A Pirate Party

Anders turned the big 5 this October.  We usually do a big party with friends for the 5th birthday and Anders requested a pirate party.  I have a love/hate relationship with parties.  I love planning them, making crafts, researching and creating games, and making food.  I hate the chaos of the actual party. So usually I do all the planning and work beforehand and Hans entertains the kids at the party.  He's the fun one....story of my life.

 All the food had a pirate theme.

 We had several stations set up for the kids to visit.

This was Digging for Buried Treasure.

There was sand everywhere.  Actually, I'm still finding sand.

 They could also visit the Tattoo Parlor...complete with a grumpy tattoo artist.

 Pin the Eye Patch on the Pirate

 Hans realized the kids could see through the mask, making the game too easy.  So he took his shirt and wrapped it around the kid's head.

 Some kids got wild and crazy and wanted to pin the eye patch on upside down.

 Then the kids thought it would be a good idea to make Hans play the game.  See?  He really is the fun one.

 Then Hans worked on his acting skills by reading a pirate book.  The kids loved all of his voices.  They were hanging on his every word.

 My little pirate was really enjoying himself.

 He's trying hard not to blow out the candle before the song is over.  He just wants to eat the frosting off of the cupcake...he can't wait!

The party ended with presents.  All the kids like watching the birthday boy open presents...it's actually pretty funny to watch.

So looks like a fun day...right?  That's what the pictures will tell you.  But it was loud and crazy and a couple of the kids kept telling me how much they didn't like my food.  And that is all fine and expected.  But my little introvert who often separates himself away from a loud bunch decided halfway through his party that he would rather play up in his room all by himself than be with this friends.  There were tears when we told him he had to play with his friends.  I was partied out.  Can you guess why I don't do "friend" parties every year?

Slammers Game

We left New York in enough time to make it to a Slammers game in Joliet.  We got a great deal for the tickets and they were already purchased when I found out that it was Princess Night at the ballpark. Ha!  Since we were meeting Sophie there I went out quickly and bought a tiara and some jewelry for Sophie and the boys to share.  That didn't go over well. With any of them.  I had a good laugh though.

 Gus was ready.  He even had a glove to match his outfit!

 John is always enthusiastic.

 Sophie hates that I take pictures all of the time.  She usually tries to block me as she is now. But look at those eyes...she is enjoying it.

 We did actually watch a little of the game.

These two just love each other.  Sophie really loves Anders because she shared her slushy with him and she is a major germaphobe.

No tiaras, princess dresses, or jewelry were worn...but we all had a great time at the ballpark.

Sophie's Birthday

Hans, John, and Gus actually left for Canada on Sophie's birthday.  So we said goodbye to them, then Anders and I went to party with Sophie.  Sophie turned 13 this summer.  13.  I don't like teenagers...but I'll keep her around.

Anders had to be standing right next to her the whole time she was opening presents.  I kept calling him away and he kept going back.

Her big present from Pam, Debbie, and Glenn was this Ferris Wheel set.  That is one excited girl right there.

After present opening and ice cream cake we made our way to Medieval Times.

Anders takes his sword wielding very seriously. 

When you enter Medieval Times you are in a large room.  Trumpeters announce the presence of the king.

The king will knight the special guests.  The announcer called Sophie to the front.  She was not at all happy about this.  So Anders went up with her.  The announcer called him her bodyguard.  He's a cute little bodyguard.

They even put a little cape on him.

Once it was all over I think Sophie had fun.  But she is not one to draw attention to herself in a room of people she does not know.

Shortly after this the knighting the tournament hall was open.

We were cheering for the yellow knight.

Sophalicious and her mom.

Our knight did not win, but we all had a blast.

State Track Meet

The Friday and Saturday of Memorial Day weekend was the Illinois Elementary School Association State Track Meet in Peoria, IL.  Sophie qualified for the 100 Meter, and the 4x1.  We were all excited to go support her and watch her run.

 Debbie had shirts made for the boys to show their support.

 While waiting to watch Sophie the boys found a great hill to slide down.  This kept them occupied for a good long while.

 And she's off...

 This was just prelims and she qualified to run in the finals the next day.  She ran against the best kids in the state and she did very well.

 On Saturday there was more waiting around.  It was PACKED, but we managed to find a spot where we could camp out.

 After waiting for a bit with us, we got to watch Sophie waiting for her turn in the 4x1 down by the field.

Sophie and her 4x1 teammates.  They all did an excellent job.

Sophie's Track Meet

Every time I drive by the track field with the boys in tow they will all scream out "Sophie's track meet!!!"  I'm sure they will still be screaming that when they go by for many years.

We all enjoy going to Sophie's meets.  The boys love cheering for her.  I love hearing people talk about her in the stands.  "Boy, that girl is fast."  "Do you see how she is smoking everyone?"  "She is lightning fast."  I get a kick out of the things people say.

 Sophie doesn't like me taking pictures of her.  I think I embarrass her.  So I have to take them from afar and hope she doesn't see me.

 There she is getting set in her blocks.

 Sophie has been training with a guy on Saturdays to make her transition from the blocks smoother and faster.  He has been telling her to do these arm exercises every day to train her arms using muscle memory.  I'm learning quite a bit about running techniques.

 Sophie does a couple of different events.  This is the 4x1.  She runs the last leg.

 Look at that determination.

 There is no one else around.

She may not always finish first, but that doesn't matter to her.  She is constantly competing with herself.  She is constantly working on her time.  She is a hard worker and very dedicated.  I love watching her run.

Easter Suits

This year the boys wanted to wear suits.  The last time the boys wore suits was for Anders' baptism.  John's old suit would have fit Gus, but Gus took one look at the brown tone on tone suit and said, "I am NOT wearing that poopy brown suit."  He was adamant.  So I asked Anders if he liked the suit and he thought the poopy suit was cool.

 I attempted to get pictures of the three boys.  It was pointless.

 This was after all of the morning festivities and Gus was just tired of it all.  Can you tell?

 This is my new Easter tradition...a picture with the three boys and Sophie.

Love them!

 Just to make Sophie mad, I will also make taking a picture of the two of us a tradition as well.  She secretly loves it...I know it.

The best of the family pics.

Yep, the little one totally fit in the poopy brown suit.