Emily, You Rock!

Happy 7th Birthday Emily! You are a gem to have in our family. I love your sweet, gentle self. I love the way to get excited about little things, and the way you are so kind and helpful with your baby sister. I love your knack for art, and your hugs that abound. I love the birthday themes you've chosen over the years...bugs, duckies, Cinderella, Bitty Babies, Scooby Doo, and this year...ROCKS! Among the festivities were rock painting, "dirt cake" with gummy worms (your idea) and a scavenger hunt for Pop Rocks. Grandpa K also gave you his rock collection from when he was a kid.

We love it when you feel special, Em...because you are!

Abby's Turning 8!

Yesterday we had a special birthday outing for Abby's 8th Birthday. The long awaited anticipation of two big events events--ear piercing, and the purchase of her very first American Girl Doll! (Though she and Emily do have Bitty Babies, too.) We went to the Mall of America and made it a girls' day by inviting both Grandmas and Auntie Ginger to join us. (Special thanks to these ladies, plus Aunt Bria, too, for going in on these special gifts!)

Abby was a little nervous, so Grandma P. offered to go first! (Did a 3rd piercing and a re-pierce, I think. Go Grandma!)

My Little Cub Turns 3

Happy 3rd Birthday Nathan! (Was yesterday.) Nathan, you have been a treat to have around since you entered this world in South Bend, IN 3 years ago. You are full of personality, and definitely all boy. You love anything to do with tools, construction, baseball bats, guns, and loud vroom vroom noises. I love the way you love to help your daddy fix things--he says you're pretty helpful, too! You've also become very verbal. At church, they said you're definitely ready to move up to the 3 year old nursery, as instead of just grabbing toys like other toddlers, you negotiate! I can believe it, as you attempt to negotiate with me, too--regarding diaper change, nap time, washing hands, etc. I love the way your little brain works. :)

We love you Bud!

Birthday love

A few shots from Emily's birthday.






We've got a tradition--Grandma P. makes the birthday cakes each year for the kids' birthdays. We tell her the theme and she gets to work! This year was Scooby Doo. Some other cakes she's done for us have been: a ladybug, a duck cake, a music note, a Barbie bride complete with train and veil, a tractor, & a big strawberry--for Strawberry Shortcake.



We aren't normally extravagant spenders when it comes to birthdays or Christmas, but the girls have been wanting a house for their Barbies for forever. So...ta da! Their wish came true! It was from us, along with Grandma & Grandpa Knutson, and also Aunt Bria (with thanks also to a great online discount.) Emily is standing next to it--it's that big. (It was a bit tricky, however, explaining to the girls that it was Emily's birthday present, but was for both of them to use.) We wanted Emily to feel really special--lavished, as sometimes the second born gets the shaft when it comes to new things.

Planning for & hosting parties tends to overwhelm me a bit--no matter how much I pray about it ahead of time. But this one went really smoothly, actually. I had Wade's help, and I was more relaxed than I usually am. Dare I hope that I've actually made some progress in this growth area? Well, in any case--another party down, and the next one won't be until November when Nathan turns 3. :)

Happy Birthday Emily & Ryan!

Happy Birthday to Emily who is 6 today! And Happy just born Birthday to our new nephew Ryan, who was born yesterday! (Born to Wade's brother Chad, and his wife Jennifer.) That makes 12 Grandkids on the Prestrud side so far! (This photo is just of our 3 and Chad's 4.)


Emily will be celebrating Scooby Doo style today. Em, you are such a blessing in our family. I love your kind, gentle spirit, your childlike excitement about life, your generosity...I love the way you play with your little brother and try to include him even when he pesters you. I love it that you like to snuggle. And I'm so glad that your heart is tender toward the things of God. We pray blessings for you on your birthday, this next year, and beyond. May you come to know even more the God who loves you and gave his life for you. He is the only One who satisfies, the only One who can sustain true joy. I see Him often in you, my little girl.

Happy 7th Birthday, Abby!

"Mom, this is my last day to be 6. I'm kind of sad about it. I just don't wanna let it go." (Oh, she is so much like her mother.) These were Abby's sentiments yesterday as she snuggled with me before school. Sweetie Pie.

Abby, we think you're the best. You are our favorite Abby in the whole world! Some things we'll remember about you at this age: you've got two missing front teeth, you love dancing around the living room--especially to High School Musical or the 12 Dancing Princesses movies; you've got a knack for fashion, you love playing Barbies and being read to--and are so excited to be able to read books to us, too! You are looking forward to piano and swimming lessons this spring. (You hope to try dance someday, too...maybe next fall. We're trying to only do one activity at a time.)

Today you are looking forward to being picked up from school to have your annual pictures taken, then later a special dinner date with Mom (you chose that) and then presents and peanut butter pie with the family. This weekend you're excited to celebrate--High School Musical style--with some friends, Grandparents, cousins, Aunts and Uncles.

Happy 7th Birthday Abby Selmalynn!
Love, Mom, Dad, Emily & Nathan