Dad in Training

The other day we were out for an after dinner walk.  Lucy brought her baby in her "Ergo" to be like Mom.  She often did this after school, although she is a little more adventurous(monkey bars, slides, running, ect.) in her babywearing than I am.  Andy and the kids hopped the low fence at the pond to get to the sidewalk and waited as I took the long way.  As I came up to them, Lucy was helping Toby get the Ergo on.  He was shhhing the baby and saying, "Oh, do you want Dada?" I am not sure if it was his idea or if Lucy was sick of carrying her baby, but it was so sweet.

  

  

Gearing up for the Olympics

We are excited about the Olympics at this house.  We got some fabric and cut it into bandanas so we could cheer on Team USA.  My sister told me that they have Olympic recaps on Comcast OnDemand so I am pretty excited about that.  We will watch during the day, but the kids won't stay up for most of the prime time coverage.

 Trying to get everyone to look/smile can be difficult.

 So we gave up and tried funny face ones.

 U

 S

 A

Champions

Caleb played flag football again this season.  Last year his team didn't win any games but he had a blast.  This year his team won every game except 1, including the championship game.  He was able to make a few game winning flag pulls, one touch down and a first down.  He also had a few great fakes at quarterback. The coaches did a great job of rotating the kids to every position.  The team decided to order trophies.  Caleb's was the first out of the box and he was in heaven. 

 Dad played catch with Toby and Lucy before(and sometimes during) the games.

Nellie enjoyed being outside and her waterbottle.

Wearing black to cheer on the black team. 

 Toby was in the middle of the trophy action.

Nellie's 1st Birthday Party

I decided on a garden theme for Nellie's party, I don't remember what prompted this, especially since I have a brown thumb and no gardens.  

Caleb's first birthday party was sports themed with ball cakes, but in general no decorations.  Lucy's first birthday didn't really have a theme and we hosted it at my parents house so we did not decorate at all.  Toby's first birthday is where I realized that I like to party plan and have a theme.  His party was a circus theme.  I will have to dig up pictures, but we had a hot dog stand, nachos popcorn and lemonade for food.  He had a lion cake. We hung streamers from the ceiling to make our living room look like a red and white circus tent.  My favorite part was we got all of our animal stuffed animals out and made part hats and circus clothes for them.  

For the garden theme I wanted just simple elegance. I made a Happy Birthday Nellie banner out of wrapping paper.  Our floral centerpiece was annual flowers planted into tin cans I had been saving.  Each household got to take one home.  I wanted to have a watering can out, and didn't have one.  We had done a paper mache project earlier in the week so I decided to whip one up.    

  

 I used tin storage baskets that I had around the house to put out plates, utensils and napkins.

We covered  our kitchen storage with an old floral valance and put out cute pitchers of punch and water.  

I used a flower pot filled with ice and a Pyrex bowl to put out veggie dip.   

 

 I made flower cupcakes with marshmallows. (I will post directions)

  I did not have a cupcake stand so I made one (I will post directions) to match the banner.

  The birthday girl eating a colorful lunch.

  I put her down with the cake on the tray and without realizing it really.  Andy told her not to touch it since we were not ready and I think it scared her away from digging in when it was time.  Daddy and Toby helped her try some pieces and she picked off all the marshmallows.  

  

  She loved her new toys and is looking like she is ready to start a new school year with all of her new clothes! 

  

She is still not walking all the time, but will let go and walk places now.  The day of her party was her first day really becoming adventurous and she showed off her skills for her guests.