Day 30: Thankful for a Kindergarten Program

 The day before Thanksgiving break, Kinder put on their Thanksgiving Day Program at school.  I love these kids!!! 

Ryan was VERY concerned about me coming to his program.  He asked me EVERY.SINGLE.DAY.  And his face was priceless when he saw me on the front row!!!!  






Ryan also won another award for having a great attitude and following the rules.  Adorbs!

Day 29: Thankful for Simplifying

 Last year, I made the decision to only have a big birthday for the boys on their even years.  This was to simplify and cut out on some of the excess.

Because this was one of Evan's even years, I had been thinking about the party for many months and planning things in my mind.  Evan LOVES rocks and little treasures, so I was planning on doing a party called Roar, I'm Four, with a dinosaur/fossil theme.  I was planning on having it at this local museum where we've been and gotten some rocks and fossils and where they have one of those coin tornadoes where Evan literally spent all the coins in my purse.  I found a dinosaur book (we give books each year on birthdays and everyone at the party signs it.)  And then life happened.

We celebrated at Great Wolf Lodge.

We celebrated as a family.

We had lots of visitors and were busy with Halloween and trying to survive.


So, the party in my mind didn't happen.  I took Evan to go pick out plates and decorations, and my Roar 4 party became balloons and an Olaf pinata. And, he LOVED it.  Sometimes, we really do just need to "let it go."


We had the cousins over for some Chick-fil-a. 

Evan got lots of great presents and was excited about every one of them.

 He even loved the boxes!!!

Here's a summary of his favorites:

Pinata TIME!!!!  (the boys call it "PAIN-yatta.")

 Dayton loves lollipops.

Evan helped me decorate his cake.  He wanted chocolate, sprinkles, cookies, candy, gummy worms, and more.  I had to draw the line somewhere.  It was a perfect cake for a 4-year-old, though.

Happy birthday and hooray for simplicity!!!! 

Day 28: Thankful for Trying New Things

 

Last week Stephen and I were able to go with some CRNAs to a cool night out.  Out on a farm outside of town, Ronin Cooking does a monthly dinner in the forest.  We ate under the stars, warmed by chimineas, served in high dining style.  I LOVED the experience and enjoyed trying all the new tastes that I most surely would not order by choice (beef heart.) We learned that butterkin is a mix of butternut squash and pumpkin and can be made into a delicious bread.  I LOVED the spaghetti squash and the pork belly with fennel.  This was definitely something I look forward to trying again!  

Day 27: Thankful for Vacations!

Earlier in the month, we made our annual trip to Great Wolf Lodge.  This time, Grandma and Grandpa joined us, along with Granna and Auntie Deb!!!!

Evan  thinks he comes here for his birthday. 

The boys LOVE the lily pads!!!

Kyle was tall enough to ride everything, and on day TWO, Ryan grew an inch and could ride every slide but the tornado. 

We celebrated Grandma's 60th birthday AND we had TWO cakes for the 4 year old. 

He got some cash---which he had to turn around and pay to Mom when he cracked her iPad screen. 

We love Great Wolf Lodge AND vacations!!!!