Charlie's Safari Play Day

Last Friday we headed off to Charlie's Safari for a few hours of fun. As a teacher, I never supported parents pulling their kids out of school for frivolous reasons. Yet, with only a slight amount of guilt, I decided to let Brother skip preschool for this fun adventure. We were there for five hours and the boys could have stayed even longer. Crazy boys! Fortunately, I brought lunches, snacks, and some friends to chat with. Sister was pretty upset that I didn't let her skip school to go too. I just couldn't bring myself to do that. Preschool is one thing. Second grade is another.

Brother and his friend going across the rope bridge.
Brother climbing up something.
Brother and some friends up in the middle of the climbing structure.
What goes up, gets to come down. Man those slides were slick and quick! Everybody loves to bounce.
Even Baby Bear loves bouncing.
One of the bounce houses even had a fun bouncy slide.Baby Bear loved the ball area. Too bad there was only one ball. He got some practice sharing with his friend.He just couldn't get enough of the ball. Looking around for a hoop to toss it in. Sadly, there weren't any hoops even tall ones.

March for Life

On Tuesday, January 19, we participated in the annual March for Life to the state capitol steps. We were blessed with dry skies and warm weather (warm for January at least). There were thousands of people who attended. So many, we weren't even near the steps. What a blessing!!!

Here are Memere, the kids, and some friends we walked with when we arrived on the state capitol lawn. Someone gave Sister a sign to carry. She loved it!

There were so many people they were stretched out on either side of the steps and across the lawn in the middle where the flag poles are. Here's the best picture I could get from the Justice building steps. There were so many people I couldn't even get all of them into the photo. We weren't even in this picture as we were on the left side of the tree on the left in this photo. The kids were having fun climbing it, which I'm sure they weren't supposed to be doing. Sorry.

Papa gave the big kids a ride back up to the church afterwards. The little kids road back in the wagon and stroller. What a cute kid chain they walked back to the car in! (=

We continue to pray for our government (state and federal) to have more respect for human life especially as they debate over health care bills.

A birthday and a baptism, what a blast!

Last weekend we had two very fun parties that we were invited to attend. On Saturday, a friend from high school's son was celebrating his 2nd birthday up in Snohomish. On Sunday, at 9 AM, my newest nephew was celebrating his baptism in Portland. Since we didn't want to miss either event, we packed everyone up in the van and prepared for a long day of driving.

For Christmas my parents gave us a portable DVD player to use on trips. A friend loaned us some of her kids' movies so we had some new ones to enjoy. The kids had so much fun watching movies during the ride. We didn't even get bugged, "Are we almost there yet?" once. Yippee!!!

At the birthday party, Baby Bear discovered the joy of helium balloons. He would pull one down then let go and watch it go up again just to pull it down again. What fun! Sister brought her book in as there weren't really any kids her age there. Fortunately, she always has a couple books just in case.
Brother was thrilled to find a Hot Wheel track much like the one we had at one time. Brother destroyed ours by twisting the track all different directions and shooting the rubber bands around the house. Fortunately, he was able to enjoy this one without destroying it. Happy 2nd Birthday, Steven!!!

He blew both his candles out all by himself. Great job Steven!!!

Here are all the cousins ready to see Cousin E get baptised. We got there early since we had to save two rows of seats for all the family that attended. Here is my sister's family with the pastor who baptised Cousin E.

The weekend really flew by with all that driving, but it was wonderful to see good friends and family. We look forward to seeing them all again soon.

Epiphany Party!!!

The moms' group that I attend held an Epiphany party today. Sometimes it's called a Three Kings Celebration or a Twelfth Night celebration. It marks the end of the Christmas Season (and the beginning of the Mardi Gras season). January 6 is the actual Epiphany, but this was the closest meeting to that date and the kids didn't mind that we were a couple days late.

Both Brother and Sister are in school Friday mornings, so it was just Baby Bear and Mommy for the party. The kids made crowns and stars, formed their own Kings Cakes (out of cinnamon roll dough with a plastic baby inside each), followed the star to a treasure, and had a great time.

