Problem Solving

One of Zach's chores is to unload the dryer with me, well, he got started wihout me and was having trouble reaching, so he problem solved...



It cracks me up how much the kids enjoy their chores... for the most part. Laundry and dishes are Zach's Fave.

Gangster Drakes... plus a Flapper

We had so many Halloween parties to go to this year, our costumes are going to be all worn out by the end. This was taken at the Harvest Party at Kaidence's preschool... we were definately the coolest ones there...

The boys are complete with mustaches and $$ arm bands- so cute!

And of course, the carnation... Zach got to choose the color- hence the orange- he is his father's son... this was taken at the church carnival and trunk or treat-- the kids had a blast!

Back at school-- what a happy flapper girl! There was a song on that she thought was just hilarious-- this is a priceless picture.

The first day of dressing up- the church party, I fixed Kaidence's hair in pin curls... never doing that again! Although, it was very authentic looking, we stuck with fingerwaves after that night.

Finger Puppets!!

Honestly, I was surprised at the patience I had for 9am... I had told the kids that we were going to do this, and their patience was wearing thin by 8am... This craft was inspired by Jen Henrickson about a year ago and I finally got around to doing it- as an example, I made a kitty to get the kids going...



Zach made 2 four-eyed monsters-- ROAR!

Kaidence made Mary and her Little Lamb... and a ghost! Boo!

Roarrrr...

We made a makeshift stage from a Huggies box for the puppet show that commenced shortly after completing our craft...

Finger Puppet Show

More Puppet Shows...

New meaning to keeping the floor clean...

Parker has taken to eating directly from the floor it seems... makes me appreciate the vacuuming we did yesterday. Zach wanted to be in the video and is commenting on Parker's "Fuzzy Hair" ( I just cut they boyz' hair yesterday, hence the vacuuming).

Parker get meticulous...

We have been trying to teach Parker to clean up after his trail of distruction... He pulls all of the laundry out of the laundry basket, plays in it, and crawls away... empties his cereal bowl and crawls away... you get the idea. Anyway... this is the new clean-up game he has come up with. He grabs a handful of cereal, drops all but the last piece, puts it in his mouth, then cleans up the rest-- and starts again-- enjoy!

FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL!

Kaidence picked out her outfit and posed with her cheesiest smile

before we headed off to preschool.

First thing when we got there, she signed herself in and headed straight

for the art room. All the other kids at the table were being careful with their

colors... until they watched Kaidence- then all 4 paintings turned into hand circles.

Every year at the preschool, there is a parent work day where they get projects done before

the year begins. There is always one BIG project... last year they built a rock climbing

wall, this year we built this loft in the playhouse area! The kids LOVE it!

I said, "Kaidence, let me take a picture," and this is what I got... What a posing DIVA!

Storytime with Teacher Gina before it is time to go.

Monday was my day to help in the classroom, so I got to stay.... therefore to tears came... we'll see how Wednesday goes when I have to drop her off... *tear*

Kaidence's Haircut

Kaidence has become so "vocal" about having her hair combed, that I decided it was time for shorted hair... which she loves having short hair like mommy now. It is so cute and so easy to take care of.

Grandma and Kaidence did stretches a few times to get the cramps and wiggles out...

BBQ at Mandy's

After the Seattle Center, we went to Mandy's for BBQ and hangin' out. We swam in the pool and just talked. Douglas was supposed to go to a friends, but got delayed... selfishly, I am glad he had to wait... it was fun with him there.


Mandy made this face just for Douglas' picture taking...

Parker was falling asleep on Mandy... which she loved...

and they enjoyed having the baby around... as long as the baby went home with me. :)

Seattle Center

We went to the Seattle Center as guests with Mandy, Dio and Zeke on Thursday, we had such a blast! Uncle Douglas was so good with the kids, you'd think he'd had practice... and the kids just LOVE Mandy. It was a great day, I am so glad we were able to go.


Awww....

Anytime there is a chance to get wet... there we are.

The butterfly room was so cool, the butterflys land right on you!

Look! We have an official equation... not that I understand it...

More Pics!

Many kudos to mom for thinking of having a photographer at the party! Douglas was visiting before his year-long deployment that starts this month. This was the first party he's been able to be to for the kids and it was spectacular!

No resemblance there...

Zach is all that and A chip...

Pictures

Presents!

When we did presents, it was probably the closest we got to all being together, but some had left by then...


We set up presents on the tramp so we could do it outside...
it was so HOT that day!

The Games

We had water balloons, sqirt guns and a pinata for entertainment... the pinata was a pull string, which means that out of the 15 strings hanging from it, one open the trap door to let down the candy. We were sure less than half way through, somebody would pull that string... but the fates were with us and the VERY LAST STRING let down the goodies.


Mandy plays the best "big sister" and gets wet with the boys.

The Cake

We had a fabulous birthday cake provided and designed by Grandma West... with Spiderman web-slinging a Happy Birthday message for Zach.

Family Branches at the Party

Thank you to EVERYONE who was able to come to Zach's birthday party and to those who were there in spirit... the day was a blast! I don't think that many branches of the family have been together at once before... it was awesome!

Grandma and Great-Grandma Drake

Aunt Lisa, Grandma Rath, and Mandy

Grandpa Rath and Douglas, USMC

Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Amanda

Grandma and Grandpa West-Fuhrmann

You know, looking back, I wish that we had taken a picture of us all together, that would have been rather ideal...