Stars...

Ben, Jack, Drew and I went to the planetarium tonight with Cub Scouts.  I always like the planetarium and the planetarium lady did an excellent job presenting to the kids.  The boys all seemed to be very interested and enjoyed the presentation.  

When we got home, Ben and Jack took out their binoculars and using the sky map that they received from the planetarium, they went out to find the stars.  

Charlie never likes to be left out so, he gathered the equipment that he deemed necessary for star gazing...his Cars sun glasses and owl hat.  Then he set out to join his brothers.

Ben and Jack seemed to do pretty well using what they learned.  According to them, they saw the big dipper, the north star, Jupiter, and several other less known constellations that they were able to find on their sky map.  It was 35 degrees and super windy so, I took their word for it.  Charlie took notes about what they found.

 "The planat" (the planet)

"great "

"Drewpader" (this one cracked me up...he meant Jupiter, but it was hilarious when he was running around the house all excited about Drew-Pa-Der.  Drew thought it was pretty funny too.)

Then he continued with the big & little dippers and Dal(?)...

And, finally, in seemingly unrelated news...Tonight, Charlie declared himself "too old for Thomas the Train".  This is a huge deal because Charlie has been OBSESSED with Thomas & Friends since he's been two.  It has been, by far, his favorite thing in the world. It's true that over the last 6 months, he has not played with his trains as often and he hasn't watched the video in quite a while, but tonight was the first time that he has actually said that he is too old for Thomas.  

Awwwww...no more "Mom, now we play trains?"  over and over and over again.  

While "playing trains" has not always been my favorite thing to do, I'll admit that I'm a little sad that the train stage is officially over.  Wow, just like everyone says, it really does go fast. 

 I did find it quite amusing that on the same night that Charlie made such a big important proclamation, a few minutes later, he was wearing Cars sunglasses at night and an owl hat to go in the backyard to look at the stars.  

That's right Charlie...you are such a cool big boy!  Love it!

Thanksgiving 2011

Vegetable Turkey (on the right)

Made by Me and Jack. Don't eat the blueberry eyes, we super-glued them on.

Turkey Bowl I

Grandpa's Birthday Celebration

I think this picture will be better in a few years.

And, in a few years, I think I will be the top of this pyramid.

Cool.

I somehow missed getting a picture of the Grandmas. I guess even if you cook a fabulous Turkey Dinner and do all of the work, you are still not guaranteed a picture on my blog unless you partake in the football game.  You'll have to take my word for it, the Grandmas looked fabulous!

A weekend of 7 boys...

Jen and Craig had a family wedding in Florida so, we volunteered to watch Liam, Aidan and Connor for the weekend.  It sounded like a good idea last January when we volunteered..  ;-)  Kidding...but I will admit that I did get a little nervous as the big weekend approached.  The thought that all of the kids that I was responsible for did not all fit in my car scared me a bit.  Thankfully, Spencer was ready to roll up his sleeves and dig in.

lunch for many...

Turns out, I really did not have anything to be nervous about.  

It was just a weekend with lots and lots of playing...

Aidan cheats a little at hide-n-seek.

to the park we go...

how many kids can fit in the slide???

It was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be.  LA&C did awesome.  They were very excited to spend the weekend with their big cousins.  Ben, Jack, Drew and Charlie all had a great time too.  All of them said that it was a fun weekend and we should do it again, maybe next year.  Jack did mention though that if we had 7 boys in our family, it would really cut down his "leisure time".  He was not kidding.

That everyone survived.  Yay us!!

Isn't he cute....

I did try to get his haircut a few days before picture day, but our fancy-schmancy haircut place (Hair Cuttery) couldn't fit us in.  The result is a very Charlie-ish hair day for his Kindergarten picture.

In other "adorable" kindergarten news, I found this masterpiece on Charlie's table when I was cleaning his room.  

It's so great when they learn to spell...yes, it does say "Charlie's Poop".

Doh.

Wow.

I got this email from Ben's speech therapist last month. It made my day/week/month/year...


Subject: Sweet Boy

Hi Mrs. ####,

Thought you'd enjoy hearing one of Ben's comments in speech today. We were playing a conversational game, and he got the question, "What is the best gift you've ever received?" to which he answered, "Charlie". I knew I had to share! :)

I wish that we could take credit for how sweet and loving Ben is. But, he was born that way. He is a special person. We're just lucky he's ours. :)

Christmas 2006

(BJ&D - 4yrs old. Charlie 5mos.)

I can guarantee that at this point of trying to get a picture, my face did not look anywhere near as loving and patient as Ben's.

Christmas already!!

I can't believe that we are getting into Christmas season already. And, I really can't believe that it has been 9 years since Christmas looked like this in our family.

Regardless, Thanksgiving is less than a week away, Christmas ornaments are being crafted and little minds have begun to think about a visit from the "Big Guy".

Drew: "Mom, for Christmas, I am going to ask Santa for a Rubik's Cube and a utoobmembaship"

Me: "Huh?!?! A Rubik's Cube and a WHAT?"

Drew: "A Rubik's Cube and a YOU-TUBE MEMBERSHIP!!"

Me: "What? Seriously, you want a You Tube Membership for Christmas? What are you going to do with a You Tube Membership?"

Drew: "Wey'llllll....I want a You Tube membership so that I can vote for who is getting voted off of 'Battle for Dream Island' and so that I can post videos."

Me: "Ummmmm....I see. But, Drew, how are you going to post videos? You don't have a video camera."

Drew: "Oh yeah....."

Drew: "For Christmas, I want a Rubik's Cube, a membership to You Tube and a VIDEO CAMERA!!"

Oye...Poor Santa.