Garfield Park Conservatory

We love our playgroup. This time we went to the Garfield Park Conservatory. Fun friends, fun place.

(The Ownby Family & The Chatterton Family)

Chuck E Cheese

Any reason to go to Chuck E Cheese is a good reason (according to Elliot) Lucky for him his friend Mikey had a bday party there. Fun night!

Somehow Jaxon hit the jackpot and won a ton of tickets! Dream come true!

Christmas Eve

These are the cookies we made and Elliot choose to leave out for Santa. 

One for Santa, Chippy (our new elf this year), and Mrs. Clause (so cute that he thought of her)

 

It's been a while since we've had a consistent Christmas Eve. Before we moved to Indiana we spent our Christmas' in Sun Valley (10 years in a row). So I really don't know how to do Christmas at home. I'm not good at it. Our first year in Indy (2009) Grandpa Larsen died and J.R. was able to get enough time off to spend Cmas day in Utah. The next year we had out Twins (2010) and I honestly don't remember anything about that Christmas except finally holding Jaxon in the NICU on Cmas Day. Last year (2011) was fairly normal...boring maybe, but normal. We spent Cmas eve cutting out snowflakes and hanging them on the ceiling because there was no snow outside. Got to be together and had a good experience. Then there was this year. We were so happy to be invited to a Cmas Eve dinner at our dear friends house (Matt & Erin Pitcher). The Chinese food supplied by all who came was DELICIOUS! The company was fun and acting out the Cmas story was neat. We enjoyed the evening with great friends who, like us, don't have family close by. We went home early enough for our own moment of singing and setting up then it was off to bed.  I'm not sure what it was about this year, but it just felt disjointed. We're in a strange place in our lives. So close to moving on and probably never going to see these friends again. Our anticipation of the future. Our lack of family and tradition. Our lack of funds for much in the way of gifts. My frustration of all the spending and semi "forced" gift giving (probably because of the previous concern)....I think everything just sorta piled on top of each other and put a strange taste in my mouth. Talking with J.R. in bed on Christmas Eve we decided we are not stay-at-home type of Christmas people. Sun Valley is our tradition. Even if we don't carol in the group again, I have a strong suspicion we will be spending our future Christmas' in Sun Valley or somewhere like it.

Beside the strange feeling there is always one feeling that is felt no matter where you are or what you're doing at Christmas. That is the feeling of the Savior and the importance of that day so many years ago.

Merry Christmas...Eve!

First BIG Snow

Elliot and our sweet neighbor friend Maggie enjoying the first BIG snow day!

Birthday cont. Day #3

The Star Wars Party Details

Day #3: Best day ever! Friends, cake, presents, star wars....seriously doesn't get much better then that.

The party started with a scavenger hunt led by Master Yoda to find and acquire all the gear necessary to becoming true Jedi's. Here they earned their Jedi robes, lightsabers and were trained in using the "Force." 

Next we water balloon bombed the Dark Side (pictures taped to the garage door) But the bombs wouldn't burst against the garage so the new target J.R. became. 

Next they moved out back to battle it out against the evil Darth Vador. We also practiced a little spaceship landing with frisbees and a few got official Jedi face paintings. There were plans for a Jedi obstacle course, but the kids were having too much fun running and making their own games so that got missed. Thanks to a friend bringing his masks from home the kids had an organized Good vs. Bad battle. I'm not sure who won, but one of the little Jedi's did end up with a bloody nose from a wayward spaceship passing by. Other then that I can gladly say there were no major casualties. 

Next Elliot unwrapped presents at lightening speed. (I tried my best to help him learn manners, while wrestling the twins who both wanted to be held and take pictures at the same time. J.R. was out getting the pizza. Nice)

Finally we blew out candles, ate pizza, cake & ice cream. There were plans for "Yoda Soda" (lime sherbet in sprite) but the kids had plenty of sweets and I didn't have enough hands to dish it up.  Not a big loss.

