Back to School 2012

The big boys went back to school this morning. We decided to keep Alyssa home one more year.

  I wish I could say they were excited this morning, but when I went in to wake them up their responses were "oh god" and "oh crap it"! We are not morning people, so 6:30am is super early around here. We had sunshine waffles to wake us up this morning.






They both had a good day and both really liked their new teachers.





Before we left this morning Alex said "only 179 more days to go". He's already started to count down! Me too buddy, I wish I could keep them home forever!

Rapunzel, Rapunzel...

Quick share of Alyssa's 5th birthday party pictures:)
I've had the pictures on the computer since June, but I'm just now sitting down long enough to post them!


I've had a lot of people ask me about birthday party stuff recently also. I don't have a particular place I go to for ideas or supplies. After the kids and I talk about what they want to do for their birthdays I think and imagine a whole lot and then wonder around a craft store for more inspiration. If I'm having a hard time with a certain part, like coming up with another activity or something, I'll usually get on pinterest or just do a search. I have done a couple of copy cat parties in the past because of kiddos requesting it,But I avoid doing that now because half the fun is coming up with ideas and then seeing them through.


To start off,  we read the story of Rapunzel.
Here's the quick Rapunzel story. pregnant woman is hungry and really wants lettuce. Desperate husband steals lettuce for pregnant wife. Desperate husband gets caught by mean witch lady. Mean witch lady tells them they have to promise her their baby or she'll turn him in. Mean witch lady takes baby girl and calls her Rapunzel. That was the old name for the lettuce her mother craved so much.  Mean witch lady hides Rapunzel in tower. Prince discovers tower. Prince climbs up Rapuzel's really long hair. Prince and Rapunzel fall in love.....




Turning 5 years old at exactly 3:33 pm May 26






Rapunzel Party Hats






Entrance into the forest






Making Rapunzel shirts






Can you climb Rapunzel's Hair??






Painting Rapunzel Tower's







Blowing out the candles









Parker loved Alyssa's Rapunzel hair!! I got her hair from a shop on etsy. I wanted to attempt to make it, but I was pushed for time. Alyssa's party was only 2 weeks after Jacob's Harry Potter party.

Olympics 2012

Season of Summer-Week 3

I didn't take very many pictures this week, but I did have fun with the kids!

We went for a walk.

We had a slumber party.




We spent a little time at the pool for swim lessons.


We went to the drive in movies to see Brave. The kids were exhausted when we got home.





Jacob went into business this week. This was all his idea, he even designed the flyer himself.






We also had our first annual kids day. Kinda like Mother's day and Father's day. It was Alex's idea. Every year on the first day of summer is now kids day. They had brownies and milk for breakfast. We went to the theater for one of the summer kid movies and they got to have soda, popcorn and candy. They were thrilled with drinking coke! (our kids normally do not drink soda, except for the occasional sprite) They spent the afternoon playing video games. (they are usually only allowed to play on Fridays) We gave them a small gift and we had their favorite dinner at Olive Garden.


Looking forward to another fun week, it's gonna be a hot one here!

Season of Summer-week 2

What we were up to last week.

Give my kids some blankets and tables to make forts and they spend the day creating an indoor campout, complete with fire!





A moonlight walk...3 miles in the carrier, nursing, and Parker was still awake!






Private swim lessons







Ice skating competion! kids were bored, my floors needed to be cleaned, add some classical music and our first ice skating competition was born. They loved it!  Whoever had the dirtiest "ice skates" at the end was the winner but everyone got a price. Even the 10 year old had fun with it.