Aiden's Big Superhero Birthday Adventure!

As always, Jamie really out did herself! She's such a great party planner and the kids had a blast! There was a bounce house, superhero shirts, superhero capes, super drinks and snacks and a real visit from SPIDERMAN! Spiderman read the kids a book - they loved it! It was really cute to hear the kids comments about him... One said "Spiderman! I can see your zipper!" So now Jack tells me that Spiderman came to the party - he was real and he had a zipper 'cause that's how he gets dressed..." My silly girl...Spiderman even jumped in the bounce house! Here's Jack getting his cape... Great idea Jamie! At one point, Aiden disappeared for a little while... Jack waited for him at the top of the stairs because "he's my favorite friend." Happy Birthday Aiden! I'm so glad that you are Jack's favorite friend!

Halloween is in the air!

I have to say that Christmas is getting some tough competition from Halloween in our house. Our house has been decorated since September and Jack loves every bit of it. Last year, we got pieces for Mr. Potato Head that you put in a pumpkin. Jack could not wait to do this - because Mr. Potato head is from Toy Story (a current obsession) and because it's a VAMPIRE Mr. Potato Head! **Not once did I ever think I'd be the mom with a kid who knows about vampires - UGH!** Anyways, he couldn't wait for a real pumpkin, so we got a fake one, it's carvable and everything... pretty cool. Daddy and Jack worked hard on making it just perfectly... So proud of his finished product! Then we had to get a skeleton at Michael's while we were getting the pumpkin... But my excuse is that it's purely educational. :) In Joy School, they've been learning about the body - particularly the "hinges." So Jack got to put the skeleton together and put in all of the hinges!Of course he needed tools... Look! It's just like the inside of me!We also made a chain to count down the days... He's cutting off one link each day and is so excited! Additionally, in honor of Autumn, we had to visit Disneyland! She looks so grown up!Knock, knock! Is Alice there? BFF's on the teacups! Jamie and Aiden... Aren't we lucky to have such great friends? And one for each of us! Happy Halloween!

Playdate

Once a month we have a playdate at the local gymnastics place. The kids love climbing and jumping on all of the padded equipment and jumping into a huge foam pit! It's really cute to see them having a great time with all of their friends. AND the staff is AMAZING! I really want to know what these people eat for breakfast - they have so much energy and the kids adore them! They play with the kids the entire time (keeping them safe and resolving all disputes fairly) and they never have that "look" - you know the one that means they've had enough... They're really, really great! Here's Grace leading the big kids: Jack in action: Milan in the tunnel... my kids LOVE her! It's really nice that she's friends with both Jack and Gracie!

Whacha been up to?

Well, it feels like we've been busy! It seems as though Jack and all of his friends were born in the fall - so it's been birthday season around here! A couple of weeks back we went to Jack's buddy Sahej's birthday party. There was a jumper AND they got to go swimming! Gracie is really getting the hang of playing in the jumpers - even when the big kids make it crazy in there! After Sahej's birthday came... Aiden's! Well, his real birthday was on Friday, but the party is next weekend. We couldn't let the real day pass without celebrating, so we went to Chuck E. Cheese! I didn't have my real camera, so these are from my phone... She loves Chuck E. Cheese. At this age, Jack did not know that you needed a token in order to ride. In fact, he will still play on the games/rides without the token. For me, this was awesome! He'll play no matter how much money we spend! But Grace is not the same - she is well aware that she needs (wants) a token and begs for them! :) The happy birthday family! Make a wish! I know I've mentioned her love of dessert before, but do you see the look of shear joy as she licks her fingers? After Chuck E. Cheese, we went to pick up Daddy at the airport. Boy did we miss him! He was off in Washington D.C. taking care of business. The next day was daddy's work BBQ. The kids and I finally got to meet most of the folks that daddy spends his days with. But we didn't get to stay for long because Jack's best girl had her birthday party too! Milan also turned four and what a fun party! They organized all of the traditional party games - first up the pinata! The pinata was in the shape of Ariel, the little mermaid and Grace was really upset about everyone hitting her. Later, when she spied the top half of her body hanging around she kept saying "ut-oh" and "oh no!" I missed the pinata pictures because she broke right away, that never happens to us. Usually we're waiting and waiting for it to crack. They also played Simon Says and Red Light/ Green Light. Here's Grace with her goody bad - I mean purse... She was carrying it around all night! And Grace with Christian, she loves him. And musical chairs... Jack got out right away, but totally didn't get it. and the limbo... Again, not really getting the concept, but still having a blast! Then it was cake time! It's so cute that kids get so excited about cake! After the cake they had potato sack races and a pie eating contest! The kids had a blast on the playground! It was dark and extra exciting. Plus they had the glowing necklaces and bracelets that made it extra special! Happy birthday Milan, Aiden and Sahej!!!