3rd Annual Play Date 4th of July Party

When Addison was 9 months, and Damien was home taking care of her while I worked full time I gave them a gift of weekly Gymboree classes. The classes focused on bonding time with Daddy-baby. They worked on rolling over, flash light peek-a-boo play and singing songs. Daddy really perfected his singing voice during these weekly visits. The classes become more advanced to match the development of the kids. We advanced to jumping, sliding, bending, hopping, rolling, dancing, and running all over the place. Addison still sings the songs and talks about Gymbo the clown. We stopped going to Gymboree a few months after Greyson was born and he was no longer content to sit in the car seat and watch. During our time in Gymboree we met wonderful families and have grown to love these children as if there where our own. We have spent many days together playing at each others houses and meeting at the Zoo. Our latest play date was to celebrate the 4th of July. The kids loved seeing each other all dressed in red, white and blue.

Mary and Addison, twins in their adorable dresses.

The Gang, the big ones first: Gabby, Liam, Ellie, Mary, Addison, down in front Matthew and not pictured Jacob.The Middle kids are: Riley and Baby Joe. Then there are the babies; Greyson, Dante' and Alice.
We even had a 4th of July parade with bikes,trikes and wagons oh my. It was adorable. We decorated a wagon for Greyson but once he saw all the big kids on their bikes and trikes there was no way he wanted to ride in his wagon. She borrowed a trike and let baby Alice use his wagon.

Baby Alice having a ride in Greyson's wagon.

To end the wonderful celebration the kids all enjoyed Firecracker, red, white and blue Popsicles. It was a great day.

Fancy Nancy Play Date

We have recently discovered "Fancy Nancy." As a little girl I would have loved reading the silly stories of Fancy Nancy and oh what style she has. The public library was hosting a Fancy Nancy fashion show, Addison and Finley were very excited to attend but then we discovered the event was only for 4 year olds. Bummer, so we decided to host our own party.

The girls creating their very own crowns. While wearing special jewerly, dresses, wings, shoes and of course have hand bags.

Have a tea party Fancy Nancy style with flowers, tea and lots of whipcream!!!


The finished crowns were perfect for the silly dancing that followed the tea party. Addison can't wait for another Fancy Nancy Party!!

Out and About with Friends

A day at the zoo in the Pacific Northwest, all bundled up. The animals were all out and lively. For the most part everyone had a great time.

Santa and his Reindeer

After attending a christmas party with our Gymboree friends we decided it was a good day to take our Santa picture. We headed to Bellevue to continue our tradition of visiting the Santa's workshop and the stores. Once we arrived at Santa's workshop Addison and Greyson were all smiles. Addison looked up and saw Santa's sleigh and the reindeer flying, she said,"Look Daddy it's ruldo, (you know short for Ruldolph) he is flying." She laughed, "there he is." As she looked up and pointed with her finger. She started sinigng the Rudolph song, which is one of her favorite songs, we sing it year round. She has decided that she likes to sing by herself so if Damien or I try to sing with her she looks at us very serious and says, "No, Daddy you don't sing." You have to smile at her little personality coming through. We have to correct her and say oh are you trying to tell us that you want us to listen to your song instead of sing and she then agrees. While we were in line Damien was showing Addison where Santa was and how when it is her turn she will sit on his lap with Greyson. He then asked her what she was going to tell Santa when he asks her what she wants for Christmas, she looked at him very seriously and said, "A stuffed kitty." We smiled and wondered how she knows to say a stuffed kitty. We then asked her what Greyson wants for Christmas, she said "He wants a parrot." We smiled and said, that we were glad that she knows what to tell Santa.
Once it was there turn Damien placed Addison on Santa's lap, while I put Greyson next to her. Addison looked at him with big shining eyes. She gave us the biggest smile and was so excited. Greyson smiled at us and then he heard Santa talk, so he turned his head to look at this person holding him. He then looked at his sister, back at us and the photographer, then back to Santa, then back to his sister and to his parents. We hope we got one good photo of him looking forward because after the third sequence of looking at his surroundings he lost it. Big, big tears and crying burst from our little man. I quickly came to the rescue while Damien watched our little lady look Santa in the eyes and tell him very seriously that she wanted a stuffed kitty for Christmas. It was adorable. She took her time to make sure she got it all out and smiled when she was done. She was so comfortable just hanging with Santa. She looked at his reindeer and he informed her that his name was "Coach and he was one of Santa's helpers." He then gave her a sucker, looked to her Dad and told Santa, "Merry Christmas."
Later as we were shopping she ate her sucker, as she was eating it she said, "Santa gave it to me.