“Old Buckethead” in better days.  With unseasonably warm weather these last few days, the snowman that the kids built is no longer in good shape.  Let’s just say that he’s off to the North Pole to return again someday!  But how cute the children are!  There is nothing cuter than kids dressed head to toe in snow suits!

While I was on my self-imposed, not-on-purpose blogging break, lots of stuff happened.  One very important thing was that Ross had his karate test and earned two stripes on his belt.  It was his very first test and it was very official.  He didn’t know how he did until he went to his karate class the week following the test.  His Sensei had a little ceremony for the kids who tested and then congratulated Ross on earning two stripes. He then very officially added his stripes (just like orange duct tape - ha!) to his belt.

Here he is with his Sensei looking all proud.  Congratulations Ross - way to go!

Life with little kids is never dull.  I was running around yesterday trying to complete some chores and grabbed the hamper from the bathroom.  I was carrying it through the kitchen so I could bring it to the laundry room in the basement when I tripped and fell smack dab on the floor, spilling clothes all over.

When I looked to see what had tripped me, there was a highly complex contraption made from balloon string which was tied to the refrigerator door and weaved in and around and through the high chair and the kitchen stools.

When I asked what this was (okay - truth be told, when I yelled “what is this?”), Ross replied “it’s a booby trap!”.  Very effective.

I must admit that today I find it funny and quite creative.  Yesterday, not so much.

We did it!  With just a small effort Francesca is potty trained.  She is a stubborn little one and has resisted for some time now, even though she knew the drill.  So I waited.  I finally revisited the whole potty training thing and within short order she was running to the potty on her own.

I still have her in pull-ups at night although she wakes up dry most mornings.  I should have let my 6 year old train her, because she looks up to him so much.  He suggested she use the ” big potty” (toilet) and lo and behold she has circumvented the potty chair and went straight to the big potty.  So much for transition.

It is so nice to not have to buy diapers anymore.  We now have quite the assortment of fancy big girl underwear.  Dora, Disney princesses and Fancy Nancy underwear are particular favorites.  Although with a big brother who is such a Star Wars fan, I think she might prefer Star Wars underwear.  She walks around humming the Star Wars theme and playing with his Lego Star Wars toys. Too bad they don’t make them for girls.

This is Ross and his sailboat, The Eliminator.  Sam and Ross worked together to put this kit together and then to paint and decorate it.  The Tiger Cub Scouts had their Rain Gutter Regatta, where all the scouts got to race their sailboat across a rain gutter.  The Eliminator didn’t exactly eliminate the competition but in the end, fun was had by all.  Lessons about sportsmanship, good and bad, were also learned.

He is really proud of the sailboat that he and his dad built.  The biggest joy was seeing them working together on building it.

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com.

So we’re watching Cartoon Network the other night, and this comes on.  Thumb Wars.  I have never seen this and it was hysterical.  Ross is a huge Star Wars fan, we had just finished watching Clone Wars.  Thumb Wars is just like it sounds.  It is a show about the Star Wars characters made with thumbs.  Uh huh, you heard me right, thumbs.   The characters faces are drawn on thumbs.

It seems that this has been around for a while but since I never had a boy before and my girls were not  taken very much by Star Wars, this escaped my path.  Ross is smitten - I think Thumb Wars will be a new favorite in our house.  May the force be with you.

With Kiddie Land closing this summer, I thought it would be nice to bring the kids there for a first and last visit.  We used to go to Kiddie Land when my older girls were little and I remember going with my parents as a child.  We had a fun time, although we were supposed to meet one of Ross’ friends and his family.  They got there about a half an hour after us and literally could not park.  It was that crowded.  Even with the crowds though, we didn’t have to wait too long to get on the rides.  The kids had a blast and went on many a spinning ride.  I snapped this picture of the kids on one of the spinning rides, Ross looks like he is going to throw up.  When I asked him if he felt sick, he said “no - I just like to hold my breath when spinning”.  Uh, okay.

It’s kind of sad that they are closing up the amusement park.  At least we got to experience it as a family and will have the memories and the photos.  They are still open on weekends through the end of this month I believe.  We may try for one last visit since the weather is so summery now.

It has been a busy week for back to school this week.  We had been looking forward to Ross’ first day of Kindergarten today, but we were pleasantly surprised with the turn of events for other family members.  I went back to school on Tuesday, with a cohort program that will earn me my MATC, a Masters in Education Degree and Teaching Certificate.  Ashley also signed herself up for school by registering for her first class towards her undergraduate degree.  We are quite the scholarly family this week.  And while I do not have photos of Ashley’s first day or mine, I do have some of Ross’.

Ross and Francesca before firstbell.

What does a boy do when you tell him it’s too heavy?  He tries to prove you wrong.  Look at his face.  This lasted a few seconds before he finally turned over the backpack full of school supplies.

A hug for her brother, the Kindergartner, after his very first day of school.  It was a good first day for the class, no tears from any of the children.  I can’t say the same for the moms.

A fun summer Saturday.

A loyal tee ball fan!

The “object” of her affections!

A spin around the track - not as much fun as the bouncy things but still a good time!

A sword for the Clone Trooper / Super Hero / Power Ranger.

And a flower painted on a sleeping princess.

Their first practice and uniform day.

Up at bat.

We’ll try this one again.

Way to break the uniform in after the game.

King of the hill!