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.

Parties, Parties, Everywhere

Last Saturday was spent going from one party to another. First we went to a skating party for Jade. Here is Mr. Dramatic falling on the floor before he even started skating.


It took him a while to feel confident on his skates, the wheels were looser than the last time he skated, so he was more likely to fall, but eventually he came to a point where he wouldn't hold my hand.

The best of a party - cake!

And, of course, hanging out with friends.

Finally getting the hang of it.

He wouldn't participate in the hokey pokey or the limbo, but he loved the chicken dance!

After Jade's party, we headed to a pool party to celebrate Paige's birthday. Our little fish spent almost every minute of the 4 or more hours we were there in the water.

He had fun playing games with Uncle Bill.

The birthday girl!

Rudy, Paige and I in the pool.

Nothin' better than hanging out in the hot tub with a Yoo-Hoo.

Rudy showing one little bit of compassion and interest as an older cousin, actually walked for a few seconds with Paige.

Renee's aunt's house, where the pool party was, always has lots of wildlife around. This year we saw a young deer that Rudy took a picture of.

Unexpected Playdate

Yesterday Paul was gone all day for work and I didn't know what Rudy and I should do. It was overcast so it was hard to decide whether to plan an inside or an outside day. I posted on facebook asking if anyone had any suggestions of what to do. A short time later I got a text from a friend saying she had to work few hours, and was going to take her daughter with her, but she would be happy to drop her off with us. I quickly accepted. I know two kids can be more work, but for the most part, it prevents Rudy from needing my full attention all day.


Once Rudy knew Sanai was on her way over, he paced the house until she showed up. At first they played separately but right next to each other. Sanai had a blast playing with Rudy's geo-trax and Rudy played with some of the games Sanai brought. Then they decided they wanted to watch the movie Sanai brought. They actually sat and watched most of the movie, and even had lunch while finishing it.

After the movie, we decided to go to the park. Sanai brought Rudy's new jump rope and practiced her jumping.

Both kids played on the swings (Sanai told me this one would keep her safe - it's a good thing she is so much lighter than Rudy so getting her in and out was easy!).

Rudy wore his pirate mask.

And then Sanai spotted a butterfly. And for about 30 minutes the two of them tried to chase and capture this butterfly. It never flew more than a few feet away and would try to eat some grass before they came running at it again.

Then they decided to try to catch it, but all we had was a jump rope, so they tried to lasso the butterfly.

After the butterfly finally flew away, we took out the soccer net and played soccer. The rules of this game were kids against grown-up and the kid that was the goalie, moved the net around to help the other kid score. Lots of fun!

After the park we went to get some ice cream.

As you can see, Rudy is a mess, as usual, and Sanai has not a drop of ice cream on her!


At home again, nothing like a little jealousy and competition to encourage writing skills. Sanai was using the writing pad and writing words and sentences to me (she does a great job with primary spelling), so Rudy decided he had to try. He could get the beginning sounds so it was a good start.

Windy Cleanup and Cloudy Walk

Saturday we attended the spring clean up at our local wildlife refuge. It was cold and windy and dreary. There were a lot of people there, and by some miracle, there was not much trash, so we didn't spend too much time in the cold. This picture is us with another person from our church who participated with us (her husband took the picture).


Yesterday, I made plans to meet a friend and her daughter. Rudy and Sanai haven't seen each other since his party, but they had fun at Smithville.
Racing motorcycles.

Playing video games.

BFFs

Chasing a rooster.

Closing up a door that was left open (then we made them open it again in case it was left open for a reason!).

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!