Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Birthday Party Go!

The summer birthday season is in full swing, starting with Jen.

Afternoon Tea Party

Jen was able to have a birthday tea party with the kids in the backyard complete with teacup cupcakes made by grandma.

Tour de France Biscuits

Part of the summer birthday season is the traditional cream cheese biscuits to celebrate the start of the Tour de France.

Morning Art Time

Morning art class has continued to be a big hit to start off the day, particularly when it can delay the already lengthy task of getting them out the door for schooll.


Josephine took her first steps and has not slowed down since.

Ribfest 2016 and Fireworks

On July 4th we took the boys to Ribfest. For Jen and I this was our first trip back in about ten years. If we'd been prepared we would have spent the last ten years saving our money since 2006 to soften the financial impact of the four of us spending a few hours there.

Ribfest 2016 and Fireworks

Ribfest 2016 and Fireworks

Ribfest 2016 and Fireworks

Ribfest 2016 and Fireworks

Ribfest 2016 and Fireworks

Ribfest 2016 and Fireworks

At the end of the day the rides, the food, and the fireworks were enough to knock the boys out in a way I don't think we've ever seen. I roughly removed them from their seat and dropped them into their beds and they didn't even flinch. Elliott did protest in his sleep for about a second yelling, "I want to go home!" This was picking up from an hour previously when he whined this for a few minutes before passing out in his stroller.


On the boys' birthday morning they got a few small gifts and the kickoff for the birthday weekend was underway.

Birthday Breakfast

We took the boys out for breakfast (and ice cream) for their birthday. There the staff sang a song for the boys after which Elliott proclaimed, "That was a silly birthday song." Then we went to the children's museum and returned home for a fun day.

Playset Assembly

Fun until the assembly of their play set commenced.

Playset Assembly

We knew that assembly would be required.

Playset Assembly

But we had no idea what we were in for.

Pokemon Go with Martin

You may have heard that a little game called Pokemon Go was released. What started as a chance install of a harmless free app turned into a weekend dominated by the new game. Apparently we were not alone.

Martin with Leonardo and Auntie Lisa

Auntie Lisa was able to join our insane nightly bedtime ritual for several nights, bearing witness to the raging brushfire that is our nightly bedtime routine.

Fourth Birthday Party

Fourth Birthday Party

Fourth Birthday Party

Their fourth birthday party was a hit. They got tons of great presents, including Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots, a gift Elliott asked for despite the fact that we're not entirely sure where he ever heard of it.

Josie Brushing for First Time

Josie brushed her teeth for the first time on their birthday despite the fact that her terrible parents have done everything they can to ignore her dental hygiene. I simply looked over and she'd climbed a stool, grabbed one of the boys' toothbrushes, and started mimicking her brothers.

Her brothers, apparently, are better role models than we are.

Birthday Day After Toys

Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots

Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots

Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots

The following day could not have been better for the boys as they played with all of their new toys all over the house. Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots was a popular items throughout the day and in every nook and cranny of our house and yard.

Pokemon Go Children

After 2-3 days Evelyn had her birthday party and the parks and streets were lousy with gaggles of children playing Pokemon Go. Every day there are more and more groups of children wandering the streets and parks that are normally devoid of activity.

The adults tend to travel alone and don't make eye contact when crossing each other on a narrow pathway behind a library where one poorly place Poke Stop is located even though they both know damn well what the other is doing there.

Captain Awesome Capes with Auntie Lisa

The next Day Auntie Lisa had to go back home but spent a full day with the kids, first painting their new awesome capes with them.

Final Stages of Playset

After four days of work the playset was finally completed and ready to be unveiled to the world.

Playset Inauguration

The children spent most of the time we were building the playset either trying to help or trying to use the play set while we were drilling holes and attaching pieces.


The completion was marked with an elaborate ribbon cutting ceremony followed by five minutes of playing by the children.

Pokemon Go Weekend

Pokemon Go Weekend

Pokemon Go Weekend

Pokemon Go Weekend

Just enough time to catch a few Pokemon before getting the children to bed. Then sneaking out while they're asleep to hit up a couple of Poke Stops.

Those Pokemon aren't going to catch themselves!