Wild Kratts Birthday Party

I'm pretty proud of the party that Ryan and I put on for Collin's 6th birthday and Brennan's 4th birthday. I'm a Pinterest-junky and Ryan helped a ton, but it was still pretty awesome, if you ask me.

We decided to keep it small, with each kid just inviting one friend. As the little brother, Brennan's friends are really Collin's friends, so really Collin had a friend from his kindergarten class come (who has spent a lot of time at our home) and another friend who is in our ward, his kindergarten class and lives just a few doors down (as you can imagine, she's spent a lot of time here too).

We started out by watching an episode of the Wild Kratts show (about polar bears) to begin, which is good because we had a miscommunication about the start time, and one (of the two!) guests was a half hour late. Then we presented the kids with their Creature Power Suits. Brennan got one too, but he said it was too itchy and wouldn't wear it (surprise, surprise).

Then we took turns letting the kids pick a gift bag. With eight bags, they each got two picks. Inside each bag, the kids received their creature power disc for that animal. I also had made little information cards for each animal with interesting facts and a picture (kinda like a baseball card). We read them the facts, and then they got to play the game.

Here's what we (and Pinterest!) came up with...

Peregrine falcon: The kids tested paper airplanes for the best flight, and then built their favorite with Ryan's help. They were trying to get them to glide into the "nest" (a laundry basket).

Polar bear: They needed to catch the seal by leaping from one ice flow to the next. (Sorry, I guess I didn't take pictures of this one. We placed white towels, sheets and pillow cases all over the floor, and the kids had to jump between them.)

Long-eared desert bat: They hunted in the dark for hidden insects in the basement. They collected them in little cups. Most the kids said this was their favorite activity, but apparently I didn't get pictures of it either.

North American beaver: They built "dams" with pretzel sticks and chocolate frosting. This one was a HUGE mess, but they enjoyed themselves, and we were able to get them cleaned up pretty easily.

Monarch butterfly: They wrapped each other in toilet paper (their cocoon), and broke through to fly around like butterflies.

King cheetah: They took turns being gazelles and cheetahs and played tag. Of course, this one quickly became a wrestling match with Dad.

Large-mouth bass: They tried to eat the gummy worm off the fishing pole without using their hands. This one was the most fun for me to watch. Ethan and I just laughed and laughed. It was pretty silly.

Duck-billed Platypus: They carried hard-boiled eggs on a spoon to their "nest" (bean bag chair).

After each game, the kids put their creature power discs in their take-home bag, and then they gathered for the next bag, disc and facts card.

After four games, we paused for lunch. Nothing excited (chicken nuggets and fruit). I made these cute tags for some green Hawaiian Punch though. I called it "Wild Jungle Punch." They really liked that.

After the eighth game, we did singing and cupcakes. I think Ethan was as happy as any of the kids. He loves socializing... and sugar. :-)

The boys also opened their presents from their friends at the end.

With the time remaining before the parents came for pickup, Ryan built a Tortuga with them in the basement.

I also included in their take-home bag (along with all the creature power discs) an Animal Planet coloring book (with realistic pictures), iced animal crackers, and an animal joke book. They each took home an animal print balloon too.

The kids had a great time, and Ryan and I had a great time planning and carrying out all the fun. If all parties could be this fun and easy, I think my boys would get one every year. Good times.

Happy birthday to my biggest boys!

Brennan's 4th Birthday

Brennan's birthday was on a Tuesday this year, which was neat because he got to go to preschool. Here's the cute crown he got... and wore!!

One of his gifts was that he got to start taking soccer at the preschool in their gym each Tuesday after school. Lucky him, the first day was on his actual bday!

I forgot to take pictures, but for his birthday dinner he requested corn on the cob. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, no corn on the cob was to be had in Fort Collins, Colorado in January. He settled for fresh pineapple and strawberries with ham slices and homemade french fries. Another interesting assortment.

After dinner, he got to open presents. He received the certificate for his soccer class, but he obviously already knew about that one. He also got a Dora book with stickers (doesn't it get much better than that?).

He got FIVE (yes, five!) pads of art paper. (You wouldn't believe how much paper this boy can go through.) He was pretty excited as it all poured out of the packaging.

He also got a lap art desk. He loves it, and Collin even asked for one for himself. (The pads of paper fit in the elastic bands.)

 His favorite part was obviously the sugar... cupcakes and chocolate fudge ice cream. Yum!

Happy birthday, B! He is really growing up, and I think his tantrums may be mellowing a bit. He still struggles, but he is starting to make more and more adorable observations. I have been praying to love him as his Heavenly Father loves him, and I know that I am receiving Divine help in my relationship with him. It is a work in progress. He is stubborn to the max, but he really does have a loving, caring part of him. I like it when I get to see that side more. :-)

Happy birthday, my middle son! I love you, Big Boy!

