Happy Father's Day!

LEGOfest

This was my favorite lego creation.

Of course Elizabeth wanted to build in the pink zone.

Roar!

After an hour the kids were ready to leave. They were really hungry but had no interest in the concession stand food. We went out to a great seafood restaurant then the kids were rejuvenated after some sushi.

Accidentally took a video instead of a picture when Michael was in one of the large piles of bricks.

Michael ran his first race yesterday.
It was a 4K trail run.

He placed second in his age division.

He had a great time. He said it was really long, but he could still run more.

I pushed Andrew and Elizabeth who were cheering on their big brother. Everyone enjoyed all of the race festivities. I will continue to train with Michael and hope to do a few more races this summer.

Strawberry Festival

Elizabeth was the best berry picker of the bunch. She finally decided that she should get a job at the farm and make some money.

Michael was concerned that he could eat every berry that he picked himself. Next time I will bring little baskets for each child.

Andrew enjoying the fruits of our labor.
James chased him around the fields while I picked with the older kids.

There were so many activities, Andrew loved the animals.
Michael loved the play areas and the bounce house.
Elizabeth loved eating her ice cream while playing on the pirate ship.

Not sure how accurate this is. Elizabeth was in the 91% for height at her check-up last week.

Andrew will be seventeen months old tomorrow.

We celebrated Father's Day a week early because James is working next weekend.

Just as we sit down to our special Father's Day dinner Michael and Elizabeth bring presents for James.

Showing off his new watch that Elizabeth warned, "Be careful with it. 'Cause it's from Nordie's."


I grilled a beef tenderloin that everyone devoured. Andrew was too busy eating to bother about the presents earlier. After he ate a huge amount of meat, potatoes and asparagus he brought the empty gift bag for James.

My little girl is three!
...going on twelve.

I don't know what she enjoyed more her choice of breakfast or realizing that we would sing Happy Birthday at every meal.

Elizabeth had a few ideas for her special day. First we went to a Gymboree play class. The next stop was the mall. She went into the Disney Store and told the sales clerk that she could pick out anything - even if it isn't on sale.
I was imagining her wanting an elaborate dress up costume but she picked SHOES. A girl after my own heart.

After lunch we headed over to Build-a-Bear. I'm not sure how she knows about this but she was adamant that she wanted to make her own bear for her birthday. Not surprisingly she chose a pink bear. She loved the whole process. After a long bath she chose a Sleeping Beauty dress for her teddy. I told her that it was too pink, the dress and the doll. She retorted, "I know what you're saying but the bear wants this dress." How can I argue with that?

Andrew was following the directions with this dog on his own.

Elizabeth insisted on wearing the bear in the beach bag like an infant carrier.

Before dinner the kids tried out one of her presents.

When I was planning her big day I asked Elizabeth what she wanted for dinner. Her response? Whale. I thought I heard wrong, but she told me it is a REALLY big fish. She loves her seafood. When I said we couldn't buy whale in Pittsburgh she said, "How about shark?"

Princess Party

I'm learning more tricks the more cakes I decorate, but I obviously need to work on writing with the frosting tip.

The activity was to color this castle. Michael and a few of the older children really got into it. I'm glad everybody liked it because it took me forever to put it together.

After playing and watching The Princess and the Frog we moved on to the pinata. Instead of wielding a bat, each child pulled a string and one of them released the loot.

After everybody had a turn everyone pulled on the remaining strings and six pounds of candy came pouring out. They were scrambling to fill up their treat bags.

Everyone started singing Happy Birthday to Elizabeth but the birthday girl was singing so loud that most kids just stopped and stared.

In lieu of gifts we asked for dog food to donate to a local animal shelter, Animal Friends. We collected fifty pounds and monetary donations as well.

Enjoying candy from the pinata.