More randomness

Since a couple months have passed by and I don't feel like creating a post for every picture, it is random time!

 Leia made up an adorable, on-the-spot song about being a cupcake girl. She was super adorable, especially since the costume is a 2T and she currently wears a 4T.

 I found the offspring of Iron Man.

 Sometimes the kiddos would rather play with their food than eat it. This time I guess they were pretending to be at a spa.

 The girls play pretty well together and this particular time they decided to use Jonathan's laundry basket in some type of pretend game.

 We found Rita's!!!!!!!!! This was a pleasant surprise and now we will always have a piece of Pennsylvania with us!

 Audrey refuses to take naps but every now and then I find her passed out somewhere. This time being my bed.

 Leia had a Fun Run at her school. The WHOLE time she stuck next to her teacher and cheered her teacher on. Leia was incredible and ran almost the whole time.

 I went to Ikea a couple of times with the little girls. Leia loves to play in their play room. I walk around IKEA for an hour, pick her up and then the girls eat a free lunch in the cafeteria. Fabulous!

I hardly sit down because kiddos find me and crawl all over me. This time Audrey found me and wanted a horsey ride.

 Leia's fabulous red, white and blue outfit for Veteran's day. It even brought a smile to her teacher's face.

 Leia and Ella joined Frontier Girls.

 Jonathan competed in a Lego Robotics tournament. He learned a lot about programming.

 Leia being her silly self.

 Ella adopted a puppy named Clint.

 For some reason Audrey needs more than one straw. We currently have run out of them... I wonder how that happened?

 Jonathan had a winter concert for band at school.

 On one of our Christmas shopping trips Leia asked me to take a picture of her.

 The older kiddos had a winter running event at their school and then parents were welcome to eat lunch with their kids. We were fortunate enough to have a table and ended up sharing it with a few different people.

Day of Play

Once a year the Major of our city hosts a day of play. Lots of vendors, a morning race, along with different activities are put together at a local park. This year we went to check it out. The kids had a lot of fun and I think it's something we'll try and remember to do every year.

We started out going through a lot of different stations where we received a sticker for each station we went to. The kids learned about water safety, eating healthy foods and proper portion sizes and just other healthy habits to keep. If you went to each station, which we did, at the end each kid receives a little backpack with a few goodies inside. It took longer than we would have like to get through but it was still doable. After that we headed out to a few different places. The two older girls wanted balloon animals. While waiting for those Leia and I slipped away to get a picture taken with a Ninja Turtle. Ryan and Jonathan ran a little race on a blow up race track with a vest attached to a Bungee... just to make the race a little more fun. At the very end we headed out where bubbles were being made like crazy. The kids had so much fun playing in them but once they were pretty soaked through, it was time to go home. We will definitely go again.

Leia and Audrey playing a few fun games.

 Jonathan finishing up the race with Ella cheering him on. Ryan is in the far left hand corner.

 Leia wanted her picture taken with a Ninja Turtle but once we were there, she became a little nervous.

 The balloon masterpieces which didn't last that long... which is why we take pictures so we can always remember them.

Halloween

It seems like once Halloween hits, all the other holidays come in super fast right behind it and I'm left in a holiday blur until Christmas is over. So yes, these next few posts are over due but at least they are being recorded.

The kids this year had a hard time deciding what to be for Halloween. I was hoping that I would not have to sew anything since they were cutting it close. I ended up sewing a few things anyway. Boo. Leia was a princess and just used a dress I made for Ella last year for her Fairy Tale night. I did make her a matching crown. Audrey was a cupcake and Ella was a Pokémon trainer. I didn't think much about Ella's costume until I finally looked up the character and realized Ella did not have any of the accessories that actually made her look like a trainer. That is where the sewing came in and I ended up making a purse, vest, hat and wrist bands. Jonathan could not decide on something for the life of him. Actually, he wanted to be a shadow and just wear a morph suit... which I think is the most dangerous thing to go trick or treating in. For his school Halloween party he went as a Ninja. He did not like that costume very much so I ended up making a shirt that said," error 404 not costume found." Eleven is a very hard age to figure out a costume for.

We did the traditional Halloween dinner of Mummy dogs with Mac and Cheese. I was going to do those jello worms but started reading the recipe and realized I should have started towards the beginning of the day. Oh well, maybe next year.

The kiddos ended up going Trick or Treating with most of the Huntingtons. Our little girls only lasted about an hour and then came home. Jonathan stayed out a little longer, say his friend, and went to a few houses with him. The kids then enjoyed passing out candy to who ever ran

g the doorbell. All in all the kids had a lot of fun. The only issue was Audrey did not want to put on her costume, but eventually she turned around and put it on.

Leia as a princess and Jonathan being a protective Ninja. This was taken right before the Halloween party at school.

What Ella's Pokémon Trainer looks like. She was obsessed with the video game and wanted to look like her character in the game.

Jonathan's 11th Birthday

 

Jonathan is all about tradition to we had to make sure the basics were covered. The night before balloons and a birthday note were placed in his room. The actual morning of the big day I made him waffins, which is waffles with bacon cooked inside of them. Then I got to work making cupcakes for a afternoon video game party he was having with some friends.