Family Photographs 2015

Over Christmas Break we attempted to get some family pictures taken. It was kind of a disaster, but here's the best we came up with. Some were done by a girl in the ward; the others Ryan took at home in the family room.

First, from the semi-professional...

Now, Ryan's...

There you have it. Our family of five.

Collin's 6th Birthday

Here is Collin the morning of his birthday, which happened to be Christmas Sunday.

I always let the kids pick what they'd like to eat on their birthday, and here's what Collin requested... cheeseburgers on the grill, broccoli and mashed potatoes. I love the strange mix that always happens when they ask for all their favorites.

Collin requested 2-wheeler bike lessons for Christmas, and we thought it would be nice as a birthday present. (For those of you judging, we did this Saturday - the day before his birthday.)

 For his birthday, he got some fun foam monsters from his Nana & Papa.

From Ryan and I, he got piano lessons taught by the mom across the street - one lesson per week for four months. He also got a National Geographic book about the earth.

 So far, he has really been enjoying the lessons. (He's on week three now.) Unfortunately, we only have a keyboard, and I guess he is struggling switching between her piano and his practicing at home. We'll have to see about remedying that.

He requested homemade cake - which of course he helped make and decorate - and peanut butter ice cream.

It was fun to celebrate on a Sunday, because we got to spend almost the whole day focused on him.

Collin is my super helpful, thoughtful, smart boy. I can't believe he's already six! I'm so glad he is only in half-day kindergarten. I'm gonna flip when he goes full-day for first grade next year!

Love you, Coll! Happy birthday!

Skipping Thanksgiving aka Denver Stay-cation

We decided to forego the headache of cooking and cleaning up, and we did Thanksgiving a little differently this year.

Thursday morning we headed to the Denver Aquarium. We looked at all the awesome fish, and then paid an arm and a leg for a Thanksgiving dinner buffet. Collin was running a fever all weekend, and I forgot his Tylenol in the car, so we took off after eating. He actually did pretty well given the circumstances.

We stayed the night in a hotel suite, and then met some old Madison friends at the Nature & Science Museum Friday morning. This place is definitely worth a return visit! We only saw a few areas (Space, Rocks & Minerals, special Whale exhibit, Children's Discovery Center and Health), but it was still pretty fun. I can't wait to see the rest of this place.

It was super fun to get to see Jon & Mandie and their kids too. Gotta love all our Madison connections! We got Cafe Rio together for lunch and then parted ways.

That afternoon and evening Ryan and I alternated sessions at the Denver temple. We spent Friday night in the hotel too. Good weekend, eh?

Saturday morning we headed home to cheer our Buckeyes on to a win against "that team up north."

Now that's what I call a perfect Thanksgiving weekend. ...minus seeing all the extended family, of course... ;-(

Halloween '14

Happy Halloween! 

From the Disco Dancers and their Disco Ball,

a Spider,

and a Knight! 

 

Hope you had a great one too!

Happy First, Eefie!

Today's the day - Eefie is one! He was my first induction, so I feel a sense of strangeness about celebrating his birthday today. I mean, what day was supposed to be his birthday? I'm sure it doesn't really matter. Today's the day one year ago I brought him into the world and forced him out of his warm, watery cocoon.

As a matter of tradition, I have always posted favorites by the ABCs on my sons' first birthdays (here are Collin's & Brennan's - you'll be SHOCKED at how much they each resemble each other), so without further adieu...

The ABCs of Ethan

Active - this kid never stops moving; he's always into something else 
I know this is common (just boys?) but it is still annoying to constantly trip on things and have to pick up so much. He loves the pantry, tupperware drawers, pots & pans, book tubs and shelves, diaper bag, and crayons.

Brothers - he wants to be right with Collin and Brennan at all times 
This really annoys them, and when Mom can't join in and referee and E gets left out, he gets annoyed too.

Car - lots of time taxi-cabbing
E spends most of his days in and out of his car seat as we chauffeur his brothers to their activities. Such is the life of the youngest.

Dishwasher - specifically the knives in the silverware holder :-( 

Eefie - recognizes/turns/responds to this nickname better than his real name

French fries - loves to gnaw on one after another when we eat out

Grass (and mulch and rocks) - anything he can get into his mouth when he's outside

Hot dogs - diced into small pieces 
He can eat more than one at a single meal!

Independence - he's pretty much given up nursing, except for at 6am 

Joyful - he's generally a happy, smiley, fun guy to be around
He's a total flirt with strangers, just like Brennan was. He loves to smile his big, goofy grin. And everyone loves him. It's fun to spend so much time with such a flexible, easy-going little man.

