Tanner is a RAD Kid!

On Wednesday I went to Tanner's school for Rad Kids graduation. I really had no idea what this meant. I thought I would go and they would explain the program and the kids would get a "diploma". When I got there they were putting helmets, knee pads and gloves on all the kids. So apparently it was not going to be what I thought. Rad kids is a saftey program that teaches kids all about saftey, the graduation itself focused on Stranger Danger. They have taught the kids some self-defense techniques to help them if someone tries to take them and they actually got to try it out on "the red man." It was fun to see and it made me happy to know that he would know what to do in a situation like that. Our school offers this program to all first graders for free, so thanks to all the volunteers who make that possible.

Sorry the pictures are not super clear, I am not awesome at taking action shots.

Parents Visit

Last week my parents came to visit from Pennsylvania for a long weekend. They got to be here for Isaac's birthday and for the ultrasound. It was fun to see them and to get to spend a little time with them. Isaac thought it was super cool that they came all that way for his birthday. Thanks for the visit.

Boy or Girl???

So as you all know, we have 3 boys. Today is the day we found out what we were having and if everything was okay with baby. This will probably be our last baby and so the last chance to have a girl. I had a lot of anxiety, not that I would not love a boy, but this mama wanted a daughter. Anyhow the results are in and the baby is healthy, everything looked good and we are having a GIRL. Very excited. I already went out and got myself a pink and brown diaper bag. I've got lots of shopping to do, can't wait for that.
For those of you who are waiting for a call, sorry, I have not told the kids yet and so I can't talk about it out loud. Call me tommorrow and I can tell you all the details.

Dino-Mite

Isaac's birthday is on Monday so we had his little party today. Overall everything went well. We went with the dinosaur theme. This was great for me because you can buy dino stuff everywhere including the dollar store, so definetly not the most creative I've been, but still fun for the kids, and that is what matters most.

Isaac with his big blow-up T-Rex

As the kids arrived they each got a dinosaur mask and then they painted little dinosaurs. This was a big hit with the kids.

Next we did the Pin-the-tail on the Triceritops and then we did a dino egg hunt. (I bought these from Oriental trading, spikey eggs with little dinos inside.) After that we went out to chip away at "rocks" to find fossils. This went a lot better in my head. I buried dino skeletons in plaster of paris and painted them. The kids each had a pointed dowel and a rock to chip away at them. I thought they would break apart a lot easier, but this took some time, we ended up sending the kids home with them to finish. I think most of the kids really thought this was fun (except the 2 that got their fingers with their rocks).

Next we had lunch, dino nuggets and grapes and then cake and ice cream. For the cake I just bought this cake pan from e-bay (like I said not super creative, but it works).

Then we went and did the volcano. I have always wanted to do this. I made it out of modeling clay and soda bottle and paint. Then you put baking soda, dish detergent, water, red food coloring and vinegar and the "lava" starts pouring out.

Next we did the pinata. Isaac's b-day is so close to Halloween so we normally don't ever do a pinata, but this year he said, "Mommy, how come I never get a pinata?" I felt so bad, so we had to do it.

We finished things off with opening presents and a dinosaur bone race. All in all it went well. It is a challenge to keep 12 young kids under control, but thanks to all my friends and fam that helped out with crowd control. I always appreciate it.

Isaac's Snowman

The other day it snowed here (yuck) and for one day the kids got to enjoy the it, before it melted. Unfortunatly that day Tanner got in trouble and was not allowed to play, but Noah and Isaac had a great time. Isaac made a little snowman all by himself, he was quite proud of himself.

Noah also enjoyed himself, he just didn't stay out as long.

So apparently my kids grew a ton this last year, because the snow clothes are all to small. Yuck, now I have to go buy more. Not a cheap thing. O-Well.

I Didn't Think I Would...

but I did. I voted. It was a last minute decision for me, although I care, I do live in a state that is already decided. However, I kept thinking that I would regret it if I didn't, so I did.

Trick or Treat

So obviously you know (because of previous posts) that we did the Disney theme with the kids this year. We went to a costume party at a friends and costumes were required, so I borrowed a Captain Hook and Wendy costume for Kev and I, unfortunatly for me the whole pregnant Wendy thing did not work out, so I ended up wearing a big fat bumble bee costume, which did not fit with the Disney theme. While there my very skinny friend said that she had a Cinderella costume that I could borrow if I wanted to dress up for trick-or-treating, I said sure I'll think about it. I my head thinking does the skinny girl really think prego is going to fit in something that she could wear, so I never called her. On Halloween she called me and asked why I had not picked up the costume, and she assured me that it was roomy enough, so just in case you were wondering what Cinderella looks like 4 1/2 months pregnant, check me out. So thanks Kristin for the costume, it was fun to dress up.