Kid Party!!!

SO!
Move into a new house and two weeks later, host two parties in one weekend!
That's just the kind of family we are ;)

When we first started thinking about moving, Jim and I discussed how we'd celebrate our boys' birthdays at home, rather than renting out a facility. I knew that I'd want T to be able to have his good friends over for the party, and we'd also want family... So it made sense to have two parties!

With a Superhero Theme (and a Grandma who can sew capes like the best of 'em), we threw a fifth birthday party sure to go down in history!

The kids began by decorating their capes and masks, and then playing some balloon games (above). No sooner had we saved the balloons from hitting the floor, we got a phone call from some other superheroes that were trapped inside A PINATA!

So of course they had to smash it open.
And then rip it to bits afterward...
There was Pin the Tail On the Donkey fun


And at least half a dozen rounds of hide and seek-- throughout the house!

I kept them busy by reading stories aloud while we waited for the pizza to arrive.

Then cake! (He picked these candles out himself. Hat is from school celebration.)
And when you're five, the 'cool' thing to do is SCREAM THE HAPPY BIRTHDAY SONG, apparently. Trenton is NOT a kid who likes loud noises... but he got through it.
And yes, little brother Oliver had a good time as well. I don't know how it happened, but we neglected to give him the bat during the pinata-bashing time. Afterward, he let us know that he was overlooked. "No bat! No bat for pinata! Ollie no bat!"

Sorry, buddy! We'll get you your own next year.

Trenton's Fifth Birthday

Sticking with tradition, the birthday boy had a cake made according to his specifications ("Superheroes!") and devoted solely to his own personal consumption. (Yes, the vast majority of it ended up in the garbage, but he did make a good dent!)
We were so happy to be able to host our extended family in our own home. Above, Trenton hugs Great Grandma Wilson.

The new playroom saw lots of use as everyone checked out T's toys (and our new organization shelves).



Good job, young man.
And then it was time for a rousing game of Pin the Tail On the Donkey! Just about everyone participated.


Thank you so much to everyone who gave generously of their time and gifts! Trenton (and the rest of us) really enjoyed hosting you in our new home!

Hardwood Floors ROCK!

So here you have it, folks. The first glimpses of our new home. Before moving in all of our stuff, we had the carpet in the living room/dining room removed and replaced it with a lovely "gunsmoke" colored Bruce Engineered Hardwood floor. (Turns out that if you're applying flooring to a concrete slab, your options are limited to the engineered kind of hardwood.)
We attempted to match the area above with the area below (the boys' playroom, which had already been converted to hardwood) and I think we did a pretty good job.
IKEA shelves in place, TV set up, and kids are happy.
Looking forward to a party weekend in celebration of T's 5th birthday!

Chocolate Lovers' Weekend, 2011

As we drove towards Ocean Grove last Saturday, I said aloud, "Free and chocolate-- my favorite things!" Jim added, "And your boys! And me!" Isn't that true!

Chocolate Lovers' Weekend in Ocean Grove is my only saving grace for getting through the god-awful cold month we call February.

At least we still have the beach...

The winds were so incredibly strong, we actually thought that Oliver would be blown off of the pier had we not held tightly to his little hand.

And then there was the chocolate...

I tell people all the time-- Oliver was grown on chocolate and fried chicken (thanks, free breakfasts at Chick-Fil-A). He sure loves his goodies now.


So, after giving them chocolate chip cookies, chocolate mousse, chocolate eclairs, chocolate root beer floats, and Funny Bones, M&Ms, and other assorted crap, we settled down for CHOCOLATE French Toast for lunch. Ha!

Oh yeah, and we toured a few of the B&Bs. They are absolutely gorgeous, really first-rate. We won't be staying in one anytime soon, but it sure is nice to look.



Very happy to be back in Monmouth County, and can't wait for spring!

Oliver Spells

B-I-K-E... from Sheryl K. on Vimeo.

Ollie Reads OWL from Sheryl K. on Vimeo.

At the CAR WASH... (yeah)

Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you.... THE STAR OF THE WEEK!
Yep, that's right. Trenton John was chosen (at random) to wear the HAT and bring in the PICTURES and have his SPECIAL PERSON (that'd be me) read a book aloud to his class (that'd be Pigs Aplenty, Pigs Galore).
Afterwards, I asked him what he wanted to do.
His response?
"Go to the car wash!"


It was Oliver's first time. "Don't worry, brother, I'll hold your hand."

In times like these, when the salt is so thick and prevalent, one must take drastic measures. Yes, folks, I splurged for the NINE DOLLAR car wash. 'Cause that's the only way you can get the tri-colored RAINBOW FOAM.

Two new tires, a 4 wheel alignment, and a car-wash this week... need an oil change next week... All in all, the truck deserves it as it has been awesome carting us around the state for the past few weeks.

Closing is on Monday afternoon on the new home! This could be the last post for awhile, until we get everything set up. Woo hoo!

Oliver's Music Class

Oliver takes part in the Morning Music class offered by our county's park district. Lots of thanks to the Konopacks, Lacinas, and Uncle Len and Aunt Tiff for helping us to send him to this program!

For the first fifteen minutes or so, they play around on large objects. Lotsa gross motor skills here. He LOVES the tunnel and trampoline.

Did you say songs?!?

Bubbles!!!

Swatting at a balloon with a plastic fly swatter. I totally got smacked a few times while photographing this. Truly shooting a wild animal!

Come on, you know ribbon sticks are COOL! Here he's doing The Itsy Bitsy Spider.

Normally I wouldn't post this many pictures, but Oliver has become obsessed with looking at the blog. So, here you go, Buddy! Lots of pictures of Music Class to enjoy!

Bells! For ringing!

Sly guy... he absolutely LOVES the parachute part. He crawls into the middle and has this sly, secret smile. Like he's trying to contain his excitement. But when he spots me on the edge, he breaks out into a big toothy grin.

I