4 months

My baby is 4 months old! What! How'd that happen?

He's such a perfectly chubby, rolling baby. I had to try to capture some of his wonderful chunkiness!

Stats from the doctor's office:

• 16 pounds 5.5 ounces -- 75th percentile
• 26 inches -- 80th percentile

He's trying to roll over! Smiles at his brothers and sisters! Sleeps pretty great! He's such a joy and the perfect addition to the World of Wiedz.

What #1 is doing this summer

Knitting...

Crocheting...

Reading...

#1 has been going to a knitting and crocheting class at the Girl Scout office in our town. She's had a lot of fun practicing and learning. I had taught her some basic crocheting but hadn't taken the plunge on teaching any knitting yet. She's taken to knitting really well and has gotten even better at crocheting. Taking pride in her pieces and trying her best.

She's got a list a mile long of projects she wants to work on...I think it's going to be a #1-knit (or crochet) Christmas.

And the reading...I had always had a strong policy on Harry Potter. I love the books and movies but felt they were not appropriate for the kids. Mr. Wiedz talked me into letting them watch the first movie, then the second, then the third. And since they'd watched them then I figured there was nothing wrong with reading them, especially since the books are even better than the movies.

A slippery slope indeed but I've laid down my foot...no more movies or books.

We're trying to have a fun and relaxing summer. #1 is doing well to accomplish that.

Happy Birthday to you!

I told you all about the cake yesterday...

Today, we party!

The Wiedz clan ventured out to Grandparents D's for a swim party and mini birthday celebration.

Grandparents D live in a condo with a community pool a short walk from their doorstep.

After a nice chicken lunch courtesy of the Lamb's deli we grabbed our towels and life jackets and made tracks to the pool.

The kids had a blast jumping and splashing and hanging out with grandparents, grandma great, aunt and uncle P and miss B.

#5 loves water and contentedly sat on Grandma D's lap on the steps while I lounged *yes, lounged!* in the sun. I got #5 back when it was time for his afternoon meal and a fabulous snooze in the shade of the umbrella.

After some hours at the pool...seriously it was so much fun I lost track of time...we headed back to the condo to light the birthday candles and serenade the man.

The party was quick to break up at that point...the men were headed back to our house for a BBQ and a early morning tee time the next day. While the kids and I headed up to Grandparents N's for the rest of the weekend.

Happy Birthday Mr. Wiedz!

The making of a birthday cake

We got to celebrate a birthday in the World of Wiedz this weekend! Mr. Wiedz celebrated his 33rd birthday on Saturday.

I've always liked trying to make a big deal out of birthdays. We've woken to streamers hanging from ceilings and door-jams. We've walked out to breakfast to be greeted by streams of silly string. We've had special signs telling the birthday person how special they are.

For Mr. Wiedz I wanted to make his favorite cake. Yellow with chocolate frosting. I decided to go scratch with the cake and frosting. And in a moment of craziness or extra time on my hands I thought everyone could help me.

It was daddy Wiedz' birthday after all.

So a cake from scratch with 4 helpers...

• I let anyone who wanted to use the butter wrapper to grease the pan.
• Each "helper" got a bowl and sat at their place at the table. Into the bowl we measured flour, baking powder and salt. Each measurement from the recipe broken down into fourths so everyone would have equal.
• I creamed the butter with the mixer then let each "helper" measure in a fourth of the sugar.
• Each "helper" got to crack an egg into a glass, bring it over and pour it into the mixer. Actually #1 got the job of helping #4 with his egg (only 3 eggs in this cake recipe).
• Each "helper" brought over their bowl of dry ingredients, poured it in, followed by some milk so to alternate the milk and dry ingredients per the recipe.

All done. A cake made with love. Lots of love!

I'm back!!!!!!

Our high-speed internet got set up today!

#1 and I did a little celebration dance when the UPS man stopped at our house with the modem.

We're off tomorrow to celebrate Mr. Wiedz's birthday with a swim at Grandparents D's. The kids and I are going to spend a couple nights at Grandparents N's. Next week though I'll be back with posts!

Wooo! Hooo!