Seventh and Ninth birthday parties - Slumber party for 12!

This weekend we hosted birthday slumber parties for both girls.  The big girls had an American Girl doll theme, the littles had a dog theme.  Anna's friends slept outside in the tent with Dave, SJ's friends got the playroom.

We got ready for our guests after attending/playing 3 soccer games.

 Dave set up the tent in the backyard.

 The girls packaged their party favors.

 SJ laid out art supplies to entertain guests as they arrived.

 SJ's friends all brought their dolls.

 Anna's friends made the tent their headquarters.

 Odin was there too, staking out his territory as the only guy, in his own tent.

 The pizza was supposed to arrive at 5:30.  It didn't.  We opened presents and played with them.  Big hits this year were Play Mobil Horse and Dog, art projects, and Beanie Boos.

 SJ got real baby supplies for her lifelike baby doll from Nana and Papa.

 At 6:30 the pizza was still not there.  We had a freeze-dance dance party and all the vegetables were consumed.

 The dance party had an audience.  They weren't so sure about the chaos.

 At 7 the pizza arrived.  I've never been so glad to see pizza.  After dinner we had cake.  SJ's American Girl doll is Kit Kittredge who lived during the Great Depression and wanted to be a reporter.  We struggled a bit with how the cake could reflect that.  In the end, we just plopped a toy typewriter on top of the cake and called it good.

 We had a bit more fun with Anna's.  This one gave us the giggles.

SJ blew her candles out.  Anna did too but I missed the moment.

 After dinner we split up and watched two movies.  The littles watched AirBud, a high-quality film about a dog who plays baseball and wins the World Series.  The big girls watched Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, which was surprisingly good!

We then tried to go to sleep.  Dave was pretty successful in the tent.  I pretty much failed inside.  The girls were mostly quiet by 11:15 and up and at it by 5:20.  We had a rather bleary breakfast of waffles.

Everyone departed by 9.  Everyone was happy.  Slumber party: Check.

First day of school - 2016

All four kids started school at Cragmont today.  We started the day with Eggs & Toast a la breakfast chef Dave and then embarked on the annual photo shoot.  Eli & Roby knew the drill and performed impressively.

Anna, per her usual first day jitters, was not so sure.  There was some hesitation over whether to wear her cool new kicks from Aunt Julia or go with her "ratty" shoes, she went with the familiar after some discussion but we had no tears for the first time.

Sarah Jane was fired up and ready to go.

All hands were on deck for the four kid drop off.  Dave was there this year.  Grandma was there too; not pictured, but totally essential.  We missed Aunt Whitney who missed her first, first day of school.

Grandma did the Sarah Jane drop off which was easy as SJ found her crew and jumped right in.

 She was, for the fifth year running, at the front of the line, waiting for Ms. Wissman.

Anna was a bit less sure.  Dave covered this one and needed to give some heavy encouragement as they waited for Ms. Torres.

I got Eli and Roby into class.  They hung up their back packs, lined up their lunches, found their name tags at their tables and then waited patiently for me to go.  I had a hard time ripping the band aid off and came back to say goodbye at least 3 times (times two...)  Kindergarten rush lasts 3 days this year so we'll know who their teacher is on Friday.  We are keeping them in the same class so we do know they will stay together.

 After school the boys emerged triumphant with A+ stickers.  They reported that NO ONE had to go to the Principal's office. Total success.

 Anna was cheerful too and announced that she LOVED Ms. Torres and that learning was fun.  Phew.

Sarah Jane too announced that she LOVED her classroom and that it was full of graphic novels.  All is well.

We headed down to Grandma and Zeke's for our annual first day of school Lemonade and Cheese & Cracker party.  Not pictured Roby, Odin, Chloe, Sophie, their mothers, and Grandma.  

Day 1 down.  Links to other first years below in case you are curious:

2015 First Day of Cragmont
2014 First day of Cragmont
2013 First day of Cragmont
2012 First day of Cragmont

Eli & Roby are 5!!

Eli and Roby turned five today and what a birthday it was!  They have been counting down to this day seriously since mid-March.  We started celebrating at 5:10 AM with snuggles and loud whispers in mom and dad's bed.

Post picture, we Facetimed with Papa and Nana and wished Papa a very happy birthday too!
Breakfast was special week-day waffles a la dad.

The first of three synchronized candle extinguishes.

After breakfast we opened presents.

The girls handed them out.  There were lots of presents.

We opened cards from Nana and Papa.

And got some help reading them.

 This birthday was the Play Mobile birthday (and this doesn't even show the pirate ship from Broken Back Nat and Dangerous Danise!)

We headed off to school, the boys sported their new kindergarten big boy backpacks.

At lunch we celebrated with hats, wish books, and cupcakes.

The boys passed out the cupcakes (green for Roby, Blue for Eli)

The boys signed the book we gave to the school (Stuck by Oliver Jeffers, a big hit with the 5 and under crew.)

At dinner time Grandma, Zeke and Dad played with the new toys.

Anna, Eli and Roby put together some of the Play Mobile.  Sarah Jane was at soccer.

We had hot dogs, mac n'cheese, veggies and TWO cupcakes each! (The Eli & Roby designed birthday dinner.)  After dinner we opened MORE presents and read books from GG, but first we face timed with Uncle Matt & Aunt Lauri, Uncle Nat & Danise, and were serenaded (via Facetime) by Cousin Evie.  When reading the books from GG, Eli announced that "GG" was just two G's.  Dad said, "Deep thoughts by Eli."  Eli said, "Dad always says that."

We finished with more synchronized candle blowing.

All in all, a great birthday.  Thank you to all who called, sent presents, and showed up to celebrate.  These kids are so lucky.  Saturday we celebrate with 20 kids at Pump It Up. The anticipation continues!

P.S.  Heehee.

Welcome Baby Smoer!

We have a new cousin!  Nathaniel Zeke joined us December 29th at 2:07am.  Our crew is pretty smitten.  We had our first official viewing today.  Nathaniel was very well behaved and slept through the entire visit.

Big sister Hanora, a pro, made the intros.

Everyone got a turn.

Roby was interested but declined his turn as he preferred not to have to feed the little guy.  Feeding appeared to be a rather involved thing and Roby preferred to be less "hands on."

I was there too, as were parents-on-deck Uncle Eric and Aunt Ellie.  I somehow missed a picture of the actual parents.  Total fail to be made up shortly.

This little guy has a pretty excited team.