Sunny side up!

Well, it finally happened. After four and a half months of chicken rearing, we had almost forgotten that we might eventually get eggs. Last Sunday, Henry and Bryn got a late birthday present from the chickens. I randomly checked the nest boxes, and sure enough, there it was, right next to the golf ball. We read somewhere that golf balls help the chickens figure out where to put that sort of thing. Hopefully there are more where this one came from.

I was yelling. Then the kids started yelling. Then Jay came running outside and he started yelling too. We thanked the chickens, raced inside, snapped a few pics, and then cracked it into the frying pan.


We actually cooked it over medium. Sunny side up just sounded better.

Birthday week for number 4

B and H got their birthday week started with a trip to the lake to see Grandma and Grandpa. Karyl put her sewing machine to work and made them each a clown outfit. Henry had it on within seconds and couldn't wait to get back home to add his clown nose and red Raggedy Andy hair to his ensemble. He is eyeing the clown shoes at Mallotts, and hoping his feet grow fast to fit into the adult size shoes they sell.

Their new cameras were a hit and they ran down to the pier to take pics of some water skiiers and such.

While Bryn was laying low with a stomach bug, Henry got to try out a lake neighbors jet ski with Jay. Of course he loved the ride!

On Wednesday their friends Sam and Abbey invited them out for a birthday fun day full of mini golf and lunch. Henry and Bryn got to pick the restaurant, no surprise to us that they chose Copper Top, since they get chocolate milk AND ice cream with the kids meal. Bryn was all business for most of the 18 holes and Henry like to "rescue" the balls from the water. Thanks guys for such a great day!!!

Copper Top!

Our neighbor Miss Elspeth, unfortunately broke her leg so she has invited B and H over to her house for story time whenever they please. We used her services the night before our party to get some cleaning done at home.

Finally, Saturday arrived and the craziness started. Our relatives don't follow our no presents rule and they got completley outfitted in cowboy/cowgirl gear, including boots and harmonicas from Shannon, Bruce and Liam.

First game of the party was a clothes pin drop from our upstairs porch as I scrambled to catch the pins as they flew down!

We did a pinata again this year. They all lined up to take a swing. Not much happened until Elliot's first turn and he managed to decapitate the ice cream from the cone and our lawn was covered in treats!

Mr. John knew this was going to be the one!

What would a party be without chickens running around the yard? Emily had the special touch and was able to cuddle a couple of the hens.

Balloon badminton with Grandma.

Since Bryn has been requesting much longer bike rides than they can muster on their own, we decided to buy them trail a long bikes so they can peddle or coast and we can get in some longer distance rides. My parents went in on them with us and watched for the inaugural ride around the neighborhood.

Had to include this video. The best part is at the end of the song when they had a "twin moment" and were just so happy for each other they had to rub noses.

It was so much fun to spend our week with our families and very special friends. Thank you for making their birthday so special.

President chat

It's Curious George again! Recently after reading his adventures in the Hot Air Balloon, Bryn and Henry had the below conversation I just had to videotape. Don't know where Bryn gets all the hand gestures..... am I really that bad? She also can't get over the fact that Thomas Jefferson is a boy thanks to a rather feminine version gracing the pages of Curious George. Guess we need to acquaint them with the fashions of our Founding Fathers.

What a Fourth!

Leave it to me, my big mouth once again created more work for myself. I was invited to the neighborhood association monthly meeting after voicing my concerns about the loss of our fourth of July celebrations. Yep, I left the meeting with myself in charge of the event! I was the luckiest big mouth mama since I had my friend Kristi and another neighborhood mom Devon, that thought of all the things I would have forgotten and made it an awesome Fourth of July! The above poster was made by a neighbor for our event. Couldn't believe how perfect it was. Thanks to Jinger at http://www.mangogirldesign.com for donating her artwork for the parade and picnic.



We didn't know what or how many to expect and as we peered down Monroe Street to find the sidewalks lined with families making their way to Michaels I think we all had perma-grins! The guesstimate was about 80 kids and their families that turned out for the festivities that included decorating of bikes, strollers and wagons, parade down Monroe St. and then lawn games and picnic with TONS of food donated by Trader Joes. To top it off Kristi helped secure Fire Truck #4 and an ambulance that the kids got a tour of.

Getting ready to roll.

The speedsters that came flying! No, Henry and Bryn were not in this pack.

The crowd. Whenever I wondered where Bryn was I was sure to see her doing laps around the Trader Joes table. Like mother, like daughter.

Although I never caught Bryn red handed with all the snacks, Henry wasn't so lucky with Miss Kristi's shooting ability.




Henry told Jay that he found a little boy that looked just like him from the back. Sure enough, he was right!

The kids babysitter Miss Anna, came over since she lives in the nieghborhood too.

Fire Truck #4!