Family Birthday Party - January 23rd 2016

Christian's sister, Lindsay, had asked me around Christmastime if she and Andy could host the Boy's Birthday party.  Patrick and Payden love her house and I said yes!  

Here's a picture of some of the decorations she had up.. I love how this party was all about the boys and it turned out to the best birthday party by far. I just loved it! 

Little did Aunt Lindsay know.. weeks before this party.. Payden had been a little obsessed with a Curious George book with a pinata in it.  He was SO excited that she had a pinata for him to hit!  Each time he hit it, he would turn out and while jumping up and down said,  "I hit the pinata."  It was so much fun for them!

Patrick loved it too!

I loved seeing the facial expressions of Christian.. he had a lot of fun too!

Finally Christian and I got a few whacks at it and it burst everywhere!  I absolutely love this picture of Payden finding suckers (his favorite and really only candy he'll eat). He was unwrapping them!

Here's one of Patrick - he was so excited about the candy..

Then while we waited for the pizza to come, we unwrapped some of the gifts.  This turned out to be perfect to do some gifts now and then some later. I definitely will push to do it this way each time!

This picture is a HUGE milestone for Payden... Look at those fine motor skills at work!  First year he was actually interested in opening!

Patrick had finished unwrapping this one - lots of crayons and markers from Aunt Brooke.  Elena and Violet are also in the picture.

After lunch of pizza from Dominoes, it was time for cake!  A Snake or caterpillar (depended on what child you asked) made by Christian's mom.  Very Good!

Here's a couple more of some of the gifts... taken at a later date to show here.

A bike for Patrick from Grandma.

Lindsay and Andy wanted to buy clothes and chose to buy Church Suit Coats complete with shoes!  They're size 6 so they'll fit really well for next year at least!   They look so grown up!

Lindsay and Andy got Payden got a Sit Disk, to go on his chair so he can move around while he sits. That night he was using it as a pillow to watch TV I think.  He also got the Buckle Backpack which he uses on Sundays to put his Sensory Tools. I love it.  In the background, you cans see the piano/keyboard that they gave Patrick. It was hit as well!

Halloween 2015

This year for Halloween, Patrick and Payden were Robin Hood and a Race Car Driver. While part of me wished that the two costumes would have some correlation to each other.. in the end they turned out to be just fine.  We read the story about Robin Hood and Patrick loved his character... Payden loved his costume and how it fit so well and easy to take on and off.

Friday October 30th, the 3 wards that meet in our Church building held a Trunk or Treat with a small carnival to start before. The carnival games were to be held in the gym. When that day came though, it was pouring rain and everything was moved inside.  It was beyond crazy with so many people there, many whom we didn't know.

As with most things.. we waited for awhile for it to start. Payden really enjoyed one of the carnival bowling games that had been set up for kids to play with. Once w'd decided to start all the parents lined up around the hallways prepared to hand out candy. I took Patrick and Payden, Christian stayed behind to hand out some candy.  We joined the throngs of the crowds walking around the hallways, and Payden got incredibly more nervous and agitated and making some screeching noises.  I left Patrick with friends and ran Payden to Christian to not agitate him any more.  Patrick was so good about taking Payden's bucket around and getting him some candy too.

Pictures from Church

Halloween was on Saturday.  Christian's sister, Brooke held a Halloween party at her house in Olathe, around 45 minutes away. . We got there around 4 and painted some pumpkins and then had a big potluck together.  Dinner was so good.. lots of appetizers, dips, and salads that we all brought.

Brooke lives in a little cul-da-sac that really goes all out for Halloween. There was a house a couple doors down that had made a huge haunted house and had a line around the block for kids and adults. Because Brooke lives close.. all those kids come trick or treating too.. She had a massive pile of candy;

I have never seen so many kids in a neighborhood trick or treating like that.  Most houses had a portable bonfire pit and big fires going and families sitting in lawn chairs waiting for Trick for Treaters and big flat-screen TV's with the Royal's game playing.  It was pretty impressive.

We went Trick or Treating as a family .. even brought the wagon which turned out wonderful as little legs got tired and needed the rest.

Picture of Trick or Treating

Pictures from after.. sitting around the fire, handing out candy to kids and kids enjoying their candy.

Topeka Zoo with Family

 In June, We went to the Topeka Zoo as as family. The Topeka zoo is a relatively small zoo and it only took us 90 minutes to walk and see all the animals.  And it was perfect for 2 five year olds especially Payden who would get over-stimulated pretty easy.

We saw all their favorites and they had so much fun!

Tigers (1 picture from Internet) 

 Orangutans

Giraffes

Elephants

Next to the zoo they have a train to ride and park for the kids.

