The Three Amigos

The boys decided they wanted to be the Three Amigos for Halloween.  They do not sell Three Amigos costumes.  I wanted to convince them to be something else, but Hans just wouldn't hear of it.  Then my mom backed Hans up by saying, "it won't be too hard to make the costumes".  I said "fine," and then I went and bought stuff to make the costumes and had it all ready to go for my mom to do when she came to visit in October.  Do you think that happened?  No.  It did not.  In my mom's defense, she had every intention of helping me start this project, but we were just too busy with other things.

 I made up a different pattern for each boy.  I started with the pants and completed the pattern on one side and after it dried for a day or so, did the same thing on the other side.  This took several days and A LOT of glitter glue.

I then did the same pattern for the jackets.

"Where did you find bolero jackets," you ask?

I didn't find them anywhere.

I purchased three black sweatshirts, cut them, and put interfacing on the inside to make them stiffer.

It was a project.  But I kind of enjoyed it.  Needless to say my family ate microwavable corn dogs for a week.

 Then I bought red fabric and sewed ties and cummerbunds.  I don't sew so I promise you this was super easy.

All the work was worth it in the end.  The boys looked super cute and still dress up in these costumes often.

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?

October in Indy

We happened to have a free weekend in October so we headed down to Indy to visit the Fienes.  While we were there Traderspoint Creamery was having an Oktoberfest.

Anders is such a ham and Finley doesn't know how she feels about all of these boys.  That's okay, Finley.  I know what that's like.

The creamery had several stations set up over the grounds.  Aside from face painting there was a petting zoo, various games, and a hay ride.

 Face-painting is always a big hit.

This little girl is a cutie.

We ended with a nice hay ride.

Since we were in Indy so close to Anders' birthday, and because Jake's birthday is a few days before Anders',we had a little gathering at Jake and Ashley's to celebrate.

 A beer and his phone.  This hunky hubby of mine is set for the next several hours.

 But a game of Cornhole with his brother is way more exciting.

 Jake and Ashley got Anders this longbow.  I'm not sure if you can tell, but this kid was excited about that.  I'm sure he was calculating all the ways he could torture his brothers.

 Solveig makes each grandchild, on their 5th birthday, a special book.  This is probably Anders' favorite book because it's all about him.

It was a great weekend.