Christmas Party

Today was the annual Christmas party at the club. We met Mimi, Poppy, Uncle T, Aunt Missy and Kenzie for a little Christmas fun. The kids made a little reindeer craft and got to meet Ruldoph. Gillian was not a big fan of the reindeer, but Kenzie loved him! We heard that Santa was there and we went to get pictures.

We ate a little dinner. Had some fun with some new shades. 

Then there was a magic show. John and Gillian ran over to watch the show. Daddy and I ate a little more dinner. While I was eating I heard the magician say "Everyone say hello to Gillian!" I jumped up and ran over. Gillian got selected to be an assistant for the show. She did awesome!

 

After the show we saw the big tree outside get lit and then had time for dessert too! 

Bounce U Party

We had Gillian's birthday party at Bounce U this year. She was so excited to celebrate her big day with all of her friends from school.

The first room had a big basketball court where you could bounce and shoot baskets.  There was also mini obstacle course.  And a big obstacle course where you end up climbing a wall and going down a slide.  The kids entered the room and immediately scattered.  Gillian ended up on the big obstacle course and spent most of her time going down the slide. 

John and Gillian went down the big slide together.

Aunt Betty and I even challenged Justin to a couple races of the obstacle course. He won of course, but we had a lot of fun. 

Little Kenzie spent most of her time in the basketball court. She could play with the basketballs or just crawl around. All the kids were very careful around her and I think she had fun too! 

Finally it was time to move to the second room. The second room had another really big double slide, a bouncer and a climber called the spider. The spider thing was super cool, but very hard. The kids were just a little too short, but it didn't stop them from trying. My nephew, Justin, had no problems and loved it.

This is Gillian climbing the spider. 

Gillian and I went down the big slide in the second room together.

Aunt Missy, Kenzie and Gillian went down the big side together.

All the kids!

And a silly face picture!

Next it was time for pizza!

Time for cake and cookies!

All the kids sang Happy Birthday!

 

 

 

Pump It Up

Gillian had a birthday party today at Pump It Up for twins from her class. She was super excited about this party. She asked me first thing this morning "Is today Ryan and Sofia's party? Can we go now?" 

On our way to the party, she asked "Do you know how to get to Pump It Up?" When I assured her that I did know, she still questioned "Are you sure?"

We arrived and Gillian didn't do any of her typical shy maneuvers. She ran right up to her friends and started to play. She had a blast playing on the inflatable slides and obstacle courses. 

It was hard to get a good picture of her because she was moving so quickly. When we moved to the second room, Gillian and her friends kept going on the slide. They would climb up, slide down again and again. They all seemed so happy and content. 

Next it was time for pizza and ice cream cake. Gillian is still talking about the party and about how her party will be there. 

Soccer Ball

Gillian's school had a Super Bowl party on Friday. Gillian was very excited to tell us all about it on Thursday night. She said "There's a party tomorrow. And there's a game and you gotta pick a color. I picked green cause my favorite manket is green. And it's the Soccer Ball and we gunna have hot dogs!" We explained to Gillian that it is the Super Bowl and they play football. But she continues to call it the Soccer Ball. 

Dance Party

Gillian went to a birthday party for her friend Elena today.  Elena had a dance party at a ballet studio.  Gillian was super excited about going to this party.  I was also excited about this party, but was a little worried that Gillian would be clingy and not want to leave my side (like the super hero party last week).  We arrived at the party and Gillian sat patiently while I put on her ballet shoes. She then ran into the dance studio.  She was ready to dance.  She even helped drag some of her friends into the studio.  They all gathered in a circle and started with some stretching.

Most of the music they danced to was from Frozen. So a lot of the moves were princess inspired. For example they galloped across the room because Anna rode a horse. They also "made" snowballs and "threw" them across the room. 

They did a "princess walk" across the room. Notice how Gillian completely does her own thing.

They also got to jump on a trampoline. 

At the very end the kids all got to do some tumbling. 

 

Gillian had a great time at the party. I did too. I'm so glad that I got to see some of her dance moves in person. 

The party

Today we had John's 7th birthday party. John had been talking about his party for months (and months). But today was the day. We decided to have an old school party. I came up with a few Lego games and prizes and we invited all of his classmates. 

