Birthday pictures

Anders 4 year old Birthday was quite a success. On his actual b-day we went to Carney's (a train car restaurant) for lunch. Then we hopped on the red line subway and took it down to Hollywood to see Toy Story 3 in 3-D at the El Capitan Theater! After the movie there was a carnival with rides, shows and fun music. What an amazing day it turned out to be! 

The next day was the party and we had about 9 kids over to our apartment for an old fashioned birthday party. The theme was water and trains. The kids all seemed to have a blast and Anders was totally thrilled with the "fishing" game we played. My dad hid behind a blanket and each child got to "go fishing" over the blanket. They would "catch" little prizes to take home. It was a hit! So many pictures were taken but here are just a few.

Carney's Restaurant 

I'm 3...no 4!!

A little apprehensive about the subway trip

The El Capitan Theater in Hollywood

The Ferris wheel and getting to meet Buzz Light Year and Woody!

The train cake that I made

Fun water play at the party

Play Dates and Exclamations

This past week we had a couple of fun play dates and although I didn't get much variety in my pictures I did get at least one with each friend. On my birthday we met my friend Kristy and her daughter Violet and son James who is slightly younger than Anders, in Arcadia at a fun indoor playground. The boys really get along well and it was fun to have some quality friend time.

The top picture was taken with some friends from Anders school. The two boys were in his Sea Stars class and they get along pretty well. The girls are the sisters of the boy in the yellow hat. This family lives in a very large and grand house up Mulholland drive which is not too far away from our apartment. The boys had a ton of fun throwing dust at each other and riding bikes all around the hardwood floors in the house.

On a side note I have to share Anders exclamatory words as of late. More for my memory down the rode.  Anders is very exclamatory. He loves getting a rise out of me and he loves saying things that sound "on the edge". A few of my favorites are, "OH PANIC!", "SHUCK IT OFF!" (We think this one comes from us telling him to "shake it off" after a tumble.), "BAM-IT!",  "YOU NUDY" (not sure where this one comes from because we have never used the word "nude" in our house), "BOSSY BOILER!" and "STINKY STEAMY!" (Thank you Thomas the Train....)

I've been trying to curtail some of the more negative phrases although Chris and I have to really work at not laughing....

Hanging out with our German/Swedish friends

James and Anders enjoying lunch at Cheesecake Factory on my B-Day

Birthday's and other busyness

The last week has been filled with busyness including a surprise Birthday party (for me), major house de-cluttering in preparation for Anders Birthday party this coming Saturday, friends and parents visiting and Fathers Day.

Last Wednesday I had plans to go out for coffee with a friend. She was supposed to show up around 6:30 with some left overs for dinner. I was quite excited about not having to think up dinner! At 6:30 the door bell rang and I opened it to see another good friend and neighbor, Nikki standing there! She informed me that she would be babysitting for me. Hmmm. I was confused. Then the coffee friend, Jennifer showed up but with no dinner in hand and all dressed up..... another hmmm.
The story was that Chris couldn't get home in time from work to relieve me so he called Nikki to watch Anders. Jennifer said that she thought it would be more fun to have a "girls night out" and told me to go get gussied up.
While this is all going on Anders is crying/screaming because minutes before Nikki arrived he had slammed into the bathroom counter and had a nice little gash next to his eye. I had been cleaning all afternoon and so I looked really frazzled. Messy ponytail, maternity culottes and stained t-shirt (the picture of domestic bliss). Mind you, I thought I'd have a few minutes to clean up before a nice quiet dinner and casual coffee out with a friend....

Luckily Anders thinks that Nikki is pretty fun and started to cheer up. I ran and did a quick mini make-over and was able to pull it together enough to get out the door and not scare anyone. Jennifer had forgotten a coupon at her house so we made our way over there to pick it up. Since I had never been over there she insisted that I come up with her to see her place. I left my purse in the car and ran up with her. As we walked in the door I realized what all of the confusion was about. Six good friends all jumped out to surprise me for my Birthday!  Chris and Jennifer really pulled it off without me guessing anything. I was completely surprised and really glad that I had put on deodorant and face powder!
My parents came out on Saturday to cap off the festivities and our friends Nikki and Peter joined us for dinner and late night game playing.

Birthday #34 ranks up there with some of my favorite Birthday's so far.

Tomorrow my Mother-in-law flies in from Cincinnati and this week will be filled with party planning and fun.

Last day of preschool!

Today we officially start summer. Anders commemorated the event with a preschool ice cream party and face painting. I have to admit that I am more than a little sad that the year is over but excited for all of the fun that comes with summer. We have lots of activities planned including vacation Bible school, family reunions and lots of pool fun!
When I got to school today Anders had his face painted like a pirate. A little after I arrived he accidentally got bumped and fell down. He roared at the poor little girl who bumped him and then proceeded to have a major meltdown. A lot of the paint came off of his face but I was able to get an "end of the year, next to the cubby" picture despite the scowl.

I thought it would be fun to put the beginning of the year picture next to this one to see how much he's grown.  It helps that he was wearing the same shirt both days!

Just the facts Ma'am.

Here's a list.

1. Anders and I had lower intestinal bug last week. (it lasted a WHOLE week)
2. Now Chris feels lousy.
3. This is the last full week of pre-school.
4. I'm sad about that.
5. I'm looking forward to a family gathering in Flagstaff at the end of July.
6. I hope Flagstaff in July will won't be sweltering.
7. Chris' 20th, yes 20th high school reunion is in August.
8. I hope we can scrape enough mulah together to make it to Cincinnati in August.
9. I'm looking at a never ending pile of laundry.
10. I'm reading a great book called "Parenting with love and logic".
11. It's helping.
12. I need to color my hair.
13. You probably don't care.
14. This list is getting random.

O.k. that will do.