When party time rolled around, I picked up some pizzas, dropped them off and then headed out with the girls to Peter Piper Pizza so Jonathan could have a sister free party. Unfortunately, I don't think any pics were taken of this party. Jonathan had a lot of fun hanging out with his friends just doing what kids do these days, play video games.

After the party, I cleaned up a little and then began preparations for his family get together. We invited Huntingtons over for dinner. ( I just say Huntingtons because there are a lot of them, I am lazy and do not feel like listing everyone at the moment.) Jonathan requested lasagna so I was pretty busy making that, along with a lime cake, before people came over. It was nice for all the kiddos to see each other again and get into some type of sneakiness... there is always some type of sneakiness. Dinner was later than expected which gave kids more time to play. After dinner I think Jonathan opened his presents and then we had cake. It might have been the other way around. Jonathan seemed to have a great time and spend a lot of it playing, what else, video games with his cousins.

 

I love birthday celebrations for the kiddos and I love how Jonathan appreciates his
 and looks forward to the simple traditions we have in our family. He is such a good kid and I am excited to see what an awesome young man, and then adult he will grow up to be. We love you Jonathan! Always, always remember that.

Lady turned 1!

Remember in the last post where I mentioned Lady is part of our family? Well a few months before her birthday Ella started planning a party for her. In my mind I wasn't completely sure if we should have one, especially so close to Jonathan's big day.  Ella, however, kept talking about it over and over and over again, not to mention daddy took her out to get gifts and decorations. Deep down in my gut I knew there would be some type of party.

To be honest, I can't remember what day exactly we got Lady. I just know it was before Jonathan's birthday while we were at Disneyland. Since it would be hard to throw a party during the week, we opted for a Saturday and so it became known in our house that Lady's' b-day would be October 4th... which is my mom's b-day. Which I forgot it was her b-day and called my mom on the wrong day because for some reason this year I became really mixed up with when her b-day was. Hopefully now that Lady has the same birthday, there will be no confusion next year.

Anyway, Lady's birthday was super simple. we made a pink cake with an overload of sprinkles on top. The two older girls were in change of decorating the cake. Lady also had a few presents, wrapped by Ella. Just cake and presents. Nothing fancy. Just normal day stuff for a special dog.

Afterwards, I thought it was a little crazy that a kid would want to throw a party for a toy but then I remembered Jonathan. When Mojo turned one, he wanted to celebrate. He wanted to t

 

hrow a party for the teddy bear but we were poor and opted to find him a present with a $5 gift card Build a Bear sent us along with a b-day card for Mojo turning one. I guess b-day are super celebrated over here... we do love cake.

Finally!

Ella finally lost her first tooth! I think she was the last First Grader out there to loose it. She had a wiggly bottom one for awhile but it became super wiggly one day this past week at school. During "educational time" a few of her classmates started chanting/ egging her on to pull it out. She wiggled, pulled and that little tooth came out... along with blood. She was sent to the nurse too get fixed up, along with her tooth getting placed in a plastic baggie. I had the honor of being the first family member to see and hear the whole story.

Later in the day, bedtime to be specific, she made this fabulous area on her bed, just for her tooth. I don't think any Tooth Fairy could miss it. She was hoping desperately that the tooth fairy would turn her tooth into a real puppy. I explained to her that I've only heard of the Tooth Fairy taking the tooth and then replacing it with money. Ella still hoped for a puppy. Who can argue with big dreams. Kisses and hugs were exchanged and then Ella went off into dream land with hopes of a puppy still in her head.

Later that night...

at some crazy hour of the morning... one or twoish, Ella came into my room in shear panic. She exclaimed, "Mom... Mom! I think the Tooth Fairy changed Lady into quarters. I can't find her!!!" It took me a few seconds to realize what she was saying but then tried to get her quietly out of the room. so we would not wake up Ryan, and find out what happened to her beloved, stuffed animal dog Lady... who is a member of the family... according to Ella. As we walked upstairs I told her everything was okay, we would find Lady, she was probably just lost somewhere in the bed. Ella explained, "No Mom. I looked everywhere." Once upstairs I turned on her light, lifted her blanket off the bed and lo and behold Ella saw Lady. I actually think I heard a sigh of relief come from her. Ella, not Lady. I then retucked Ella in bed, gave her a kiss goodnight and headed back to my bed. After that emotional roller-coaster, I don't think Ella was able to fall asleep so some other time during the night she ended up in my room.

The next morning rolled around and Ella mentioned nothing about the Tooth Fairy. I think Jonathan finally brought up the subject by asking her what the Tooth Fairy left. Ella responded with," a few quarters, I think four of them." She wasn't excited just matter-of-fact about the whole thing. Then she looks at me, with worry written all over her face and pouts, "I want my tooth back." I told her she needed to write a note about wanting the tooth back, along with all the money, put it in her bed when she goes to sleep and then maybe the Tooth Fairy will return the tooth. Ella never put it all together so I guess she came to terms parting with her tooth. Frankly, I feel sorry for all the Tooth Fairies out there. It seems like the job became a little harder and more demanding, not to mention a return policy being added into the mix.

