James is 5!

James at 5 Loves:

his santa hat

video games

iPad

loves his brother and best friend, Sam

ninja turtles

legos

dressing up in costumes (especially super heroes)

panda food (egg rolls from Panda Express)

chips and salsa

mac 'n cheese and oranges

to wear socks and shoes

James had to most amazing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle birthday party. I had so much putting this together with him by my side. He would let me know exactly what he wanted. He would let me know what ideas I had were good and which needed some help! :)

My amazing neighbor, Amanda, helped me out and saved the day by making James' cake for me.  I don't know what I would have done without that awesome cake!  It was just perfect for the day. 

We had fun treats and games.  I loved coming up with these ideas with James.  The hardest part was having to wait to play them until the party. 

We had Splinter's Slime Surprise.  The kids got to make a cup of green jell-o filled with candy worms, fish, octopus, etc.

Krrang's Cake Cups.  We had a cupcake eating contest while wearing their favorite Ninja Turtle's mask.

We also make April's Love Punch.  The kids had to pin the heart on Donnie.

Donnie's Limber Limbo.

Leo's Leap Kicks.  The kids each got a turn jumping and doing their best ninja tricks while we took pictures of them. 

Mikey's Ninja Stars.  The kids did their best to hit the balloons with their ninja stars.  

Raph's Sewer Run was a fun obstacle course in the back yard.  The kids had fun running under the tramp, going down the slide, spinning around the bat, crawling through tunnels, weaving through cones...

 

 After all the fun and games we had to have a pizza party, 'cause Ninja Turtles love pizza.

 Then it was back inside for that delicious cake and presents.  James scored some fun new Ninja Turtle toys he couldn't wait to play.

 James had a few balloons left over from his party and he decided he wanted to "send" them to Harry.  Harry is our little neighbor buddy who passed away last year.  Their was a balloon send off to him at his funeral and then on his birthday.  I thought it was very sweet of James to do that.  That is just the type of kid he is.  So sweet and kind and thinking of others. 

Chloe's First Dance Class

Chloe has been begging me to let her start dance.  I told her she would have to wait until she was 3.  So when she realized her birthday was coming up I finally agreed to take her to a dance studio to check it out.

 She was so excited for her first day.  She got all dressed up and practiced the moves she already knew.  She did so well in class.  She followed directions and was able to copy everything her teacher was doing.  She had a per-a-grin the whole time and would even look over and me and give me a "thumbs up" every once in a while.

 We had great timing starting today because it was the day for costume measurements.  Chloe was thrilled to hear that she would get a costume and be able to dance on a stage.  Oh man.  The girly life has begun....and I'm loving every minute of it!

Our Little Singer

Whether she is in the bathroom, bath, toy room, car, or church, Chloe is always singing.  It may be a song she's heard and learned, or an original that just needs to be voiced.  We love our little singer and are so grateful for the smiles shes brings us with her songs and moves that go with them! :)

YES SIR!

I thought that James might be interested in started a martial art, since he is so into Ninja Turtles and Ninjago, so when I saw a Tae Kwon Do school, I stopped in to get some info.  I did Tae Kwon Do growing up, so I was most comfortable with this martial art.

I took the kids in to check it out.  James noticed right away, that he would have to take his shoes off so that means it was a quick, "no" for him.  But as I looked at Sam I saw this eyes light up and he wanted to give it a try.

He loved it.  He got to have a private lesson with each of the masters, Master Son and Master Kim.  They walked him through each move and command and taught him body and mind focus.  It was so fun to watch him try to control his body and make it do all that they asked of him.

I am so excited he is doing this and hope it goes well.  I loved it as a kid and learned a lot!  I love that the boys like hockey like their dad, and now Tae Kwon Do like mom! :)

The Rains in Provo

We headed down to Provo tonight for our traditional dinner and BYU football game.  When we left the sky was blue, with a slight threat of some light rains in the evening.  By the time we were done with dinner the weather had changed dramatically and the rains were thundering down.  I have never seem rain so thick and hard.  At times we could hardly see 20 feet from us.  I was actually very scared when we were driving on some of the streets.  The water from the flooding was half way up the car and we could feel us float at times.  The craziest of all was the dumpster we saw floating by us as we were trying to get through the streets.  Thankfully we made it safely, and after a long delay we did get to see a great football game.