The party

Here's some pics from the big Shrek party we had this weekend. Of course, the day before the party Alex informed me that he wanted a Power Rangers party. I tried to explain that everything was bought, invitations sent out, the party was the NEXT DAY, but he wouldn't listen. I did discover that next time I can probably reply with "we'll see" and drop it, because by the time the next day comes he will have forgotten all about it.

We had a great backyard party - invited six of Alex's friends and four could make it (plus two siblings - three if you count Grace). That combined with the parents and grandparents that came along was a perfect little 3-year old time.


Of course we always play a "Pin the Tail on the (something)" game (the subject always jives with the theme of the party). For once, we could actually pin the tail on a donkey. Alex ended up on the neck.


Grace got suspiciously close to the rear end.


Once Alex had his turn he kicked back next to the tree to watch the game and enjoy his juice. I had no idea he was doing this until I saw the pictures from the camera tonight.


Jack checks out the sprayer on the hose. If I could only find out what was going through his brain right then. I'm sure some sort of mischief.


Mike takes a whack at the impossible-to-break pinata.


Kate tries to break it.


Donovan tries.


Grace REALLY tries (check out that expression). Jim finally had to cut a hole in the thing with Dad's pocketknife.


This was the scene after the first singing of Happy Birthday to You. We discovered that we were incorrect in it because we addressed it to "Alex" and not "Spiderman."


After the second singing of the song, everything was fine and the candles were blown out.


A picture of the pretty big sis. She was a wonderful help at the party, and totally of the age where she thinks it is actually fun to help out.

Belated Birthday posting

My little guy turned 3 this past Thursday. I'm not sure why I didn't yet post a Happy Birthday to him - I really enjoyed my relaxing day with him that day. We had the party today, so as soon as I get the pictures off the camera I'll post some more about that.

Unbelievable how quickly it goes by. And what a great little guy he as turned out to be. I love him so much.

Another recall

I can't believe it. Now Starbucks has recalled some plastic kids cups, and of course two of them are the turtle and ladybug cups that my kids LOVE. Am I a bad mom if I don't immediately take them from my kids? The problem with them is apparently the faces on the cups can break off, which may end up with a child choking on the pieces or being cut by them.

But the face portion of the cup is near the bottom. So my rationalization is that my kids are old enough that they drink out of the cups like normal people. And if they were to break my kids are also old enough to alert me to it before any mishap occurs.

The Thomas recall people are doing it right. They sent me an email upon receiving my return, and I got a check the other day for $1.32 to reimburse me for my postage. Now we are just waiting on our replacement toy to show up. They did have an embarrassing problem with some of their replacement toys also having to be recalled due to lead levels, but apparently that has been fixed.

Our paper had a feature today about toys you can buy that are "safe". Of course, they were all hand-painted wood or hand-knit dolls, and cost $50+. Not a real practical alternative for those of us in the real world.

My Super Stallion

No, this is not a post about my husband.

We got a letter the other day from Grace's school saying that she'd been chosen to be a "Lakewood Super Stallion". It is an award given every six weeks that recognizes students for "achievement in academics, behavior or character-building." The Super Stallions are selected by their teachers at the end of each six week grading period.

We didn't know what this actually meant; whether it is something just a few kids get or that entire classes receive. So Alex and I went to the little presentation this morning to cheer Grace on (unfortunately Jim had to be at work early and couldn't make it), and we discovered that it was 2 kids from each class, so only 10 kindergartners out of over 100 were selected. The kids had their names announced over the loudspeaker during morning announcements and then were presented with a certificate and had their picture taken by class in the auditorium.

We are so proud of our big girl!


Grace with her class awaiting the beginning of the day. For some reason her class and one other kindergarten class were brought to the auditorium instead of their rooms. I think they remained in there for something after the presentation. Worked out good for us because we got to see her more than if they'd gone to their room.


Grace having just received her certificate from Coach Coleman. I couldn't quite figure out why the P.E. coach was handing them out and not the principal.


Grace with the other Super Stallion kindergartners. Not the best group shot because everyone is looking around and Miss Judy is covering one boys head, but I liked it because Grace was looking right at me taking her picture. Miss Judy is the registrar that helped us secure our transfer, so she can get in the middle of any picture I take for all I care!


Grace with her certificate.



Thought I should throw this picture in for Alex. I amused him while waiting by taking pictures of the transformer he brought along.

Fun at the Fair

This past Friday was elementary school day at the state fair for DISD. Grace was so excited to receive a free ticket - she couldn't stop telling people about it and showing them the actual ticket. We headed out there with Mom and Dad and had a fun time despite the fact that it probably got to 100 degrees that day (it's October for goodness sake). We did rent a scooter for me to move around in, which was a great idea. There was no way I would have been able to make it out there otherwise. Turned it into a weird trip though. I'm not used to seeing everything from that low of a vantage point, and it was slow-going through crowds. Maybe if I used one of those things all the time I'd be more aggressive with my driving, but as it was I ended up politely waiting while people milled about in front of me.

But it is really nice not having to walk the expanse of Fair Park. And we ended up having one kid in the stroller and one on my lap the entire time, so they lasted a lot longer out there too.

We ended up out there until about 3pm, when we were forced to finally come home due to running out of money. Man it is much more expensive to go there once the kids get old enough to realize there are rides to go on and games to play. But it was lots of fun and I can't wait to go again next year when I'll be (hopefully) standing upright again.


The kids playing on my sweet ride. You can just barely see my crutches bungeed to the back of the seat. I hoped that people would see those and not just think I was a lazy chick not wanting to walk at the fair.


We had pretty much this same shot last year. Jim and Grace on the ferris wheel.


And Alex and me on the other side.


Alex digs in to his Fletcher's corny dog.


Grace tries to de-stickify her cotton candy fingers. I think cotton candy is her favorite thing at the fair, topping any rides she may go on.


Alex examines his own stickiness.


Alex went on his first solo trip on a fair ride. This is a good one to start on. He pushed that bottom lip out a bit when the canoe when through the tiny tunnel portion where for a split-second he couldn't see Jim, but the little drop down the hill that followed was fun enough to put the smile right back on.


Jim decided that when you look at the cost of the State Fair rides, Six Flags ends up being a much better value (despite incredibly higher ticket price) since you don't have to pay for each ride once you are in. So he is ready to go to Six Flags next year on opening day like we did last year. Genet family, start saving your pennies so we can make it a family affair again.

Klutz?

Stepped off the back side of the front porch at 6am to turn on the sprinker. Foot hits an object on the ground. Entire body hits ground. Get back inside to find huge goose-egg swelling on my ankle. Now on crutches for two weeks.

Great.

Thankfully it is sprained but not broken.

May rent an electric cart to keep our family date at the State Fair on Friday.