As the kids arrived today, we sent them outside to play on the playground. They played nicely until it was time to start the games. Our first game was pin the head on the Lego man. Aunt Betty tied the blindfold on the kids while I handed them their own Lego head. The kids were pretty excited about this simple game and I think they did a great job. 

 

Our next game was a relay race. I had a bucket of Legos at one end and the object was for the kids to move all the Legos to the empty bucket. The kids decided to go boys against girls. Now this made the teams very uneven, but the boys didn't mind. They thought that since there was only four of them they would win. Well the girls were very organized and they won! The boys said "They cheated!" 

Our next game was knocking down a stack of yellow cups, that looked like Lego faces!

This was a lot of fun. Some kids had no problems hitting down all the cups. But others had a hard time even getting the ball near the table. 

Our fourth game was like skeeball, but with Legos. I guess I didn't get any pictures of this game. But I made rings and the kids had to throw a dupleo (big Legos) into the rings. Each ring had a different value. The easiest ring was 5 points, the next 10 and the center smallest ring was 20. John went first and scored 75 points! Everyone else followed behind. 

Daddy ran out to get pizza. So while we were waiting, Aunt Betty had all the kids guess the number of Lego Mini Figures we put in a jar. 

While the kids were guessing the number of minifigs, I was giving out prizes for all the other games. The kids guesses were all over the place, 102, 71, 37. But miss Isabel guessed 55 and she was the closest. There were 52 in the jar!

We are lunch and had cake. And then it was time to do the piñata. John wanted a piñata with pull stings instead of using a stick. That makes me feel a little safer. Anyway, John went first and nothing. A couple kids went after him and nothing. Then Izzy went. She had a hard time grasping one string and ended up pulling them all. The trap door opened and all the candy fell out. The kids went nuts. Grabbing everything they could get. They filled up their goodie bags with candy and then went to play again. 

After everyone was gone, I asked John "Thumbs up or thumbs down?" He smiled and said "Thumbs up!" I'll take that!

The box

Daddy and Gillian got home before John and I. Daddy texted me and let me know that a package we were waiting for had arrived. When I picked up John, I told him that there was a big box waiting for us at home. John asked "How big?" I said "Big." He said "I wonder what's in it." I said "I know. But I'm not saying." We got home and he immediately started to look for it. "There's an empty box in here. Wonder what was inside?" He walked into the kitchen and that's where he found it. A Lego piñata for his birthday party!

I think he likes it!

After dinner Daddy told me that Gillian was able to hide in the box. I didn't believe him. But she carried the box into the kitchen and showed me. 

Apparently the piñata and box are fun for everyone!

The girl party

On Sunday we had Aunt Missy's baby shower. Gilly and I have been talking about the baby shower for a long time. She knew that it was a party for girls and that Aunt Missy was going to get presents for the baby. 

On Saturday, Gillian and I went to Target to get a few things for the house and also some wrapping paper and a card for our baby shower gift. Since we were there, I decided to check out the baby section. I saw some cute hooded towels and I let Gillian pick. She said "I like the owl. The shark scares me!" So I put the owl towel and some washcloths in the cart. And then I heard, "Hi guys!" Aunt Missy was in Target! I saw some baby things in her cart and I said "You shouldn't be buying baby clothes." She explained that they were for a shower. Then Gillian stood up in the cart and said "We have stuff for the baby!" And she showed Aunt Missy the towel and washcloths. Yup, that's my life. We had gotten so close to the shower without any slip ups and then Gillian opens her mouth. Aunt Missy just laughed. As we were leaving, I said "See you tomorrow at Gigi's party." And Gillian added "It's a girl party!" Ugh. Again. We quickly got out of the store. I didn't want Gillian to have another opportunity to spill the beans. 

Sunday we went to Mimi's house for the party. Gillian was super excited and decided that she wanted to be the first person to see Aunt Missy. She waited patiently for a few minutes. 

The funny thing is that when Aunt Missy did arrive Gillian was off playing with her cousin. 

The party was a success. Gillian and McKenna helped Aunt Missy unwrap presents. And the baby got lots of great stuff. 

