Barney comes to Jaden's b-day

Flash Back to July--Jaden's 3rd Birthday Party!!

Jaden has loved Barney for over a year. Last year, he wanted a Barney b-day party, but I couldn't find any Barney party supplies in stores and I thought he would soon be over Barney. So, I talked him into a Pablo birthday party. Well, he still LOVES Barney. So, this year I got on-line and bought all the Barney party supplies. But, we also invited Barney to the party!! I was SO excited about this. (Our friend from church was the lucky one to be Barney.) I prepared Jaden for a week about how big Barney was----so he wouldn't be afraid. We talked about how Barney loves kids, etc. etc. But, oh no.....Jaden was terrified. He literally had a death-grip on my neck for the first 30 min. of his party. Barney came in the side fence gate to greet this kids. Here's a group picture. (Most of the kids were afraid!) Taylor also LOVES Barney and she was as afraid as Jaden. The 2 biggest Barney lovers in the WORLD, were afraid.

Here's Barney trying to talk to Jaden, but Jaden didn't let him get too close.

The kids had hot dogs and cookies on a stick. Here's Barney sneaking behind Jaden so we can get a picture!!

Finally.....at the end of the party, we got Jaden to stand beside Barney for one picture. This is after Barney has come inside for presents and brough Jaden a present, Barney has sang the "I love you song" with all the kids, he sang Happy Birthday to Jaden, he played "Peek a Boo" 25 times, and on and on....

And, finally....the cake.

The kids also played on a water slide at the party. It was lots of fun!!

We had a lot of fun with Barney and I would have probably said that day --it was worth the $$ to get Barney to the party, even though Jaden didn't play with him or interact with him as we had hoped. But, today, 3 months later, I would say it was DEFINITELY worth our money. Jaden still talks about Barney coming to his party and he wants to see pictures of Barney on the computer. He talks about the next time Barney comes to his party----I hope he's not too sad when Barney can't make it to his 4th b-day party!!

Boy/Girl/Tom-Boy

I just have to share this funny story about Tyler, 5 1/2. Every day we discuss his day at Kindergarten and talk about the normal things: playing super-heros at recess (the park, he calls it), riding the bus, music or P.E., what friends he sat with, etc. This is his 3rd week of school. He is just learning kids names and starting to be able to tell me kids' names. So, today we are talking about Megan. But, he keeps referring to Megan as a "he". Finally, I ask if Megan is a boy or girl (thinking Megan was a girl name.) Tyler first says, "he's a boy. Explaining that "he" means boy. Ok, yes...I know that. But, I am still thinking Megan sounds more like a girl name. So, I ask if Megan has long hair or short hair. Tyler responds, "long hair." OK.... Then, Tyler says, " Megan says he's a tom-boy." OH....... I just died laughing. I asked Tyler if he knew what a "tom-boy" was and he said no. I told him it was girl that acts more like a boy. I asked Tyler if this made since. He matter-a-factly told me in a louder voice...."Megan is a BOY. HE told me HE was a Tom-boy."
So, I just left it alone. There was no arguing with Tyler about this.
I can't wait to meet Megan in person.
Oh to be 5 again :)

The First Day of School

I can't believe Tyler is going to school. Our first born. Now, I have always been one to say I would not cry when my kids went to school. I was going to be happy. (Don't get me wrong--I love my kids dearly. But, I just thought it would be fine!) Well, I teared up at Meet your Teacher night. Then, the first day of school, Steve and I (and Jaden and Paige) took Tyler to school and walked him to class. YES! I cried this day. I took Tyler into his class found his seat and then when I left I stayed and peeked in the window of his class. I would have stayed MUCH longer, but I heard the teacher say to the kids. "is there someone looking in our window." I took that as my clue I had to leave.

Here's Tyler. I think he's ready to go. He's waiting for the bus on the 2nd day of school.

His Spiderman backpack is as big as him!!

Tyler, Jaden, and Paige sitting on the front steps patiently (or not) waiting for the school bus. **This has become a morning ritual. We all wait for the bus on the steps--everyone in the pj's but Tyler. I wonder what we will do when it's snowing outside. I am guessing Jaden and Paige will still want to go outside to see the bus.

And there he goes. Getting on that GIANT bus. And, I teared up again....as he got on the bus and I waved good-bye. It's just so hard not knowing what he will be doing. Will he make friends? Is his teacher nice? Will he ask to go to the bathroom? Will he be scared on the bus? I don't think Tyler had a worry at all. But, I did.

And, he's gone. We sure do miss Tyler in the mornings. It took Jaden and Paige a few days to figure out what to do without Tyler. Now, they play great together, but LOVE watching for the school bus at 12:10 every day.

