Roller Rink Disaster?? or Success??

One Saturday afternoon, we were looking for something fun to do as a family.... and while brainstorming, ROLLERSKATING came up.  Both Clay and Laura thought....YEAH!! That will be a great fun family activity!  We both have fond memories of roller skating as a kid... so let's go!  Well, when we got there, we found out that 1.  we couldn't take our umbrella stroller with Detric onto the rink (we had done this previously at a different rink and it worked out fabulously when you have a baby!  The adult can skate and roll the kid around so they can participate too...it was brilliant!).  Well, this roller rink X'd that idea, so bummer, someone would always have to be sitting out with Detric  2.  they said no to holding him of any sort either...so that's just GREAT!  We just took turns...but we soon found out that we haven't taken our kids skating nearly enough...EVERYONE, (ok...everyone but Clayboy) was falling down all over the place!  Even Laura wasn't immune to gravity taking it's toll!  Within a minute of having the skates on, Laura slipped, couldn't catch herself, and fell down flat on her bottom, she was graciously handed humble pie on a platter!  Yep...fun for all!  CJ got a nasty bruise on his elbow from some of his falls, Preston was mad because he couldn't skate as fast as the other kids that were smaller than him going around the rink! (so of course that is Mom and Dad's fault...and boy did we hear it!)  Aparri didn't complain, but was having troubles staying up until we exchanged her skates out for trainer skates (oh what a blessing!!)  Then, she was all over the place having a ball!  So, the first little while, Clay and Laura just had to laugh...our "nice, fun, family" outing was looking like disaster!  With the tears, expressions frustration and wanting to leave, falls, bruises, and angry kids, we thought this would be the first and last time we were going skating!  (Ok..maybe Clay and Laura would go on a date to the roller rink one night, but without kids!)  Well, we were pleasantly surprised as the afternoon progressed...the kids kept trying, things got better,  and by the time our session ended, the kids didn't want to leave!!! They were now mad because they wanted to stay and skate longer!  All we have heard since is, "When are we going skating again....when are we going skating again....  Oh boy, miracles do happen.

 

A Progressive Birthday

Aparri's birthday celebrations were staggered across several days!  We like to call it the Progressive birthday.  First, we decided to celebrated with "THE" cake and a couple presents a few days early so Papa and Grandma could be apart of the festivities while they were in town.  Second celebration came when we had a some friends over for dinner the day before her actual birthday.  CJ wanted to bake a cake from scratch from a cookbook he got from the library, and while making it, he decided to make it a second birthday cake for Aparri (celebration 2).  So she enjoyed blowing out candles and having a piece of yummy double chocolate cake made for her by her older brother.  Third, was the actual birthday day.  Aparri got breakfast in bed- complete with French toast, strawberries, cool whip and juice.  Then, Scarlett, her little friend came over - bearing gifts, balloons, and pinkalicious cupcakes.  The two girls and Detric, then they had lunch at McDonalds.  We ended the night with a few gifts (the ones that had arrived!  When you order online, you are at the mercy of the postal system to deliver ontime!  Which they didn't, but that lead to more days of fun right?)  And the last and final celebration was a belated gift that came in the mail a few days later.  Aparri didn't seem to mind.  Happy Birthday, Aparri.  We can hardly believe our little girl is already 4.

 

 

Princess Tink and Presterella

This year, Aparri chose a princess cake for her birthday.  But, not just any princess...Tinkerbell princess.  Well, we ALL know Tinkerbell isn't really a princess, but when it is your birthday and you are 4 years old....anything goes!  Laura made the cake, the boys made her crown.  When we were at Walmart buying some last minute supplies for the cake, Preston asked if we could buy some cook molding Clay.  He wanted to make a fairy for a cake topper (inspired by his aunt Julie who made Becky's cake topper for the wedding last month!).  So..here is princess Tinkerbell and her fairy sidekick Presterella. 

 

 

4 greasy monkeys in a PJ war

Grandma and Papa are always a fun group to hang out with...whether we are snuggling on the couch, hanging off airplanes, getting greased by Grandma's kisses (Detric got a big ol' lipstick kiss on the forehead!!), watching Aparri dance, riding bikes/ motorcycles, taking a snooze, getting dragged around the house in a box, or having PJ races (where they race to see who can get PJs on first and Papa wins by putting them on his head!!).  We sure enjoyed your visit and started missing you the second your car pulled away.  We love you!