Noon Year's Day

 It's 2014!  We decided to ring in the new year the kid friendly way- in the middle of the day!  We had a "Happy Noon Year" party on New Year's day with some friends.  The kids made new year's shakers (out of paper plates and rice), had lunch and then had a balloon drop.  The kids had a great time and we ended up doing the balloon drop many, many more times.

First Slumber Party

 Last weekend, Lil G had his very first sleepover! He filled up his sticker chart and his reward was getting to have his friend, "J" over to watch a movie and sleep together in the tent.  The two had a blast and did great throughout the night.  Greg stayed downstairs with the dynamic duo, while mama and Smunchie slept upstairs.  Everyone actually got a good night's sleep!

The next morning, the two kids played together outside.  Lil G and J are so sweet together.  Here he is helping her put on the rollerskates.  They are really two peas in a pod!

Playing at the Nature Preserve

 Last weekend, we went to the local nature preserve, to celebrate one of Lil G's friend's birthdays.  He and his buddy, "J" are very close and he was so excited to help her ring in her fifth birthday!  He had a blast playing in the creek, on the swings and going on a nature hike.  Smunchie also had fun, splashing in the creek and eating her cupcake.  We are so blessed to have such great friends, a great place to play and great weather on that fabulous day.

 Above: Lil G pushing his friend on the swing.  Below: Splashing in the creek

 Smunchie was excited when she found a bucket to scoop and dump sand.

 Above: Lil G kept telling us that he was making "macaroni and cheese" in the creek.

 There was a nest of baby birds in the covered bridge at the preserve.  Lil G was in awe of the little guys.

Giddy-Up!

 We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends.  A few weeks ago, we were invited out to a friend's farm, where she had a pony waiting for the kids to have rides!  Lil G was so excited.  He kept asking me, "Where is the pony?  Where is it?".  I finally told him that he would KNOW when he saw it.
And, you know what? He knew, all right!

 One of the neatest things was that little Smunchie got to ride the pony too!  She was pretty indifferent during the whole ride but didn't seem to mind it at all!

 After the ride, Lil G and his friend, "C", spent some time digging in the dirt.  They really like spending time together.

 And then, the kids got to take turns feeding the pony!  It was so special and we were so blessed to be included in the invitation.

Wordless Wednesday

Final Fun Run

 Tonight was the last Fun Run of the season.  This has been a great event for Lil G throughout the entire summer.  He has loved running each week and we loved that he was able to learn that you don't always have to win to be a winner! (cheesy, I know).  Tonight, Lil G chose to run with the "Fours" group, so that he could run with his friend, A. 

Tonight was extra special because, being the final run of the season, each of the kids got a trophy to take home!  Lil G was so proud of his prize and promptly put it up on his bookshelf as soon as he got home. 

Good friends are part of what makes these events so wonderful.  After the run, Lil G enjoyed some time goofing off with N and A.

This was Smunchie at the Fun Run. I don't know how she fell asleep like this but she did!  She was in the wrap but wanted to be down in the stroller....and then passed out.  Silly girl.

Birthday Playtime

 A few weeks ago, we went to a birthday party for a sweet little girl who was turning 4.  It was so nice, because Lil G loves his friend "A" and her little brother, "N".  The kids had a blast playing outside, making crowns, getting balloon animals and eating cookie-cake and homemade ice cream. 

B with the soccer ball.

 M and L on the balance beam.

Lil G tackles the tunnel, followed by M and L.

G heads down the slide.  

 Balance beam!!  Lil G did a great job, as did the birthday girl (A) and L.

 

The kids had a blast playing with water balloons on the parachute.  Lil G kept ending up with all the balloons popping right by him!

AF, smiling away!

 The birthday girl looks ecstatic to be playing with the parachute!

A minor skirmish.  Probably bound to happen.

 B enjoyed the water play, provided by Lori.

Smunchie was pretty relaxed throughout the entire party.

 Lil G was so proud of his crown. 

G, getting ready to throw a water balloon.

 The kids did a water race.  They had to fill sponges with water and then empty them into a bucket.  The kids loved it!

The kids got to roll around a ball, in order to make ice cream. 

Water Limbo!  M had her own approach to avoiding the "pole".

 Lil G decided to go THROUGH the pole....

 As did G.

After the kids went inside and got dressed in dry clothes, the got to get balloon animals made by the "balloon lady".  G is sporting his sword, with a holster.

M, showing off her flower.

 A very inquisitive N.

B, with his "black flower"

 Lil G, trying to blow through a noisemaker.