The Craziest Birthday Party Ever

Six year olds know how to party. For. Real. I felt like the 3 hours we spent at the bowling alley last night was a complete blur. It was a dead sprint from start to finish. I'm always saying I want my house and life to be a circus, of sorts, but maybe again, I'm not completely ready. First there was bowling and a beer. I remember that part. And my mom & Steve were there helping with Cash but he was a little fussy and probably a little overwhelmed as well. Then the kids starting getting there and all of our closest friends. The pizzas came out and Gayla tried to get the kids to eat but they had reached some sort of not-hungry adrenaline high. Then the cake. Then the part I can't remember or may even want to forget is the opening of presents. Ripping and tearing and throwing paper and screaming and "who's it from?!" and "what is it?" and "here's the next one!" and "oh wow!" and kids all around. And let me just tell you, that is so Gayla's speed. She was right there in the middle of it keeping up with no problem. I would have been saying, "slow down!", "back up!", "breath!" So that's why I'm the one taking pictures. The most important thing is that Blake had a blast!

Cole, Blake's cousin, stayed over after the party. Things calmed down pretty quickly when we got home because those boys literally ran in circles (this was after the present-opening madness) for about an hour and a half. Derrek put fake switchblades in the goodie bags we gave out and they were a huge success. I love Cole because when he gets tired of something, he's very clear that he's tired of it and he's clear that he's tired and clear that he's ready to go be calm. So when we got home, Derrek set up a tent in the living room and Cole promptly climbed in and passed out. Blake watched a little SpongeBob but followed closely behind.

Best of all, Cash let me sleep a good 5&1/2 hours (not the 7 hours we had going a month ago but I'll take it!) and I needed it.

Right after the birthday wish.

Our friend, Luke tasting the cake.

Caleb, Blake & Cole
Mimi & Cash
Grandpa Steve & Cash

Here come the gifts...

Happy Birthday, Blake!

So, Big Brother Blake is 6 today! I cannot believe it. You know, when Derrek and I started dating Blake had just turned 2. He's grown into such a great kid. And, he's oh so very handsome. He's been counting down the days to today for about a month now, never losing track. This morning Daddy fixed his hair in a mohawk and we put on a snazzy shirt. We blasted some Def Leppard "Pour Some Sugar On Me" (his favorite song) on the way to school. Derrek and I also joined him for lunch and took some cupcakes to his class. I hope the teacher lets us come back! The kids were getting a little creative with their faces and the colored icing!

He's asking for a Wii Fit for Daddy's house and I'm not sure what he requested from Mommy. He also loves Hot Wheels, Transformers (our party theme!), monster trucks, dinosaurs, anything remote control and he likes art supplies too. He's so excited about his bowling party tonight because all the people he loves will be all together. I think he probably secretly wishes we actually lived with his mom or at least next door. He really has trouble with the back and forth sometimes. Who wouldn't? Sometimes when we're having a really fun moment at our house, he'll say, "I wish Mommy was here" or "Mommy could see this". Then a couple of times he's told me he really wishes I could come over to his mom's and play sometime. Like his mom says, "He's a lover."

Happy Birthday, Blake! You've brought more joy to my life than I ever knew possible! You make me so proud. Here are some of my favorite pictures of you!

Cosby Kids

Most of you that remember the Cosby Show remember that they could never get all of their kids to move out of their house. As soon as one family would move out, someone else would move in. Well, my wonderful in-laws might as well be the Huxtables. Destiny & Dac's family have taken turns during times of limbo staying in the extra wing of the Penick's house and now we've decided to take a turn as well. Fredericksburg appeared to be fairly protected by the economic crisis until October. Even up until early January, Derrek and his two partners were feeling fairly secure about the future of Texas Home Crafters. Unfortunately, home owners are backing out right and left. New construction, like everywhere else, has come to an abrubt and painful hault. We are just lucky that we have somewhere to go to wait out the recession and stay afloat.

Before you really feel sorry for us, I should tell you it's not like we're moving into a dilapitated old backhouse or crowding into one extra bedroom. We're actually going to have 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms to ourselves! So the extra room will be a really nice change for Ashley, especially. She needs some space. She needs alone time. She deserves it. Now, all five of us don't have to be in the bathroom at the same time in the mornings (although, secretly, I love that). We'll have a pool and a treadmill and I'll have an office. We'll have better TV. I think we're gonna get through this! The most difficult thing may be (besides the huge amount of pride Derrek and I are swallowing) is getting the kids to move out when we finally figure out our next move. It may be a little difficult convincing them that our rules have to follow them to Mamaw and Papaw's house but I'm sure we'll work that out as well.

So, in one month we've gone from filling out loan applications to moving in with the in-laws but like I said, we're definitely one of the lucky ones. There are so many people around that don't have support like this. Derrek & I were both blessed with extremey giving and selfless parents. There will never be anyway to repay or properly thank Mike & Patsy. In fact, they might be crazy to let us in but we're gonna move in as fast as possible before they change their minds! Most importantly, we are all healthy and happy and excited about making some new memories. We'll come out of this...maybe with a little less money (maybe not) but definitely with a new and thankful perspective.

NBC

That's Natural Bridge Caverns! These Penicks took a spontaneous day trip an hour and a half down the road for some underground adventure! We kind of got a late start, Ashley got carsick and had to puke half way there and we were definitely late to volleyball practice in the afternoon BUT it was such a good day regardless. Cash was a such a champ. It was his first day facing outward in the Baby Bjorn and he LOVED it. He'd just swing his arms and kick his legs and talk. About 30 minutes into the tour, he griped a little so I turned him around and he instantly went to sleep. Then about 30 minutes after that he woke up and wanted to turn back around. It was about 70 degrees down there but with 99% humidity! So we took off the hat and socks and he was much more comfortable. Blake and Ashley were awesome as well. They are really fun to travel with and totally get into it all. I handed over my camera to Blake and he took pictures the whole time. It was beautiful down there and it was so fun that everyone appreciated it and the time together. It's a day I'll never forget.

Here we are standing under the 65' "natural" limestone bridge above the
entrance to the cavern.

Here we go!