Pirate party

Today was Kyle Thomas' 8th birthday party. He had a pirate party on a pirate ship! John was super excited about the party. Gillian was also excited but got very shy when we arrived. I think she was overwhelmed my the number of kids. We arrived and the kids got their pirate names, tattoos and bandanas. John's pirate name was "Jackpot John" and Gillian's name was "Jumpship Gillian." John picked a red bandana and he got a tattoo of a shark chasing a fish. Gillian did not want a tattoo or to wear her banana. Before we got on the ship, the kids had a lesson on pirate vocabulary. This got everyone every excited. Even Gillian was excited to get on the boat. She let us put on her pink bandana. 

We got on the ship and all the kids sat in the front. Gillian immediately wanted to sit next to John. She sat there for about 30 seconds and then sat with Daddy and I. 

The first thing the kids had to do was to find a map. The boys ran around the whole ship to find the map. Then they had to read the map to find the treasure. But then they saw another pirate and the kids decided we needed to attack him. They got to use water cannons to attack him. 

Gilly was very lucky because there was a cannon right next to Daddy. She didn't have to share at all. The kids shot the pirate with the water cannons and he fell in the water! After they defeated the pirate they were able to look for the treasure. 

They pulled in their haul and then had to open up the chest with a bunch of keys. 

Then all the loot got divided up amongst all the kids. Kyle got his first, next came Gillian and the other girls. John waited patiently for his turn. He didn't get his goodie bag until almost the end. But he was super patient and didn't complain at all. 

Then the kids saw something floating in the water! They pulled it in and it was Grog! They all got a little drink. And the posed for a group picture. 

We had pizza for dinner and some yummy cupcakes too. The kids had a great time. Happy birthday Kyle!

Birthday planning

John and Gillian's birthdays are in July. But that hasn't stopped them from planning their parties. Gillian has already decided "I want another princess party!" She has been telling me that for weeks. Now she has decided "I have a gymnastics party." This decision was made after attending a gymnastics party last weekend. 

John has also been talking about his birthday party. I would pick him up from school and he says "I've decided I want to invite three friends to my birthday party." I always say "Your birthday is not for a long time." He says "I know. But I'm going to make invitations." Yesterday he actually came home with an invitation. 

I asked him about it. He said "It's my invitation. I need to make more. And I'm going to give them to my friends." Again I explained to him that his birthday is four months away and it is too early to send out invitations. That satisfied him for now, but I guess I have to start planning a birthday party. 

Pizza Party

One of Gillian's friends had a birthday pizza party at school today. When I picked her up tonight, she immediately said "Nicholas give me something and I got a party hat!" I saw that Nicholas gave everyone a goodie bag. Gillian insisted "I carry to the car!" In the car I asked her what she had at the party. She said "Pizza! I eat two pieces! And munchkins! I eat two chocolate ones." I asked her if there was any cupcakes. She said "No cupcakes. Nicholas' mommy needs to make some. And then you can have one. Or you could have a bite of mine!" I should not have asked. Poor Nicholas. You know on Monday she is going to ask him for a cupcake. 

Caaake Party

Aunt Missy and Uncle T invited us to their house for a party to celebrate their first anniversary. I told the kids it was a party to eat cake. This made Gillian super excited. All day yesterday, she said to me "We go to Missy's house now?" After asking me a million times I think she finally relaxed that we were not going to their house until today. 

On our way to Uncle T's house, we had to make a quick stop to pick up whipped cream. While we were taking our detour, John informed us "I don't think this is the way to Uncle T's." When we pulled onto their street John said "Finally! I thought we were never going to make it." 

When Gillian finished her dinner, she said "Is it time for cake now?" She sat and waited while Aunt Missy got everything ready for dessert. She even went outside and told everyone "It's cake time!" She was the second one to get a piece of cake. She ate all her cake and ice cream too. She even asked for a second helping of ice cream.

Being 6 Rocks!

My little man turned six today!

First thing this morning, Gillian went running into his room saying "It's your birthday Johnny!" Once the kids were dressed and Gillian brought John his birthday present. She was so excited. John took the box gave it a quick shake and said "It's Legos!" He was right. He was still excited about the new Legos and gave Gillian a hug and kiss. In the kitchen he found a new book bag on his chair. He assumed that the book bag was his whole gift. He checked out the inside and found some more Legos. He was super excited. He didn't have any of these new Legos. He decided that he needed to bring his new book bag to school along with his collection of "If you give a mouse a cookie" books. 

