Friday, August 16, 2013

Two Birthday Parties

Elena's birthday party
The kids played lots of fun games. This one involved dice and candy bars. Mmmm.






Pin the Tail on the Donkey 



 Julianna was the winner of this one.









Chase was really hoping for the prize that someone else got. :(
He has a good stink-eye. 











American Girl Doll!








Aubree's a crack-up.

Julianna's birthday party was at the Painted Zebra. The kids all painted their own ceramics and then had dinner and birthday cake. I didn't go to this one (teaching piano lessons) but it looked really neat.





























































Rocket Time

Brian and Tawny started a fun family tradition last year. Rockets! 
Brian has 5 or 6 of them, and we all go down to a big field to send them up, and send them up again.  The kids love it!  They all chase the rockets around the field wherever the wind takes it. Each kid wants to be the lucky one to catch it. Some kids care more about catching it than others. (see pictures of Julianna...) Sometimes there are tears shed. But overall, the kids are so interested in the rockets and Brian lets them participate in the process of getting them ready to go. We had perfect weather (all summer it seems!) and this night was very enjoyable. 

Calvin checks out the rocket

other games



Julianna helping


Getting ready for blast-off


Sophy (in the background) was more interested in the latest Eoin Colfer book.


I brought along the parachute that I purchased for my preschool. Fun!

Calli finally found a way in. She always wants to be in the middle of things.







Sisters

Mitchell waits for the rockets

Everyone thought that Julianna had finally caught the rocket (she had been running hard all night to get there first) and we were so excited for her. But as the sisters walked toward us, we saw all the tears. It turns out that Grant caught it one second before she did and then handed it to her. I thought that was pretty nice, but Julianna did not appreciate the gesture.

Grant is a great big brother. I really enjoyed having this kid around.

Poor thing.
But she has such a cute crying face.

Some kids used time in between rocket launches to build this pile of cut grass.
They worked hard to get it this tall.

Tally, Sophia, and me


Now for the little helicopters! 
Calvin was the one who was desperate to catch a helicopter. He cried each time he missed (he's TWO!) and once said, "I can't do anything!" I have never seen such a competitive and determined little 2-year-old. He came close several times!  Finally Tawny picked him up and ran to help him catch a helicopter. Everyone cheered and Calvin beamed.


So many girls at these reunions! I love it!