Perfectly comfortable with the neighbor boy

Kitchen - emptying the cupboards and drawers is a favorite activity

Lightning - the time that has passed since he was born ONE YEAR ago today
I know it didn't help that we chose to move cross country and then move again just 2-1/2 months later, but this year has passed so quickly. It took so long for Collin to turn one, then Brennan did it in half the time. Now Ethan has met this milestone like a flash of lightning. Please, little one, cuddle with me longer!

Ma-ma - the only consistent word so far
Ethan has at times used "mu" for more, "ba-ba" for his blankie, "da-da" for Daddy, "du" for duck, and "ba" for bath, but "ma-ma" is his only consistent daily word... It makes me melt every time.

Noise - loves really loud things 
This is a first for me - Eefie actually laughs when it's noisy. He loves yelling, pounding, power tools, vacuums, construction sites (like our back patio), bells at the school, etc. It's strange to me.

Outside - scrambles fast for any door that opens
Ethan only gets to go out if I'm out too, and since I usually have to clean up or make food, that isn't very often. He howls when I pull him back from the threshold and he doesn't get to go. Sorry, Buddy.

Phones - and anything electronic really
He'll go to great lengths to get people to pick him up or crawl under things to get to a phone.


Quick - he is a little speed-demon crawling and really wants to walk on his own
He's gotten really good at walking along things, and he can stand while using his hands for something else if his tummy is resting against the couch or ottoman. He can switch from my knee to a chair, but he can't walk or stand independently... yet. I know that time is just around the corner.

Remote control - and only the one that we actually use
Sometimes we'll give him the BluRay remote while we have the tv on so he doesn't mess anything up. He knows the difference and will have none of it. No substituting allowed.

Splashing - you can't imagine how soaked I get monitoring him in the tub
He absolutely LOVES the bath tub... which almost makes up for the fight it is to get Collin to get in. He doesn't mind his face being wet, and he hates to get out.

Television - he just discovered Sesame Street
He also has been known to laugh at Brennan's Curious George episodes. What a silly monkey.

Uninterested - doesn't like traditional toys
He only wants to get into mischief with everything other than an actually toy. Is this true for EVERY baby!? Just boys? Sigh. What a mess all the time.

Vacuum - crawls on and around it while it's on! 
Okay, so all my other children have literally had to be locked in their rooms as they've cowered and cried at the sight of the vacuum cleaner. I almost never vacuumed when they were little because it was so difficult to hold a large baby while wielding the heavy machine around. I had no idea a child could LIKE a vacuum so much that he would climb on it and into its path, which also makes it slightly difficult to get the cleaning done! From one extreme to the other, for real.

Another shocker - He doesn't seem to be afraid of animals... yet. We'll see how long it takes for him to join his brothers on that one.

Wooly - his blankie he sucks on to sleep
This is one of the most unique things about my little Eefie. I received a blanket at my baby shower that was so soft and fluffy and white that it resembled lamb's wool. Collin named it "Wooly." From time to time last winter, I'd tuck it around him to keep him warm. Last Spring, I took it out of his crib to wash it and put it away (it's really thick), and E stopped sleeping as well. He's never taken a pacifier, so I mentioned to Ryan that I thought he had developed an attachment to his blanket instead. So I put the blanket back in the crib, and he went back to sleeping well. Voila.

One day I went in to wake him up, and - surprise! - he was sucking on the blanket corner. Now the corners of this once white and fluffy blanket are matted and black and smell slightly nasty. I even accidentally gave him a similar blanket in the middle of the night last week (during an uncharacteristic wake-up), and he quickly let me know my mistake. YIKES!

Bottom line - he's super attention to that ratty thing.

Xoxo - totally understands hugs and kisses
I LOVE huge, open-mouthed, wet goos on my cheek... from my one-year-old. (No one get any sick ideas.) A-DOR-ABLE!

Yogurt - the smooth flavors
The happy squeals I get when pulling a little container out of the fridge of yogurt are enough to make my day. He loves any flavor that doesn't have lumps (no pina colada, peach, or strawberry).

Oh my goodness! I just found this picture on Collin's camera. What a face to capture. Good work, Big Brother. This is awesome. 

Zzzz - super tired lately 
This little man is in the middle of a growth spurt. He was only awake 6 hours yesterday! He's been taking two 2-3 hour naps per day and sleeping 12-13 hours per night. This mommy is enjoying every minute of what I know is just a phase. Sleep on.

Happy 1st, Ethan! We love you.

Covered in marshmallow and graham cracker outside by the fire. What I call a perfect Fall night.