More Maddness

The snow is melting now and the temps are a little bit warmer, but I've got more pictures of what the kids did to entertain themselves when there was an arctic freeze out and we couldn't go out at all. Before an impending storm I ran to the library and the store to get supplies. Some of those supplies included a pipecleaner art book, and a couple bags of pipe cleaners. The next morning I turned them loose.



Sophia figured out how to make glasses, so pretty soon everybody had some.

rings were a big hit too, many of them having super hero powers.


Isabella made this doll
and she made herself into a super hero

I wish Isabella was beside me right now so she could remind me of all the powers they had. I know that Xander's ring shot ice, and the other hand shot webs. Isabella's neck was a tractor beam which would suck her unsuspecting victims towards her. Her sun shapped bracelet shot something out of each beam, though I can't remember what. They were well equipt.

Another indoor favorite, wrestling with Papa. Not being a boy myself, this just looks like chaos with danger at every turn, so I usually find something to do in the other room. This time I took some pictures first, before busying myself in the kitchen.
they all pile on, and under.
Kole has to be right in there too


With so many playmates to chose from, there's no need to be bothered by being housebound.

Arianna's Birthday Party

Arianna and Nehemiah had their birthday party saturday, and it was a bowling party. Very fun. For most of the kids there it was their first time bowling, everybody did really well, and I even saw a couple strikes and spares. (Some of us adults also appreciated the "bumper bowling" helping us out)

These tv's above the lanes were also wishing the kids a happy birthday.



There's a lot of waiting for your turn in bowling.
explaining a little about the game. Real bowling is a little different than Wii bowling.


here's the party scene behind the lanes.
again with the pink cake.

They brought out these ramps that the kids could use, especially the kids who couldn't actually lift the ball, like Ari. They got to set it on top and then push it down, it worked very well, and kept us from having many balls get stuck half way down the lane.



Lane didn't need the ramp, he just threw that sucker

birthday girl having some snacks.
Isaiah gettin the ramp ready
Isabella tried it a couple times, but I think she liked throwing it better.
Kole needed some cake.

Every time I helped Ara bowl I saw her adorable tiny bowling shoes sticking out from under her skirt and I just thought it was so cute.
a very serious conversation, whispering is hard to do in a super loud bowling alley.
some presents.


We had a fun party, and I'm sure we will be bowling again!

Later, at Grammy's house, Isaiah became the Cat in the Hat. He added to his costume piece by piece, the scarf tucked into his pants was of course his tail (which is what started it all) then he has a hat, a bow tie, and finally gloves. The Cat in the Hat.

Arianna's Birthday

Arianna turned 3 Tuesday. She's been looking forward to it, as has everyone else! Since Faron would be at work when we all woke up, we decided that Ari could open her presents from the other kids in the morning and then the ones from us when Faron got home.

So, since Ari is usually the last one up in the morning, the other kids, especially Xander (who is the first riser) were bursting at the seems. When I finally let them wake her up they got her downstairs with the promise of presents.

Xander's had to be first. The kids all went shopping to buy her presents and Xander couldn't concieve of getting anything for Ari besides a gun. He was adamant that it was for her and not for him and he knew she would like it. And she did, she was excited.

But it didn't take long for him to get it into his hands, as Kole looked longingly from the back.
Every girl needs a pink cowboy hat.
and a pink puppy.

Xander had fun with the gun :)

sharing some donuts for breakfast.

a quick costume change and we get some pretty party pictures.


a birthday movie.

Ari got to pick all the meals of the day, so we (the kids) had hot dogs for lunch and chicken nuggets for dinner.
accessories were needed for this outfit.

another costume change. Super girl to the rescue
flying away

When we were looking at cakes the only thing Ari wanted was a pink cake. I showed her a pink princess cake, "no! I want a pink cake" a pink flower cake, "no! a pink cake". Ok, plain pink it is.
Cupcakes with lunch.


mmmmmmm
Then Papa finally got home, so we had to have the real cake, and now ice cream (it was a very healthy day)
and finally the other presents!


Papa was also a gift.