Boy Weekend all the Way!

 We celebrated Bridger's Birthday with pizza and the movie Goosebumps.  I was a little worried about it being too scary, but the boys all swore they were not that scared!  Tough guys!!  Although Cannon admited at bedtime that parts were a little "freaky".  No bad dreams, luckily:)

I ended up with a couple of extra guys for my date night!  Our family babysitters were both busy---it can be a little tricky sometimes with teenagers!  They have very important social lives to work around, you know?!

We went to our favorite pizza place Lupis and I must say I felt pretty lucky to have 3 handsome dates!  Brad treat the boys to soda (so exciting).  It was self serve and they had way too much fun mixing drink flavors. Powerade with rootbeer, anyone? YUK!

My little boys!

I love them so much.

I think having a son grown up and out of the house has made me especially tenderhearted about this younger years.  I now know how quickly little boys grow up.  

I definitely think this works in their favor, especially EVERY night when they want me to come up to tuck them in and "scrackle" (scratch/tickle) their backs.:)  

It's the Pirate LIfe for Me (pirate party ideas)

I am not sure how many pirate parties I have put on over the course of my years as a Momma of boys...but this may be the last one:(
  My littlest man turned 4 last month and we celebrated buccaneer style!!

So if anyone out there is thinking of a pirate party, here a few tried and true tips for a great time!

I did not take a picture of the invite, but I printed the following on tan card stock which we (carefully) burned the edges, rolled up and tied with twine:

Aye ther Matie!

Ye be invited fer some Birthday merrymaking at

Capt’n Cannon’s

Pirate Party

Chart yer course fer the

Port of Christensen

(address here)

On Tuesday, July 26th 2-4pm

Be ready to pillage and plunder

Your way to a swashbuckling good time!

See ye there…Aarrgghh!!

When the little pirates arrived we decked them out in their own hat and eye patch and let them play with an assortment of ships and pirate themed toys while everyone arrived.

We then played some easy games such musical chairs with little islands on the floor, and earning treats by tossing ping pong balls into bowls candy/treasures .

Then I read my favorite pirate book---

This book was gift from my Mom years ago and is absolutely A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.  The kids LOVED it!  It is such a cute book, if you have a boy--get it!  It will be a favorite!

I was planning on making this amazing pirate cake, but never got to it--so cupcakes with jolly roger flags had to do.  Luckily Cannon didn't know what he was missing out on and loved his boring little cupcakes:)

We enjoyed cake and juice boxes

where I made a point to tell the boys that today they are pirates, and pirates have bad manners!
 They giggled about not saying please or thank you and yelling 'down the hatch" while pounding their fists on the table,just like the book we read!  

Next we played" cannonball"

Each little pirate had a balloon tied around their ankle.  The goal was to bust other peoples cannon balls while trying to keep your from popping.  It was silly but fun!

After unwrapping gifts we sent the little pirates on a treasure hunt created by Cannon's big brother.  The little boys ran all over the house with Connor reading each clue until they discovered a treasure chest of party favor bags.  So fun--thanks to Conn:)

One of Cannon's buddies made him a real 'duct tape' pirate sword, hat and hand crocheted eye patch--he was thrilled!

A couple of hours later the celebration continued with a family party!

On the menu

Pesto Chicken Sandwich

Doritos

Grapes

Frozen Strawberry Lemonade

And more cupcakes, of course:)

He opened gifts from his grandparents, brothers and Mom and Dad including legos, super hero action figures, pirate PJs, cool football shirt,books and more... He loved them all:)

He must of said at least 10 times  "This is the best day EVER!"
Happy Birthday Cannon ---we love and adore you!!

You my darling boy are a treasure:)

And can you please please stay little!

Happy Birthday to THE Man of the house

The Birthday boy and sons:)

The boys are always happy to help with the candles!!

We had quite the happenin' party with, one little frosting sampler and...


Micheal Jackson...(wait a minute, who invited that guy!?)


and a video-game crazed teenager ("vidiots" as his teacher says:)

(Connor was acutally just checking the score of the World Series for his Dad)

...and another Birthday Boy?

While Bridger was digging into his slice of cake--he all of sudden stopped and said with eyes wide "Mom, oh no, we forgot my cake!" Which was true--on vacation we celebrated at Fudruckers with burgers and fries and ice cream, and at his birthday party we decorated sugar cookies. So, TJ put 5 candles into the half gone cake and we all sang the birthday song again and viola--Bridger was perfectly pleased:)

Such an sweet guy!

Happy happy Birthday my darling husband!! You are loved and adored!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

SURPRISE party

On Coleman's 8th birthday we pulled off a big time suprise for our boy!

He had no idea that all 12 of his buddies from our old neighborhood were in the backyard when he came out for our "family BBQ". It was a delight to see his shock and joy at the sight of these giggling friends all yelling surprise and running for him as he stepped out!

We served Coleman's requested birthday dinner of hot dogs, doritos, watermelon and lemonade.

Then Grandpa saddled up his horses and gave rides to everybody!

The children were so excited!!

