Jack's 6th birthday party

We celebrated Jack's 6th birthday today at a place called the Bounce House. He wanted Phineas and Ferb decorations so Mimi customized his cupcakes with all of the fun colors. The kids just bounced and played and had so much fun. Our party attendant was our neighbor down the street so that made it really nice :)

Jack had mostly Mom's club friends there and a friend from his new school. We attended a party for a little girl in his class before his own party so we met some of the parents and classmates.

His big gift from family was a basketball goal for outside. Dave put it together all morning and Jack shot a few hoops after his party. It was a wonderful day and we're so thankful to Mimi, Mama, Gigi and Dada for driving over to share this day with us.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Jack, Theo and I ventured in to New Orleans to meet up with Dave's extended family for Fat Tuesday. They all rented a house off the parade route Uptown and it was awesome! We spent the night at cousin Katie's house on Monday and got up bright and early (6 am) today to get a parking spot by the house. "Uncle" Mike's brother and sister were in town and hooked me up with a costume. I was part of a school of fish, Mike was the fisherman and the rest of the family were BP oil workers in white clean up gear. It was awesome! I made Jack a turtle costume and Theo and cousin Elise were little fish :)

The kids sat up in the ladder seat with cousin JD helping catch stuff (namely keeping them from being pelted in the face by flying beads). We are all beyond exhausted by had such a fun time. I haven't been a part of Mardi Gras day in the city since grad school!!! I always had to work during Mardi Gras and then have just stayed on the Northshore since having kids.

Thank you Gallagher/Kerisit/Waddell families for a wonderful day that we won't soon forget!!!

Cake and coins

Dave's birthday was yesterday and he was out of town for it (it's planting season. Par for the course right now). He came home tonight and I baked him a cake. Don't worry, I won't be opening up my own bakery anytime soon ;) I didn't have the right size tip to put on the squeeze frosting (can you tell??). Ha.

And in other news, Jack's school participates in the Pennies for Patients drive for childhood cancer! I'm so happy to get to collect money for this cause that is near and dear to us.

PS- Jack got another 100 on his spelling pre-test. That makes six 100's in a row. Wow.

Right or left?

I got Theo a pencil gripper to help him learn to hold his pencil for writing. I also got him a placemat that he can write on to practice making his letters. I'm scared for him next year since he'll be going to the same school Jack is now (Jack started doing probability this week. After mastering fractions last week. Ha ha). Anyway, I caught him switching hands today. He's been favoring his right hand for quite some time but did a great job with his left hand today. Hmm!

Hanging with Molly

We went over to a friend's house this afternoon (the weather was GORGEOUS) and let the kids play outside. They jumped on the trampoline for a while and then rode around in Molly's 4 wheeler (just a big wheel-type thing). Molly's baby brother, Henry, was doted on by everyone! He's a smiley, happy dude :)

Down time

Dave traveled up to Memphis for the Gin Show this week and has been gone all weekend as well. We stayed busy with soccer and church but needed some down time (me!!!). I pulled out two things I've been hoarding for quite some time and let Jack draw comic book characters and Theo learn to play the piano ;) Jack has actually really taken to Theo's piano since it breaks down the musical notes.

Graysen's party

Jack's old buddy from Cedarwood had his 6th birthday party this afternoon at the place Jack had his party at last year. He saw a bunch of former classmates since Graysen still goes to Cedarwood. Theo really wanted to play laser tag with the big kids but I put the kill on that idea. Luckily another mom had some spare tokens and it just so happened that Theo hit the jackpot on one of the games, winning him a ring pop. That kept him entertained for the remainder of the party. :)