Visitng Grandpa Cordray

Grandpa (Paul) Cordray is the last grandparent alive for both Steve and I. Grandpa lives in Marceline, Missouri. He has lived there for 25 years in the same house. Grandma Cordray died in October of 2004. Grandpa Cordray has lived alone since then and is ready to be moved to a nursing care facility. We decided to make a weekend trip to see Grandpa this August, before Tyler started school. We stayed the night in KC Friday night and then Sat. drove to Marcelline, MO. It was suppose to take 2 hours to get there, but with road construction it took us a good 3 hours. When we got to Grandpa's, we went to Sonic to get the kids some lunch and then took Grandpa and the kids to the park. Grandpa had so much fun watching the 3 kids run around.

Steve and his grandpa at the picnic table!

Grandpa and the 3 kids. He just loved holding little Paige. The kids were SO cute. The minute we walked into grandpa's house, they started calling him, "Papa" and never quit. Jaden and Paige had never met Grandpa Cordray before, but you would have thought they saw him on a regular basis. Jaden was actually named after Grandpa Cordray-- Jaden Paul Roth.

Now, tell me he doesn't look relaxed. I think Grandpa liked the park.

Of course the kids loved playing at the park. You can't tell from this picture, but the kids were fairly high on this climbing thing. So, I would step back, take their picture and then put my hand out to make sure Paige didn't let go and fall off. Then, I'd take another picture, run back to the equipment. But, it actually turned out pretty cute.

After eating lunch and playing at the park for a few hours, we headed back to Grandpa's house and then back in the car to KC. We ate dinner at Rainforest Cafe and that was fun and we shopped at the Children's place outlet (where I got the major bargains!). The kids had a great weekend and Grandpa had a fun Saturday afternoon. Steve and I....well, we can't wait until the kids are older :) Traveling, missing naps, eating out all our meals, hotel sleeping with 3 kids, ..... But, the kids had fun---so it was worth it!!

I love GREAT deals!

I just have to share about my AMAZING ability to save money this weekend. I am just so excited. I LOVE to go to the Children's Place outlet in KC. I always have a coupon for 10% off and nearly always have a 15% off coupon to add to that. But, this time I had a 2nd 15% off coupon. So, I was saving nearly 40% off their $3.99 and $2.99 and even 99 CENT sales!! So, get this----I had a receipt, no lie, 9 feet long. I bought 78 items and paid $121.84. Now, that's a deal, huh? I was just so excited and still am today. And, then the kicker.... literally, as I was walking into the store, they associates were putting, collared/button down shirts for the boys on the sale rack for 99 CENTS!! WHAT? insane? So, I bought 16 button down shirts for my boys for this year and next year. They equaled to 60cents each, after my coupons. So, Tyler is going to be looking good in Kindergarten and who knows what the next year will bring. I just had to share. I am still amazed!!

Flashback....

Remember, I am new at this blogging thing. I've heard of Flashback Friday's, but Friday has past, so I'm doing it today!! As I type, my kids and husband are all sleeping in the hotel room and I playing with my blog! (When else will I have time?) We came to KC for the weekend to Steve's grandpa--stay tuned for some PRECIOUS pictures! Any who... Here are some PRECIOUS pictures of the kids, again, spending the night at Gpa and Gma Balzer's, but this time fishing. This has been several months ago! Gpa Balzer isn't a fisherman, so I was surprised when Tyler called (several times) to inform us of how many fish he had caught with Grandpa. I can't remember now, but maybe 7 or 8? He was thrilled. Jaden did fish, but wasn't as sure about it. He is more of a behind the scenes type of guy and more afraid of things. Slimy fish definitely would not attract Jaden.

Jaden loves to play in the sandbox though!

Aren't those the most precious pictures of Tyler! Again, the pictures were taken by Aunt Amanda. Good thing she lives close to Gpa and Gma Balzer to capture all the moments at their house.

Slip N Slide FUN

Last weekend, all 3 kids spent the night at Gpa and Gma Balzer's Friday night. It was 100 degrees and scorching hot so they got the Slip N Slide out to play. They also went to the donut shop and went to the fair to see the animals. Then, Saturday we met them and went to the parade down-town Newton and to ride the rides at the fair. The kids had SO MUCH FUN!! While we were at the parade (collecting candy) Tyler said, "This is the best day of my life." I just laughed and thought, wow--all he needs is some cheap candy to be thrown at him to make his day!!

There they are.....ready to SLIDE!! Now, this is some feat to get ALL 3 kids looking at the camera. Seriously, this doesn't happen often.

Not sure if Tyler is laughing or crying....

And, splash into the bottom pool of water!!

Cousin Taylor came to play in the slip in slide too. Paige LOVES to "play" with Taylor, even though they don't quite have the sharing thing down yet. They are so cute and it's going to be so fun to see them grow-up together, being so close in age.


Look at these girls checking each other's suits out. Do you like this suit? Does it fit? Can I borrow that some time? I'm sure they will have many more "clothes" talks in their futures!!

If you are wondering how I got these pictures and I wasn't there....Aunt Amanda too them for us. She is GREAT about sending us pictures she took. I just learned RECENTLY, like last week, how to even save them when she sends them to me!! Amanda is teaching me a lot.