Gabe's 4th Birthday Party

We had a surprise party for Gabriel yesterday with the family. He was completely surprised and just plum tickled all night long.It was very simple - chicken nuggets and homemade mac'n cheese, and we just let the kids run wild.

I took a video of the surprise and here are some stills from it. They didn't work as well this time because of the lighting, but I thought I would share a couple anyway.

Look at Evan in the air!

I love this kid so much.

Thank you to those who came. I think Gabe truly felt loved!

Return the Favor

Chad walked in from Home Depot last night, covered in sweat and completely out of breath. His face was splotchy and the first thing he said was, "You owe me big time!"

He had just finished squeezing, finagling, and hauling four very large trees in and out of our van. Not to brag or anything, but Chad is not exactly a weakling (he has guns, I'm tellin' ya), so I knew that if he was spent in such a manner, it had been a difficult task indeed. He warned me that my van was pretty dirty, and I hushed him and told him not to worry.

We went out to the van this morning to head to the YMCA, and I opened the door to find this mess.


Gabe said we needed to get a new van, and I almost agreed. Trashed. Completely trashed.

After scooping and vacuuming inches of soil and evergreen needles out of my year-old van for an hour, I think it is now clear who owes whom.

And don't think that Five Guys is gonna cut it this time.

You know I love me some Oprah...

....and I love me a whole lotta Nie Nie.

Tomorrow, they come together.
Will you be watching?


I am sure it will be inspirational.

Candy Corn Anyone?

As a part of Family Home Evening tonight, our kids got to choose some candy at the store.

When Gabe grabbed some candy corn, I said, "Good choice!!"

Colin and Chad said, "Yuck."

How about you?

Dinnerplate Dahlia

I'm in love.

A Good Afternoon

Did you hear them sing the song?

Dear Teacher,

Please excuse Colin from school today. We had a little family field trip.

He got to meet some lions.

He learned a few things about lorikeets

(like, don't let them land on you)

He learned how NOT to feed a giraffe,

and he met a wise, elderly tortoise, who whispered some Old World secrets in his ear.

It was a successful day.
I'm sure you will agree, there are some things that you just can't learn in school.


Sincerely,
Colin's mommy

PS. Can you let Mr. President know that I think the school days are long enough already? Thanks.

My Heavenly Father Loves Me

I sat here at my computer tonight, looking at the pictures I took during my busy busy day. My eyes kept going back to this butterfly one.

A simple tune played itself over and over in my head, and I thought, "He gave me my eyes, that I might see the color of butterfly wings."

Only then did I realize I was feeling a little blue. The simple message of that primary song touched me as I looked at the rest of my pictures from today.

He gave me my eyes, that I might see...

A granny and a grandson, running and laughing on a perfect fall day.

Brothers loving each other.

A flower bending itself to the sun.

My baby, so proud that he sat himself down on the little log chair.

My mom enjoying the exquisite orchids just as much as I do.




A praying mantis that made Gabe giggle with joy and had him talking all day long.

I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world

Heavenly Father

created for me.

Keepin' It Real Wednesday

,

I know I haven't been blogging or really commenting on blogs.

I'm sorry.

It's not you. It's me.

A bit of a blogging slump or something (maybe facebook is just more convenient sometimes, you know?). We can get through this together, right?

Rituals

Every day......

>>When I tell Gabe that it is time to pick Colin up, he scrambles to fill his pockets with whatever toys he is favoring that day.

>>While I take a shower, Oliver takes my bath mat and throws it in the garden tub. Then he goes off to play, but as soon as he hears the shower turn off, he runs back. As I open the door, he jumps in and does a little jig in the shower puddles.

>>Gabe wakes me up saying, "I have to peeeeee." For some reason he is incapable of going by himself before 7 am.

>>Colin runs to me with a huge, almost-tackle-hug when I pick him up from school.

>>When Chad comes home, he is greeted by an excited Ollie, who runs over, reaches up and says, "Hey Dah!"

>>When it is time for bed, Colin will be hungry.

>>I say, "We are running late" at least once.

You can't beat free!

Well, it has been a busy busy week - which is why I have been a bad blogger, but I do want to let you all know that the Free Night of Theater is back! It would be a perfect date night for all of you exhausted parents out there (which is exactly what I am right now). You can get free tickets to shows all over the US. Check it out here and sign up for free tickets starting October 1!

Quick Fall Fun in the kitchen

I saw this idea in Parent's Magazine and knew I had to try it out with the kids.

You take a leave cookie cutter (I found mine at Walmart today)

and cut out leaves from egg roll wrappers.

Lay them on a cookie sheet that has been coated with cooking spray and then lightly spray the tops of them. Sprinkle your favorite colorful spices on top -I did paprika and curry powder, along with some salt. Bake for 3-4 minutes, watching carefully because they do crisp quickly, at 375.

Savory Fall chips!

We also used an acorn cookie cutter and sprinkled the acorn chips with cinnamon sugar instead of spices. The kids seemed to like those ones better. Neither were incredible tasting, but it was fun anyway.

Soccer Season

Colin is enjoying soccer again this year. Their first game was last Saturday.

His cousin Santiago is on his team, and my brother Bobby is their coach, but as you can see here, it is plain who is running the team.

I had to include this picture because it looks like Sabina has her arm around Chad while they are watching their little blond boy. Pretty funny. We know how he likes those soccer moms.

On our screen door

When I was a baby, my nickname was Thunder Thighs

I have been SO good about eating this week.

Which is why I did not appreciate getting an email from Red Robin offering me this:

And letting me know about this:

Yes, mozzarella sticks on hamburger. Pure genuis, if you ask me. I hope this is still around when we go there for Gabe's birthday next month.

I shall see you then, my mouth-watering friend (or is it enemy?).