Emily's "Minute to Win It" Party!

For Emily's 9th birthday party we did a "Minute to Win It" Party.  I was still sick when we started planning it and had no idea how I was going to pull off a party so we went with dad's party theme idea.  (Emily thought it was the greatest idea she'd ever heard!)  I wasn't super excited about it but I was wrong.  We couldn't have picked a better party for my competitive, energetic Emily.  It was perfect for her!  She loved every second of the competitions! 

 Here's the master of ceremonies.  John was the energy behind this party and led the games and fun.  He even found an official "Minute to Win It" countdown which was super awesome.

 We divided the kids into groups did 10 "Minute to Win It" rotations.  Some of their favorites were Stack the cups, Face the Cookie, Dice Stack, and Marshmallow Head.  It was so fun to see them working together and cheering each other on. 

 This was their all time favorite.  Their partner had to throw marshmellows into the bowl on their head.  It was a hoot to watch them jumping around trying to catch the marshmellows. 

 That was what Emily looked like through the whole party.  Couldn't wipe that smile of her face.  She was jumping up and down, screaming, smiling, and having the time of her life.  She is SUPER competitive and this was the perfect party for her.  She loved it!!!  I sat and watched her the whole time.  It was so fun to see her SO excited and happy! 

 Our last competition was "decorate your cupcake in a minute".  Then we had root beer and Fanta floats, opened presents, and ended with a Pinata!  Here's the gang for her 9th birthday.

 The Birthday Girl

 Em and Liz.  Love this picture of these cute friends.    They've been at each other's parties since they were three!

 She got lots of nice gifts and the Rainbow Loom was the favorite!  She was so excited!  Kelsie and Emily have been happily making bracelets ever since.  And yes, they are talking about turning it into a bracelet business, but I'm really trying to downplay that big time!

 Rainbow Pinata filled with clearance Halloween candy. :)

 She ended her fun day with her favorite dinner:  Panda Express!  She LOVES the chow mein!  It was a busy, fun day to celebrate our spunky little Emily. 

Halloween 2013

Happy Halloween! 

Matson as the cutest firefighter ever! 

 Carter as a Mean Pirate Boy.  He loves dressing up and stays in character!

Emily as a witch

 

 Kelsie as Raggedy Ann

We got a whole bucket of candy at dad's work.   Then headed home to get another bucket full in the neighborhood!  Can you have to much candy?  They don't think so!  Happy Halloween!

First Day of School

 Kelsie's first day of 6th grade.  Emily's first day of 3rd grade.  Can't believe how fast they've grown up.  They were so excited to start school and see their friends again!

 A week later Carter FINALLY got to start kindergarten.  He's been waiting for this day for so long. 

 First day of Kindergarten!

Here he is about to walk into his class.  He looks a bit nervous, but once he got in his class he loved every minute of it. 

Matson's MICKEY Birthday!

 Happy 3rd Birthday to our little Matson!  He has been planning and talking about his birthday all summer and couldn't wait to FINALLY be THREE!  He would wake up every morning for the last few weeks and say, "is it my birthday?  Am I three now?"  He often went over the guest list with me and it included Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, and all their friends.  I was a little worried he was going to be terribly disappointed but it turned out he likes his family too and he overlooked the fact that none of his favorite characters showed up to wish his a Happy Birthday in person! 

Love this little face.  Matson is the sweetest little boy with a tender little heart.  He loves to cuddle and hug and make everyone happy.  He has the funniest little personality and has us laughing at the goofy things he says and does.  I have cherished every single day of watching this little guy grow up. He's a momma's boy and knows the way to my heart.  We love him!

Matson got a new big boy bike!  He was so excited to have a bike just like Carter!

 His other gift was Rescue Heroes.  He loves them!  Nothing better in his book than some new figurines to fight around with!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy! 

 

Side Note:  Every day since his birthday he wakes up, stands up in bed and says, "Was it my birthday?  Am I three now?"  I assure him he really is three and he grins ear to ear.  It's quite an accomplishment for him to finally be three and he couldn't be prouder!  He will periodically stop playing during the day and say to me, "I'm three now, why do I still wear diapers?"  and "I'm three.  I can sleep up with Carter in my big boy bed."  He has great intentions but we're not seeing a lot of action in either department.  But, at least he's thinking about it!  Recognition is the first step and he's so proud to be THREE!

Super Cousins

 These three crazy boys celebrated their birthdays together this weekend.  They were all born within a few days of each other in August.  Grandma surprised them with Super Hero Capes and they were in heaven!  Super Matson is on the left.  Next to Captain America and Batman.  Matson (3)  Chase (5) Mason (4). 

They are off to fight the bad guys.  Matson keeps up with the bigger boys and doesn't want to miss a thing.  They love to run around and fight so they will get lots of good use of their new capes!  Thanks, Grandma.

Baking Cookies

Our cute, new neighbors are so good to our kids.  They invited the kids over to bake cookies with them.  Emily and Matson went over and had a ball.  Matson ate a ridiculous amount of dough and reminded me of why I don't bake with 2 year olds! 

Staycation: Lagoon!

 Took all the kids to Lagoon for the first time.  Carter was the exact height you need to be to ride all the big rides.  He was pretty much thrilled to be 46 inches tall!  And it's a good thing cause he's a total daredevil!  He rode rides I would never step foot on...and he loves them all!

 Matson, on the other hand, hated every ride and wouldn't get near most of them!  He didn't care for Lagoon at all and kept saying he just wanted to go home.  Poor boy.  :(  But, I understand just how he felt!  He did love this little car ride and went on it a bunch of time. 

 This is John's favorite ride...the swing one.  Kelsie, Emily, and Carter LOVED it.  They are daredevils and loved everything.  John convinced me to go on it and I thought I was gonna die.  After Lagoon, I decided I might have a little bit of a height problem. 

 Carter and me on the train ride.

 It was SO hot.  We tried to cool off in the afternoon with Icee's.

 Girlies sharing their Icee and trying to stay cool.

 The boys loved this shooting ride!

Riding the "Scary Wheel"  as Matson calls it.  It was almost dusk and so pretty.

This is what the boys looked like on the way home.  Super exhausted.  It was a fun day.  But, John and I agreed we were good to not go back for a few years.  Just don't tell our oldest three kids....they LOVE Lagoon!