The Real Birthday Day!

On his real birthday, we all woke up pretty early. In years past, we've made him wait for Kevin to get off work to open gifts. This year, we were all up and just let him open them all before school. He really wanted a Ripstik, a science kit, and money to save for an iPad mini. Well, he got that and more! Our extended family is always so generous to him and he got books (loves Magic Treehouse books right now), money for his iPad, science kits and we also got him a Rainbow Loom and Ripstik. He has wanted an Under Armour shirt for a long time, so that happened to be a favorite gift as well!

It has become a tradition for me to bring Chick-Fil-A up to the school for his lunch. I always feel bad for the kids around us, because school lunch pales in comparison! This year, the Little Man and The Middle One came too!

At the end of lunch, the entire cafeteria yelled, "Happy Birthday" to him. They still make it fun to be at school on your birthday.

His birthday fell on the same night as Awanas. He didn't want to go, but since we'd done our gifts earlier that day and he'd studied and memorized, he went after all. After he got home, we sang and celebrated with his Bronco cupcakes and then he (full of sugar and hyper) tried to fall asleep!

These are the bracelets they are making with the Rainbow Loom. Since then, they've watched countless videos on YouTube and learned all different designs. It keeps them away from too much screen-time, so I am happy they have found a fun little hobby. They give them away to friends at school all the time- even made a bunch to give to kids affected by the recent flooding nearby. They remind me of the old friendship bracelets we used to make with thread and knots and braids- but these are so much faster and a lot of fun!

The night before school starts

It's the night before the kids head back to school. Biggest Brother a 3rd grader and Big Brother a Kindergartener. We had to live it up a bit this weekend to celebrate a fun summer behind us. On Friday, I took the kids to a favorite park for some cooling off....

On Saturday, Kevin ended up working in the afternoon/evening. The neighbors have been bbq-ing and roasting marshmallows throughout the summer. We've joined a few times, but this night we were celebrating some good friends/neighbors that are moving shortly and school starting up. 

We ended the weekend (today) at a fun local water park. We didn't take any photos- because 3 kids at a water park is more than we can handle! But, it was so fun. Big Brother finally learned how to swim after many weeks of swim lessons. He was so brave going down slides that even scared me! 

It's been a fun and full summer- lots of fun and lots of memories. Lots of relaxing and lots of mess. I am looking forward to having the kids back to school, but at the same time I am not ready to be back on the daily schedule. I know we'll be back in the swing of things quickly- so I will work on getting more of our summer memories on here quick!

A few Christmas Preps

We did all of our normal Christmas traditions this year, but I didn't always have the camera out! We did, however, make a gingerbread house and celebrate with parties at school.

This year we had to tag team the school parties since they were at the same time in the same building. Little Brother's class party was a little more "family-friendly", so we ended up in there a little more. They had a potluck, story time with the principal and a little singing show, complete with the "12 days of Christmas". They got to wear their pajamas and decorate train cookies since it was a Polar Express party. We don't get to volunteer or spend much time in his class, so it was our first time seeing him in action. We realized quickly that not much stays private for him! He tends to just blurt out whatever is on his mind. I think we're gonna be in trouble down the road!

The big kids have to keep their parties a little more "educational". So, during the days leading up to the party they had $3 to spend on treats with which to decorate a gingerbread house. I got to be part of the store that "sold" the items to the kids. Unbelievably, not one kid in the class spent their entire $3! They planned out their houses and on the party day they got to assemble them.

I'd hate to see what $3 of decorations looked like!

After the parties, we were off to the airport to pick up Kevin's brother and his family. They came to spend the week before Christmas with us. But, that is another post entirely!

Fall Leaves

Yes, I know the leaves are under a few inches of ice and snow now, but since this blog is really to document the life of my kids- you'll have to bear with me as I catch up from late November. Little Brother's birthday weekend ended with some yard work! It was a nice warm fall day, so we headed out to clean up the leaves. The kids have a blast running and jumping into them every year. This year, they decided to do some warm ups before they started. I guess that's what going to PE teaches you in 1st grade. So, after some jumping jacks, push ups and step ups, they were ready for the fun!

Did you miss us?

I almost forgot my log-in for the blog, so I realize it's been quite some time. I'm going to try to get caught up on some Christmas memories and then get back in the game here!


One of our traditions is to cut down our own Christmas Tree. We usually go over the Thanksgiving weekend. We were blessed again this year with a nice day, no snow and a great tree! This year we even had a couple of extra helpers to get the tree chopped down and carried to the car!

And here it was all decorated for the season. Every year we underestimate the size of the tree. This year we had to decorate the top half while standing upstairs! The bigger the better to us all!

Halloween: 2011

All was safe in the neighborhood with these 2 watching out on Halloween:

We started the day with a party at school. All the kids in school got to dress up except Little Brother's preschool class. I have a feeling the teachers didn't want to help all the little super heroes and princesses go potty all day. So, I helped out in Big Brother's party and got to see his school-wide costume parade. After Little Brother got home from school, he immediately put on his costume. That's how I found Batman raiding my fridge for a yogurt drink!

After school, we had pizza dinner at the neighbors house and headed out to trick-or-treat. It was a fun night, just our family this time. We even trick-or-treated at Big Brother's teacher's home! He was so excited! She even gave him 4 pieces of candy!!! About 7:30, Big Brother started to ask to go home. He wasn't really himself. I should've known we were in for it. He woke up the next morning with stomach flu. Poor kid!

My Pumpkins

On our last night without Daddy (he's been in Brazil for work this week) we tackled our pumpkins! To be honest, I was kind of dreading it. In years past we've had tears and fits over the smell and slime. Big Brother started off the night by saying, "Hey, Mommy. This pumpkin looks like your head." I wasn't really sure how the night would turn out! However, this year proved to be the easiest of all!

Big Brother's practice sketches

Big Brother carved it all on his own this year. I was very impressed!

We had to finish off with a photo of the 3 before they rot or dry out. Mine is the Angry Bird, Big Brother's is in the middle and Little Brother requested Batman. They are in the back doing to the Lightsaber show for the camera in the dark!

We even ended the night with Charlie Brown's Halloween movie and some gummy worms. Not a bad night after all!

Granny's Visit: October 4-7

Granny came for a quick visit the beginning of October. We've had a beatiful and warm fall and enjoyed a lot of time outdoors. Unfortunately, she came for our first bit of cold wind and snow! We did manage to head to a Pumpkin Patch just south of town. The kids enjoyed it, but we adults thought it was really lacking! To start, they charged quite a bit just to get in. Then, while helping Little Brother launch his gourds, one got stuck in the pocket and rocketed into my throat. It hurt like crazy. The boys loved the hay bail slides and spent a good amount of time. They took us on a tractor ride that looped around and the boys enjoyed petting a few animals. When we couldn't bear the cold wind any longer we headed out without buying any pumpkins (I know, gasp!).  As we were leaving the owner told me I could pick one out for the damages to my neck. It was nice of him after all.

Granny babysat while Kevin and I went out to dinner and a movie. I, then, spent the night with the stomach flu. YUCK!

We woke up the next day to SNOW! Little Brother headed out in his PJ's and crocodile rain boots. Though the weather and activities were a little bit of a bummer, it's always a great time with Granny. The boys didn't mind one bit!