At the park, there was a kid's train that they loved to climb on. 

The park itself is a true favorite. .. so much fun!

LAP - Preschool Halloween 2014

Patrick and Payden's Preschool always has a Halloween parade.  They dress in their costumes and then as a class, they walk around KU campus trick or treating.  Teachers have "placed" candy to students along the way to help pass out candy.  I had prepared Payden all week using the visual schedule from last year about what was going to happen.  I was so happy that my preparation paid off!  When the time came, tho I was stuck at the Dealership getting the car fixed and missed the whole thing.  :(

Betty, the director, said they both did very well.  Payden agreed to wear the vest only which was fine. he seemed to really enjoy himself. As he came off the bus he said, "Happy Halloween, put on costume."  It was really cute!   Patrick, of course, just wanted to dig into his huge bag of candy.  I asked him what he wanted for lunch and he said, "my candy." 

Here's a Class Picture - 

Parade - Trick or Treating 

 Sitting down to take a break

 More Trick or Treating

Halloween 2014

For Halloween, I found some costumes from 2 years ago that still fit and Patrick was very happy to be a pirate. I keep telling myself I need to prepare earlier and be creative but it hasn't happened. 

The Friday before Halloween, (October 24th) the 3 wards held a chili cook-off, carnival and Trunk or Treat.  Payden had had a hard time at the Pumpkin Patch that morning due to all the crowds and we thought he would enjoy staying home. He and Daddy ended up having so much one-on-one time together.  I took Patrick to a few carnival games and then to the cars trick or treating.  Patrick was was so cute and asked to take Payden's pumpkin to get him candy too. 

On Halloween, we decided to only do the trick or treating at our Hyvee since it was just so cold.   Our Grocery Store had a Trick or Treat bucket set up at each of the many departments.  Since Christian was off work that day anyway.. we did our normal grocery shopping and then the boys each trick or treated to each department along the way. It was a lot of fun!  Plus they weren't too picky on how much candy they (or the parents ;))  grabbed. 

Here's Patrick! He wasn't too fond of the Eye-patch though.

When we got home - I attempted pictures in front of the door - I've included all of my attempts - quite the feat I tell you! 

First Day of Pre-School - 2014

Tuesday, September 2nd was the 1st of school.

Here are some Pictures:  I found their polos at JC Penny for $2.99 on clearance. I loved them!  Plus their matching shoes! They were so excited to wait for the Bus.

The bus picked up at 8:10am. We were very exited to see our same bus driver, Fred behind the wheel. Fred drove last Fall/winter in the morning and also both ways in the summer.  He absolutely loves the boys and is a big reason why they LOVE the bus so much!

After I got home, I read in their notebook about their first day.  Patrick was so excited to be there and also very excited to see his friend Okan, who attended last year.  Apparently they've already bonded and become friends.

Payden was also very excited and needed no help in following the routine and even sat very independently during circle time.

Both boys have new therapists coming into the Preschool and they all seem fabulous. I'm excited as to what this school year will bring.

Bus Trip to the Library

The last week before school started I wanted to do something fun with the boys. However, I didn't have a car.  We have enjoyed the use of a 2nd car for a year now but now we are down to 1 car. I know they loved the bus so I thought we'd take the public bus to the renovated, new Library downtown.

They loved it!

The bus stop was just in front of Hyvee so maybe a couple blocks walk. We went to Hyvee first to get cash since I never have cash.  Patrick told at least 3 people working there, "we are taking the blue bus to the library." It gave me a good laugh.

Here we are waiting for the bus.  The Stroller made things easier (seems to ground Payden and gives him somewhere to sit.)

This was as we rounded the 1st corner - he was tired but seemed to LOVE the ride. 

The 1st bus took us to Walmart and then we transferred to another bus that took us downtown to the library.  It was a good 45 minute ride.  Both boys pointed out landmarks and of course all the construction vehicles. We got to the Library at about 10am.

Patrick loves the train set/duplos there.  Payden and I looked for and found his favorite books to read: Brown Bear Brown Bear, The Hungry Caterpillar and Chicka Boom Boom.

Here's a picture of Payden taken a couple weeks before at the Library. They have these new reading nooks and he couldn't resist throwing the pillows (Pillow Bombs) like we do at home. :) 

Then at a little past 11am we took the same 2 busses (but in reverse) again home. They both enjoyed their snacks on the way home.  

Here's a good pic from across the Isle - they loved it.   

**Note to self:  If I ever attempt this again: --  Bring the Dramamine. Those busses are bouncy and jerky and I got so motion-sick -