Birthday party fun with friends

Our friend and Cate's classmate had a birthday party on a Friday morning since the kids don't have school.  The kids painted pumpkins with washable paint.  We promptly came home and set Will's pumpkin outside to finish drying.  It rained the next day and we had a blank slate to paint again.  Whoops.  

Collage of pics our friend put together of all the party-goers.

These four are in class together.  I imagine the classroom looks a little like this on a daily basis.

We came home from the party and I couldn't find Will.  Eventually I found him sacked out in his room taking an afternoon snooze.  

The next day it rained buckets all day long.  The pumpkin washed off and the kids jumped and splashed in the puddles with their rain boots and coats on.  They came inside drenched but they had fun.  We found rain coats/boots and winter coats/boots that fit for the upcoming season.  We spent most of the day moving warm season clothes out of drawers and seeing what clothes the kids might possibility need.  No one needs much of anything except Will but he won't wear pants anyway so I am not wasting anymore money on pants for now.

School stuff

I forgot it was school picture day until we woke up one morning.  The worst part was that Will won't (still won't) wear pants. I compromised with getting him to wear a daddy shirt and then threw on some workout shorts. Boom. I win. I am so smart. Until I remember they have to take a class photo where their whole body.  I threw my hands in the air and had to not care.  I got over it pretty quick.  

Cate had her first art project displayed outside her classroom. Her hand is the fish and the paper reads If I lived underwater I would...play under the sea. I would wear a white life jacket.  I am proud of her for having proper water safety knowledge.

This was the project outside of Will's classroom. I laughed so hard.  They must have had to describe themselves in their own words.

Miss M's picture day.

I got my hair cut off and it felt so good.  I rarely regret cutting my hair but am usually too lazy to call the salon and schedule an appointment.

I had a lot going on the day I got my hair cut. I had wanted to go to crossfit and then immediately turn out and go to dinner with a friend who I hadn't seen in a few months.  After crossfit my freshly washed and finished hair looked a little crazy.  I usually try to milk someone else doing my hair for a couple days not a couple minutes!

So much personality

A small glimpse into what I find on my phone on a regular basis. I am glad I upgraded my phone to the extra storage plan.  

Cate turns 3 years old!

At some point Cate turned three.  It just happened one day. Out of the blue.  We threw together a small party for family friends the Monday after Labor Day.  The Monday when we had come home from Iowa at 12:30am.  We considered canceling but Andrew informed me we didn't drive through the night to cancel the party. So we had a party.  

Generally when Cate's friends come over for a play date I throw some Schwann's chicken fries and tater tots in the oven.  I couldn't figure out what to feed the guest for lunch with little time to prepare. I decided tater tots and chicken fries was a winning decision.  The problem was that I didn't have enough of each item.  I texted the only Schwann's man's phone number in my phone hoping it was still our current salesman.  He responded fairly quickly and told me he isn't my current salesman but he was a manager and could get ahold of my salesman.  I had tater tots and chicken fries delivered to my house within forty five minutes of my initial text.  Talk about service.  It was a huge relief.  

We had push-ups and ice cream sandwiches for our cake and ice cream.  

Cate didn't have to make any decisions between ice cream sandwiches and push-ups. The birthday girl ate both.  And loved it.  Of all the children she has the biggest sweet tooth.  

Will and his buddy, Owen. Owen is in kindergarten.  When asked Will lists him in his line up of BFF's.

A little bit of the chaos. 

Aunt Janany sends a small gift for the two kids whose birthday it is not to ensure they aren't sad or feel left out. They got some new shades and a boat load of candy.

She sent the same thing to Cate too. I don't know why I didn't get a picture of Miss M.  

Aunt Jessie sent a baby Ergo so Cate can wear her babies around and still have her hands free for all important chores...like destroying my house.

At some point she lost her pants but it didn't stop her from keeping her baby from being worn or opening the rest of her presents.

She needs to work on proper care for a baby.  

At some point we celebrated my birthday.  We went to our friends house, had a delicious meal, the kids entertained each other, and there were more balloons than I have probably ever received cumulatively in my life.  Every day is a good day.

Iowa bound...again

We had plans to head back to Iowa for the weekend for the 5th and final Gran Gable bike ride but headed back earlier than expected. The kids and I headed back Thursday to celebrate the life of a friend who passed away from cancer.  It was a beautiful service but so painfully difficult. 

I found one nice shirt that fit Willie for the services.  He looked so handsome.  Grandma D, the kids and I went to dinner afterward and drown our sorrows of a life ended too short in french fries and ice cream.

On Friday, Grandma D, the kids and I headed to Iowa City to pick up our packet for the bike ride.  We went to the mall so Cater and Grandma could do build a bear for her birthday.  We ended up in the sports store and spent a lot of money on a coat, long sleeves and pants for a little boy who seems to have sensitivities to clothing related to cold weather.

We've made huge progress and he will wear a long sleeve shirt. He's coming around on coats.  Pants are still an issue. Let's not forget the Shorts Fairy had to come on December 1 last year to remove all of his shorts and t-shirts. We are in October. I feel like that's winning.

Chilly Sunday morning for a 56 mile bike ride.  It was a great day.  My friend Keith (who rode RAGBRAI with me) joined us at the last minute. He was a great unexpected surprise addition to the day.

After dinner we met up with our children, the five Brady's, and the three members of Keith's family for lunch before setting back home.  If you add that up it's seven kids and six adults.  Not one break down by a kid or an adult.  It's a record.  

More this and that...which is essentially what life really looks like

Cate is a maniac.  That's all I can say.  

Cate turned three which means she had her first dental appointment.  The dentist said the brushing is going pretty good and she doesn't see any concerns.  Cate was a little apprehensive of the dentist and her tools but she was cooperative.

And that's Cate.

An after school treat at the ice cream shop is everyone's favorite.

Willie and Cater selfies.

Outfit #3 for Halloween options.  The other options are Pirate Princess and Candy Girl.  Cate's probably going to steal Candy Girl.  Unless she ends up as a hand me down Kangaroo.

Fun playing on the gym equipment after school before we have to leave every day.

Serious business taking place in the circle room.

Tater and her BFF.  She is dominating school. We haven't had conferences but she loves it. She loves going and seeing her friends every day.

I was digging through the basement crawl space looking for old documents and found this gem.  It's the homecoming king crown Andrew received in high school. I decided we didn't need to keep it in hiding any longer and brought it out for the kids to play dress up with.

Who doesn't want to be the king kangaroo? I mean seriously. 

More kid selfies. 

Will watching a slideshow of pictures on the iPad while killing time while Miss M was at dance class.

Cater and her babies.  She loves them. She loves to wear them in her baby Ergo that Aunt Jessie got her for her birthday.