Overall it was a great success! Thanks to J.R. for being the best dad ever! He kept things moving and kept the kids entertained and running. Elliot loved it! He spent the rest of the afternoon trying out all his new things. He has awesome friends!! What a lucky boy!

 Gene, Jayden, Elliot, Kellen, Adam, Preston, Rachel, Brooke

A few things about my 5 year old little buddy!

-He's really into star wars right now...isn't that obvious!
-He only wants to be the good guys. He's a little conflicted about whether that includes Annikan Skywalker so when he pretends he's usually Yoda or Obi-wan-kanobi or Luke Skywalker.
-He recently learned to ride his bike. Because he got so good on the bike with no pedals, riding a real bike was a sinch. I took him out one day, he jumped on and just took off. No instruction needed. Now he's obsessed! He loves to ride his bike and is really good at wearing his helmet too.
-If he ever wants something he knows I may say no to he'll begin asking with "mommy, you're so pretty!"
-He is a little lover boy. He loves to cuddle and give kisses. He is always telling me how much he loves me and how pretty I am (even without a hidden agenda)
-He's super active. Always full of energy to play whatever sports seems interesting that day. Golf, Baseball, Soccer, bike riding, jumping on the tramp, tag with friends, slip n slide....etc. His little engine never quits.
-He loves people! He loves playing with friends and usually judges the "funness" of that day based on if he got to play with friends. Luckily it's summer and there are lots of friends to play with every day right now.
-He still hates to eat. I have to bribe and beg to get anything in that boy. I can't even get him to eat chicken nuggets any more. Spaghetti O's with meatballs are the top pick right now. This is probably my worst pet peeve. The mealtime battle is not fun and I don't have a clue how to make it easier on both of us.
-He's still obsessed with movies. Loves watching movies and acting out along with them. Kung Fu Panda 2 is a fun one to fight along with. :)
-He is having a hard time going to church. I think having to sit so long is just too much for his active little body. He gets bored way to easily. He's learning to self entertain in his seat though and hopefully will continue to get better and not dread Sunday's.
-He LOVES his little brothers. He really really loves his brothers. He's protective and proud of them. He plays with them a lot. Usually chasing or wrestling games. He loves getting their attention and making them laugh.
-He can write his full name and count to 30 (but consistently leaves out the number 15) He likes to ask what new words mean or how things work. He tells people he's so excited for Kindergarten.
-He's the best thing that ever happened to my life! I love this little boy more then words can describe! He's my best pal and I love spending every day with him!!

Happy 5th Birthday Elliot! 
If I could stop you from growing up at this age, I WOULD!
I LOVE YOU!

Elliot's Birthday. Day #1 & 2

Somehow Elliot's birthday lasted 3 days instead of just 1. 

Day #1: The day of his birthday he woke up to a room full of balloons and the kitchen decorated with streamers and such and of course a present or two.  Then when dad got home that night we couldn't resist and let him open the package from Oma & Opa. The paper jamz microphone was a HIT! He loved it. We spent the night jamming out and singing away. So fun!

Day #2: We celebrated with our family away from family! The Rushtons and the Hands came over for cake & ice cream, and of course...more presents. J.R. even performed a magic trick to change his non-functioning bike into a shiny new red one! Elliot didn't buy into it, but was still so excited for the new ride. He LOVES to ride his bike and has been on it every chance he gets. The lightsabers were probably the favorite though. He's been wanting one for a while and now he can be a real Jedi! We're so grateful for close friends that love our Elliot just like family! Thanks for the gifts and the company!!

Day #3: See the next post :)

 Elliot and Alexa....aka: Yoda and Darth Vador

(because the Hands are such fans of Star Wars, Elliot got to dress up in sweet costumes)

 Debbie, Karen, Alexa

 Mike & Anthony 

(sorry Mike, I didn't realize you blinked right when I took the picture)

Jacob, Josh, Jerry & Jared 

 He was so excited to make a wish. Look at that concentration :)

Cutest 5 year old EVER!