'P' on this

Nubbin has been asking lots of questions about words lately. If it's not a question of why do we say 'ran' instead of 'run' or 'what does "ending up" mean?', it's usually a question in which he somehow weaves in the word, poop, or something else that comes out of that end.

Nubbin: 'Hey mom, does the letter 'P' mean poop?'
Mommy: 'No, it doesn't mean poop...'
Nubbin: 'how about pee? It IS a "P'''
Mommy: 'Nope, try again...'
Nubbin: 'oh, I know. It stands for popcorn..'
Mommy: 'yes it does Nubbin. yes it does...'

Oops. she did it again...

I convinced Husband to let us get another hamster.

Her name is 'Mouse.'

Wealth of knowledge

Husband's little brother graduated from Virginia Tech last weekend! He'll be continuing his education to get a PhD.

We are so proud of you, 'Uncle C PhD'.... We love you!!!

Last daze

Nubbin's last day of 3 year old preschool was yesterday and he was too shy to sing the songs. But, he was really cute standing up there with his classmates :)

Say cheese!!

Yes, he was really excited, and yes, I wrapped his birthday gifts in Xmas paper. It was all I had!

Fafa had a really difficult time understanding why it wasn't his birthday. So, in a gesture that made us proud parents, Nubbin let Fafa open some of his gifts.

Nubbin has Sissy to thank for this bike. Apparently, his free pink and purple 'hand me down' (we were the 4th family to own it) bike with a permanent hole in the back tire wasn't cool enough. Nubbin says, 'Thank you Sissy for telling mommy to get me a new bike!'

Let them eat cake

Nubbin picked out the cookie cake... He didn't care that it didn't have anything written on it. As you can see, Fafa helped put out the candles just by blowing drool on them.

Nubbin had a playgroup cake too. I made a little cake for one of the other boys who was celebrating in May too

yep, there are 5 candles. It's a tradition in the Wolfe family to put one extra upside down... 'one to grow on' as Grandma would say.

Home on the range

I might be violating child labor laws by making my kids shell garden peas... Although, they can't complain since many of the peas ended up flying across the room. Apparently, they make good 'missiles'.

the bounty of the creative mind

Alex's mom did the invites. She even went so far as to burn the edges of the invite... talk about setting expectations :)

my greatest achievement... I mean the kid of course :)

The preschool is part of St. Paul's Episcopal Church - hence, the name :)

I can't take much credit for the creativity for this birthday party (just look at those invites). Alex's mom is a pro party planner. So, my attempts included the pirate ship, pirate flags for the hot dogs and treasure hunt. Apparently, these were the only things I could steal from the chest of gray matter that is my brain.

My clues for the treasure hunt (we had two teams going in opposite directions, so it was chaos figuring out who should have what clue):

1. A pirate needs rest. Go to the place where we sleep the best -- (answer: the hammock)

2. If it’s a letter a pirate seeks. Depending on the seas, he may have to wait here for weeks… -- (answer: the mailbox)

3. This bonny lass has just had a birthday. Her parents hold the secret to the pirate’s code, also called a parlay. -- (answer: our preschool friend who celebrated a birthday the day before)

4. While in a boat, a pirate dreams grand. He wants this between his toes and you find it on an island. -- (answer: sandbox)

ARRRGGHH, matey too!

the cake... X marks the spot straight to my stomach...

best friends blowing out candles together...

Nubbin contemplates his future in magic

matching pirate capes... thanks Alex for sharing your birthday party with us :)

Part 2 of my recollections is that Nubbin had a pretty good time. He was stunned at the attention, but did seem to open up to his friends as the day wore on... It reminded me of my sometimes introverted Husband and I have to chuckle to think that Nubbin is a mini version of him.

How time flies... It makes me sad and happy to think that my little baby is growing into a little boy. He tells me every day that he loves me. I wonder how long that will last... ahh, I'm getting misty eyed and sentimental.

Happy 4th birthday Nubbin! Mommy and Daddy love you!! We are so blessed that we get to see you grow and learn through another year. We love you more than all the stars in the sky!

ARRGGHH, matey!

finally, the deck gets put to good use... it made a great stage

The pirate had a parrot... say that 3 times fast. Nubbin was more interested in the parrot than the pirate.

the greatest treasure in the world... my 3 boys :)

family portrait... with a pirate thrown in for good measure

So, Nubbin's best friend's mom approached me several months back and said, 'Our sons have birthdays a day apart. Let's do a party together for all their preschool friends.' Me, not knowing what this would entail (how naive I was to think that this just might be a playdate with cake) said, 'That sounds like a great idea! let's do it!'

Fast forward. Those two had a party that blew away even my relatively sane mind. 18 kids plus parents in our backyard. We had a magician with a parrot, decorations including a painted picture of 'Pete the pirate', a treasure hunt, a craft that entailed jeweling your own treasure box to hold the treasures from the hunt and lunch with cake and ice cream. It doesn't sound like much when I write it out... maybe my mind is playing tricks on me.

Husband said that he would have done it differently. How so? no magician, less fanfare. I agree. next year. less fanfare. more cake.

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto

heehee... that's my boy!

Quick! Breathe...

Nubbin made a 'caterpillar' out of potatoes

We bought new patio furniture and have spent more time outside in the past week than over the course of 3 years

Our neice, A-Wo, and Al came for a visit (we used Auntie's car to get the furniture... thanks, Al!)

I got a new haircut... thanks, Granny Jo!

Husband cooked one of his fabulous meals... mediterranean food!

Well, that's all the news in one short post... I'll try to keep up, but don't hold your breath :)

Farmer's market

The bounty of the box

what the...?

So, husband and I joined a produce co-op. We pay a certain amount and then get a box delivered of produce that is locally grown. The box contains whatever is in season. The main idea is that we're supporting local farmers and getting food that is supposedly better because it doesn't have to be bred to sit in a grocery store. Did I mention that we get whatever is in season...

This brings me to my dilemna of the day... what the heck is that white thing at the bottom of the box? looks like a carrot, except it's white. My neighbor said this is the danger (as well as the excitement)... you don't know what you'll end up with and you may not know what to DO with what you do get...