Greatest Show on Earth!

Three shows this weekend!  Which do you think was the greatest?

#1  Chess Match:  Ever seen a smart and active first grade boy play chess with another smart and active first grade boy?  Like watching two boys on pogo sticks, talking smack to each other while constantly checking each other's kings without even noticing.  Jack did win 3-0...so congrats to him.  Imagine how good he might be if he actually focused ;)

Jack and his Chess Mate ignoring all lessons on opening moves and going straight for the kill.

#2  The Lego Movie:  While we appreciated the previews  shown over the last 12 months...really, they could have saved their money--they had us with LEGO MOVIE! It would have seemed like some sort of emotional parental abuse to not take Jack to see this on opening weekend.  What we didn't expect was for the whole family to be wildly entertained.  I even shed a tear at the end. 

Clearly a two-hour Lego advertisement--but done so well we didn't mind going straight to the store and getting a few Lego toys ;) 

#3 Ringling Bros and Barnum Bailey Circus:  At one point I think Gary and I both were just a notch more enthusiastic than the entertainers themselves.  But, the kids thoroughly enjoyed it.  Jack's favorites were the human cannonball and the trapeze artists on bikes.  Bronwyn spent her time picking out which outfits she liked the best and wondering when the Lions were coming out.  She was not pleased with the Elephants and their smells--saying "I think THEY need a bath!"

Cotton Candy; Poppcorn and $20 circus toys that will be sold at the next garage sale for $.20 ;)

Jack's Jedi Academy Birthday Party

Better late than never...

I am overdue to post pictures from Jack's STAR WARS Birthday Party.  Queue music (da dum di dum dum di dummm...)

The young padawans joined us for Jedi Training Academy.  They resuced a carbonite Han Solo; fought off Darth Vadar; and learned how to use a REAL LIGHT SABER (ha hum...)  This party was so easy to put together and a whole lot of fun!  I was never a Star Wars fan but after watching both trilogies and preparing for this party I am slowing coming to appreciate the force!

Jedi Jack

The Decorations:

Foyer converted into Jedi Welcome Center ;)

Each Padawan picked up his light saber upon entering the Training Center

Jedi Robes for the Padawans (notice the cute Yoda decal)

Little surprise touches courtesy of Jack's toys ;)

Yoda Mirror Cling!

Light Saber napkin ring printouts and star confetti kept the table decorations low key!

 

The Food:

Best part of Star Wars party is naming the food...Yoda Soda; Droid Dip; Fruit Saber; Chewbacca Chips; Vadar Veggies and Padawan Popcorn.  Whimsical without even trying!

Yoda Soda is lime sorbet and Sprite.  Blue Sugar rimmed the glasses!

Popcorn in mini containers...so cute!!!

 The Sweets:


Wookie Cookies.  William Sonoma cookie cutters made this easy!

Simple Cake!

Easy peasy light Sabers.

 The Fun:

Our Master Jedi supervised the Padawans

While another Master Jedi trained the Padawans in the art of the Force! 

The graduating Padawans with their Trainer!

Ah...the new Jedi's refueled and look pleased!

Jack's best bud...Michael!

This Jedi gave the Training Academy two thumbs up...Check out his big gift...the Falcon (my fingers are still bleeding from helping to put it together....)

Happy Birthday Jack!  I can't believe you are SEVEN!!!  I am so PROUD of the young man you are becoming.  You are such an honest, responsible, sweet, considerate, thoughtful boy with a sly sense of humor, a playful personality and enough wit and logic to challenge most adults.  I love you Jack!!!! 

xoxoxo,
Mom

Winter Palooza 2014

I was stuck in NY and missed my baby's first romp in the snow.  But my ice princess saved me a snowball and my prince shoved the snowball in my face.

Good times. Good times.

 Bronwyn outlasted her dad and her brother...proving again this girl has stamina !!!  Go Bronnie!

They emailed me this picture of Olaf.  I came home looking all around for him.  I neglected to look down...as he is about 12 inches tall.  Pictures can be deceiving kids...remember that!

Sure...he's cute...until he throws 

snow down your shirt and laughs all the way!!!  Grrrrrrr....  Just wait until the next snow in three more years, Jack!  Ill get you then ;)

Evidence

First on the face...yum!

Then the evidence...someone has been caught for sure not using a napkin ;)

Shark Boy

First came the shark tooth...

Then, on january 16th the tooth fairy visited our house for the first time.  

She visited after I sorted the kitchen trash twice. Why?  Well...it's a bit embarrassing.  My child's first lost tooth.  A treasure!  A tangible memory of my first born's youth.  Jack's dad notices it on the counter in a paper towel.  "Be careful with that" he says.  A jinx.  Later, as he comes into Jack's room for a kiss goodnight he asks, "is the tooth under the pillow?"  The tooth?  What tooth?  Oh my, how did we forget that when it happened like 20 minutes ago.   "No worries", I tell Jack. I left it on the counter.  Let me get it.  

Ah...the foreshadowing worked, huh?  You know what I'm going to tell you happened next.  I came down and saw a sparkly, clean counter.  I ran straight for the trash and found a bundle of paper towels.  Whew.  Except no tooth was in these towels.  Only one conclusion.  The tooth feel loose and is now somewhere in this can.  Why did it have to be a full trash can?

I sorted twice. The level of panic rising with each banana peel.  I did find some journal articles thrown away that were interesting to read but that was just a temporary distraction.  My focus was on the tooth.  Childhood dreams crushed?  Not on my watch!

Okay..I give up.  No tooth.  That's okay.  I can make this work. Clearly the tooth fairy has contingency plans for these things.  We can save his second tooth.  No worries.

But here comes Jack's Dad.  One thing to spin this story to Jack but I can't to his Dad.  So I tell the truth.  I lost the tooth.

"Are you sure?"  He asks.  "Where was it last?"  Right there on the counter. The very counter I've scrutinized and felt every inch of for the last 30 minutes. Yet, there it is. Like a beacon from above was shining on it.  One pearly white baby tooth.

I have my doubts...suspicious of the timing...of my husband's sly smile.  But I'll never know what really happened.  My husband just shrugs and says Christmas Magic.

Of course Jack was asleep by the time I returned to slip the real tooth under his pillow.  He woke to $5.00 and a new loose tooth.  Next one someone else will be in charge of keeping safe.

Congrats on losing your first tooth Jack!  Our little shark boy.

 

Holiday 2013

Christmas time comes once a year...

and the evidence is finally here!

It was a time to spread our holiday cheer

to family and friends we hold dear...

Jack's Christmas Piano Recital 2013...

Bronwyn's Preschool Play and Party... 

Kids decorated their very own Christmas Tree in the Basement!!! 

Christmas 2013 Santa Party (The Desert Room)

Jack and Bronwyn's friends...with Santa...

Merry Christmas!

Things I'm Thankful For...

These are the moments you cherish.  They do love each other!  

The moment lasted 2 minutes when Bronwyn woke to yell..."Jack's touching me!!!!!!!" 

I am, however, very grateful for those two minutes :)

Dad of the Year

Mad Hatter or great Dad playing dress up with his daughter?

Chief Jack

Jack's studying the story of the first Thanksgiving.  He made a chart of everyone's favorite Thanksgiving food (turkey was the clear winner), is reading a book about the first settlers, and now this...

Happy Autumn