Movie Night

Our dear neighbors (don't start "tearing" things up again, Mary!) invited us over for a MOVIE NIGHT last night. We started off with a wonderful feast of pizza and salad. The boys were (strangely) not hungry...perhaps it was all the running around that needed to be done. "The Babies" came over as well with their Mommy and Daddy, so there was way too much to do besides eating. I will say, however, I believe we three Mama's actually got about a solid 15 minutes to have adult conversation!!! (Thanks to Mr. Andy and Mr. John for kid wrangling!!!)

We then retired into the basement for a movie extravaganza complete with popcorn, Twizzlers (YUM!), Swedish Fish and Gummie Worms (which, I just realized, never even got opened!). The ladybug tent was set up and all little people had their pillow pet friends to snuggle upon. We settled in for a nice....relaxing .....quiet evening.....HA!

The quiet lasted as long as the snacks....and then.....

There was much multi-tasking going between watching the movie, sticking Swedish Fish to legs (NOAH!), playing, flinging of Twizzlers and other such mayhem.

Occasionally, a scene of the move would grab the attention of all!

Yes, that is little McKenzie front and center with the Big Kids...never to miss out on the action!

Perhaps getting a LITTLE tired here....

By the time the movie was over, Alex was half asleep on my lap, Livi was settled on the floor, but Noah and Maddie were still going strong arguing over who got to play with various toys. All in all, a great way to spend the evening! Good Movie, GREAT Friends...Awesome Times!

100 Acre Woods

With a SLIGHT break in the weather, Oma and I took the boys to IMA's 100 Acres...an outdoor sculpture exhibit where nature meets modern art. I am not sure the boys (uh..nor I) fully appreciated the aesthetic symbolism of these "works," but heck...they were fun to climb on!!! The property contains a 35-acre lake which we walked around. Yes, the WHOLE lake....

LOOK! Funky Bones!

Oma giving Noah a lift

It's funny to stand on a humerus!!

The boys were so busy exploring that it was difficult to take pictures of the FRONT of them....these photos were taken while chasing them and (trying) to keep them out of the lake!

"Spooky" forest....narrow paths, overgrown trees and vines---perfect!!

Alex made it all the way around the lake (over an hour walk), but Noah needed a little lift towards the very end. Both Oma and Noah had to be awakened from their afternoon naps!!!

A boy and His Opa

Wordless Wednesday: Baby Alex

So True....

Noah walked up to me yesterday and announced:

"Mommy, I'm a mystery!"

So true, little man, so true.......

Alex's 4th Birthday BASH!

Alex turns four on July 24, but we had his birthday party this past weekend. Our neighbor's daughter is 5 days older than Alex, so we decided to do a "Combo Party." Combining resources for these two kids turned into...well...quite the shindig!

Alex the clown

L the clown

TWO CAKES!!!

LOTS of amigos!!


Yes, that is a GIANT cake-shaped bounce house.

The dear folks at Costco had a bit of a problem spelling "Feliz Cumpleanos" and spelled it: FeliX Cumpleanos. Thank you for editing the cake, Mr. Dan!!!!!!! He somehow rearranged the icing to make it read correctly!

A little slip-n-slidin' to cool off!

The next morning (Sunday), we headed into the bounce house again and had an impromptu neighborhood "breakfast pitch-in" of sorts. Here is Noah still in his jammies holding M. He LOVES "his" babies!

Hangin' with Baby M!!!

Noah and L with the twins.

Thank you to all of our friends and family for sharing this great celebration with us! I am truly blessed to live in the BEST neighborhood EVER--and I am thankful that my boys have such a large neighborhood family with which to grow up!

One more thing......I can't believe my baby will be FOUR in four days!!!

Zoo

Coici and I took the boys to the zoo on Saturday. It was a cool morning, so many of the animals were quite active. None were quite as active as these two little animals, though:

These guys were great! We saw them run, stalk and pounce!

Mommy and baby sharing breakfast

The latest addition to the zoo family

These look our own little Guateposse!

Some lion-taming....

Wordless Wednesday--Outside Tubby!

Tree Boy

This one LOVES to climb trees!!