Gabriel's 7th Birthday!

Mimi made it to Washington to celebrate YOU and enjoyed passing out cupcakes to all of your sweet friends!

The Blue Mouse Theater is just as quaint as the water color above, but it also has quite the quirky side, regularly showing The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a live cast of actors in front of the screen.  It's an adorable neighborhood theater on Proctor Street built in 1923.  It shows second run movies at a discounted rate, and we just can't get enough!  Renting the theater was an affordable and wonderful way to support a local business we've grown to love, it could fit a large group of friends and families, and we could pick any movie!  We decided that a classic 80's film would be exciting for your friends and their parents to see on the big screen.  Daddy and I reminisced about all the movies from our childhood...Big, Back to the Future, The Princess Bride, The Karate Kid, The Goonies, Ghostbusters, The NeverEnding Story, Adventures in Babysitting...the list goes on, and we couldn't wait to share them with you.  Out of all of these, daddy was most excited about Gremlins...can you imagine a theater full of 5, 6, & 7 year olds?  Without further ado, the movie we chose is...ET!

Sweet Gabriel,

You have kicked off year 7 with a bang!  You are blossoming as a student in first grade and growing into quite the writer.  You get your hard work ethic from your daddy but also your perfectionism.  You are learning that it is okay to make mistakes as long as we embrace the opportunity to learn from those mistakes.  Mrs. Setti and Mrs. Wright have been a godsend in providing the structure and challenge you need within the beauty of a Montessori environment.

Your favorite color is black "and sometimes very very dark grey", which you clearly but so cutely stole from The Lego Movie's Batman.  Your favorite book is The Day the Crayons Quit, but daddy sneaks in as much Shel Silverstein as possible.  When you grow up you would still like to be an architect, and you would make an amazing one!  Melting Beads are hangin' in there as a favorite, but legos have taken the first place toy slot.  You've found a great balance between following the directions and using your "Master Builder" skills.  After aunt Leila gifted you a camera, we discovered that you have quite the eye for photography, even laying down in public to get just the right angle.  Your favorite bedtime song is "Dream a Little Dream of Me", but you have developed a love for pop music.  Your dad and I giggle as we listen to you sing in the back seat, and you seem to have my knack for remembering lyrics.  Daddy even learned one of your favorite songs on the guitar.  One day you will be able to accompany him with your emerging piano skills; we clearly have ridiculous visions of touring as a family band one day.

It's amazing to me that in less than 2 years, you have developed friendships all throughout this community.  Your personality shines and you draw people to you with your zest for life.  Through school, swimming at the Y, Nortac soccer, Urban Grace, and JBLM we have met so many wonderful families, and you have learned the value of friendship.  However, the most endearing relationships are those with your siblings, and I am honored to witness you three falling in love with each other each day.  You and your brother are finding a balance of being best friends and fierce competitors.  You and your sister are free to dote upon and admire one another, and you are clearly smitten in the sweetest way possible.

We have been so proud to watch you embrace who you are by channeling your passion and intensity in education, sports, and music.  With your intense love also comes an intense fire, and it will forever be a life lesson learning to manage those fires into beautiful light.  Son, like in the song we learned to sing to Mariam, "Now you're shining bright, so bright!" Echosmith, Bright

Happy birthday sweet boy!  I am so thankful to be your mommy, and I pray you grow to be a strong man of God: strong in your mind, body, heart, and spirit.

I Love You,
Mommy

Happy First Day Of School 2015

Abraham's 5th Birthday!

Dear Abraham,

Happy Birthday little boy!!!!!  You are finding your place in this world.  As we parents like to push you kids into being BIG boys and girls, you are here to remind me to "let them be little".  I love when you remind me that you are not a big boy but rather a little boy.  I know in your heart that you would prefer to be the baby, but there's a new addition to your sweet world that has bumped you from baby up to middle.  I used to joke that having another baby would be the only solution to getting you out of baby mode, but honey, you are holding on for dear life.  Like your babysitter, Sabrina, likes to reminds you, you're now the frosting in the middle of a delicious Oreo..and let's face it, that's the best part. ;)

You are an amazing big brother, and your love for your siblings is so strong.  It fascinates me watching you beautifully juggle being both the big and little brother.  Your tough spirit suits you well with Gabriel, and your affectionate nature melts my heart with Mariam.  I did find you putting a pillow over her head once, but we'll let that slide.  Our family continues to cherish your running hugs and bedtime cuddles, followed by a hug, kiss, high five and fist bump each night.  One of your favorite things is waking up next to mom or dad after falling asleep reading.

Your favorite color is "golden", your favorite song is "Rain Drops on Roses", your imagination runs wild with your costumes, and you can't get enough of The Wizard of Oz book.  You are quite the little runner and are proud to be the fastest in your class.  You wrapped up an amazing year of pre-k at Bryant Montessori where you and your brother were next door to each other and shared recess.  The school nurse called so many times with small head injuries that she told me she was going to put my number on speed dial.

This year, you played like a rock star in fall soccer with Nortac, at practice that it.  You refused to play in the actual games.  That's some serious progress from last year.  One day you'll take the field without looking back, and we'll have to remind you of the days when you clung to our legs.  This spring you found a love for baseball where you play at the school park or in the backyard with your dad and brother.  Tacoma has a great minor league team, The Rainers, with a field just up the road.  You've gone to many games and even over to Seattle to watch the Mariners.  These special memories will forever be a part of your childhood.

This season inspired your idea for a baseball themed party.  We ran with the idea, especially after seeing a baseball Slip N Slide at Target!  It might have made our yard a muddy disaster, but it was definitely worth it!  After eating peanuts and cracker jacks and introducing you to Big League Bubble Gum, we sang "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" and "Happy Birthday".  You enjoyed having the neighborhood boys over with a few of your closest friends.  It was an intimate party, which is what you sweetly requested, and even Papa got to be in town to celebrate YOU!

We cannot wait to see what year 5 will bring for our sweet, little boy!  Abraham, I pray you grow to be a strong man of God; strong in your mind, body, heart, and spirit.

I Love You,
Mommy

Mariam Donna Musa

It's a......GIRL!

Photography Julianne Templin & last 7 by Starr Michelle