When we arrived at school everyone said "Happy birthday!" And he got tons of compliments on his birthday shirt. Gillian told anyone that would listen, "I go to Johnny's party!" I left the kids at school and came back with pizza and cupcakes. Gillian was already hanging out in John's class with all the big kids. Lunch was pretty uneventful. Next it was time to sing. The kids did the typical rendition of Happy Birthday complete with the "cha cha ca" after every verse. The kids loved the cupcakes. Gillian licked most of the icing off of her cupcake, and then dropped it. We gave her a new cupcake and she ended up with an icing mustache. John then handed out his goodie bags. The kids were so happy with their goodies. And Gillian was excited that she got a goodie bag too.  

Overall a great 6th birthday!

I a girl

I went to a baby shower today. Daddy was home with the kids. At some point John asked "Where's Mommy?" Daddy told him, "Mommy's at a party," John whined "I want to go to a party!" Daddy told him "You can't go. It's a girl party." Gillian, who was listening to their conversation, said "I a girl! I go to party!" Daddy tried to backtrack and said "It's a big girl party" But Gillian countered. "But I a big girl!" Daddy clarified "No a grown up girl." John also helped "You need to be big like Daddy to go to the party!"

Party

Today was John's friend's birthday. Remy's mom invited is over for dinner and cake. Normally I wouldn't go to a party on a school night but it was going to be a small group. Plus I felt like I owed John. The week after Christmas I ran into Remy's mom when picking up the kids. She suggested setting up a play date. We settled on New Year's Eve. That morning I piled the kids in the car and went to start it and it wouldn't turn over. The battery was dead. We unfortunately had to cancel that day and so when I was given and opportunity to get the boys together again I couldn't turn it down.

Daddy picked up Gillian from school and I picked up John. John and I got to Remy's house a little late and Logan was already there. As soon as we walked in the door the boys went running. John felt immediately at home! The boys played and only took a break to eat, open presents and eat again. I had a good time too. It was nice to talk to other moms while the boys entertained themselves. We were on our way out the door and John was in tears "I don't want to go!" I had to promise that we would come visit another day so he would stop.

Belated Halloween

Hurricane Sandy ruined the kids Halloween this year.  After the hurricane hit, the Governor postponed Halloween until Monday, November 5th.  We still dressed the kids up on October 31st, even if it was to run errands.  They had fun dressing up and we put smiles on a lot of people's faces that day.   

 

 

So the Governor postponed Halloween until Monday, however our town cancelled Halloween on Monday.  On Monday, Tinton Falls still had about 20% of the town without power plus the department of public works did not have time to clean the brush or branches up.  The mayor deemed it unsafe for the kids to go trick or treating.  The kids school reopened on Monday, and asked that all the kids wear their costumes to school today.  John was so excited to wear his costume.  He dressed as Flash this year.  In case any of you forget, John is super fast! And since Flash is the fastest super hero around, it just made sense for John to dress up as him for Halloween.  Gillian was a beautiful lavender fairy.  She loved being a fairy, but I think this may be my last year to pick Gillian's costume.  I packaged up two Halloween cookies per kid in both John and Gillian's classes and the kids brought them to school today too. 

I got to pick the kids up from school today (one of the perks of working from home when the office has no power) and I also got to talk to the teachers.  Miss Mary Ellen, John's teacher, told me that she put cookies in each of the kids pumpkin buckets and the extras we opened and used for snack.  I'm so glad they were able to use them.  Landon also stopped me in the hallway and said "I had one of your cookies today!  It was yummy!"  His grandma said "Oh, you're the cookie mom!"  I leaned over to Landon and whispered "We will have cookies for Thanksgiving too!"  He jumped up and down and said "YES!"  I am so glad that he loves the cookies too.  Anyway, John had a pumpkin bucket full of Halloween goodies (a glow in the dark sword, cookies, rings stickers etc).  Gillian also had a Halloween bag with all kinds of goodies.  Even though the kids didn't get to go door to door trick or treating, they still ended up having fun.