Unfortunately, Baby Bear was grouchy today and clingy. I hope we do it again next year when Baby Bear will be a little older and more aware of the party fun.

Baby Bear loved coloring. It was his favorite activity next to eating the cinnamon roll/King Cake.Yes, he's coloring with white crayon on white paper, but at least he isn't eating it, yet. (=Baby Bear took a couple minutes to figure out what the other kids were doing with their dough before trying to eat his. Mommy had to quickly take it away since it was not cooked yet. This, of course, did not make King Baby Bear very happy even with some pretzel rods.

While hearing the bible story about the Magi (three kings or three wise men) the storyteller used a Little People nativity to show the kids. Baby Bear raced up to it and began playing with it immediately. Who cares about the story, right? What's important is moving those little characters around the stable. He was slightly disappointed that the manger didn't play a song like ours does. (Actually, it may, but I think the sound was turned off on purpose...shhhh, don't tell Baby Bear).Here is a picture of Baby Bear following the star looking for Jesus. He spent most of the journey being held by Momma.

Thanks to all the moms who helped organize and run this party. It was really fun for the kids and moms!!!

Happy New Year!!!

We attended a New Year's Eve party this year with several other families. All of us had kids around the same age which made it great for the parents to visit and the kids to play. I'm sure our poor hosts had a HUGE mess to clean up the next day, but we really appreciated it.

The most exciting part, at least for my kiddos, was when we did the count down (NY time as we watched the Time's Square ball drop) and the parents popped things that shot out confetti when it hit the new year. What a wonderful memory for them.

Growing up New Year's Eve was always fun for us. My parents had a group of families that we celebrated New Year's with and I remember banging pots and pans in the street at midnight with all the other kids.

This is really the first year my kids have experienced "ringing in the New Year" even if it was a few hours early for our time zone. In year's past we've attended more "adult" parties where the fun doesn't really get going into about 11PM and nobody is celebrating yet at 9PM.

We'll have to make sure we continue this fun tradition of making the change from one year to the next a more memorable event for our kids.

Happy New Year everyone! May 2010 bring you health and happiness!!!

The Twelve Days of Christmas

I adore the twelve days of Christmas. I get to sit back and really enjoy this special time. The gifts are purchased and wrapped. The school events have been attended. The holiday treats are made. Now it is time for the kids to stay in their pjs all day, friends from high school and college come into town for visits, and I get to go out to the movies with them. What fun!

We had a couple great visits (and fabulous gifts) from my high school friend, Erika, who now lives in San Francisco. She came up to spend Christmas with her "parentals". It was great to take her to coffee and a movie, "Sherlock Holmes".

The day she came to see the kids we were attempting to make our gingerbread houses. I purchased kits this year since the last time I tried to make one with Sister it was a disaster. The kits worked really well, but the kids were just not really into this activity. It probably doesn't help that I'm not either. This is as complete as our houses ever got. Still, it was a fun way to wile away a vacation day.

Notice, Baby Bear didn't get an official kit house which was probably good as he ended up eating his house after breaking it apart. He loved the frosting!

My college roommate also came down for a visit. She actually attended a New Year's Eve party in town that I opted out of since I'm an old married lady with kids and don't stay awake until 2 AM unless I'm in my pjs reading a book anymore. So, we spent Friday and Saturday with her exchanging gifts, going out to eat, and another movie theater night for Mommy to see "The Blind Side". I don't normally go out to see movies in the theater (except the summer free ones with the kids) since at home I can pause, rewind, see extras, and make my own popcorn. Still, it's a nice treat to go to the movie theater with a good friend and see a really good adult movie now and then. Both movies were SUPER, in case you wondered.

I hope all of you enjoyed the Twelve Days of Christmas as well!

P.S. You thought I was joking about spending the whole day in pjs, didn't you? (=

Christmas Day

Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle B arrived right as we returned home from mass. Everyone watched the kids open their presents from St. Nicholas and us.

