Japanese Sunken Garden

Saturday, we went to the Japanese Sunken Gardens for a family portrait photo shoot. Unfortunately, the "photographer" wasn't so grand.... Let's just say we learned that not everything on Groupon is a good deal... We still haven't seen proofs. So I guess I can't judge her skills yet. But, after snapping a few photos with the photographer, our family walked around and I took a few pictures. I'm no professional, but I figured I could at least get some poses that she will ask us to pay for later ;)

 

 

 

But first, the kids took a break to see the fish!

The kids & I.

Jacob and the kids. I know... I know... I soooo married my father!

Major regrets for not noticing my husbands transition glasses!

 



But we still got some good photos of some good looking kiddos!

This one's my favorite. And in case you feel the need to be jealous that all three of my kids are smiling AND looking at the camera at the same time, stop. It's all thanks to photoshop :)

 

 

Though I love this photo, too. Love all those people!

We were walking back to the car. Somehow I had our THREE bags, and ended up behind the family. I couldn't not stop to get the camera out and snap this memory, too. :)

Once home, the kids wanted to put off naps. So we had another photo opp on the front steps. I love those kiddos! And, yes, Ruth's tongue is out. Because that's how she kisses ;)  The kids were frustrated that she kept wanting to kiss them back. hehe

 

 

 

 

 

Faith's 4th Birthday

Last weekend, we celebrated Faith's 4th birthday! She was indecisive about the theme of her party.... My Little Pony (again), Princess, Cowgirl, Butterfly, Tinkerbell.... too many choices. Faith finally agreed to combine two. The theme was cowgirl & Apple Jack (a cowgirl character on My Little Pony).

 

 

Faith asked for pie instead of cake for her party!

She made her daddy happy ;)

For the non-pie-appreciating kiddos, I made some cupcakes to look like apples. 

And then made some mini kid-sized apple pies, too.

Faith loved the pies and cupcakes!

And they were easier to pull off than a cake ;)

Once all her friends arrived, we went dunking for apples in the backyard.

The kids (and adults) had fun watching kids try to get apples.

Game #2 was a piñata. But Faith didn't want a normal piñata. Which I was happy about - they're too expensive... we lucked out on Nathan's birthday and got a shark on clearance... but cowgirl piñatas were considerably more expensive... $25-$30 for something kids are going to destroy? call me cheap... but I was thankful Faith was feeling adventurous. I found this idea on pinterest and  attempted to replicate it. It took a couple tries, and the balloon stuffing teamwork of Gramma, Daddy & Mommy, but it was worth it!

We stuffed balloons with candy and small prizes, then the kids took turns popping a balloon. They got to keep the goodies that flew out. It worked pretty well, and was a hit!

Ruth very much enjoyed the lollipop she "won." So much, she didn't want a 2nd turn.

But not long after the above photo was taken, I noticed Ruth had two lollipops?!?! I'm not sure who she stole one from... and I hope it wasn't already partly used... but, oh well. She sure was happy!

We had a lunch of hot dogs, homemade applesauce, mac & cheese, and hot apple cider. Then, it was time for presents!

I love how kids are always excited to see what the birthday child gets!

Even though some kids have ulterior motives and try to steal the birthday girl's presents when she's not looking....haha

Faith got a horse & doll, a My Little Pony baby, tinkerbell dress-up wings and some art supplies.

From Mommy, Daddy, Nathan & Ruth, she got a pink scooter!

After presents, it was time for cake! Uhh... I mean, PIE!

And wouldn't you know it... the little stinker who asked for birthday pie instead of cake.... she didn't want pie to eat. She grabbed a cupcake instead. I guess, she is female and has the right to change her mind. ha ha  The adults enjoyed pie though ;)

And the kids? Yeah... need I say more? ha!

 

After everyone left, it was time to clean up and break in that pink scooter!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FAITH!

It's so fun to plan a party that celebrates the blessing you are, Faith. I'm so glad you had an awesome day and pray your 4th year is full of joy, growth and blessings from our great big God. 

Tooth Fairy Visits

Back in July, the dentist told me that Nathan's top two teeth were starting to get loose. She said that was just a tad early, but not unusual. I was taken by surprise!! I hadn't even thought about him losing teeth yet! Since then, I've been keeping an eye on those teeth so we'd be prepared when the time came. And, occasionally, I tease Nathan that he's "not allowed" to lose his baby teeth because if he gets big teeth, he'll not be my little boy anymore. I've talked this up some, to get him excited about losing his teeth - hoping it would be less traumatic for him. I had no clue how well that plan would work.... until yesterday afternoon...

Nathan, Faith & I were headed to Awana yesterday. Nathan & Faith were in the back seat, talking about teeth. When all of the sudden Nathan calmly says, "Hey Mommy! Mommy, I just pulled my baby tooth out" Um.... what?!? I saw him pinching something between his fingers and noticed his top teeth were still there. So I thought maybe he was pinching a piece of food he scraped off his tooth. 

When we stopped at a light, I was able to turn around and get a better look, because he was pretty adamant that he took his TOOTH out, and it wasn't pretend. Sure enough.... a bottom baby tooth was missing from his mouth!!!!!! It's never even dawned on me to watch his bottom teeth - I assumed that the top teeth would come out first, since they were the first to be loose?! Total mommy shocker!

When we got to church, I got a better look. Sure enough... he pulled HIS OWN FIRST TOOTH OUT! I thought kids were suppose to freak out and make their Daddy's do that job?!? I thought teeth were suppose to be loose for weeks, while kids played with them with their tongue and grossed adults out. I guess those teeny tiny incisors at the bottom are too small to stay loose very long. 

We put his baby tooth in a baggie, and he proudly showed it off to all his Awana leaders and Cubbies friends. And at home, we told him about the Tooth Fairy (though he'd heard a lot about her at Awana last night, too). Nathan told me that the Tooth Fairy was going to drive up to the house, come in his room and take his tooth. She was then going to make it really big so that it could grow back as a big boy tooth. He had no clue that she would leave a surprise in return.

Nathan was curious about the surprise, but he was mostly curious HOW this fairy was going to get into the house, and HOW she was going to get to his top bunk since she is so small. Then HOW was she going to take the tooth out of his bag?!? (He never asked HOW she was going to drive a car.... I thought that was curious since the car driving part was his own idea...hehe)

This morning, Nathan woke up to find his tooth was gone and the Tooth Fairy left a gold dollar coin in return. He's not too excited about the coin. He's mostly just fascinated with HOW did she come into his room without him seeing her. And HOW did she do that "so fast" that he couldn't see? And WHY did she leave him something behind?!? He still likes his coin and already put it in his bank to keep it safe.

Maybe Nathan has his Daddy's engineering brain. He's not so concerned with the "what" or the "when", he wants to know HOW and WHY, and it's bugging him that he can't figure it out ;)

So, Nathan's already looking forward to losing tooth #2. And I want to warn the Tooth Fairy, she'll have to be extra sneaky next time, because Nathan REALLY wants to know HOW she does it!