Oliver's Third Birthday (Family Party)

 After a nap, it was time for more partying! (Oliver actually has been fighting a cold all week, so the nap was essential to getting him happily through this day ;)

 Trying to get a word in while his brother is telling him what to do.... (It was very, very hard for T to allow Oliver to do the present-opening by himself... but T was very happy when Ollie was willing to share all his new stuff ;)

 It's a pillow! It's a pet! It's a PILLOW PET!
He has since named this panda "Cow".

 And a Wiggles CD with his name in it! Woo hee!
Big hit-- these magnetic cars that seem to defy gravity, as well as this fancy racetrack. Thanks, grandparents!

 Even Nora got to pin the tail on Dorothy!
Below, Grandpack makes his landing way, way up high on the wall-- much to the birthday boy's delight ;)

 Wiggles Cake #2!
(More pictures of the day here.)

 

Our final attempt at a group shot. Ha!

Happy Birthday, Oliver!

Oliver's Third Birthday (Kid Party)

Happy Birthday--- early!
Since Jim is going away to a conference during Ollie's actual birthday, it worked out best for us to have the celebration the weekend before.One of our family traditions is opening birthday gifts in bed-- together. Above, you see the new "Animals" book that Ollie got. He loves it!
Below, check out the Dorothy that Jim made! It went perfectly with our Wiggly-themed party.

The kids started off by playing outside in the bounce house, and with a few other lawn games. Then it was inside to watch two short Wiggle clips-- how to make "Fruit Salad" and "Crunchy Munchy Honey Cakes".

Each kid built their own fruit salad (it was a brunch party) and had dipping sauces to choose from to try out with their Crunchy Munchy Honey Cakes.

Robbie, Cailyn (our new neighbors), Alexander, Oliver, Trenton, Bobby, Harrison, Christian, and Logan-- all happy kids after playing Pin the Tail on Dorothy!

Best part? The parachute.

Parachute Games from Sheryl K. on Vimeo.

Oh, well, maybe it was the pinata... This star pinata was so well made, it took forever to get it to break open.

Can you see him waving at the end of the table? He was very excited to have a Wiggly cake again this year. He put the guys on the cupcakes himself.

We love you, buddy! Happy Third  Birthday!

TCNJ Homecoming, 2011

 A great day for tailgating!!!
Our plan had been in the works for months-- to attend The College of New Jersey's homecoming celebration this fall. Although we had graduated in May of 2001, we all originally met freshman year, sharing the tenth floor of Wolfe Hall.
Below, Oliver, Trenton, me, Kim, Bobby, Melissa, Kim & A.J., and Amy. The three standing in back are all pregnant! We decided to do this again in a few years, with the rest of the kids. We had so much fun!

 
The boys played corn hole and jumped around in the bouncy houses for awhile. We each brought some snacks to eat. The weather was so cooperative. There were lots, and lots of people there, with all the parking lots full.

 We took a self-guided tour of the campus, going past lots of buildings that have been constructed since we'd left. New water fountain, below.

 Here's the alumni brick that we purchased after graduation.

 We were a sight to see, with three strollers, cramming into the (same) elevator in Wolfe Hall, slowly making our way upstairs.
After 14 years, the mural we painted still remains. HA!

 We spent a bit of time in the student center, where we were serenaded by an a cappella group. Many thanks to my boys for coming along and spending time with us as we discussed memories of our TCNJ past! Love you girls, and I'm so happy we still stay close!

Will He Still Be This Adorable When He's Three?

Chances are, yes.
The Itsy Bitsy Spider: Oliver's Version from Sheryl K. on Vimeo.


Take Me Out To the Ballgame: Oliver's Versoin from Sheryl K. on Vimeo.

Fall Festival

Trenton's school had a Fall Festival this past weekend. Petting zoo, outdoor relay races, firetruck, face painting, crafts...

Above is my contribution. They had a cake raffle and believe it or not, this was not the last cake to go! (Okay, so it was the second-to-last... But the vast majority were bought cakes!)
I went with Trenton for the first half of the event; I volunteered to work a table for the second half, so Jim took the boys around to the festivities.

Sack races. Rolling pumpkins around with brooms. (Notice the tongue.)

Eating donuts off of a string. It was difficult for him to do this without his hands! In the movie, you can see how a compromise is reached ;)

Donuts on a String from Sheryl K. on Vimeo.

Manasquan... In October (?!)

And then there was Monday! Columbus Day! An entire day with no school or commitments... so we went to the beach again!

Harrison, Jon, and Laura met up with us in Manasquan. The boys explored the rocks, jumped the waves, looked for (and found) lots of crabs, played on the playground, swung on the swings, and ate lunch on the beach.

Our attempt at a group shot.
It is so much more fun to be at the beach with friends. :)
Thank you, Warm October Day!