Alex's b-day- Ethel M

While Frank was at work the rest of us went to Ethel M Chocolate Factory to walk the cactus gardens and take the factory tour. We had a very pleasant time.

After Ethel M we went to Barnes and Noble for the kids to use their gift cards and to get the free b-day cupcake. Sabrina got a small tea set and a couple of books and Alex got a Lego set and a book.

Marie-Anne

Joint Cowboy/Cowgirl b-day party

We were super duper excited that Wayne and Audrey could join us for the joint b-day party. This was our fourth year to have a joint b-day party that served as a fundraiser for Operation Christmas Child. I'll reveal how much we collected in an upcoming post.

For the past few years we invited a bunch of people and only a few showed up. This year we invited a bunch of people and only one family didn't show up! There were about 30 people in our home!

We had a piñata, but the thing broke on the third kid, Sabrina! We were all surprised about that.

We planned on doing a scavenger hunt with chocolate gold coins, but with so many people we had to change our plans. Frank divided the kids into three groups youngest, middle, and older. Then with his back to them he tossed gold coins to them. Some of the kids seemed to think it was real gold the way they went after them. It was a lot of fun!

I made hobby horses for each child who was invited. They were cute and the first five were fun to make. The kids loved them! Sabrina named hers Ice and she still plays with it.

It was a lot of work and a lot of fun too.

Marie-Anne

Mission Hills Park

The kids and I stopped at Mission Hills Park on the way to pick up Frank from work. It was a lovely day and we enjoyed it immensely.

Marie-Anne

Skate Park

The kids got to bring their scooters to "Skate Park." They absolutely love to do this!

Of course, they also got to play at the playground.

Marie-Anne

Sabrina's Birthday

My sweet girl is six! She had a very happy day. Her Papa got her birthday flowers. And she got "more cards than I expected!"

Sabrina was very happy with her gifts. This year we decided to get her a big gift instead of a bunch of smaller gifts. We got her a big Barbie set- Barbie and her sisters with four horses, a Women of the Bible Storybook Bible, and another Barbie. She also got money and gift cards from relatives which she used for books, a tea set, a Beanie Baby...

The cowgirl also got real cowgirl boots from Nana and Grumps!

Marie-Anne

Birthday Dinner

 

The birthday girl chose to spend some of her birthday money going out to eat. She chose Chipotle.

Marie-Anne

Chuck E Cheese

Birthday Week continued with a trip to Chuck E Cheese.

We all enjoyed playing various games. We won lots of tickets and Alex had some he saved so the kids were able to get lots of junk, I mean prizes.

We also had fun playing competitive video games and air hockey.

Marie-Anne

Wetlands Park and Playground

Yesterday we took advantage of the beautiful fall weather and the fact that Frank works from home on Tuesdays to go hiking at Wetlands Park. We had a wonderful time!

We visited the Nature Center when we first arrived and again before we left for the playground.

We hiked around for quite a while just enjoying the beautiful day and being together. We mostly saw birds, turtles, and insects.

We watched in amazement as this wasp dragged this spider across the sidewalk over a low wall and through the rocks.

We also stopped off at the playground for a little bit. The kids had a good time testing their climbing skills on various obstacles.

Marie-Anne

Barnes and Noble

The kids and I went to Barnes and Noble for story-time! Today's book was "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves." Sabrina commented, "Maybe she doesn't know about germs."  In the picture Alex is telling the worker who does story-time about WWII and about Brick Arms.

Marie-Anne

Mini Grand Prix

The kids' birthdays are fast approaching! Since their birthdays are on Wednesday this year, we had to extend birthday week out a bit. We kicked birthday week off with our annual trip to Mini Grand Prix! We got the 1 hour unlimited rides bracelets for both kids and parents can ride with them for free, (which is a great deal when they aren't crowded).

Of course, the kids rode the giant slide more times than I can count.

They also loved the go-karts! Last year, Alex had a difficult time with the big go-kart, but not this year!  Frank got to drive Sabrina around only once, because she discovered that she can drive the smaller go-kart, on the kiddie track, by herself. They had so much fun!

The kids also had at least one turn in the plane ride.

We all took turns riding the roller coaster.

We are thankful that we can take this time to celebrate the kids and make lasting memories for them and with them.

Marie-Anne

Halloween

We do not go trick-or-treating, however the kids love to dress-up and help pass out candy. This year that is what we did, well that and pass out Good Person Tracts to the trick-or-treaters.

Sabrina was a cowgirl, of course.

Alex was a WWII British Desert Rat. (He's really into learning about WWII.)

Marie-Anne