KENNYWOOD

On our first trip to Pittsburgh's amusement park we lasted eight and a half hours

 

 In Kiddieland the children did some rides together, though Michael was too tall to do a few.

Michael is wearing a Spiderman cap in these pictures.  Andrew insisted on sitting next to Elizabeth for all the rides.

Michael was tall enough to do most of the big coasters.  His favorite was The Phantom.  Elizabeth said she loved the three water rides, especially the white water rafting one.  But she was squealing with delight during the smaller coasters too.  Andrew loved the little roller coasters The Jack Rabbit and the L'il Phantom.

 

 They did the carousel many times.  It was one of the few attractions without a line.

 New Pool!

It was apparent that the two baby pools we had were no longer big enough.  The kids chose this ten foot pool to splash around in and beat the heat.

 

The water was too cold for Andrew, but Elizabeth and Michael love swimming in  there.

Watching from afar.

 Schools...Out...For...Summer!!

 The kindergarten graduate posing after his last day of school.

There was such excitement when we picked him up.  Everyone was cheering and wishing each other Happy Summer!  Elizabeth got caught up in the hoopla and started telling Michael happy birthday.

 Michael was awarded The Most Passionate Architect

Here is an example of his building prowess.  He makes some impressive structures with these planks.  The best was a roller coaster, but it was destroyed by a certain two year old before it could be photographed.

  

Andrew, Elizabeth and I are thrilled to have everyone home for the summer.

  

Michael chose to forgo a birthday party this year and put the money towards purchasing a bounce house.  After two years renting one, we have our own.  

I couldn't make him wait until the end of summer so we bought it early.

 They love it!

Jump!  Jump!

Tea Party

 

Elizabeth loves tea so we decided to have a proper tea party for her fourth birthday.  We hosted ten girls and a few of their mothers for a ladies' high tea.

 

I made candy pops thinking that the children could help, but the larger pieces required me to paint the molds with a chopstick.  But they could help with some of the one color cake toppers.

 The party girl showing off her up 'do.

There were several centers including decorating the candy house, coloring a teapot, and teacup bubble blowing.

Elizabeth and I taught the girls how to sing "I'm a Little Teapot."

 Then we played Hot Tea which is like Hot Potato using a teapot.

 The girls sitting down to enjoy a fancy tea.  Along with chai tea, mango tea, lemonade and milk they ate cucumber sandwiches, cream cheese and strawberry sandwiches, cranberry-grapefruit scones, and tea biscuits.

 Enjoying every second as we all sang Happy Birthday.

Strawberry chocolate chip cupcake with cream cheese frosting

The guys came home a few minutes before the party ended.  Andrew was getting in on the bubble action while Michael was a hospitable big brother.

"Tea bag" favors

Elizabeth spent so much time picking out costume jewelry and figuring out who would receive which one.

 Elizabeth is Four!

 My sweet little girl is growing up.  She insists that we call her Sweetie Pie.

The kids enjoyed an ice cream cone for her birthday treat.

  

When I asked her what she wants for her birthday dinner she replied, "Lobster, crab and cow-beef tenderloin."  I said she could pick one.  It was my first attempt at soft shell crabs and everyone enjoyed them.

Andrew said he only wanted the crab legs and not the body.

We went to Build a Bear again this year.

 Andrew really liked giving the bunny a bath.  Even Michael got in on the action.

Elizabeth chose a first communion dress that she insisted was a wedding dress.  It came complete with a veil and a cross pendant.  

 

She completed the birth certificate for Daisy by herself.

 

 Elizabeth's birthday face breakfast:  Strawberry eyes, spelt banana nut muffin (made from scratching as Elizabeth says) nose and a bacon smile.