Wordless Wednesday: The one where I smile because my guys are smiling at me

CATS

I was able to take Shell, Gab, and Ian to see the Broadway show 'CATS' this past Sunday.

 The show holds a special space in my heart, because it was the first Broadway show I ever saw. It was my big 16th birthday present and my mom took me to see it:)

Mom was actually supposed to be at this performance with us, as well, but work has taken her down the coast for a bit to Monteray, CA.

We missed having gramma there, but it was amazing being able to share it with almost all of my kiddos ~ Evie and I will have to catch it when she is a bit older :)

Shell scores an autograph from 'Rum Tum Tugger' ;)

asleep by the time we arrived home...

and it was even a matinee' !!!

lego creation of the moment

it's a horseshoe game. and, there is a dinosaur head on the top and if you hit the dinosaur head with the horseshoe and it bounces back to you, you advance to level two and get to throw your horseshoe again. (ian's description when I asked him what he built...have i mentioned how much i love this kid?!)

Six Years Old

For his 6th birthday this year, Ian wanted a Lego party. No big surprise there, as he has been very into Legos for the past year, building new creations every day.



Well, not only did he get that Lego party, filled with all things Lego for he and his friends...

(yup--that's the cake! one of the most fun I've made so far!)

handsome birthday boy waiting to welcome his guests

punch with Lego ice cubes :)

lego train game

...but he also got the ultimate Lego-lover's dream trip...




LegoLand, CA!!! (with the added bonus of it being a 'guy trip' with just daddy)


another bonus! getting to see CA cousins, AJ and Julianna!

I love you, Ian! it is a joy and privilege to be your mom :)

Oh My! Two to school!

Gabby's first day back to classes was actually yesterday, so she got pictures taken two mornings in a row.

The gang. Evie is not actually headed off to school, but she insisted on dressing up and getting her backpack ready, as well.

My big kindergartener!

Yes, he picked Sponge Bob.

3rd grader and excited to show her brother the ropes at school.

Evie and I walked Gabby and Ian in to their class (yes, they are both in the same morning class--it is a 3 hour art class for grades K-4) but wasn't really needed, as Gabby showed Ian around the room and where to put his backpack and where to sit. I did manage to get a hug from them both, but they were brief and it was clear I was not needed (a good thing!).

I did tear up a bit in the car, and called Jeff to let him know what a sap I was (as if he needed more evidence!) and then Evie and I headed home. She asked immediately when Gabby and Ian were coming home, and then if she could watch Wall-E. I said, "How about we play a game? I will play Pretty, Pretty Princess with you!" her response? --"No, thanks, I will play that with Gabby." *sigh* I'd better finish up here and get back to Wall-E...I'm feeling the need to be needed --if only as a movie watching partner right now.

The County Fair is here!

making their own fun on a not-so-fast ride :)

getting to ride 'all by myself'!' ~such a big girl!

All smiles as Gabby finds her painting ~ she is our resident artist, and first time fair entrant!

Ian, also entering for the first time, was surprised to find a "Best of Class" ribbon decorating his entry!

Farm animals, fried food, exhibits, carnival rides, and 3 exhausted children. It was a wonderful day :)

Happy 4th of July!

Sleepover at our House

Gabby has been wanting to have a friend spend the night for some time now. And last night, mommy finally said yes. As a bonus, Ian also got to have his friend stay as well (it is always nice to have friends with similarly matched siblings!) It was a fun-filled, late--LATE night and we all had a great time :)

Justin and Ian munch on snacks and enjoy a late night movie

Gabby and Hannah (and Bella) dress up

and Evie finds her own way to occupy the time

*sigh*

it won't be long before she will also be asking for a friend to stay...

oh my, that will be a full-house!

Tagged!

My friend, Heather, tagged me in her blog. And, after following the directions of the tag...I found this photo :

It is of Gabby and Ian in November of 2004. Gabby was not yet 4 years old and Ian had just turned 1. He did not begin walking on his own until 18 months and 1 week--so his big sister is helping him to stand while they work at the easel. It is one of those 'outtake' shots that would never have made it to the blog without this challenge--and I was definitely tempted to use another photo that was taken that same day that turned out much better, but I like that this tag is so random and that there is, truly, a story behind every photo :)

and now I am going to tag 6 more people:
1. Dorinda
2. Stephanie
3. Kelsey
4. Meredith (hee hee--I have two Meredith's on by blog roll so I get two for one!)
5. Delores
6. Amy

So what you are supposed to do is:

Go to your Picture Folder on your computer or wherever you store your pictures.

1. Pick the 6th Folder, then select the the 6th picture in that folder.

2. Post that picture on your blog and the story that goes along with the picture.

3. Tag 6 other people that you know or don’t know to do the same thing and leave a comment on their blog or an e-mail letting them know you chose them. (what I want to know is--who really does this to people they don't know?! really?! come on! that's a silly part of the instruction that should be removed. and yet, like any good blogger--I'm not going to remove it--I'm going to BLOG ABOUT IT!)