L-3 Zoo Party!

 

This year, James's work party was at the Hogle Zoo where we got to ride the train and carousel for free, free face painting, and free dinner (if you would call it that!). As we moved through the dinner line, one of the hosts was sure to let each of us know that we were entitled to ONE hot dog, and one basket of chips. This was quite a let down for James who is used to a big catered barbecue dinner!

I hate that Blaze is looking SO grown up in these pictures. The other day he told his teacher at school that it was his birthday. They sang to him and gave him a present! He just can't wait to be 4, but it's still a few weeks away.

Our kids only get hot dogs from grandparents or parties like this as James and I detest hot dogs.

But...James was desperate enough to eat one anyway! We all thanked him for working so hard to provide us with hot dogs :)

And he was a little out of practice...he spilled ketchup right down the front of his shirt. He was sucking it off trying to get the stain out so he wouldn't be embarrassed walking around with it. But, I told him it was much more embarrassing to be sucking on his shirt!

Love this little clown girl! She is really into making funny poses for the camera.

Face painting was fun. Here we have a cute cuddly bear

A ferocious tiger

and elegant butterfly

James was a little disappointed with his "shark"! The artist did the best she could though.

And Blaze especially loved riding next to me on the carousel. Funny how it doesn't take much to excited the kids sometimes!

First Day of School Pictures 2014!

The kids all started school on different days because we are at three different schools and schedules. I still can't believe that I have a 5th grader! Where has the time gone! I swear he just started preschool.

This is just Blaze making a school bus! Too bad he won't ever ride a real one.

And he is SO silly! I love that he picked out his favorite shirt...Curious George for the first day!

Paul and Alanna are starting a new Montessori school and have to wear uniforms. They were trying to match the Lombardi kids! So cute! Paul is starting 3rd, Alanna 1st, but they will be in the same class. I kind of love that they can watch out for each other, and spy for me :)

She's really excited to take her Hello Kitty lunch bag and eat lunch at school like a big kid!

Silly boy as usual!

Visit with Grandma Leslie...

Grandma Leslie stayed with us for a few days. I think it's the first time ever that she's been able to stay at our house by ourself since she's an empty nester now and Grandpa Joe was stuck at work! We took her to the museum at Thanksgiving Point, the gardens, and dinner. I just love Paul's silly faces!

A guy at the gardens picked a bunch of grapes for the kids! They were small, but really good. It is just so beautiful there! Everytime we are there I think "I wish I could have a yard like this", but of course, it would have to come with a crew of gardeners to care for it too!

We also went to Scheels to ride the Ferris Wheel and Grandma Leslie did it too! Paul said that's his last time riding because he gets too sick :) I have to admit it's not my favorite, but I'm not about to let my kids go on there alone! We also discovered the 79 cent ice cream cones that have the flavor of your choice gushing out of them! Very cool...except now my kids beg for them constantly!

Visit with Fred & Jill...

Fred and Jill came to visit from Muncie, IN. It was fun to get together with the family for a barbeque and to visit with Fred and Jill. Of course, they had gifts for all of the kids. They immedietly ate all of their Pez candy, and the older kids all got swords made from pool noodles...great idea so the kids can't really hurt anyone!! James said he wants to be just like Fred and Jill when he retires and give kids such cool gifts while travelling to visit friends :)

Cache is ALWAYS so busy working, just like his daddy!

I'm guessing these two were engaged in a serious conversation about cars! Fred built cars before he retired, and obviously (because of Peter's pit crew shirt) Peter is obsessed wtih cars!

I love these sweet curls! And it is so fun to watch Max walking everywhere on his own.

Grandma Ce Ce has been collecting some things for the kids to build a fort in her backyard. And our kids brought a bunch of junk to add to the collection. James helped them construct a pretty cool fort that looked like a teepee. I think the funnest part for them was getting to use hammers and nails.

I just have to record that Cache's left foot is fatter than his left, and it's always falling off. And I couldn't even get it to go back on because his foot is too fat :) He is going to wear at least a size 14 like Caleb!

The "goofy" pictures always turn out kind of scary, but I had to include that one anyway!

Cooking Club 2014!

Cute and sassy Shirley!

Very creative Lexie!

Inquisitive Addy!

Monkey Alanna!

Pig Paul! He really wanted this picture taken.

The messiest kid alive!

 

Alanna participated in the neighborhood cooking club this year, and thank goodness it wasn't nearly as large as it was last year! At our house, we made pita pizzas and black bottom cupcakes with whipped cream cheese frosting. The kids really enjoyed learning to pipe the frosting on the cupcake, and decorating them with M&M's. But of course, the favorite part is getting to eat!