Everyone was lead around the pastures by Grandpa, Grandma, Connor and Brad, except for Cowboy Coleman who took the reins and confidently rode himself:)

Even Bridger rode:) That was a first--he usually just watches and does NOT want to saddle up.
After we had a gourmet cake of stacked Hostess cupcakes. This won't be making an appearance on the Sisters Cafe:) but the kids loved it.

Happy Birthday my sweet EIGHT year old boy!
Coleman you are a joy and ray of sunshine in our home and we love you so much!
xoxo

Banana Olympics

Does anybody need a good party game?

For TJ's Friends Birthday party we played a very fun relay game that I thought I would share with you...Banana Olympics--it was a winner. I laughed so hard watching I nearly cried...really it was hilarious! I LOVE watching children doing what they do best...enjoying life with all their heart!

Such a happy sight!

The party goers

Let the Olympics begin

After they played the couple of games I had planned they all took off to the school yard down the road from our home and played jungle gym tag and a spirited game of soccer. They came back red faced and beaming! I think they enjoyed their own games more than mine:) I love this age!

The night ended with TJ's favorite Poppyseed Cake and ice cream.

Only one more birthday celebration left...dinner date with Mom and Dad to Applebees (his choice) this Saturday night--can't wait!

How I love this birthday boy of mine!

Banana Olympics Required: Bananas
Players: Small to large groups

Divide the group into teams of 5-10 players and give each team a banana. Each team will complete several series of different relays using their banana. Here are some ideas for those relays.

The banana under your armpit and hopping on one leg down a field and back.
Place the banana between the knees and hop down a field and back.
Two teammates tossing the banana back and forth down the field and back.
Place the banana on the ground and each teammate must roll across the banana.
Teammates line up in leapfrog formation and first player hops over players while holding banana and then tosses banana to next player in line to do the same.
Show the players all the relays that they’ll have to complete for the Olympics. You may have to write them on a large white board so that all players will know what relay is next. Once a team has completed all these relays someone on the team must eat the banana and the team that is done first is the winner. Use your own ideas, add to the list or use only a few ideas. You can adjust this game to all types of players including the disabled.
Created by R. Scheel, Fun-Attic,

A Party Weekend

First a Happy Birthday party for the Daddy ...

The birthday boy with his 5 favorite guys!

He takes this blowing of the candles thing serious!!


Cannon really enjoys cake!


Next up a spooky little Halloween party with friends..

Mmm the hauntingly good party food

The littlest trick-or-treaters (the big kids had no time for my pictures )


But I snagged them at the end of the night, before they threw off their costumes to examine their Halloween treasures!
TJ...er I mean MJ


Cowboy Coleman

I wasn't fast enough to get Connor the "weirdo" All that was left was the bushy hair do...but look at that loot! Yikes!

It was delightful weekend! How was yours?

Turning 7

Coleman's birthday review
One huge chocolate, mousse filled cupcake to make a birthday wish...

All of his favorite friends over for a big movie night (with concessions) Pajama party ...

A special visit from Grandma C....

And a family birthday party at the park coming up...the party never ends!!

What a treasure Coley is! His smile and bright personality light up our home. He is our little ray of sunshine! I love you Coleman Keith!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET BOY!

Is FEAR a factor for you???

Connor turns 12 on Saturday and since that is Memorial weekend we decided to have his party a little early. We invited 14 6th grade boys over for a Fear Factor party! (Fear inducing for me)


I was too busy to take any pictures until the end, but here is a sample of the events:

* Identifing the contents of "dirty diapers" (candy bars melted in diapers)

*Tasting baby food to decide what it was (surprisingly this was really gross for the boys)
*Sucking on lemons the longest
*Sticking your hand in a jar with 100 live crickets, trying to get out as many coins as possible in 30 seconds
*Obstacle course involving raw eggs (can't break the yolk)
* and a "Barf Buffet" Serving up delights such as Elephant Pee (lemonade), 100 year old Cheese (cheetos), Dirt and worm cups etc.

I found the party a little repulsive--but the 12 year old boys seemed to LOVE it!

Happy (early)Birthday Connor!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Bridger!

My darling Bridger turned 3 today! We had such a fun time celebrating with him. He has been looking forward to this day for months. All of his brothers birthdays are in the Spring and Summer, so he has had lots of experience with b-days the past few months and just could not wait for his own! His birthday finally arrived--YIPEE!


The day began with a sweet tiny voice outside my bedroom door singing 'Happy Birthday' to himself. It was the best way I have ever been woken up. He had found the traditional birthday balloons we left next to his bed. Lightening McQueen of course!!

(Notice the Mcqueen PJs--thanks Marc and Chrissy--he LOVES them still!)


He was delighted with the racetrack cake and poked at it all day! YUM!

Later on he was very upset when I took the cars off and tried to cut into his track!

Special family dinner with two sets of Grandparents.

Opened lots of presents--including a remote control car that flips over!

We love you Bridger!!

A BIG hug from Aunt Mindy....

and the day ended with a very special birthday kiss from cousin Wesley!