November Highlights (part 1)

Learning about Bees

Ian is in a Lego Robotics club. Since their project requirements this year have to do with honeybees, the club leaders asked our friend Julie (who has a hobby of beekeeping) if they could come for a field trip. I'm not sure how much of what they learned can be applied to their Lego-building, but they had fun learning. Julie did a great job of showing them the process, from the bee hive to cutting the wax off the trays to spinning the honey out. The boys especially liked the hands-on parts. :)

Caleb, Ian, Paul, John

Ian wearing a beekeeping suit

Nathan helping to spin the honey

Visit to K-2 Academy

Nathan, Ryan, and I had fun meeting up with Jaden, Cody, and Amy at a local kids' gym that has "open gym" each Friday morning. All four of them kept very busy the whole time we were there. Ryan, Jaden, and Cody were able to manage most of the bars,

and they all liked the big trampoline

and jumping into the big foam block pit.

Nathan seemed to feel safe inside a foam shape and hula hoop ...

...while the big boys and some new friends built an ENORMOUS foam block "house."

Everyone took a turn on the balance beam before we headed home. What a fun morning!

Nathan's Birthday Party

We didn't have to think long about making Nathan's two-year-old birthday party theme "music." He loves singing, dancing, and playing instruments! We were especially excited that Kim's brother and family was in town for the party, in addition to all of the other family that lives here already!

The decorations were easy and fun. Ian and Ryan helped to make some signs.

Ian and Aunt Amy hung CDs,

Grammy and I worked together to "write some music" on the wall,

we got the games all set up,

the birthday book (Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin!) out and ready to sign,

and the birthday cakes done!

Nathan helped to bake his drum cake. He was emphatic about having strawberry-flavored cake.

It was fun to think of games for the party, too. We borrowed some wonderful ideas from my cousin, Becky, who had hosted a music party for her twins a few years ago. (Thanks, Becky!) Our first set of activities was singing and doing the actions for some of Nathan's favorite songs: "Ring Around the Rosie,"

"Old MacDonald Had a Farm,"

and "The Grand Ol' Duke of York."

Next, we had a freeze dance competition where everyone had to pause when the music stopped.

The next game was "Name that Tune." Each child had to listen to ten familiar songs (like "Jingle Bells" or "The ABC Song"). When he knew the answer, he whispered it to his "special adult friend" (who had been given an answer key and a set of stickers), who gave him a sticker for his chart. At the end, anyone (everyone) with at least five stickers got a set of bells for their arms or feet.

They were fun to wear during the next game -- Musical Pillows!

Then, Grammy led her water-glass band in some favorite tunes, including "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and two others that I can't remember now. The kids needed some help remembering to actually play when Grammy pointed to their color, and Ian was frustrated that the littler ones wanted to play their notes multiple times instead of just once. But, they did a good job, and the melodies were actually recognizable!

Then, we had a parade around our cul-de-sac. Andrew and Jason carried the banner while the marching band (which stopped a few times for instrument-switching) played and sang "Happy Birthday" behind.

Then, came one of the highlights of the party: karaoke! Each child (and Matt :)) dressed up in an assortment of wigs and accessories and chose a song to sing into the karaoke machine that Uncle Jason and Aunt Amy had given to Nathan as a birthday gift. Each child wanted to go twice (and would have gone more if it weren't time for dinner). Matt had brought home a director's stand from CLHS to use as a "stage."

Nathan, the Birthday Boy

Abby

Jaden

Ryan

Ian

Cody

the most enthusiastic of the bunch, my dear husband

We got a few pictures of Nathan and our family together with his cake,

before Ian led us in "Happy Birthday" on the piano.

After Nathan blew out the candles on his own,

we lit the candles again to give everyone had a chance to help.

We accidentally gave Nathan a piece of the chocolate cake before realizing our mistake and giving him his much-awaited piece of strawberry cake. :)

Nathan loved opening his gifts and loved them all,

including this new dump truck!

Thanks to everyone who made the birthday so special!