"I Don't Know About That Chuck Fella"

The blog title is a direct quote from my Grandma B. If you follow my blog, you read about her before. She was the "sexy, sexy" Grandma. Anyway, she said this about Chad after she met him for the first time. Chad is "Chuck" which brings me to this blog post: A Chuck E. Cheese birthday party for Sam and Noelle. Below are some highlights (I'm falling asleep as I write this, so it may not be coherent) . . .

Celebrate Good Times

Nothing says "wholesome family fun" like shooting things.

This is my favorite shot of the night. No, she is not about to blink, she is concentrating REALLY hard. It's a popcorn game where you move a pan with your hand and try to catch as many white balls (popcorn) as you can in the pan. Noelle played it like 15 times in a row. She's so good, she doesn't even have to look.

Why is this a game at a kids arcade? Sure, they can reach the wheels and the gas pedal, but they can't see to steer. I would have held him up if I didn't have a camera and a baby in my arms.

Serious pop drinking.

More serious pop drinking.

Noelle's cake. Pink with monkeys.

Sam's cake. Race car theme.

I actually really liked their crowns. They're inflatable.

Thumbs up, Chuck.

The End. (You know I love to do this.)

Celebrating Three

Our wonderful, sweet, beautiful Noelle turns three tomorrow. I meant to take all the kids pictures yesterday, but we ended up helping some friends out, so I'm just taking them as I can. Here are my faves to document three years of pure joy with our Noelle Joy. Choose your favorite so I can decide which to put on the wall. . .

Standing Sweet

Sitting Pretty

Over the Shoulder

Model In the Making

Could She Be Any Cuter?

Mane-y Reasons

We chopped Noelle's hair. My "mane" reasons for ridding her of a significant portion of her beautiful, golden brown, curly tresses were these:

1. No longer wanted to worry about the pain and suffering it caused her when brushing through the tangles (yes, I use conditioner and detangler spray).
2. The "I can just push it back with my hands when it goes in my face" defense was no longer cutting it.
3. The hair getting caught in her pajama zipper was the last straw.

He Asked For a 13 But They Drew a 31

I made Chad's favorite carrot cake and even decorated it with little carrots using only a child's plastic knife to blob on the shapes. Skills.

His wish already came true--he has me.

Oh, we know how to party. Sitting on the floor, in front of the fire place, licking our plates clean. And now I am officially caught up with posts.

Ruby Cuteness - Because You Know You Want It

First cereal. You would not believe how much she ate. It rivaled my 2 and 4-year old.

Yes, that's right. It's the Intellitainer (only the best exercauser known to mankind). Ruby's taking her first ride.

This is what I found when I came downstairs from my shower and left Chad in charge. "Did she cry at all?" I ask. Yes, but it was only for a little bit. Poor baby!

Brotherly love.

C-Day

Opening gifts . . .

Enjoying the spoils . . .

Chad got a briefcase for his laptop--he was still using his raggedy backpack I bought him for Chiropractic school.

I call this one: "I am SO surprised".

Ward Christmas Talent Show Breakfast With Santa Gifts of Service Party (Yes, They Crammed All That In)

Noelle was in her own little world. I have no idea what she was pretending. But it included stepping on the solid lines and dancing.

Ruby's breakfast.

Chad performed Silent Night.

They went alphabetically for meeting Santa. By the time they got to us, my kids no longer cared. Having been a "W" all my life, I totally understand. Here's what I've learned from having to wait at the end of the alphabet---It makes you awesomer than everyone else.

Gearing Up.

Here's a few thingys we did in the Woolner household to keep our kids from exploding before Christmas day.

Grandma sent a kit to make a gingerbread house. This was the first house I had made since the 5th grade. I gave the kids total creative license and enjoyed watching as little nibbles disappeared over the next few weeks. The thing was in shambles by Christmas day. I call that a successful gingerbread house.

Our annual trek to the Kuna Community Christmas Parade. Who doesn't love a parade? Especially when they give you donuts and candy.

We finally got a fancy fake tree ordered and made by "Santa's Elves" (at least that's what I told my kids). Here are the kids decorating it. Let's just say, all the ornaments were at the bottom, on the same branch. Last year we went to a Christmas tree farm and, sadly, Charlie Brown's tree was a bazillion times better. Sure, we could buy one, but who wants to pay $50 to water it, vacuum the needles and play squish the spider for three weeks? My motto this year: Less is better AND YOU KNOW IT.