Ben’s 4th Birthday Party

Ben turns four years old tomorrow. This year was a party year for Ben and he requested a Cars theme. We’re trying to alternate between party birthday and non-party birthdays for our kids…Charlotte and Ben had parties this year, Rosemary will have one next year. On non-party years, we try to do something special either as a family or with just the birthday child.

Cars was a fun theme to put together. Thanks to well stocked party store, Dollar Tree, and Pinterest, I think it was one of the easiest parties we’ve done. Really, none of the things that we did were my idea…all are gathered from various sites found via Pinterest.

We tried something different this time since we don’t have a whole lot of space in our house and it’s pretty hot outside right now. We made it a drop off party and I think this is how Rosemary and Ben’s parties will be from here on out. My parents were here to help out with the kids so we had four adults and six kids (including Charlotte) and things went so smoothly. The main thing was making sure we had enough to stay busy for the two hours, and we did. We also decided to make Ben and Rosemary’s bedroom off limits. That controlled how many toys came into the living room. As a result, we only had the box of cars out and clean up was so quick. It made for a fun and stress-free afternoon celebrating Ben.

The birthday boy with our very own (slightly cross-eyed) Lightning McQueen

I asked Ben if he wanted his sign to say “Welcome to Ben’s Birthday Party” or “Welcome to Ben’s Motor Speedway.” You can see what he picked.

I have learned to just buy cakes for parties. I don’t like to bake and the end result never looks like I pictured it in my head if I attempt them myself. Thank goodness for Sam’s. I’m not stressed and it saves me so much time.

Ready for the party to begin!

Mom helped me with organizing the kids and keeping things running smoothly. She also got things pretty much cleaned up before the party was even over.

First, the kids ate a lunch of chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, green beans, and grapes. Then they got a quick run down on the activities of the afternoon.

First up, a relay race outside. Rather than have the kids race against each other, we just timed them running from one end of the yard to the other. For all five to run, it took a total of 55 seconds. We did it three times. Then we went back inside. It was hot. :-)

Once inside they were ready for some Pin the 95 on Lightning.

All of the party attendees – Rosemary, Lucy, Ben, Evan, and Asher

Even little Charlotte wanted a turn. She did pretty well! I thought she might freak out being blindfolded, but no. She was as cool as a cucumber.

After that, we headed over to get some tattoos…a la Ramone’s House of Body Art.

Look who wanted to be a part of that action, too.

This was another Pinterest find, marble races with cut in half pool noodles. For $5 for all of the supplies, the kids enjoyed racing these time and time again.

Next up, Tractor Tippin’ with some dominoes.

The kids started building their rows individually, then started to work together to make longer ones.

Then they decided that they’d ALL work together…without prompting. Isn’t that great?!

This group of children was AMAZING! They played well together, were obedient, cheerful, and kind. When it was time to move on to something else, they would pick up when I asked and then move on with great attitudes. And they all had excellent manners. I heard so many “May I please” and “Thank yous” from this group!

Next up, a game of Cars Bingo…from a Pinterest find, once again. We played until everyone got Bingo.

Present time

Making his wish and blowing out his candles

Enjoying cake and opening up the goody bags filled with a car, Piston Cup, and some more tattoos.

By then, it was about time for parents to come back so we headed into the living room for the kids to play with their cars.

The boys

Everyone playing together. This got a little rough for Ben at this point. He had a tough time sharing some of his new cars. Somehow they worked something out and I think all went well.

Once kids were picked up, we took care of the little bit that needed to be cleaned up, but mom had gotten most of it already. Jonathan and my dad took videos and pictures throughout the day for me. We left up the decorations though for Ben to enjoy on his actual birthday.

We had a leisurely afternoon then headed out for Chinese food. Mom picked China Super Buffet. I hope that we don’t get sick. It was an adventure, to say the least.

This guy was exhausted. He eventually woke up and ate some dinner. Ben had been looking forward to this party for weeks and it had finally happened. What a fun day!

Our Lazy Days of Summer–Part 1

I’m not sure that our days have been particularly lazy, but they have been very enjoyable so far this summer. We’ve had some illness thrown in there too, but overall we’ve been having a wonderful time.

Bedtime reading one night from The Jesus Storybook Bibles-one of my favorite Bible read alouds with our kids.

