James and Ellie's Birthday Party Celebration

We combined James and Ellie's birthdays into one big celebration -- a superhero birthday party bash! Up until the day before the party I was just planning to do our "normal" party routine -- people come over, we serve some food and drinks, get out a cake and sing happy birthday, eat cake and ice-cream and then open the presents. Well, about 24 hours before the party was scheduled to begin I started feeling guilty that James wasn't getting the party he'd asked for. Ever since Russell celebrated his birthday at Jumpin Janes in March, James has been telling me on a regular basis that he also wants to have HIS birthday party at Jumpin Janes... I'd totally blown him off, and honestly, I hadn't even really told him "no". So, when the guilt set in, I decided that I'd make his birthday extra special at home, and thus, the "superhero birthday" theme began!

My first step was the convince my mother that we could make superhero capes for all the kids. Her exact response to me was "if I could make 10 superhero capes by tonight, I would be a superhero!". I informed her that I actually needed 12 capes, and promised her that I'd do everything non-sewing related to make it happen... if she would only do the sewing part for me. And, as usual, my Mom came through for me! She showed up at our house around 6pm with 12 super hero capes all cut out - and we then spent the next several hours cutting out the logo for the backs, ironing them on, and attaching the velcro. When all was said and done, we had made 12 child-sized capes (custom made -- each with the child's initial on the back logo and the right length for their height!) PLUS we had made a "villain" cape for Papa Hayes to wear! :)

James was THRILLED with the superhero theme, and all the kids were beyond excited for the party to get started! After the guests all arrived the kids were given their capes and got to decorate a "superhero mask" with stickers. The girls got pink masks and the boys got black masks. After everyone was satisfied with their mask I made the whole gang head outside for some photos. Here are some of the better ones I got!

(Superhero line up - Batman (James) at one end and the Villain (Papa Hayes) at the other!)

Next, we played some games! Dave and Uncle Bryon were in charge of hiding the Kryptonite in our "Batcave" basement for the kids to find. Dave had decorated the basement with black crepe paper, and the Kryptonite they were searching for was glow sticks. Even though Dave and Uncle Bryon forgot to activate the glow sticks (meaning they weren't actually glowing...) the kids enjoyed the hunt. The last game was "Vaporize the Villain" - and I think the adults enjoyed it more than the kids did! I gave each kiddo a bottle of silly string, and sent the Villain (Papa Hayes) outside to fight the superheros! The Villain illegally went for the water hose to fight off the superheros, but at the end, I think the superheros won the game!

(The Villain being vaporized with silly string!)

We finished the party off by singing the kids happy birthday (while Belle played the piano for her first time ever accompanying vocalists!), eating Dairy Queen cake, and opening presents. We didn't get any pictures of the birthday cake or singing, but I'm trying not to be too upset because Dave got it all on video! Both James and Ellie got tons of gifts and were beyond spoiled on their big day! The whole day was such a success, I'm slightly afraid of how the next birthday celebration will go... I hope the kids don't expect it to top this party!

(Mommy & Ellie opening gifts-- Superhero James, aka Batma, surveying his loot!)

"Lazy Days of Summer"?!?!

Aggghhh! Who ever coined the term the "lazy days of summer" apparently never had children! We are on the go constantly -- it feels like summer has just begun, when in fact, we are already in August!

Here's a quick recap of the end of July (I PROMISED myself that I'd do an individual post on James and Ellie's birthday party -- so that will be coming in the (hopefully near) future!)

In late July Ellie got her cast off! The after-cast x-ray confirmed that she had a break through the growth plate in her humerus, so we'll be taking another trip to the pediatric orthopedic doc in six months to confirm that everything is growing correctly. Just before heading into the doctor we all signed Ellie's cast -- and when they took it off in the doctors office she very LOUDLY screamed "mine" when they took it away from her. The doctor sent her home with the cast as a memento, though I quickly stashed it up high because it smelled horrendous! When Dave got home (he was in Memphis for the week) Ellie showed it to him very proudly -- I then asked her if we could throw it away, and she promptly walked over to the garbage can and threw it out!

(James signing Ellie's cast)

(Signatures)

Ellie w/ Mommy, Mama Hayes, and Russell

Hopefully our next broken bone experience is a LONG way down the road!

That same week Belle and Russell finished their swimming lessons. They both passed with flying colors and were super proud to show me that they are able to jump off the high-dive and swim by themselves(!!!) to the edge! It was really amazing watching them do that, because the last time they were in water without a life jacket they were not even CLOSE to that level. They made great strides this summer... if only we could make it to the pool more often to ensure that they keep moving forward!

(Belle jumping off the high-dive)

(Russell jumping off the high-dive)(VERY proud of themselves!)

Here are some pictures of how William, Ellie, James and myself spent our time while Belle and Russell were swimming! James LOVED going to their swim lessons daily, because that meant that he got an hour of play time in the park!

(William, Ellie, and James - playing at the park!)

That same week James did parent-tot swim lessons at night. Dave went with him the first couple sessions, I joined him for one night, and Mama Hayes took him for the last night. He had a great time, and is absolutely ready for the next level (without parent involvement) of lessons!

At the end of that week Kaylee and Caprice came over for dinner and a visit. (Other than for an hour last weekend) the last time we saw them was last July for Aunt Jenny's wedding! It's amazing how quickly kids and teenagers age -- both of them look so mature it's crazy! To think that I used to babysit Kaylee when she was younger than Ellie... I guess that shows how old I'm getting too! Of course the kids loved having them over -- they've been asking ever since when they are going to come for the next visit!

(Russell, Caprice, James, Kaylee, Ellie, William and Belle -- Ellie and Papa Hayes)

That weekend the Watsons came to town for an overnight visit. They brought burgers with to grill out (and the rest of lunch as well because Dave still hadn't returned from Memphis, and I hadn't gone grocery shopping the entire week...). They showed up just before noon, and about 30 minutes later Dave got home as well! (It sounds like a war zone when Dave arrives after a long time out of town - the kids go absolutely crazy!!) Bryon and Angie went out to celebrate Bryon's birthday that night, so we hung out with Joey. The next morning they took off bright and early, and we headed to church.(Joey and Ellie - BFF!)

(Belle, William, and Joey)

The following week we did lots of playdates with friends (the Rublys, the Schumachers, and the Donglingers) and I gave the kids a total break from anything school related... I guess that was the closest we are going to come to the "lazy days of summer".

So... I'm up to the big birthday bash! How is it possible that my baby girl has turned two and James is about to be four... I keep telling them not to grow up, but for some reason they aren't following my instructions!