Star War's Party

Awhile ago, in passing, I mentioned to Caden that he could have his birthday in Utah with his cousins if he wanted.  I hoped he forgot about it, because with a homecoming, family pictures, BBQs, an ordination, a blessing, etc. it was already a busy weekend!  However, Caden loves being with his cousins and there was no talking him out of it.  So party we did.

The theme was "Star Wars" and although Caden nor I have seen it all the way through (we've watched bits and pieces), we went all out on the festivities.

Here are almost all of the attendees. It's quite a group to get the cousins from both sides. The older boy cousins also came as "helpers" though I think they ended up loving it as much as the little ones.  

First game: Destroy the Death Star.  We drew huge stars in chalk and gave the kids these water squirters.  We lined the kids up a few yards away and they each took a turn trying to erase the chalk.

 Next up: Pin the Light Saber on Yoda (I printed out a picture and we used cut up straws as the sabers)

Next game: Find the Asteroid Candy.  We just hid candy all over the playground and let them each find one.

We made each of the kids pool noodle light sabers.  At first, we gave them all a balloon and let them practice keeping the balloon off the ground.  Then, Chad led them in a short light saber training exercise (we pretty much copied Disneyland's Jedi Training).  It was all in preparation for....

 DARTH VADER coming!

My two oldest nephews each dressed up.  They were SO good with the kids.  Really, my brother in law should hire them out.  The kids loved beating on the Darth Vaders and because it was just pool noodles--no harm done.  The kids would have taken turns all day hitting the Vaders if we had let them.

We had an easy lunch of Darth Dogs, Yoda Soda, Obi-Wan Popcornobi, Grapes, Wookie Cookies and chocolate light sabers (made out of pretzel rods)

We gave the birthday boy some silly string to get Darth Vader.

Family photo after the fun.

Love this picture of Caden and Grace.

It was a lot of fun!  I loved doing it with all the cousins.  Having Caden's birthday party a month early, however, has created some serious confusion.  For example, the following Sunday in Primary when they did not call him up to sing Happy Birthday, tears ensued.  I also tried to tell him we'll have another small birthday party on the real June 13th and he said, "I know--and then I'll be 5!"  

Broves

Caden shortens or nicknames everything.  For example, he'll ask to go to the "Libes" (Library) or for  "Noodies" (noodles) to eat.  He calls him and Bryce "Broves." (As in rhymes with shoves).  When I am chanting to Bryce, "Ma ma ma ma ma" Caden chants, "Brove, brove, brove, brove..."

When Bryce wakes up first from afternoon naps, I take him into Caden's room and put him on his bed to wake up his big brother.

Bryce will usually give kisses to Chad or I, but almost always to Caden when he asks.  In the car on the way to Utah on our last trip, Caden took a three hour nap.  I could tell Caden was starting to wake-up because Bryce started squealing and giggling, so happy to have his best entertainment and buddy back.

I am so happy my sons each have a brother.  It's true what people kept telling me on the day Bryce was born, "Boys are SO much fun."

Big boy jammies

I have this thing with pajamas. I love them. They are my favorite thing to buy and I love putting my boys in cute pajamas. Their pajamas always have to be a matching top and bottom--I swear they sleep better that way. If Caden spills something on the top, the entire pajama outfit has to be changed.

Anyway, my neighbor gave us some "big boy" pajamas for Bryce. Not the traditional footsies, but a top and bottom. It made him look so old! I guess he is--I took these pictures on his nine-months day.

This is the same day he started moving. Caden was playing a fish game and Bryce wanted it. He worked and worked, and finally figured he can scoot himself to where he wants to go. I think Caden was less than thrilled with his brother's new discovery...I know I wasn't too happy--having a stationary baby is much easier on the mom!

Wii for all ages

Over Spring Break I found all my boys playing Wii. Chad had the wii-mote, Caden had one that was disconnected, and Bryce joined in the fun with a cell phone.

Little fish in the big sea

After finding Bryce smashed like this in his cradle a few times, I decide it was time to set-up his crib.

Chad and his parents made this cradle and I love putting my babies to sleep in it. But it was definitely time to move up.

And now...much better. He made that big fish/little pond to little fish/big sea jump.

The best part is Caden fits in there too. When Bryce wakes up from his nap, Caden will go and entertain his brother giving me 15-20 more minutes of quiet.

Animal Lovers

Do you think being an animal lover is nature or nurture? Is it something you learn or something you're just born with?

My two boys are animal lovers. Whether they were born with it or learned it from Chad, one thing is for sure...it didn't come from me. Not that I dislike animals, I just don't like animals. I don't get them.

When we were dating, I bragged to Chad that I loved horseback riding. A few weeks later he showed up at my house for a morning date on horseback. I about died. We were going to go up the street from my house to a trail in the mountains that led to a beautiful waterfall.

We weren't a block away from my house when Chad realized his dream of me as a cowgirl just wasn't correct. He demanded an explanation and the truth finally came out: the only time I'd ever ridden a horse was in a field at girl's camp one year. I spent the morning on a beautiful hike about a hundred yards in front of Chad riding a horse and guiding another one (riderless) up the same trail.

Caden is an animal lover. When we went to the Thanksgiving Point farm last summer, he stuck his head into the pen, and the little pony came up and nuzzled him. (I know--what kind of a mother just snaps a picture when her son sticks his head in the pony enclosure?)

Most recently, Caden loved Lucy, a hamster my mom got for her classroom. Caden would carry Lucy all around the house, and all of the cousins would ask him to get Lucy out so they could pet her. Sadly, like most hamsters around our house, Lucy's life ended in tragedy. She was squished under the couch. Rest in peace, Lucy.

Anyway, it seems like there's going to be another animal lover in my family. And this is why I ask is it nature or nurture. Bryce has not been around animals very much. But when he saw the dogs at his Grandma and Grandpa Schow's house last month, he went crazy. He was squealing and giggling and trying to go after them. When Grandpa Schow called them over, Bryce was beside himself excited to be so close.

And it wasn't just the dogs. When our family met Mickey, Bryce couldn't get enough of the large Mouse. His face here shows utter awe:

And when we met a goat at the petting zoo, well, I think Bryce felt life was complete.

My boys...I love them and they love animals

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I think I'm in for it.

Catch of my life

One night, when Chad and I were dating, I got home late from a date. My little brother Chris, who was 18 at the time, had also just got home and was eating a midnight snack, so I joined him. Chris had known Chad for years before I had. They had gone on camping and hunting trips together.

Chris asked me if I was going to marry Chad. I don't remember my answer, but I probably said "I don't know" or tried to change the subject.

Chris felt the need to put some perspective on the situation. He said to me, "Michelle, it is like you are fishing in a small pond. And you just reeled in an Alaskan king salmon...and you are thinking about throwing it back!! What exactly do you think you'll catch that will be better?"

Thanks, Chad, for staying on the line. Happy five year anniversary.