Out of the mouths of babes...

Austin comment from the other day... "It smells like poop.  Oh. Yeah...I think I did a toot."

Clayton comment from the other day... "Do you keep getting higher numbers after you get dead?"
(Meaning, do you keep celebrating birthdays after you die?)

Another Clayton comment "When I get older, I want to be an electrical engineer AND a shepherd."

Fire Zone

As part of our spring staycation, I took the kids to Fire Zone, a fire engine-themed play center in Schaumburg.  The kids got to wear fireman jackets, slide down fire poles, practice hoisting ladders, pretend to put out fires, and climb on & "drive" a real firetruck.

 The outing ended with a fireman showing the kids all of the gear they have to wear and how to put it on. The fireman who did the presentation did a great job engaging the kids and making them laugh with the antics he threw in.

The kids had fun. I don't know if it is really worth the price of admission, (luckily I had a groupon!), but it was a good experience.  Afterwards, we sent to Wildberry for lunch. On our way out, Clayton, my little charmer, told the hostess station that "they make the best breakfast and lunches EVER!"  The owner/manager was standing right there and was so tickled by his comment, that he gave him a $10 gift certificate to come back.  Woo hoo!

Pizza Party!

On Austin's actual 3rd birthday, we celebrated with just the 5 of us. Cake. Pizza. More McQueen. Smiles all around for my little man-turned-three!

Lightning McQueen Party

We held a "Lightning McQueen" party for a few of Austin's friends. 

 We had 6 little boys and their moms come over. We ate Lightning McQueen cake, and drank from "Piston cups".

 The boys did a character hunt for all the Cars characters.

Then we watched the clip in Cars where Guido changes McQueen's tires. The boys then got to practice racing to change McQueen's tires.

For their party favor, the boys took home a laminated placemat

and a racecar that they could drive on it.

It was a lot of fun watching all the little boys in action!

Austin's Birthday Brunch

We started Austin's birthday celebration with a birthday brunch with family.

Dad's 70th Birthday

My Dad turned 70 on February 27th and my mom had a 70th birthday bash for him at her house. The party was complete with friends, family, comfort food, and the caterers wearing bowties and dark glasses - Woody style.  The whole evening was so much fun and so meaningful to my Dad.

Dad and all his grandchildren

 Photo Seventy - all photos of my Dad from babyhood through old-geizerhood

The Wood Family

Kellan and his bowtie

We ended the evening by presenting my Dad with a scrapbook - with pictures all through his past, and memories from all of his close friends and family.

I love you Dad!