship and support system you get from readers and other bloggers that really makes this place so special. Seriously. Also, thank you all for entering in the giveaway and the winner will be announced on Monday.

Be thankful friends, it’s infinitely better for our souls to have a constant spirit of thankfulness.

P.S. While our hearts are quite full, they are also quite heavy as we have been praying constantly for the Tibayan family who is very dear to our church family. Their daughter Danika (she is high school aged) collapsed a few days ago and has been in a coma ever since. If you are the praying type, we would so appreciate you asking for God’s healing hand over her body and strength for her family. Thank you friends!

We were part of two Thanksgiving feasts yesterday. First we went to my mom and dad’s house, and my mom, as usual, went all out. She made so much food! She has the gift of hospitality. It’s what she’s really good at, amongst other things, but I think it’s one of the magical powers she has. None of us siblings got that talent. Our mom can cook a meal for 50 people and not break a sweat. She’s pretty amazing. She wanted us to take pictures because she marks all the recipes she uses for different occasions and wants to make a book to give to us of all her different recipes.

My dad’s side of the family was over and we all attacked the table as soon as we prayed for the food and everyone said, “Amen.” If you listened 10 minutes after everyone got their food, you heard nothing. It was silent. No doubt everyone was happily enjoying their meals. I was among the silent and that’s why there aren’t any pictures of anyone eating. We were all to busy enjoying ourselves to take pictures. We went to Ben’s cousin’s house for Thanksgiving dinner and we were just having a good time chatting and eating that no pictures got taken at all. The turkey and stuffing there was also just as yummy.

I am so glad I got to eat it two times in one day! I really love turkey and stuffing and I love it so much that I’m already asking Ben if he could make some turkey at home soon. Thanksgiving feast part 3 anyone?!

Okay, we did do a lot of eating, but we also did actually do other things. The first day we didn’t take very many pictures, besides the food pictures, I think all I took were 10 others. It was a nice little break from my camera. We went to the Mission District, then Haight-Ashbury, we also spent some time in Berkeley.

Day two, which was my actual birthday, Ben started off by giving me cards the girls made and then we headed out for a morning trip to the Ferry Building for their farmer’s market and theirs is definitely legit. They put our local one to shame. The farmer’s market is Ben’s Disneyland. He could spend all day there looking at everything. This guy is such a dietitian and he takes eating healthy food so seriously. He really practices what he preaches. I was pretty enamored with all they offered. Then, we rented bikes and biked from Fisherman’s Wharf to the Golden Gate Bridge then into Sausalito. Let me just say, I consider myself relatively fit, but oh those hills were killer! Getting into cycling is on my list to do next year (I want to bike a 100 mile race in the future if God allows), and I have my work cut out for me to get used to a bike! I hadn’t ridden a bike in over 10 years, so I was so nervous! I finally got the hang of it again and it was pretty amazing biking across the bridge. We got to Sausalito and then took the ferry back across the bay. We ended up back at the Ferry Building again and then went out to Sutro Heights Park, and back to the Ferry Building for a birthday dinner at The Slanted Door.

Sunday, we went to the flea market. I actually debated going because there wasn’t much I needed and I didn’t want to get sucked into buying something (it’s hard for me to resist vintage goods). The only thing that was on my list of needs was a vintage bed for True and I wasn’t sure we would find it. Well, it ended up being great that we went because we found her a bed and I even found her a quilt for her new (old) big girl bed. Now, I did also end up finding myself a 1950’s watch bracelet and a concrete garden deer, which weren’t on the needs list, but they were good deals and since I told Ben not to get me anything for my birthday (I think this little trip was a swell enough gift), these little purchases were slightly justifiable. We also got to see some of our favorite flea market vendors who we haven’t seen in over a year because we have been working hard at staying away from the flea market. As much as I love going, we save more money when we don’t go.

That pretty much sums up our trip. It was wonderful sleeping in and as much as I love the girls, it was a nice break away. Parents need that once in awhile. Ben and I were able to hold hands and have conversations in peace. I am so thankful to God for allowing us this special time to relax and just enjoy being together. 10 years ago, I spent my 21st birthday in Italy with my BFF and here I am, 10 years later, 4 kids later, and I had a grand time turning 31 in San Francisco with my husband. I say this a lot, but I really love him lots. I’ve got 31 years of life under my belt and I have lots to praise God for.

They each had a clear vision of what they wanted to be for Halloween, they also made the decision for Glow. Brave’s costume was store bought and adjusted to fit her better and Glow’s was an oldie from True’s first Halloween. Soul wanted to be Spike from My Little Pony and True wanted to be She-Ra, so those two were made and those made up the characters for this year’s Halloween story.

We have been studying the five elements in a story (plot, setting, character, theme, and conflict) and together we wrote this little story. The bad guy was drawn by me in photoshop, but I copied a sketch True did. They named him and we worked together to develop the story. There was also some improv due to the fact the baby wanted crackers, but we think it all came together nicely. The girls are so proud of their acting and their story! The best thing is that they now know what the five elements of a story are.

If you want a fun resource for learning, check this site out! This song especially helped them learn the five elements of a story. This site has many more fun songs and resources to use for various subjects. Be prepared to hear your kids rapping the songs throughout the day!
 We have plans to head out in our neighborhood for some trick-or-treating and the girls also get to go to ballet dressed in their costumes. They’ve been doing lots of counting down for Halloween and they are pretty excited that the day is finally here. Happy Halloween friends!!! What are your plans for the day?

P.S. If you want to see the story larger, you can click here and zoom in or out. Check out past Halloween stories… barber shop quartet, The Three Little Piggies, Hannah and Gretel, The Untold Story of Oz, and Little Red Riding Hood, and when True was our only little pumpkin (in my xanga days!).

Her birthday was almost a month ago and I am just finally getting around to sharing it. We did a party 2 weeks before her actual birthday (post to come), but on her actual birthday we just went to the beach as a family, had a picnic, and played. We were the only people on the beach for a bit, and then even when people came, it was just a couple or two. It was such a beautiful day. All the girls loved playing in the sand and Glow was so content to just sit there and watch.

I packed us some sandwiches and baked mini banana bread, one with nuts (True’s allergic) and one without, and that’s how we sang Happy Birthday! Glow goes bananas about bananas, so I thought she would like banana bread. Nope. She didn’t. At least she liked the sandwich and the tomatoes we packed!

I can hardly believe it’s been a year since she was born. It went by so fast! It always happens that way, doesn’t it?! She’s such a little joy and so easy! She doesn’t walk yet and her mode of operation of late has been bear crawling everywhere. She’s doesn’t always want food from mama anymore and she gets really excited about her Papi. All the sisters dote on her incessantly and we all love her so, so much. We are so thankful for this year God has given her! She definitely is the completer of the little Ben-Ruby collection. I think this family outing was the perfect way to celebrate our littlest love!