Skating

We recently went to the local roller skating rink. Rudy did much better this time, but didn't love it. It may be a while before we try again.

We ended up being there with two of his friends. Jade's mom's school was having a fundraiser, thus the reason for going to the skating rink.

And Sanai was invited, plus she has family members that attend the same school.

This is Rudy's rap face. See video below.

A Rare Warm Day

Yesterday's weather was predicted to be in the 60s and sunny. Since Rudy had a half day, we took a picnic to a playground and met up with some friends. The kids had a lot of fun running around for hours and we all enjoyed the fresh air and sunshine. Of course, today it is windy and cold again, but it was a nice reprieve.

Batman and Superman working together to fight crime.

The three kids played really well together. At one point, Rudy was a storm trooper, Tommy was Luke Skywalker and Jade was Princess Leia.

Rudy wasn't too sure I knew the way home, so he decided to consult the map book as I drove. He was very serious about his job.

Chuck E. Cheese Birthday Party

Rudy's actual birthday is still two weeks away, but because of the holidays, we usually have his party early in November.
Here is my wondrous creation - the Spiderman cake. This was my first time using the decorating bags and really following a pattern- not too bad! I almost feel like an artist.

Rudy checking out his cake - I started the before he went to bed so he saw the very beginning stages but couldn't wait to see the finished product.

The birthday guests included the usual suspects - cousins,and a few friends. Rudy always asks to go to Chuck E. Cheese and Paul and I have resisted taking him. I even told him that you could only go there for parties, so when his birthday came around, he only wanted to go there for his party.

So first the kids had fun on the rides and playing games.

Sometimes even the big kids got involved (I know of a few dads that were there that snuck off at different times to go play a game they wanted to play!).

I promise these two were much happier than they look!

Paul's mom got to meet all the new additions to the A. family - and even held Charlie for a few minutes.

All the kids- Sanai, Max, Tommy, Rudy, Jade, and Lucy. The three youngest were sitting back with the parents.

Paige was either completely exhausted or completely bored! Either way she got comfortable in Bill's arms!

Rudy loved being the center of attention and he loved see Chuck E.

But all he wanted to do was finished his hot dog and he kept having to stand up or high five Chuck E. As soon as he sat back down, more of the hot dog got shoved in.

Chuck E. and the party guests.

As the Birthday Boy, Rudy got to go in the Ticket Blaster. I really expected him to refuse to do this or want to get out immediately, but he did it and enjoyed it (he later told me it was the best part of the day), and he even got a lot of tickets.

Rudy and Max are back to being buddies, after having a few rough visits.

Most of the crazy cousins - Charlie was smart enough to be asleep or pretend to be asleep while this was going on...

... Paige quickly realized what she had gotten into and decided she wanted no part of the chaos.

Chris, Patti, Max, Lucy and Charlie decided to come back to our house for a while after the party. Rudy loves riding with Max in Chris and Patti's car, which means Lucy gets to ride with me and Paul. When we got in the car and started driving, she stretched and yawned and we asked if she was tired and wanted a nap. She said yes, so we told her she could take a nap in the car. She said there wasn't a bed in the car so she couldn't do that. We tried a few other times to convince her she could nap but she said no. I should have taken a picture of her when we got to the house because within about 5 minutes after we finished talking to her, she was asleep!

Once we arrived home, Rudy opened his presents and Max showed off his awesome reading ability by reading the cards for Rudy. Then Max, Lucy and Rudy played with some of the new toys.

Although it was a crazy day (Paul said today he was still recovering from Chuck E. Cheese's), Rudy had a great time and we had fun hanging out with friends and family. I just wish we could find a place to have a party where the adults could just sit and socialize the whole time!

A Day of Helping, A Night of Horror

We go up and out early this morning to join some people from our church to volunteer to clean up at the Wildlife Refuge. It was cold in the morning but there was a bright sun and the promise of a warmer day. Rudy was very excited to get there and get all his gear. He especially liked using the grabber.

Once the day started we headed out to the drive to find a spot to pick up trash. It was a gorgeous day, a little windy out on the drive but very tolerable. We have gone on the drive many times before but this was the first time we walked through the bushes and down to the water's edge, so we got to see a different side of the refuge.

Rudy had a blast! He carried the grabber the whole time (although he barely used it) and looked for signs of dinosaurs. Every crab shell or animal bone we'd find would be part of a dinosaur. It was such an adventure! This picture is taken at the very end of our clean up. We had been outside walking and driving for about an hour to an hour and a half and Rudy could have gone on much longer!

After dinner tonight, we headed to a haunted hayride. We met up wit friends, who both have daughters around Rudy's age. It was the first real scary hayride for the three kids and they all survived and hopefully weren't too scarred! All day Rudy talked about going to the scary hayride; he was so excited. I guess we should have warned him that it might involve people jumping out at us and even climbing /leaning on the wagon we were on. That was definitely the part that scared him the most.


As we waited for the hayride the kids played on the playground. Jade (6 years old) and Sanai ( 4 years old) insisted they had to be pushed on the baby swings.

Jah-neen, Sanai, and Jade heading to the hayride.

As we waited to buy tickets, there was someone dressed up as the grim reaper who was pointing the way to the hayride. Jade was fearless and would go right up to him.

Rudy and Sanai were a bit more reluctant.

A rare still moment with all three kids together.

Playing with the glow sticks and waiting for the hayride, what better use than as swords!

On the hayride and ready to go!

See Paul's face - you can tell that Rudy's expression and mannerisms have changed after the first person jumped out of the woods at us. Later he told us he expected to see scary things hanging from the trees and making scary noises.

Unsure of what he has gotten himself into.

Jade, Tori and Ronnie with some scary guys behind them.

Still not so sure.

Recovered and ready to enjoy the ride again. Once he got used to people jumping out and we started looking and trying to spot them as they came, he was okay. It seemed to be the surprise of it that scared him more than the costumes. I told him a few times to yell 'boo' back at them when they scared him and he stated saying things back to them when they did try to scare us.

As soon as we were off the ride he was full of bravery and told everyone about how he wasn't scared. I think the first time was a success and we will have to try it again next year!