Fun with Friends

On our end of summer trip back to our former city, we had lots of fun with some of our favourite friends. I didn't take enough pictures, but here are a few of the ones I did take.

This is Leia's favorite friend back home. She had a sleep over with us and the kids were all watching a movie together. Notice my girls can't take their eyes off the movie, even for a picture!

This little guy is Padme's buddy. They were playing with blocks in his yard. He is the 5th child in their family, just like Padme is in ours.

More playing with blocks

Yoda liked those blocks.

Padme goofing off

This is Yoda's future buddy. Right now they aren't the best of friends. They are both the 6th child in their families, and mostly they tattle on each other. Yoda calls him "Baby" and he calls Yoda "That Guy". It is funny to hear them tattle on each other. We are confident they will get to be good buddies as they get older, just like the rest of their siblings.

Next time I need to do a better job of taking pictures. I didn't get any with Luke and his friends and the oldest two boys mostly worked, so I didn't get any pictures of them either.

Firestation Trip

Luke, Padme and I went to our local fire station recently for a field trip with some friends. The older kids had been to the fire station before, but this was Padme's first time. She was very excited. She got to try on the fireman's gear and it looked so comical because she is so little in it.
Luke trying out the fire truck.

Padme loved it all.

Our fireman guide showing us the the Jaws of Life equipment. Luke loved all the big saws and tools.

Padme and her buddy with the fireman in all his gear.

This was the fourth or fifth time we have been to a fire station and I am always so impressed at the firemen's kindness and patience with the children. Truly public servants we are blessed to have protecting us. We will have to go back again when Yoda is a bit older and Leia can come along, too.

Bunny Love

We have some friends who invited us over to see their baby bunnies. My little kids love animals, and the bunnies were a big hit! Of course, they were ready to bring them all home. Good thing we were on vacation and bringing a bunny 500 miles in the car was not a possibility!

Padme especially loved to hold them once she figured out how to do it without getting scratched.

Yoda liked the bunnies, but was very concerned the entire time. He didn't want them to get away, and he wanted someone to help him. He did not want the bunnies to be taken away, just to have help with them.

Leia really loves animals and will love on anything. She is very sweet and motherly with animals.

Padme's Birthday Party

For Padme's first ever birthday party with friends, she wanted a chocolate cake, not a decorated cake, and a dress up/water party. So, this is what she got! She loves this chocolate sheet cake (recipe from the Pioneer Woman). Very plain looking, but delicious!

Her little friends all dressed up in dress up clothes. The boy is Indiana Jones!

And the water party was after the presents and cake and homemade ice cream. Here Padme is arming herself with water balloons.

The water slide was a hit as well.

And no party is complete without a pinata and a bunch of candy.

She had a great time and was looking forward to her brothers coming home after being gone on a mission trip and the family party that night.

Padme's 6th Birthday and Yoda's 2nd Birthday

Five of our six children have summer birthdays. And four of them are in a 16 day time span. This year, the two oldest boys were gone on a mission trip for Yoda's birthday, so we waited to celebrate when they came home on Padme's birthday. We had a joint family party for both Padme and Yoda in the evening, and earlier that afternoon, we had a friend party for Padme. Lots of fun around here! Here are a few pictures of our little celebration.

All the kids with Yoda's basketball cake. That little boy is crazy about balls.

He liked his cake!

Padme's gift from Nana and Papa. She loves the CD with the book and dances around to it.

Yoda's present from Nana and Papa was a set of board books with a Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal. He loves them all.

Yoda loves his new trike, although he cannot pedal it without help.

Yoda saw giraffes at the zoo and won't stop talking about them. We got him a stuffed giraffe and he loved it.

Padme got a stuffed elephant that she loved, also.

This picture isn't too clear, but Yoda got a stuffed monkey, and he did not like it at all! He even put it back in the bag it came in. He kept saying, "No, no montey, no, no!" We couldn't believe it and we were all laughing about it. After a few days, he would hold the monkey, but he still doesn't like it!

Crazy Hair Night at Awanas

Last week Awana had Crazy Hair Night. Here are the girls with some crazy hair. In the past we have bought some fun colored hair spray, but they moved the week up by a week and I wasn't ready. Maybe next year. I have no idea what is the deal with Padme's teeth in this picture!

The look is multiple, random ponytails. It was all I could come up with.

She loved it!

Leia is sporting s very similar look.

We will plan ahead better for next year and try something new. The girls had a fun night!

Spring Worship Dance Concert

The girls had their Spring Worship Dance Concert was last weekend. Here are a few pictures of them. I have some video of all of Padme's dance and half of Leia's that I will post below this one so if you are interested in seeing the dance, you can watch that, too.

The theme of this concert was Heaven and the concert was called Come and Go With Me.

Padme's class danced to the song I'll Fly Away by Jars of Clay. I had never heard this arrangement of the song and I love it.

Leia's class danced to I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe. I absolutely love this song and have since I first heard it. It makes me cry every time I hear it and watching her in class and rehearsal didn't change that. I cried every time.

Leia is the dancer right in front in this first picture with her back to the camera.

After the dance the girls get flowers from us. I think they love that almost as much as dancing, which they love. I couldn't get a serious picture of Padme, she was being so goofy and had already changed out of her dance costume.

Leia with her flowers.

The girls are both sad that the classes are over until summer time when there is a week long summer camp. I am glad for the time extra time home, but I do love watching them dance.

Padme's Dance video

Backwards Night at Awana

Last month Awana had a Backwards Night. Here are the girls with their backwards look. That is actually the front of Leia with her ponytail in front of her face! They are wearing their shirts, pants and vests backward. They thought it was very funny to dress like this.

And the back view...

Leia's ponytail came out shortly after she got to church. She said she couldn't do anything because she couldn't see a thing!