As you can see, one of Baby Bear's gifts was a Buz Lightyear much like Brother's. What a coincidence! How does Santa know these things???Sister was thrilled that Saint Nicholas brought her a wardrobe for her American Doll clothes as one of her gifts. One would think that would mean she'd keep them neat and organized, but one is often wrong.
One of Brother's gifts from St. Nicholas was RC (the buggy/car from Toy Story). It was on his list to all three Santa's along with Emperor Zurg. He really loves playing with it more than I expected and often brings it in the car with us.I think this photo is so cute! How many kids would be this excited about an umbrella? Brother has been coveting Sister's umbrella since Grandma and Grandpa bought it for her birthday. So, Baby Bear gave one to Brother. After the kids finished opening their gifts, Memere and Papa left and my dh made a huge brunch. Originally, I was supposed to help, but I'd been suffering some stomach issues.

After brunch, we had present opening time with Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle B.

Baby Bear really loves the garage that Grandma found for him. Unlike the Little People one we had, he can use any type of car (trains, Hotwheels, etc) on it without them getting all jammed up and Momma having to dig them out.

Sister was so happy to get not just one.... ...but TWO HSM dolls. Look at that face!Brother had fun jumping around on his new bungee board. Uncle B and GL even took turns showing him how it is done. (Sorry, I didn't get the photos uploaded guys, I know you're disappointed as you truly are super studs in them).

The rest of the day was spent playing with all the fun new stuff. As you can see, Sister had quickly changed into her HSM pjs (also from Santa) and began organizing her doll clothes into her wardrobe while playing with her new HSM dolls as well. Brother and Uncle B had fun playing with Brother's Nerf gun. Like I said before, boys and their toys.

As a side note, some of you may not have known that Sister now has her own room. As you can see, it is very girly! She picked out the drapes and picked some posters for her walls. Grandma and Grandpa gave her a fun new HSM lamp as well that now hangs over her bed. So perfect!

My dh cooked the fabulous holiday dinner that I'd planned, but couldn't make.

As a bonus, Grandpa, Grandma and Uncle B all came over again on Saturday evening. Brother wore his Buz Lightyear pjs (also from Santa) all day. Here his is showing Grandpa how he plays war with his new toys (the Bucket of Army guys was also from Santa).

Grandma had a good time rocking Baby Bear and reading to him from some of his new Sesame Street books.

Sister is not pictured Saturday evening because she spent most of the time in her room listening to her new soundtracks and playing with her dolls. We rarely see her out of her room anymore, but we can always hear her music.

We hope all of you enjoyed a very Merry Christmas too!!!

Christmas Morning

We woke up Christmas morning and St. Nicholas had been by. He drank all the eggnog and ate the chocolate dipped pretzels (with peanuts sprinkled on top) and left our living room full of goodies for the kids. (The kids' stockings are on floor. St. Nicholas has never figured out how to get them to stay on the stocking holders once he's filled them with presents.)
Please ignore the tipping star atop the tree. I still haven't figured out how to get that thing to stay on the top of our new tree. It doesn't have a nice top spot like our old one did and bending a branch over and sticking it up obviously didn't work.Baby Bear was the first to wake up, of course. Sister soon followed. Brother had to be carried out of bed so he'd have time to get his stocking gifts opened before mass. Fortunately, one look at the presents and he was very cheerful.

Baby Bear actually end up opening a couple presents once Momma started them for him. Here he is opening the toy camera St. Nicholas gave him in his stocking.Brother was very excited to find Zurg (Buz Lightyear's archenemy) as one of his stocking gifts. He made sure to tell all three Santa's that he wanted Zurg. How can you have a battle without a bad guy?Sister was thrilled to discover one of her stocking gifts was this HSM (High School Musical) purse. Really, anything with HSM on it is a winner for her right now. She wore it to mass even though it clashed horribly with her red and black Christmas dress.

After getting the stocking gifts open, a few shakes and guesses at the other gifts under the tree, a quick breakfast, and getting dressed we were off to Christmas morning mass with Memere and Papa. Here's our traditional photo of the kids with Momma and Memere in front of the church nativity. It's always fun to suddenly see that Jesus has arrive in the manger. (Yes, that was the best photo we could get of Brother. He was tired of smiling for the camera and wanted to go visiting).

Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!!!