Charlotte balancing on her feet and head. (It was tough to get the pic, but she’d get like this then lift her little hands off the ground too).

Cutie.

One night as Tropical Storm Debby made her way through North Florida, Jonathan took all of the kids outside to splash in the puddles. They came in soaked to the bone and as happy as clams.

Charlotte took off her sunglasses and Ben managed to hold up a magnifying glass to her eye before I could get this one snapped. Charlotte’s hitting an age where she’ll pose with her siblings, I just have to be fast enough. I’m not there yet.

Putting the dishes away with her goggles on. Anything works if it helps get chores done faster.

Random thoughts: The Highlight Reel & Our Mutual Friend

I saw this quote on Pinterest the other day and it’s one that has stuck with me.

Source

I don’t know that insecurity is the right word for what I sometimes feel as I read through blogs and facebook posts, but I was hit by the truth of these words. It’s so easy to feel discontent when you only see the highlights. I thought this was a great reminder of the bigger picture and being content.

Also, Jonathan and I read Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens recently and now I feel like it’s our life (sans the murder and changed identities). I think that most people we meet in Gainesville that are within a 5 year age range from us know 1-2 other friends of ours. So now, instead of thinking, “It’s a small world,” I think, “It’s like Our Mutual Friend.” Unfortunately, very few people know what I’m talking about if I say that out loud.

Swim Lessons

Swim lessons started today. Both Ben and Rosemary can take them at the same time but they are in different classes. Each of them only have one other person in their class, so they should get lots of help in these coming weeks.

Ready for her lesson. This girl wants to swim!

Ben was a little hesitant at first, but we had prayed for both Rosemary and Ben not to be shy when class started and God answered that prayer. Both went boldly to their teachers when the time came.

And God also answered our prayer for nice enough weather so that they could have their class. There was even some sunshine and the rain waited until we had walked inside to pick up Charlotte.

While they waited their turns, they would occasionally chat as they sat on the side.

Jumping in

Ben’s jump

Cave Painting

So in the official first chapter in Story of the World, we learned about nomads. I’m finding that we need to carefully navigate through these early chapters, but they are certainly capturing Rosemary’s interest.

For this chapter (which because of VBS covered 2 weeks) our big activity was cave painting. It was mentioned in our reading that nomads lived in caves so I found the chapter on the Lascaux, France cave paintings in our art book and did a very short lesson on the paintings found there. Then we went into our ‘cave.’

Before we got in we turned off all of the lights in the house.

We had a limited color palette of just pale yellow, black, brown, and dark red and she could mix colors from there. And apparently cave painters preferred to dress in costumes. :-)

Tracing her hand.

I took this one without the flash. It was really dark in there! Initially we just brought in a little lantern that Rosemary got from a Chick-fil-a kids meal, but we needed more light so I got my little LED flashlight.

While we were “in the cave,” I got super sleepy. I couldn’t sit up straight, it was nice and warm, almost completely dark, so I laid down while Rosemary painted. And I completely fell asleep. On the floor. Under my dining room table. Rosemary asked me how I could sleep on something so hard. I told her that I had no idea!

Anyway, Rosemary thoroughly enjoyed this activity. I painted a bit of the things on the left (before I fell asleep), she did everything on the right.

Vacation Bible School @ Trinity

Last week, Rosemary and Ben attended VBS at Trinity. They both had a blast. This was a big step forward for Rosemary. She attended two years ago and hated it…wouldn’t even go last year. This year, she was a completely different child. She has grown so much in that time. And I am so thankful for God’s answer to prayer! New and different situations are not as overwhelming this year. And Ben was great! Drop off a couple of days was tough, but he was doing that for preschool even at the end of the year. Once he got into the groove of things though, he had a great time too.

Ready to head out on the first day.

The last day the kids sang in the worship center. I was so proud of Rosemary and so touched by the kids singing praises. I just sat there (in the front row at Ben’s request) with tears in my eyes. I wish that I had brought the video camera. It was wonderful.

Rosemary beside her friend, Caitlyn

The kids thoroughly enjoyed VBS. I think they would have gone this week too if they could.

Happy Father’s Day 2012

We had a pretty low-key Father’s Day with church, David’s BBQ, and spending time at home. We are all so thankful for Jonathan. These kids really have one amazing father.