Myles Turns 4

I thoroughly enjoy watching my kids suffer as they wait in extreme anticipation for upcoming birthdays. Maybe it's because I remember the feeling, or maybe it's because they torture me day in and day out and I like to see them in agony. It's like my little revenge. Either way, Myles turns four tomorrow and today was party day. This year it was super heroes. Which happens to be the current obsession. And because this was my first birthday party since leaving the work force, I was feeling motivated and a bit lot ambitious. A trip to Michael's yielded some felt, a pad of "comic hero" scrapbooking paper and a brand new hot glue gun. The first project was cup cake toppers.

Next I made signs for the food. Brian and I spent a whole day coming up with comic book names for each item. In the end, we went with one of my suggestions and the rest were his. It was his turn to pick a name anyways, as I picked the last 5 (at least that is how he tells it).

The food signs never made it out because of the crazy winds, but at least they were fun to make.

I also made capes for all the kids. I tried to take a picture of my four in their capes and this is what I got. It's the first time that they have all simultaneously looked at the camera. And smiled. Ever. I just wanted a picture of their backs.

 Sort of like this. The irony of the situation was not lost on me. At all.

I think I will call them the In-Craig-ables. 

Sunday. Party day. Myles woke up, came into our room and said, "Mommy, tell me happy birthday!" 

And we were off.

The party started with a robbery. 

Good thing we had an abundant supply super heroes and silly string.

Next the heroes had target practice.

Bad guys. Beware.

The party ended with the usual. Cake.

Presents.

His halloween costume is Captain America. He wanted the shield to go with and cried when we told him no. He gasped upon opening it today and said, "Ohhh! It's just what I wanted!" 

On a side note, whenever he talks about the 4th of July, it goes like this, "Remember. That time. On Captain America's birthday. When.... ?" 

I have a feeling 4 will be our biggest adventure yet.

Hump-day

Kaden got off the bus yesterday and the first thing he said was, "Do you know what today is? It's going to be so funny." "I don't know Bud, what is today?" "Hump-day." So in the spirit of good ole hump-day, we set out to find some leaves to play in. Kaden wanted to bring a rake to rake up all the leaves in the park. If only he thought chores at home were just as fun. 

Myles's hurry-up stance

Finley took off both shoes this time. Refused to put them on. Until we got back to the car.

In other news, Amelia is now 3 months old and hitting milestones as she goes. Her most recent milestone was the acquisition of her very first pair of knock-off uggs. 

All right. In all seriousness. If you are actually curious as to her real milestone achievements here are some that come to mind:

smiles (love this one)

coos 

laughs (the most itty-bitty laugh you ever did hear)

holds her head better and better everyday

getting better at sleeping (hallelujah!)

sucks her thumb (refuses the pacifier- mixed feelings on this one)

sat in the bumbo for the first time this week

sticks out her tongue (she had to learn this one early, as I'm sure it will stick around -pun intended- for years to come)

One Fine Week

This was a big week of growth for me as a stay at home mom. On Wednesday, I went on my first ever field trip as a parent volunteer. On Thursday, I got to do it all over again. 

Wednesday, I went with Myles's class to a small family owned farm and pumpkin patch. We painted pumpkins, looked at animals, went on a hayrack ride and played in their huge farm inspired play area. Amelia and Finley got to come along too. I am well known in this group of parents as the lady with a bunch of kids. Most don't even realize I have Kaden too. While on the field trip, one parent said to me, "You're so funny to watch with all these kids." He said it as I was holding Amelia in one arm and dragging Finley away from whatever trouble he was in with the other arm. I chose to take it as a compliment. 

After school that day, I took the kids to the park. The one without sand. Sandy parks give Brian anxiety. The older boys met some new friends which gave Finley and I some much needed one-on-one time. We played peek-a-boo. For hours. He loved it.

Thursday was Kaden's turn. His trip was a little more intense. I was actually responsible for other people's children. Two other people's children to be exact. Their field trip was to Vala's Pumpkin Patch, which is like the Disneyland of pumpkin patches. We had several planned activities such as a hayrack ride to pick pumpkins, a train ride and an apple orchard experience. In between, we had free time to explore. Which really meant we had five minutes to do something fun before running to find our next assignment. The highlight of the trip was listening to Kaden interact with his peers. My favorite conversation went something like this:

Kid: Hey Kaden.

Kaden: Hey Kid.

Kid: Uh.... I thought you said your mom was a zombie?

Kaden: ...... *guilty expression* ......

our group:)

Kaden with his teacher looking at apples

corn maze

Part two of stay at home mom awesomeness was baking cookies. Myles was my helper.

Finley was not.

After picking Kaden up from the bus, we had a cookies and milk picnic.

Followed by some sugar inspired play. See those pumpkins? Finley threw them all in the street. I am not excited for his teenage years. 

 It's a good thing he's cute.

 And this picture? It just makes me laugh. That's my crew.