Planet Kid and Being Groovy

We gave Jake the choice to have a birthday party at home with more friends, or take a couple to a place of his choosing. So he grabbed two of his good friends, Ashton and Ruben, and headed to Planet Kid.

They had a blast running around crazy for about 2 hours.

 Then we headed to McDonald's for lunch, ice cream, and more playing on toys.

 I did my best to thoroughly wear them out, and then sent them home. 

Later that night, we had a little dance party. I was trying to grab some good pictures of them dancing, and thought I had failed until I looked closer at Luke's face in both of these. Zoom in -- it's golden, pure jiggity  happiness. 

And a little preview of their moves...

April 8-9, 2017

Balloons, Broccoli, and Battle. The Dark Sith turns Six.

Jake's been counting down the days to his birthday for a few months now, and it finally arrived! He now claims he's stronger, taller, and faster. 'Cause that's what happens when you're six.

He's been telling me everyday his wish list, and then I would joke back with him that he forgot about broccoli, or he'd ask if I remembered, and I'd always add broccoli to his list. He thought it was funny and that I was joking... I thought I better add some candy with it just in case he didn't find it funny. 

His restaurant of choice, Texas Roadhouse.

He's been begging for a Kylo Ren costume since Brad got his voice changing mask. Jake's doesn't change your voice, but it does say a few phrases -- He loved it.

Birthdays are always more fun with siblings.

Testing out his weed wacker and saw.

Which ultimately turned into a power-tool battle... boys.

Happy birthday!

Jacob Age 6
1. What is your favorite color? Blue
2. What is your favorite toy? Cars
3. What is your favorite fruit? Strawberries
4. What is your favorite movie? Moana
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for dinner? Totino Pizza
6. What is your favorite outfit? Long sleeves and soft pants (exercise pants)
7. What is your favorite game? Battlegrounds
8. What is your favorite snack? Fish crackers
9. What is your favorite animal? Dog and cat
10. What is your favorite song? I can make your hands clap
11. What is your favorite book? Chapter books about people... ??
12. Who is your best friend? Christopher, Ruben, and Matthew
13. What is your favorite cereal? Cookie Crisp
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? When Mom sprays me with the hose, slip'n'slide, and water stuff.
15. What is your favorite drink? Gatorade
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Stuffed animals
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cinnamon sugar toast
19. Where do you want to go for dinner on your birthday? Texas Roadhouse
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A Dad
21. What is your favorite thing about school? Math
22. Favorite sport? Soccer
23. Favorite treat?  Krispy Kreme Donuts

Boise Aquarium

I got a killer deal on the Boise Aquarium through Groupon, and got the whole family in for $12! The kids loved it and we had a lot of fun, but if I would have paid full price, I would have been sorely disappointed, as it was actually a very small space. But for $12, it was awesome. 

Checking out a sea horse.

 The sting-ray and shark pool. This is where we spent 90% of our time. The sting rays kept coming over to the kids, splashing them a couple times. Emma and Jake tried petting each one that passed, and Luke mainly just liked watching them and sticking his hand in the water after they passed. I did pull his hand in a couple times to actually touch it. Emma was able to reach down to the bottom to touch a shark.

Emma wanted to try taking some pictures, and here's some of the creatures she found...

  The kids enjoyed touching a starfish and some other shells and things.

 A worker pulled out one of the snakes for the kids to touch.

 Ending the excursion with 3/4 smiles! It was a win! The kids really enjoyed it :)

 And since we were in the neighborhood and our minds already on sea creatures, we went to Red Lobster. Picture compliments of Jacob who also felt the need to play with the camera.

And that's how we ended our two week spring break. Now back to the routine!

March 31, 2017

Paint, Potty, and Pill-bugs

I decided to take on potty training over spring break -- as you can see by Luke's bare legs. I had tried a few months ago, but Luke wanted nothing to do with it. So we spent a few days straight at home, and he decided he was ready. We spent quite a bit of time with paints or crafts trying to keep him over wood floor when I needed to do something and couldn't keep an eye on him for every second. I must be blessed in the potty training area, because all my kids were super easy, and fully trained within a few days. Down side? Turns out Luke has the bladder the size of a pea. We run to the potty a lot, and I know where every bathroom is in every place we go to.

 No more diapers!!!! 

As I was weeding around my raspberry bushes, the kids would come and hold a worm or rolly-polly whenever I would find them. Surprisingly, I found a caterpillar, and they thought it was pretty cool, Emma likes to hold them, Jake will poke it and, when placed in his hand, he'll drop it at it's first movement. Lucas grabs them from us, and puts them back in the dirt and says "Bye wormy!"  A few weeks later, I was weeding again, and Lucas came to me and said he needed a crocodile. I was confused for a bit, until I realized he meant caterpillar. Unfortunately, haven't found any more caterpillars, but he was satisfied with a few rolly-pollys.

 And what would a spring in Idaho be like if there wasn't a bit of snow to keep things interesting...

March 27-30, 2017

More of Spring Break...

Beauty and the Beast was one of my favorite Disney movies growing up, and I just HAD to see the new one. It did not disappoint. There were a few cheesy moments when you have real characters saying/doing some of the things that the animated characters did, but it made my inner child so happy to hear all the songs and story again. Loved it.  

This is one of Emma's best friends' Paisley that came with us, and then brought back to our house for more fun. We had a lot of friends over throughout spring break.

 Built a few blanket forts.

Spent quite a bit of time in cars, but it goes quickly when your favorite song -- I can make your hands clap -- comes on.

We found a discounted theater in Nampa, and went with our old neighbor friends, the Hedgpeth's, to SING. The kids loved being able to go to movies and sit with friends. This was Luke's first movie, and he did fairly well for about 45 minutes, until he was tired of eating popcorn and Spree... 

My sister Angela came up for some military testing, and showed us how to make German pancakes.  

Jake's soccer practice started!

Emma lost another tooth!

Sometimes Brad and I send each other funny pictures...

 A rare moment when they were all playing nicely together. It didn't last long, but I promise it happened. 

March 18-24, 2017