Randomness

I was looking through the pictures on my phone and thought I should add them to our blog. Just some minor things that happened here and there, but did not want to forget about.

DADDY DAY: Ryan had some random day off during the week so we headed out to a play area inside one of the local malls. It was sooo hot out. We did not stay long. Just long enough where the girls could play around for a bit.

AUDREY: She loves to draw. I might have posted this pic before. Any who, she really concentrates on her drawings which are pretty intricate for her age. Here she is drawing on a pathway with some chalk.

 

 Random picture of Audrey in a cow boy hat.

MESSES: They pop up everywhere! I was cleaning somewhere in the house while Audrey was creating this masterpiece. Most days it feels like I get nothing done because once I clean one area, another place becomes trashed.

 

 

  AFTERMATH: The day after our first trip to Cali, the girls spent the morning playing with the new American Girl furniture while I unpacked. Audrey quickly became attached to it once she figured out it was perfect for her to sit in.

 

 

 LOVE THIS PHOTO!: During one of our frequent trips to Target, we let Audrey try on a few hats. She was trying to look at the hat while it was on her head, hence the crossed eyes. Fabulous!

Leia's school had a book fair a few weeks back. I promised her we could check it out. We headed down the hallway after school, I turned around to find the girlies holding hands, walking down to the fair. It was soooo adorable I had to snap a quick pic.

GIFTS: Leia received a very special b-day present... bacon! All of us crack up at this gift. When you press the button, the toy's mouth moves and says, "I'm bacon!"

 

 

Some of the projects Leia brought home from preschool.

 She loves her beach.

 This one is an astronaut with arms and planets.

 Her artwork of shapes.


SWIMMING: The two older girls go swimming here and there. They have fun but also get frustrated with each other.

 

STILL HOT BUT COOLER: It has finally cooled down enough where I can take the kiddos to the park across the street... finally. Just in time for school break.

Children's Science Museum

The kids had a Monday off a few weeks ago so we decided to head out to the Science Museum with the Huntingtons. The kids had a blast. It was pretty crowded getting in but luckily since we ordered tickets online, we could forgoe the HUGE line and pretty much walk right in.

Everything was great up until I had to put the entrance bracelet on Audrey's ankle. She proceeded to throw a huge fit for probably about 30 minutes. I was FINALLY able to calm her down with some water chimes.

We spent a couple hours there where the kids just did this and that and learned some new things. Jonathan was very much in his element and would have spent all day there if he could. It was health day so a Jamba Juice banana group was there which the girls enjoyed watching. Jonathan did some pedal thing in the air while the girls watched the performance. It was a nice family outing.

Leia throwing balls into the tornado swirly water thingy.

Jonathan, along with Cody and Reuben, building a pipe structure where the water could not escape. Of course it did, when it found the weakest point in their pipe structure, and Jonathan did a fantastic job at becoming completely soaked... but had a lot of fun.

 Ella riding some bicycle contraption. I think the soccer ball was suppose to move up when a person pedaled fast enough. Unfortunately I think something was wrong because the ball never moved.

Jonathan on a bed of nails. Of course Ryan HAD to tease Jonathan by tickling him. Jonathan did not appreciate that one bit.

Leia and some other kiddos having a tug of war race. In the middle was a pulley system which made it very easy for one side, which usually had little kids on it, to beat the other side, which usually had a bunch of dads determined to beat the kiddos. It was quite entertaining to watch.

No Longer a Cub Scout

Jonathan has officially graduated into being a Boy Scout. At his last pack meeting, he received his Webelos patch along with his Arrow of Light and a whole bunch of badges. He went the extra mile and completed all 20 badges! Since his pack meetings are during Jui Jitsu, he hasn't been able to attend many so this night was super special.

For his Webelos' ceremony Ryan and I painted Jonathan's face. As we did that, the leader explained what the colors and symbols on his face meant... very symbolic but Jonathan could not wait until he could wash the paint off. After that ceremony he went through his Arrow of Light ceremony. It was very nice and the meaning behind the Arrow of Light, to me, fits Jonathan. As Jonathan crossed the bridge, Reuben was there to welcome him. Auntie Crystal put a lot of work into making the ceremony special and we greatly appreciate it. Jonathan also received a special plaque which is now hanging above his door. He worked soooo hard to get everything done. Yes there were times he did not want to do the work but after reminding him about his goal, he would refocus on his stuff and got it done. We are very proud of him.

Since he received the Arrow of Light he does not have to wait until he turns 11 to start Boy Scouts. He went to his first meeting and loved it. His new goal is to get all of the merit badges, which I think there are 130. We'll see what happens! If he puts his mind to it and works hard, he can accomplish anything.

He pinned two pins, upside down, on me. Once he did a good turn, he could turn the pins to their correct position. It was so cute because when the little girls realized he was being helpful, they became super excited and told Jonathan, "Now you can turn your pins around."

 

I love this picture! I was rubbing Jonathan's head with my fingers, basically telling him that he is awesome. I just love the look on his face.