Happy Birthday Josiah!! Pt.2

I finally got the pics from his birthday party at Chuckie Cheese on here... Now there were about 70 pictures in all, but I widdled it down to these 20 0r so. So if you want to experience a 6 year old birthday party without actually being there... take a stroll through our little picture collage. I'll post the rest of the pics on my facebook site if you want to see all of them! The boys were so excited about being at Chuck E. Cheese. We barely got to our table and sat down the gifts when the boys ran to the stage to look at the puppets and the stuff they had up there. I was laughing so hard because they just didn't know what to do with their hands, so they hugged each other.

Jo's cousins and friends arrived shortly after and the games began! Michelle and Casey joined us a little bit later... Here Casey and Ash pose for a shot


Then the party started with the crew from Chuck E. Cheese kicking it off


Chuck made his entrance and all the birthday kids were asked to join him up front to start a parade! You know Josiah was all over that!



This is one of my favorite shots... he was so happy and felt soooo special!!
The yelling continued and Ry didn't hold anything back!

Cake time... Yes that is Darth Vadar making an entrance as the candle menace

This was such a cool part of the show. Each birthday kid got a gold medal just for them. Josiah was so thrilled for his special medal.

After they got the medal the lighting ceremony began and the countdown for a wish... Josiah actually said his wish out loud for some particular Star Wars toy.... surprise, surprise he got just that! Light Saber, Clone trooper helmet and gun, a ship of some sort... plenty of Star Wars stuff.

Little Chloe lovin on some chocolate cake.

Not everyone wanted to jump in to the pic with Chuck E... but Josiah was a happy little guy none the less. I tell ya, they really make the birthday child feel like a king!!

Gift time!!

Then back to playing more games....

Jo handed out his thank you notes and the party wrapped up. 2 hours in a loud busy place is enough for me... but I'd do it again for the boys, they really enjoy going there.

Then back at home, neighbor Keegs joined Ry, Jo and cousin Keegs for a little Jedi action. I was in my room feeding the baby when I heard the noise, so I grabbed the camera and caught these shots.

All in all Josiah had a great 6th Birthday. For some reason it marked the end of his "toddler-hood" to me. I think it was more of a transition for me to make than for him! But I'm happy that he was so happy and will have a great memory of his special day at Chuck E. Cheese... where a kid can be a kid!!

till later... Nic

Happy 6th Birthday Josiah! Pt.1

October 8th Josiah was officially 6 years old. He's been counting the days down till it was his turn and he definitely had a great time!!

Our tradition these last couple of years is to go to Red Robin to use the free birthday burger coupon.

Josiah is a pizza man though, but he was ready for it!

Then it was time for the birthday song and ice cream sundae!!

Ash didn't know what to make of all the singing... but dad kept him safe!

Mariah brought gifts with her from Cali... here she is reading the card her brothers and sister all signed.

Outside of Red Robin the new fountain at Belle-Square was up and working so they checked it out.

Then it was time for our other little tradition of letting the birthday boy pick out a little gift of his own at... They all headed straight for this display... yes our house is all about the Clone Wars right now!
me thinks out of your budget these toys are... my young padawan...
He had a blast none the less because Toys R Us has a birthday club where you get a crown, a balloon and they announce your name over the loud speaker!! So our little Jo was feeling pretty special!!

Till later... Nic

Tasty Science

Last week Josiah and Quin were doing Science and working on "God gave me my tongue so that I can taste." To distinguish between various tastes, we had samples. Coffee for bitter, lemon juice for sour, sugar for sweet, salt for salty and hot sauce for spicy. It was fun. Even little Ry broke from his lesson to jump in even though he already did this a year ago.
Josiah decided to taste bitter first... not much of a coffee kid. :-)
Quin went straight for sweet! Surprise, Surprise!!
They all like lemon anyway... so sour was actually fun for them... YICK!!
The hot sauce was SPICY!!
More science adventures to come!!

Till later... Nic!

Ashbug sitting like a big boy!

I was trying to fold clothes and Asher was being particularly busy this time. So I sat him up so he could watch me and he held it by himself for a few seconds. I was pleasantly surprised and thought I'd try to catch it on camera. He's been working on his sitting for the last couple of weeks... so it is only a matter of time before he's doing all the time by himself! He's 3 months now, but will be 4 months in a week.




till later... Nic

The many faces of Jo and Quin

Jo and Quin were hanging out in my room as I worked... They were supposed to be keeping Ash occupied so I could concentrate. Well, Josiah was doing crazy faces to Ash and I just had to stop and have him do them for the camera too... Boy he's a ham!!


Quin got in the action as well... he still needs a little work on a crazy face though. He just keeps smiling harder and harder!! :-)

And here is Asher's response to all of this nonsense...


Sort of like... am I part of this family??

till later... Nic

Ry Jr... Budding Photographer!!

So, my first born believes he is good at taking pictures. Yes, Ryan is 7 and knows how to use a digital camera better than his mother!! What is weird for me is that he KNOWS what a digital camera is....

But he actually wants his own camera and I know he will be good at it. A couple of nights ago he asked if he could take pictures of me and Asher... I just got home from work and was tired, but I must remember to encourage their talents always... yeah right! Well he had Michelle's camera handy so went ahead with it and they came out OK... so below is his first "photo shoot"

Asher was definitely game... check out his expressions...
We called dad up to the room and he sat for a few shots too.
Daddy got the camera and tried to get a shot of me and all my boys... Quin felt he needed to show off his flexibility.
But we finally got a shot with everyone looking... well almost everyone.
And alas... Josiah got into the action and took this shot of us... sort of cut out Quin there...

...but it was a fun photo shoot none-the-less and I think little Ry will be a fine photographer if he ever wanted to pursue it.

till later... Nic