When Dad is Away.....

We run to the open arms of our buddies!!

Both Farrah and I were ‘husbandless’ for the weekend, so why be alone?  We are so lucky to our families linked so perfectly.   Nick and Tate disappeared into a sea of toys upstairs,  Macy gave Shane so many hugs I almost cried, Farrah and I chatted until the wine was gone =) 

Macy was feeling better after having surgery for tubes in her ears and removing her adenoids (lucky for Shane as maybe she won’t be a snorer when they are married)  This photo particularly cracks me up because Farrah does a fabulous job of preparing wonderful meals and this is Macy’s reaction.  She removed her  shoes, socks, and examined her feet.  Let me tell you Macy, your feet maybe cute, but that Spinach Mac and cheese was amazing!!  You are missing out.

Nick and Tate came downstairs for dinner.  During which they had their own conversation - hysterical really.

Who says boys don't use the bathroom together?   Neither of them want to miss out on the fun together, so they do have to use the bathroom together!

Don't cross the streams! 

Thank you for Farrah!  After a week of hospitals, doctor appointments for follow ups and countless other events, we are honored to think that having us over was the relaxing time you needed.   I loved waking up to Tate’s pitter patter.  It was cute seeing Nick wipe the sleep from his eyes and head up to greet him! We are truly blessed to be part of your life with your family! 

Lantern Fest for St. Martin

It is fascinating to be part of another culture.  We feel we brought Halloween to our town, so on Thursday we experienced a German Holiday in honor of St. Martin.

Here is a little blurb about it - The fest day, is November 11, the feast day of St. Martin of Tours, who started out as a Roman soldier. He was baptized as an adult and became a monk. It is understood that he was a kind man who led a quiet and simple life. The most famous legend of his life is that he once cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar during a snowstorm, to save the beggar from dying of the cold. That night he dreamed that Jesus was wearing the half-cloak Martin had given away.

Nick made a latern with his kindergarden class and joined in the festivites.  All the lanterns were lit with REAL candles.  Imagine the fire hazard?  The ceremony was filled with children singing, a little dance and even St. martin coming in on horse back demonstarting his legondary act of kindness.

Sweet evening for the family.

This video shows Nick's lantern.  I stood pretty close to him without him knowing it.  Didn't hear much sound coming out of his mouth, But he told me he was tired of singing at that point=)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYXJQkKkDHc



Enjoy the clean up

There are so many traits that I pick up from the wonderful friends in my life. Tonight I experienced one of my favorites. I picked this up from my most treasured buddies - Chelcy. The pleasure of a good clean up.

The sink is filled with hot soapy water and dirty dishes. You are making trips from one room to the kitchen where something is either thrown out, prepped for washing, or put away. You are disassembling toys (finding them in odd places) and putting them back in their home, fluffing cushions back in order, stuffing trash bags to go outside.

With each piece, with each dish you revile in the preparation – gosh, that dish was a winner – or never making that again….. With each grab of a toy, you wonder how it found its current location and are reminded of the enjoyment that occurred that night.

The final wipe of the counter & table give you complete feeling of accomplishment – folks were here, they had a great time and now we will all go back to the M-F work week and enjoy every bit of the routine. But this bit of excitement was worth every second of prep and clean-up.

The final Birthday installment

Ah, the final note on the birthday docket.  Today was Nick's German birthday party.  He invited 5 friends from his German kindergarten.  It was classic 'old school' hand written invites, delivered in school, 2.5 hours on a Monday afternoon.  No parents just kids!  Wait, the kids speak german, I speak English....  Yikes!

  Jasmina (our wonderful babysitter) was hired for my sanity for a few hours.  She was a life saver. 

First game - spin the bottle - gift style!  Who ever the bottle points to, Nick opens their gift.  Great idea Jasmina!

Here is an example of one of the 1.million games we played in 2.5 hours.  Twister was brought by Jasmina (again, amazing).  The boys loved it - for 5 minutes....  We played hot potato (auto), pin the tire on Lightening McQueen, Hullabaloo, hide and seek, sock wrestling, name the hands, seriously - we were searching by the end. 

We even had a break for mac and cheese with ice cream cake!  I am hoping that everyone in attendance went to sleep as quicly as Nick did!  I am also thankful that birthday's come once a year....  Happy Birthday Nick!

Here is my time to reflect on some memorable birthday's that we celebrated adult style. 

 Lundy had a posh Girls night at a wonderful Mexican Restaraunt in Essligen.  No kids, no husbands - awesome!  Great ladies and a wonderful night.  Thanks for letting us celebrate with you Lundy!

Next to Lindsey celebrating her 30th - she's all grown up!  We had a blast 80s style at her house with games (name that tune and tell us about your birthday year......  i guess twister would have worked here too.... but next time right? 

Truly a wonderful group of folks and equally timeless celebration. 

Side note on attire.....

As I was getting drewsed for our 80s party it was fun pulling out that 'off the shoulder sweater' that I bought at old navy THIS year, the tie dye tank purchased at target over the summer and the converse all stars that I have worn almost every day since their arrival last spring....  Ah, it really all does come back around!

We all celebrate birthday's every year, whether we mark it with a nose piercing, bottle of wine at a posh restaraunt, hitting the links at St. Andrews, or playing twister with your buds - its important to do whatever YOU like to mark that year =)  Cheers to celebrating!

Sunday PJs

Sunday was the day we strived NOT to get out of our PJs.  Mother Nature agreed and brought a chilly rainy day for us.  PERFECT for staying inside.  Here is a quick blurb of Shanes efforts in the 2 legged department....  someday.  Love the left leg kick out =)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grru3ZSMNgo

The final Blue Dragon game

Nick loved every second of playing soccer.  Whether it was the weekly practice or the Saturday game he loved the process of keeping his jersey, shinguards and soccer cleats on.  Saturday was the final game for the season.  Bummer!!  Here are a few shots of the final day

The post game 'Parent tunnel' for the kids to run through

Little post game tackle

Team photo - Roar like a dragon!

You need a pizza party to end the season right? 

A trophy for the mighty Nicholas!

We have to wait to January to see how basketball treats us....  Its just what we will need in the winter afternoons......  Thanks Coach Will for a great season.

Let the Birthday continue

Friday morning was Nick's official birthday.  Official because it was November 5th, but more importantly, he was the proud wearer of the kindergarten crown!  It was HIS day and school and that will surely make you fel special and older!!  The teacher took these photos for me.

Next we had a family dinner of yummy french fries and turkey legs.  Nick wore our now famous birthday hat and opened the family gifts.  I am working on some videos, they are coming next....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh0A--jEZ6I

Can he open that package?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZFqbFYY0Bg

Cheers to Thomas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bm5-t9WBN4

 

Last year I vowed to keep birthday parties small and simple - apparently I forgot about that this year. Nick has had 3 celebrations so far and one final one tomorrow with his German friends coming to our home (I hired our german speaking babysitter for the afternoon as I can only imagine the chaos of 6 munchkins with 5 not understanding what I am saying!!)